Tag Archives: lowering blood pressure

8 Lessons I’ve learned from Hypothyroidism

Many people don’t know about the thyroid and what it does until after they’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. It’s tasked with producing thyroid hormone, which controls a host of activities in the body, including how quickly you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid is sluggish and does not make enough thyroid hormone, causing many of the body’s functions to slow. It’s typically treated with replacement thyroid hormones, and most people will need to remain on the medication for the rest of their lives, according to the American Thyroid Association

1.Thyroid Medication Usually Needs Tweaking

“Many people may feel frustrated when they first start taking replacement thyroid hormones as there can be a lot of trial and error before we get the right dose,” says Melanie Goldfarb, MD, director of the Endocrine Tumor Program at John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “It can take three to four weeks for the medication to take effect, and it can take a while to get on the right dose, too.”

2. Medication Should Be a Morning Ritual

I’ve learned to take my medication as soon as I get up along with a warm lemon water with my thyroid medication..

Lemons are loaded with healthy benefits, and particularly, they’re a great vitamin C food source. One cup of fresh lemon juice provides 187 percent of your daily recommended serving of vitamin C — take that, oranges! Lemon juice also offers up a healthy serving of potassium, magnesium and copper.

It Aids in digestion and detoxification. It tricks the liver into producing bile, which helps keep food moving through your body and gastrointestinal tract smoothly. Lemon water also helps relieve indigestion or ease an upset stomach.

I’ve also learned to  wait 1 hour before I eat and wait 4 hours before you take any other vitamin supplements because it can interfere with the absorption of your medication. I’ve also found out that  If I wanted to drink coffee I must wait 1 hour after I’ve taken my medication because it can also interfere with the absorption of your thyroid medication and to never ever to forget to eat  breakfast! I need fuel but I have to wait  1 hour After I’ve taken my thyroid pill.

3. Let thy food be thy medicine

Food is not just calories it is information. It talks to your DNA and tells it what to do. My most powerful tool to change my health was my fork. I needed to stop going long periods of time without food. My body always needed energy. If my blood sugar starts to drop this creates a stress reaction and now your adrenal glands will do what it needs to do  to maintain my body’s function by releasing more cortisol or adrenaline. Eating often would  help put  my body back in its normal cycle.  I needed to eat foods that nourish my body and not hinder it.

I really had no idea how powerful food really was until after I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.  Many people with hypothyroidism are deficient in Magnesium, B-12, Zinc, Iodine, B2, Vitamin C, Selenium, Vitamin D and Vitamin A. 

The Standard American diet in a nutshell is loaded with unhealthy saturated and trans fats. Our meals are unbalanced, over-sized and loaded with sugar, salt, artificial ingredients and preservatives. We have an abundance of food at our finger tips but yet we are extremely malnourished and mineral deficient. We are literally starving our bodies to death! People are not obtaining the basic nutrients their bodies needs in order to fuel what is needed to perform its proper functions. We are literally running on empty!  There is about 20 million estimated Americans with some type of hypothyroid disorder.

Although my  thyroid is small, it produces a hormone that influences every cell, tissue and organ in the body. My thyroid determines the rate in which my body produces the energy from nutrients and oxygen. So I need to start eating foods that fed my thyroid.  I needed to  start nourishing my body back to health with foods that jump kicked my metabolism too.

4. There is no one size fits all diet for Hypothyroidism

I started to research to begin to try to understand that there’s really not a one size fits all diet for us with hypothyroidism  but there are certain ways we can eat that will certainly help begin the healing process. Diet alone wasn’t enough to help my body start fighting this battle that is raging in your body. I needed to  start addressing other area’s in your life that can cause inflammation like  Dietary Allergies, Addressing gut health and avoiding Chemical toxins and endocrine disruptors.

5. I had become my own advocate for my health

After being diagnosed my priorities were made more clear. I had to start listening to my body, stop taking my health for granted and continuing to research to figure out what I needed to do to “fix me”. I started making my own cleaning products, lotions and deodorant’s. Our skin is the largest organ in our body and it absorbs everything we put on it. Here is a recipe that I make all the time for homemade deodorant.

Homemade Deodorant

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup arrowroot powder or 1/2 cup of cornstarch

5 tablespoon unrefined virgin coconut oil

10 drops of grapefruit essential oil or lavender essential oil

(You can pick your favorite scent. I like lavender or grapefruit.)

Mix baking soda and arrowroot together. Melt your coconut oil in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Mix all ingredients (the baking soda and arrowroot powder) with the oil. Pour into clean small mason jar. Add your essential oil to the mason jar; close with the lid. Give it a good shake to combine the essential oil with the other mixture. By doing it this way, you can still use that bowl to eat with.  Once you mix that essential oil in the bowl, it can only be used for the purpose of making your deodorant. Everything you’ve used is edible except the essential oils.

6. Stop Stressing the Small Stuff

My thyroid has been having a relationship with my adrenal gland. It’s never been straight forward with my body and it never will be. The butterfly shaped gland that sits in front of my neck does more than control my metabolism. My thyroid puts out hormones in my body that knock on every cell and tells it what to do basically but for some reason with my hypothyroidism those cells simply refuse to answer that door.

My adrenal gland is only the size of a walnut and are locked  on top of each of your kidney’s. She is in charge of producing vital hormones that help regulate your body’s functions which include two major important things in your life my sex hormones and my cortisol levels. When you have hypothyroidism your cortisol levels are naturally higher than someone without hypothyroidism. You see I’ve learned that my Cortisol is more than just a steroid hormone that is made in the cortex of the adrenal gland. It has a greater task than just being tagged as your fight or flight response system. Almost every cell in my body contains receptors for cortisol. When my stress levels are high cortisol is released into my blood stream. Our bodies aren’t designed for us to be in a constant state of emergency. Our adrenal glands doesn’t know the difference between  a true emergency or just being stressed out. So in return she will continue to produce extra cortisol into our blood stream. After a while of pumping out the constant need for  cortisol  she will become weakened and start decreasing her ability to produce cortisol and instead produce extra adrenaline. So do you see why we must get our stress under control and not stress the small stuff! Let things roll off our back like a duck does water. 

7. Start Addressing the Root Cause of my Hypothyroidism

I needed to understand or get a idea of how everything has a part to play in my body. Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism wasn’t just here take this pill and it will fix my issues. Hypothyroidism had a root cause. Once I started addressing the root of your problems then my body can start healing itself. My body is an awesome design but there is a complex balance between everything. It’s a domino affect. If I had  something in my body that is overworked  it can cause a major shift in my body.  Two things I needed to  start doing immediately is getting my immune system in check and decreasing inflammation. Inflammation disrupts the production and regulatory mechanisms of thyroid hormones. Sometimes we have to do a little pruning of the branches, in order for the tree to be healthy again. A number of things can be the reason why I had hypothyroidism. It could be a wide range of things from  celiac disease, Hashimoto’s, leaky gut,  autoimmune disease disorder, nutrient deficiency’s, adrenal fatigue, exposure to chemicals, gluten or other food allergies, and hormonal imbalance.  It most defiantly started  with the foods that I was eating and the chemicals in the environment, my thyroid could  be influenced by many different circumstances. I needed to start figuring out what the root cause of my hypothyroidism was.

8. Start Loving Myself Again

All I do is run, run and run! I am exhausted and felt so guilty anytime I needed to have down time because there was things that needed to be done.  So I started to allow myself to take a day and do nothing. I mean absolutely nothing. WHY? Because  my body needed to recharge and stop being ran into the freaking ground. I am not a machine. I started taking Epsom salt baths. I will also take a day where I lay around and watch movies.  Get up take a shower and put on more pajama’s.

We all have to die someday but do me a favor. Don’t die not trying, Don’t die not seeking after the truth, don’t die just accepting this is your fate. It’s up to you to make a difference in your life. This your life, your body and your choice. We all have a story. You are the author of  your book, make it fantastic.

In my book: A Survivors Cookbook Guide To Kicking Hypothyroidisms Booty. It goes into detail with recipes and tips of how to start fighting hypothyroidism.

I want to thank you  for reading my latest blog.  Please let me know if you need any support with it. 

Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet?  If not let’s do that now, healing Hypothyroidism.   I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com .  You can also  Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.

Health and Happiness,

Audrey
XoXo

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

 

Your Thyroid has a Mistress

Your thyroid has been having a relationship with your adrenal gland. It’s never been straight forward with your body and it never will be. That butterfly shaped gland in the front of you neck does more than control your metabolism. Your thyroid puts out hormones in your body that knock on every cell and tells it what to do basically but for some reason when you have hypothyroidism those cells refuse to answer the door.

Your adrenal gland is only the size of a walnut and are locked  on top of each of your kidney’s. She is in charge of producing vital hormones that help regulate your body’s functions which include two major important things in your life your sex hormones and your cortisol levels.

Your Cortisol is more than just a steroid hormone that is made in the cortex of the adrenal gland. It has a greater task than just being tagged as your fight or flight response system. Almost every cell in our body contains receptors for cortisol. When your stress levels are high cortisol is released into your blood stream. Your body isn’t designed for you to be in a constant state of emergency. Your adrenal gland doesn’t know the difference between  a true emergency or just being stressed out. So in return she will continue to produce extra cortisol into your blood stream. After a while of pumping out the constant need for  cortisol  she will become weakened and start decreasing her ability to produce cortisol and instead produce extra adrenaline. This is what makes us feel shaky, lightheaded and anxious. This can start leading our body towards adrenal fatigue syndrome. Cortisol is also released by two other major players in your body your  hypothalamus in the brain and your pituitary gland.  

Your hypothalamus job is to keep your body in a constant stable condition. It’s like a supervisor that collects and combines information and puts changes in place to correct any imbalances. The hypothalamus also tells your pituitary gland how much hormones to release and store. Next what happens is your pituitary gland will produces the chemical messengers, also known as hormones, that stimulate the adrenal gland to secrete who is in  charge of producing vital hormones that help regulate your body’s functions which include two major important things in your life your sex hormones and your cortisol levels. 

The million Dollar Question

Back to the million dollar question what does all this have to do with my thyroid. So, when the adrenal glands are weakened from one or more of the causes I discussed above, what happens is that it puts the body in a state of catabolism.  What this means is that the body begins to break down, which as you can imagine isn’t a good thing.  As you probably know, the thyroid gland  puts out hormones in your body that knock on every cell and tells it what to do basically. So when the body is in a state of catabolism, the thyroid gland will slow down in order to slow down the catabolic process.

The light Bulb Moment

Is this all starting to make sense now? What we need to realize is in most cases, the malfunctioning thyroid gland isn’t the actual cause of the problem.  Other areas of the body are usually responsible for the thyroid condition. Many hypothyroid symptoms are very similar to adrenal fatigue that they are often confuse or misdiagnosed.

On top of all this confusion, the tests performed for thyroid and adrenal problems are often difficult to interpret correctly.

Why doesn’t your medical doctor check to see if its adrenal fatigue instead of just labeling you with a thyroid condition? The main reason is because your medical doctors aren’t trained in medical school to evaluate the entire endocrine system. They are trained to treat your symptoms with medication and surgery. Webster’s online dictionary give this definition: a person who is skilled in the science of medicine : a person who is trained and licensed to treat sick and injured people.  You should see a endocrinologist if you’ve been diagnosed with any thyroid disorder.

Endocrinologists have the training to diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in the body.

Why should you take a thyroid replacement pill when  you really need actually have adrenal fatigue ?  This is where a endocrinologist can help. Hypothyroidism can also be by nutrient deficiencies and not  your adrenal gland. This is why you should also look into seeing a Holistic medicine practitioner. They  believe that the whole person is made up of interdependent parts and if one part is not working properly, all the other parts will be affected. In this way, if people have imbalances (physical, emotional, or spiritual) in their lives, it can negatively affect their overall health.

All is not lost!

I wanted you to understand or get a idea of how everything has a part to play in your body. Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism isn’t just here take this pill and it will fix your issues. Hypothyroidism has a root cause. Once you start addressing the root of your problems then your body can start healing itself. Your body is an awesome design but there is a complex balance between everything. It’s a domino affect. If you have something in your body that is overworked  it will cause a major shift in your body. Don’t worry the good news is it can be healed.

Food is not just calories it is information. It talks to your DNA and tells it what to do. Your most powerful tool to change your health is your fork. You can’t go long periods without food. Your body always needs energy. If your blood sugar starts to drop this creates a stress reaction and now your adrenal glands will do what it needs to do  to maintain your body’s function by releasing more cortisol or adrenaline. Eating often will help put  your body back in its normal cycle.  You should eat foods that nourish your body and not hinder it.

The following table outlines the key differences in the signs and symptoms between adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism.

Characteristics Adrenal Fatigue Hypothyroidism
Body Measurements
Weight Early: gain weight; severe – cannot gain weight Generalized weight gain
Body Temp 97.8 or lower Low 90s to 98.6
Temp regulation fluctuating and exaggerated Steady
Mental Function
Mental Function Brain Fog Slow thinking
Depression Sometimes Frequent
Physical Looks
Eyebrows Full sparse outer 1/3
Hair Thin, sparse on extremities Coarse and sparse
Hair loss Sometimes Common
Nails Thin, brittle Normal to thick
Peri-orbital Tissue Sunken Puffy
Skin Thin Normal
Skin tone Dry Oily or moist
Internal feeling
Ligaments Flexibility Good Poor
Fluid retention No Yes
Pain Headache, muscular, migraines Joints, muscles
Reactivity Heightened and hyper-reactive Hypo-reactive
Medical condition
History of Infections Common Occasional
Chronic Fatigue Yes Yes
Orthostatic Hypotension Frequent No
Blood Sugar Tendency toward hypoglycemia Normal to hyperglycemia
Heart Palpitation Frequent No
GI function Irritable or hyperactive Constipation and hypoactive
Mal absorption Yes No
Sensitive to Medications Frequent Normal
Personality Traits
Personality Type Type A Type A or B
Obsessive Compulsive Frequent Mixed
Habits
Sleep Pattern Wake up 2-4 am Sleepy
Temperature Tolerance Intolerance to Cold Intolerance to Heat
Food Craving Craving for sweet and salty Craving for Fats

I want to thank you  for reading my latest blog.  Please let me know if you need any support with it. 

Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet?  If not let’s do that now, healing Hypothyroidism?   I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com .  You can also  Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.

Health and Happiness,

Audrey
XoXo

Food is thy medicine, right? Actually, it can work one of two ways. Food can be thy medicine or food can be thy death. This book is a guide that will inform you from the perspective of a women. You will also be able to determine what areas in your life that may need a little bit of work and the skills needed to improve those issues along with some fabulous recipes to help get you started on how to eat KETO AIP. I will also help you understand how to fix your gut, strengthen your immunity and fight inflammation with an autoimmune approach. The Keto AIP removes all the common inflammatory food triggers that stimulate a possible autoimmune reaction in the body. We’re going to start resetting those adrenals, boosting that energy and doing a little booty kicking to those hormones that have decided to act like a wild college student and pull an all-nighter the day before final exams.

The Keto Autoimmune Protocol Healing Book for Women: Strengthen Your Immunity, Fight Inflammation and Love Your Incredible Body

theketoautoimmunebookcover

A Women’s Holistic Holy Grail Handbook for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s: How I healed my Hypothyroidism and Autoimmune Disorder with Personalized Nutrition

Poisoned Profit

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

http://www.yourhormones.info/Hormones/Cortisol.aspx

http://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-adrenal-glands

http://www.yourhormones.info/glands/hypothalamus.aspx

Eating To Support Your Adrenal Glands

http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/parts/what-does-pituitary-gland-do.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-connection-between-the-pituitary-gland-and-adrenal-gland.htm#

Understanding the Adrenal and Thyroid Connection

http://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/the-link-between-adrenal-fatigue-thyroid-conditions/

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doctor

http://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/the-link-between-adrenal-fatigue-thyroid-conditions/

Adrenal Fatigue versus Hypothyroidism

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=265

12 Superfoods you Should be Eating with Hypothyroidism

HippocratesQuote

Super-foods are considered to be nutrient-rich powerhouses that are beneficial for overall health and well-being. Eating these super-foods may reduce the risk of chronic disease and lengthen your life. Along with essential nutrients, super-foods feed our body the necessary nutrients that our Standard American Diet is lacking.

The Standard American diet in a nutshell is loaded with unhealthy saturated and trans fats. Our meals are unbalanced, over-sized and loaded with sugar, salt, artificial ingredients and preservatives. We have an abundance of food at our finger tips but yet we are extremely malnourished and mineral deficient. We are literally starving our bodies to death! People are not obtaining the basic nutrients their bodies needs in order to fuel what is needed to perform its proper functions. We are literally running on empty!  There is about 20 million estimated Americans with some type of hypothyroid disorder.

Although your thyroid is small, it produces a hormone that influences every cell, tissue and organ in the body. The thyroid determines the rate in which your body produces the energy from nutrients and oxygen. What if you could start eating foods to feed your thyroid? What if you could start nourishing your body back to health with foods that jump kick your metabolism? Foods that are powerful enough to help you lower your cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer? Are you interested?

I really don’t like labeling a certain number of foods as “super” to just 21. There are so many  other foods out there that pack a powerhouse punch but if you are affected by hypothyroidism these foods that I have listed will start to feed your body the nutrients that it is lacking. Make sure you eat the color of the rainbow. Fill your plate with a lot of fibrous vegetables that will help you lose weight, stay fuller longer and improve your skin. When you eat fibrous vegetables it passes through your body undigested, keeping your digestive tract running smoothly and helping your bowel movements flush out cholesterol and harmful carcinogens. Fibrous foods are asparagus, green beans, beetroot, cooked broccoli, cooked brussel sprouts, carrots, celery, cucumber, garlic, lettuce, mushrooms, onions tomatoes and cooked spinach. Many people with hypothyroidism are deficient in Magnesium, B-12, Zinc, Iodine, B2, Vitamin C, Selenium, Vitamin D and Vitamin A.

Blueberries are nutrient dense and are loaded with fiber, vitamin c, vitamin K, manganese, antioxidants, fights cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, fights cancer and boosts brain health.

Pumpkin is loaded with antioxidants, fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, magnesium, potassium , zinc, contains L tryptophan, a chemical compound that triggers feelings of well-being that aid depression and is anti-inflammatory which means it helps with joint health, organ health, stress relief and soft tissue injuries!

Gluten free oatmeal are suitable for a gluten-free diet. People with hypothyroidism typically have a gluten intolerance. Oatmeal with fuel your body, give you fiber, help lower your cholesterol, enhance your immune system and help stabilize your blood sugar.

Free-range or “pastured” organic eggs contain Tryptophan and Tyrosine which is important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. They are loaded with  all 9 essential amino acids choline, powerful antioxidants and sulfurB12, vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin e, iron, phosphorous, selenium and B2 and B5.

Beans, beans, beans the magical fruit! The more you eat the more you toot! Eating foods that cause gas is the only way for the microbes in the gut to get nutrients.  They are full of nutrients, including protein, fiber, slow-burning carbs, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Healthy individual can have up to 18 flatulences per day and be perfectly normal per Purna Kashyap, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Red bell peppers is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin E, manganese, antioxidant-rich,  six different carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin).

Sardines  are rich in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have been found to lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Sardines are an excellent source of vitamin D, vitamin b12 and rich in protein, which provides us with amino acids.

Brazil nuts are a very good source of vitamin-E, Vitamin B, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folates, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. Just two brazil nuts per day can  give you the recommended daily allowance of  selenium. Most hypothyroidism patients are selenium deficient.

Dark chocolate Cacao not cocoa are two different kinds of chocolate. Once the beans are roasted and processed that they are called cocoa. Most cocoa powders have additives like sweeteners or cocoa butter. The cocoa beans lose much of their nutritional benefits. Cacao is the purest form of chocolate you can eat. It is raw and much less processed than store bought cocoa powder. It’s full antioxidants, magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper and manganese.

Wild salmon is loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, High Quality Protein, Essential Amino Acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus.

 

Seaweed contains vitamins A, vitamin C, calcium and is a natural source of  iodine. Iodine deficiency is common with people who have hypothyroidism. Symptoms of being iodine deficient are fatigue, depression, difficulty losing weight and are a higher chance of becoming sick.

Chia seeds contain Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), fiber, protein, magnesium, Vitamin B2, calcium, phosphorus, loaded with Antioxidants, almost all the carbs in chia seeds are fiber, they have more Omega-3 fatty acids than salmon and has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, increase HDL cholesterol and reduce inflammation.
 want to thank you  for reading my latest blog.  Please let me know if you need any support with it. 

Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet?  If not let’s do that now, Got Hypothyroidism?   I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com .  You can also  Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.

Health and Happiness,

Audrey
XoXo

 

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

 

HippocratesQuote

 

References

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  13. Kris-Etherton PM & Keen CL. (2002). Evidence that the antioxidant flavonoids in tea and cocoa are beneficial for cardiovascular health. Curr Opin Lipidol 13:41–9.
  14. Hooper L et al. (2008). Flavonoids, flavonoid-rich foods, and cardiovascular risk: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 88(1):38–50.
  15. Kris-Etherton PM et al. (2003). Fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 23:e20–e30.
  16. Delgado-Lista J et al. (2012). Long chain omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. Br J Nutr 107(Suppl 2):S201–13.
  17. Goldberg RJ & Katz J. (2007). A meta-analysis of the analgesic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for inflammatory joint pain. Pain 129(1–2):210–23.
  18. Brown MJ et al. (2004). Carotenoid bioavailability is higher from salads ingested with full-fat than with fat-reduced salad dressings as measured with electrochemical detection. Am J Clin Nutr 80:396–403.
  19. EU Register on nutrition and health claims: http://ec.europa.eu/nuhclaims/
  20. Crozier A et al. (1997). Quantitative analysis of the flavonoid content of commercial tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and celery. J Agric Food Chem 45(3):590–5.
  21. EFSA panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies (2010). Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for carbohydrates and dietary fibre. EFSA Journal 8(3):1462. Available at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1462.htm
  22. EUFIC Review (2012). Fruit and vegetable consumption in Europe – do Europeans get enough? http://www.eufic.org/article/en/expid/Fruit-vegetable-consumption-Europe/
  23. EUFIC Review (2009). Food-based dietary guidelines in Europe. http://www.eufic.org/article/en/expid/food-based-dietary-guidelines-in-europe/
  24. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=54
  25. http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/04/28/306544406/got-gas-it-could-mean-you-ve-got-healthy-gut-microbes?utm_source=digg&utm_medium=email
  26. http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Beans-Weight-Loss-32829604
  27. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/09/02/why-does-this-commonly-vilified-food-actually-prevent-heart-disease-and-cancer.aspx
  28. https://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/
  29. http://eshape.org/health-foods/worlds-healthiest-sea-vegetables/
  30. https://wildforsalmon.com/why-wild/health-benefits/page.aspx?id=1097
  31. https://authoritynutrition.com/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate/
  32. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=8
  33. http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/brazil-nuts.html
  34. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=147
  35. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=50&tname=foodspice
  36. http://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/kashyap-purna-c-m-b-b-s/bio-00092735
  37. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279610.php

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ultimate Magical pill that will get you in that bikini body

1 Magical pill that will get you in that bikini body. This magical pill  will have heads turning all summer long. It’s a all natural nutrient packed formula combined with the ultimate extra sexy sizzle that will have heads turning all summer long and even guaranteed to attract the opposite sex!

Do I have your attention? Well, of course I do. We all seem to be looking for a 1 fit all program or that “magical pill” to get the imagine in our minds of what we think we should look like but guess what? There’s no such pill and  no such program but what we do have is lifestyle choices and lifestyle changes.

You need to make your calories count! Healthy weight management starts with eating the right foods , physical activity and another powerful tool called reading labels.

Reading labels isn’t that hard but it can be very misleading. Food manufacturers are brilliant in using misleading tricks to convince people to buy their products.

One of the best suggestions I can offer you on this is ignore the labels on front of the packaging.  Front labels are there to entice and lure you into purchasing the products by making health claims. Companies  want to make you believe that their product is healthier than others.  The first list of  ingredients is what the company has used the most.

Glance over first three ingredients, this is actually the largest part of what you’re eating.

If your first ingredients include refined grains, some sort of sugar or hydrogenated oils, you can beat your bottom dollar that this product is unhealthy.

What you can do when reading labels is opt for items that have whole foods listed as the first few ingredients. Also if the ingredients list is longer than 2–3 lines? You guessed it, it’s highly over  processed.

This has actually been studied. Research shows that adding health claims to front labels affects people’s choices. It makes them believe a product is healthier

A few things you should look at when reading labels.

 

What is the serving  size?

Make sure you do the math and get the serving sizes right.

How many serving are in the container?

How many calories are in a single serving?

How much sodium does it have in it?

Too much sodium can raise blood pressure, which increases heart disease risk, and it may be a sign of a more highly processed . The recommended daily limit for sodium (2,300 mg). If you have high blood pressure already you are not suppose to consume more than 1,500 mg’s of sodium per day.

How much fiber does it have?

The idea is to eat heart healthy foods . If you anything that has enriched wheat flour or enriched anything that  it is  a sign that the grain has been refined, meaning it has been stripped of the germ and bran, which pack most of the grain’s nutrients including fiber. Any product that contains grains you want it to have  at least have 3g per serving.

How much saturated fat does it have?

It if it has healthy unsaturated fat, that’s a better product.  If the product has any trans fat, put it back on the shelf. Trans fat has been shown to increase levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol while decreasing levels of “good” HDL cholesterol— YUCK- a major health hit.

Misleading Labeling Claims – and What They Actually Mean

Health claims on packaged food are designed to catch your attention and convince you that their product is healthy.

Here are some of the most common ones, and what they actually mean:

  • Light: Light products are processed to reduce either calories or fat, and some products are simply watered down. Check carefully to see if anything has been added instead, like sugar.
  • Multigrain: This sounds very healthy, but basically just means that there is more than one type of grain in the product. These are most likely refined grains, unless the product is marked as whole grain.
  • Natural: This does not necessarily mean that the product resembles anything natural. It simply means that at some point the manufacturer had a natural source (for example, apples or rice) to work with.
  • Organic: This label says very little about whether the product is healthy or not. For example, organic sugar is still sugar. Only certified organically grown products can be guaranteed to be organic.
  • No added sugar: Some products are naturally high in sugar. The fact that they don’t have added sugar doesn’t mean they’re healthy. Unhealthy sugar substitutes may also have been added.
  • Low-calorie: Low-calorie products have to contain 1/3 fewer calories than the same brand’s original product. However, one brand’s low-calorie version may contain similar calories as the original of another product.
  • Low-fat: This label almost always means that the fat has been reduced at the cost of adding more sugar. Be very careful and read the ingredients listed on the back.
  • Low-carb: Recently, low-carb diets have been linked with improved health. However, processed foods that are labeled low-carb are usually just processed junk foods, similar to processed low-fat junk foods.
  • Made with whole grain: There is probably very little whole grain in the product. Check the ingredients list and see where the whole grain is placed. If it is not in the first 3 ingredients, then the amount is negligible.
  • Fortified or enriched: This basically means that some nutrients have been added to the product. For example, vitamin D is often added to milk.
  • Gluten-free: Gluten-free does not equal healthy. It simply means that the product doesn’t contain wheat, spelt, rye or barley. Many foods are gluten-free, but can be highly processed and loaded with unhealthy fats and sugar.
  • Fruit-flavored: Many processed foods have a name that refers to a natural flavor, such as strawberry yogurt. However, there may not be any fruit in the product, only chemicals designed to taste like fruit.
  • Zero trans fat: “Zero trans fat” actually means “less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving.” So if serving sizes are misleadingly small, the product can actually contain a lot of trans fat (5).

 

Sugar goes by many names in ingredient lists, many of these you might not recognize.

Types of sugar: beet sugar, brown sugar, buttered sugar, cane sugar, caster sugar, coconut sugar, date sugar, golden sugar, invert sugar, muscovado sugar, organic raw sugar, raspadura sugar, evaporated cane juice and confectioner’s sugar.

  • Other added sugars: barley malt, molasses, cane juice crystals, lactose, corn sweetener, crystalline fructose, dextran, malt powder, ethyl maltol, fructose, fruit juice concentrate, galactose, glucose, disaccharides, maltodextrin and maltose.

You can always  avoid being misled by these labels and start eating whole foods and avoid processed foods altogether.

However, if you decide to buy packaged foods, it is necessary to sort out the junk from the higher quality products.

Keep in mind that whole food doesn’t need an ingredients list, because the whole food IS the ingredient.

Remember Babe you got this!

I want to thank you  for reading my latest blog.  Please let me know if you need any support with it. 

Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet?  If not let’s do that now, Got Hypothyroidism?   I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com .  You can also  Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.

Health and Happiness,

Audrey
XoXo

 

 

Resources:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/videos/CFSAN/HWM/hwmintro.cfm

How to Read Food Labels Without Being Tricked

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20708150_4,00.html

 

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

 

Got Hypothyroidism?

Our next 21 day Thyroid reboot Challenge begins TODAY. 

This program was created as a simple, helpful way to incorporate hypothyroidism  Eating into your everyday life. You have two ways to have this amazing plan!

1.  E Book

2. Paper back

Want to feel your best this Spring?!

You will notice reduced sugar cravings, weight loss, & shrinking waistlines by following this thyroid  reboot meal plan.

More importantly, you will simply feel better and have a lot more energy for their family!

This 21 day thyroid reboot program is NOT about starving, fasting, juicing, only drinking soups or smoothies, buying lots of supplements, or eating BORING meals.

Here’s what’s included when you join your  Challenge:

3 Weeks Clean Eating Guide -During the 3 week challenge you we will Detox all the junk; and learn how to eat for life!

  • Flexible daily Menu Plans that you pick!
  • Daily Online Support – Not clichés about dieting, but REAL facts & advice that works.
  • Create yourself a daily Meal, Mood, & Nutrition Tracker – So helpful!
  • Private Online Community – THIS is where the magic happens.  I (plus a small private group of amazing people doing the challenge just like you) will hold you accountable, be your supporters and cheerleader. You will have other hypothyroidism suffers join us in the group too!  Facebook- Got Hypothyroidism?

 

If you have some discipline, are willing to try something different, and want to see the results of resetting your body with natural foods, then I want to work with YOU!

 

This is not a First come, first serve thing. Everyone is welcome.

There are no limited spots to insure that you receives the attention YOU deserve.

You can jump in on the program anytime!

See you in the challenge group! It’s going to be a lot of fun!

Love,
Audrey

P.S. Here’s what one of our Challengers said after her first month on the plan:

“For all of you considering joining The 21 day reboot , I wanted to pass on our success. I am a single , hard working women in my late 20’s, years of bad eating and having hypothyroidism has taken it’s toll on me. My best girlfriend  joined me for the Challenge, and she’s down 15 pounds. I am down 10. We are committed to continuing our reboot Journey and have signed on for another 21 day reboot. This reboot works if you follow the program, and you WILL feel and look fantastic!! Good luck and trust Audrey Childers!” – Brooke

I put this program together in order to help YOU simplify clean eating forever!

My Story!

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Hi I’m Audrey,

I used to be an unhappy, over weight, sugar addict, who was having trouble keeping up with my 3 teenage daughters, and feeling old, bloated and blah when I looked in the mirror.  You know… the “typical aging” process many of us feel.

I’m happy to say that by shifting to a “hypothyroidism diet,” I have been able to reverse many of the negative feelings of aging that I was experiencing.

In fact, today, I feel better than ever.

I’ve been “hypothyroidism eating ” for quite some time now, and I’m proud to say not only does it work, it’s something you can stick with for LIFE!

It took years of research and many more years of trial and error to find the simplest way for someone to switch to a diet of primarily hypothyroidism eating.

Following what I learned I had seen many friends and family have major results by slightly tweaking how, and what they were eating on a daily basis.

And that’s why I created the 21 Day thyroid reboot Challenge.

Why? Because it works, AND because it’s a plan that’s actually realistic to stick with!

I’ve created this program as the perfect companion for someone looking to improve their health by eating REAL food.

That’s right, we’re simply eating differently than today’s society ‘norm,’ eating REAL foods, and experiencing amazing results because of it.

AND the best part of all… the food we eat isn’t boring!

This program is exactly what I would have wanted when I started eating for my thyroid because of two key factors.

#1 ACCOUNTABILITY
#2 A PLAN

What do I mean by Accountability?

Just simply reading a few recipes online will not change the way you eat.

You require a system to keep yourself committed to your thyroid eating lifestyle.

And when it comes to a plan, you can not simply guess your way to success.
(I tried, it doesn’t work!)

In fact, it’s taken me over 5 years to figure out the exact hypothyroidism  Eating Plan that you can easily follow for success.
(One you will stick to, rather than being bored from after a few weeks)

I have found that in order for hypothyroidism  Eating to have an affect on your health,
you require:

1. The correct eating plans. (So that you stay full, with the right foods)
2. Friends that are also eating to feed their thyroid. (Positive Peer Pressure!)
3. A leader to show you how, hold you accountable, and answer your questions! (Especially on days with Major Cravings.)

And that is exactly why this program works!

Enjoy an life time of hypothyroidism Eating!

Got Hypothyroidism?: 21-day Meal plan to reboot your thyroid Paperback

 

Got Hypothyroidism?: 21-day Meal plan to reboot your thyroid  Kindle Edition

 

 

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

8 Damn Delicious Hypothyroidism Dinner Idea’s

1. Sweet Ginger Glazed Salmon

Everyone will love this  salmon dish. Not only is it full of flavor, it’s high in omega-3. Salmon is, undoubtedly, one of the healthiest seafood to date. So glad it’s also supple and scrumptious. Great idea a hypothyroidism dinner!The sweet ginger glazed salmon recipe offers a sweet and tangy sauce for juicy and savory bites. It’s a protein-packed meal with an Asian twist. Compliment the meal with a mixture of zucchini, sweet carrots and summer squash!  Instead of using soy sauce as suggest in the recipe use coconut amino’s instead.

Try it at Clean Eating Dinner – Sweet Ginger Glazed Salmon.

2. 10-Minute Thai Shrimp, Cucumber and Avocado Salad (by Cooking Canuck)

Please visit Cooking Canuck’s website. It’s full of delicious and healthy recipes–and this clean eating salad is one of them. Combining fish sauce with chilli and agave, this clean eating salad offers great flavor with zero guilt. It’s also quick and easy, and we all like that.

3. Five Spice salmon

Five Spice Powder is a traditional Chinese condiment containing cloves, cinnamon, fennel, star anise and pepper corn. It’s used in many dishes including chicken stew and five-spiced eggs. It has a sweet and herb-y flavor and smells wonderful.
Today’s Five Spice Salmon uses mainly the Five Spice Powder. Simply marinade salmon with powder, along with a few other ingredients, and bake until salmon’s thoroughly cooked. The outcome is quite flavorful. Hope you like it.
Get recipe at Five Spice Salmon.
.clean eating recipe - 5 spice salmon 1

4. Seaweed Tuna Bite

Love these little bites because they’re abundant with protein and has zero carbs. Seaweed and tuna make a nice combo, if you haven’t tried. Find recipe at Clean Eating Snack – Seaweed Tuna Bite.

5. Lobster, Cilantro and Avocado Salad
You can substitute shrimp for lobster if you want. Either way, this salad is hearty and delicious. Get recipe at Clean Eating Idea – Lobster Salad.

6.Creamy Tomato Shrimp

If you like creamy sauces, you’ll like this creamy tomato shrimp. It’s smooth, flavorful and tastes great with anything. Enjoy recipe at Clean Eating Shrimp Recipe.

clean eating idea - creamy shrimp 1

7. Salad Cups with Quinoa, Shrimp, Avocado & Lemon Dressing Recipe

You’ll love every bite of this salad that is filled with tons of goodies. The dressing is light and fragrant, with a lemony touch of spring and an herbaceous flavor from dried oregano and voila – a beautiful, healthy salad
Find this recipe at Cooking Canuck
lettuceshrimpbowls

Thanks for reading my latest blog.  Please let me know if you need any support with it. 

Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet?  If not let’s do that now, Got Hypothyroidism?   I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com .  You can also  Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.

Have a great day!

Audrey
XoXo

Your morning coffee, Hypoththyroidism and your Health

Nothing like that  waking up to the smell of coffee. It’s gets the juices flowing with that very 1st sip. It’s offer you a energetic boost and mental clarity on a feeling that life can go on.

The thyroid gland is such a very  important part of the body’s regulatory mechanisms; thyroid problems can affect everything in the body from our  temperature to appetite to the pulse.  Caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee, can affect the thyroid in a number of ways and has an effect on your central nervous system, your digestive tract, and your metabolism.

According to the recent article, in new study from the journal Thyroid people  who consume coffee at the time of taking their thyroid medication, we see a 25-57% drop in T4, one of the thyroid hormones, compared to non-coffee drinkers. This adverse effect persists for up to one hour.

Researchers have also found that for patients taking levothyroxine tablets, absorption is affected by drinking coffee and espresso within an hour of taking the thyroid drugs.

According to “Coffee and Health,” by Gerard Debry, in experiments on rats, very high doses of caffeine caused the thyroid gland to enlarge, but at doses of about 300 mg, caffeine in humans did not change levels of thyroid hormones.

What about the benefits? Yes, there are many reliable studies that say coffee is full of antioxidants and polyphenols. However, these same antioxidants and polyphenols can also be found abundantly in many fruits and vegetables.

There are many other reliable studies that show coffee can play a  role in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, depression, cirrhosis of the liver, gallstones, etc.

Many coffee drinkers report feeling good for the first two hours (mainly due to a dopamine spike).

(If you just can’t give up that morning cup of Joe recommendations by researchers are clear: wait at least sixty minutes after taking levothyroxine before drinking coffee.)

What about decaf you ask?

Many manufacturers use a chemical process to remove caffeine from the coffee beans. The result is less caffeine, but more chemicals. It is the caffeine in the coffee that has the health benefits. Without it, you are left with little benefit.

Here are 11 reasons other reasons to give up your morning coffee even if you don’t have   hypothyroidism. Written by Magdalena Wszelaki, Thyroid Diet Coach

1. Increases blood sugar levels

According to this study, caffeine increases blood sugar levels. This is especially dangerous for people with hypoglycemia (or low sugar levels) who feel jittery, shaky, moody and unfocused when hungry. Blood sugar fluctuations cause cortisol spikes, which not only exhaust the adrenals, but also deregulate the immune system. This is highly undesirable for those of us with adrenal fatigue, Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. Such cortisol spikes are also highly inflammatory.

2. Creates sugar and carbohydrate cravings

As the result of the above, when our blood sugar levels come down, we need an emergency fix to bring them back up. This is why people who drink coffee at breakfast or indulge in sugary and processed breakfasts crave carbs and sugar by 11am or later in the day.

3. Contributes to acid reflux and damages gut lining

Coffee stimulates the release of gastrin, the main gastric hormone, which speeds up intestinal transit time. Coffee can also stimulate the release of bile (which is why some people run to the bathroom soon after drinking coffee) and digestive enzymes.

In a person with a healthy digestion, this is not a big deal. However, for people with autoimmune conditions, compromised digestion (such as IBS, or “leaky gut”), this can cause further digestive damage to the intestinal lining (source).

4. Exhausts the adrenals

Coffee stimulates the adrenals to release more cortisol, our stress hormone; this is partly why we experience a wonderful but temporary and unsustainable burst of energy.

What many of us don’t realize is that our tired adrenals are often the cause of unexplained weight gain, sleeping problems, feeling emotionally fragile, depression and fatigue. Drinking coffee while experiencing adrenal fatigue is only adding fuel to the fire.

5. Worsens PMS and lumpy breasts

It’s well-established that coffee contributes to estrogen dominance (source), which can mean one of two things: we either have too much estrogen in relation to progesterone, or we have an imbalance in the estrogen metabolites (some are protective and some are dangerous).

PMS, lumpy breasts, heavy periods, cellulite and even breast cancer (which is an estrogenic cancer) can be symptoms of estrogen dominance.

6. Gluten-cross reactive food

50% of people with gluten sensitivities also experience cross reactivity with other foods, including casein in milk products, corn, coffee, and almost all grains, because their protein structures are similar. Cyrex Labs provides a test for gluten cross-reactive foods.

Many people report having a similar reaction to coffee as they do to gluten.

7. Impacts the conversion of T4 to T3 thyroid hormones

Coffee impacts the absorption of levothyroxine (the synthetic thyroid hormone); this is why thyroid patients need to take their hormone replacement pill at least an hour before drinking coffee.

The indirect but important point is that coffee contributes to estrogen dominance, cited above, and estrogen dominance inhibits T4 to T3 conversion.

8. Can cause miscarriages

This study showed that women who drink coffee during their pregnancy are at a higher risk of miscarriage.

9. Is highly inflammatory

Any functional or integrative doctor would say the majority of modern diseases are caused by inflammation – a smoldering and invisible fire found on a cellular level.

This study found that caffeine is a significant contributor to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Chronic body pains and aches, fatigue, skin problems, diabetes and autoimmune conditions are just some of the conditions related to inflammation.

10. Can contribute to and even cause osteoporosis

It is well-known that coffee changes our body pH to a lower, and thus more acidic, level. A low pH (which means a more acidic body) can contribute to osteoporosis.

This study has confirmed that habitual coffee drinking among postmenopausal women was the leading cause of osteoporosis.

11. Can cause insomnia and poor sleep

This study showed that 400mg of “caffeine taken 6 hours before bedtime has important disruptive [sleep] effects.”

There are healthier alternatives to drinking coffee.

Matcha Green Tea

Matcha Green Tea Powder - Powerful Antioxidant Japanese Organic Culinary Grade - 113 grams (4 oz)

This is a great alternative to coffee. It has caffeine to give you a gentle jolt to wake up, but the caffeine content is nowhere as high as that of coffee, so you won’t experience a midday crash and fatigue your adrenals over time. One cup of this wonder tea can keep you going for most of the day.

Tazo Organic Chai, 24 Tea Bags

This Indian tea is rich in antioxidants and contains a plethora of spices including cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, and ginger that is sure to awaken all your senses in the morning. The smooth creamy flavor actually makes you feel like you are sipping a cup of coffee, but without all the extra caffeine.

Warm Water with Lemon

This is a great way to rehydrate and alkalinize your body and perk up after sleep. It also detoxifies the liver and helps get your bowels going. This really should be the first thing everyone sips in the morning.

Garden of Life RAW Organic Protein Vanilla, 631g Powder

Who doesn’t enjoy a yummy protein smoothie? It is a terrific way to load up with energy and nutrition. Use almond, soy, or coconut milks and your choice of a good quality protein powder. Throw in some bananas and berries which add heaps of extra minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that are sure to fill you up and get you going for the grueling day ahead.

Vita Coco Coconut Water, Pure, 11.1 Ounce (Pack of 12)

Coconut water is Mother Nature’s perfect drink. It has an abundance of electrolytes and minerals while being low in fat and sugar. This is the best alternative to an energy or sports drink, and can really give you a burst of energy in the morning.

Quinoa Milk

Suzie's Quinoa Milk - Vanilla - 32 oz
This protein-rich natural energy drink may soon make its way into the stores…be prepared almond and soy and coconut milks…it’s the next big health thing! Quinoa (pronounced keen-WAH), is a gluten-free, alkaline-forming, high-protein grain that has tremendous health benefits. Click on this link to read more of the healthy benefits!

Quinoa milk can be made from scratch, at home.
Consumers of quinoa milk do not need acreage or a cow to make this refreshment. The ingredients necessary to create quinoa milk can be purchased at a local health food store. The recipe is simple and cost, affordable. Here’s a recipe from OmNomNally.com:
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa grain
2 cups + 5 – 6 cups water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions
Soak quinoa overnight in water and drain on the day of cooking or rinse quinoa under running water to remove bitter saponins. Cook 1 cup of quinoa with 2 cups of water. Add cooked quinoa to blender with 2 cups of water. Blend on high until smooth. Add water to the desired consistency, blending the mixture after each addition. Up to 6 cups total of water may be needed for the consistency of store-bought non-dairy milks. Add vanilla extract and cinnamon and agave if using. Pour milk into nut milk bag, hold over a bowl or large jug. Massage contents until all liquid has passed through the material – leaving only the ‘pulp’ behind

Kombucha Tea

Yogi Tea Green Tea Kombucha Organic - 16 Tea Bags (image may vary)

You’ve probably heard about this one but don’t know too much about it. Kombucha is a type of yeast. When you ferment it with tea, sugar, and other flavors or ingredients you make Kombucha tea. While the benefits of Kombucha are debated, many claim that it is useful for treating memory loss, regulating bowel movements, preventing cancer, helping with high blood pressure, and more.

Yerba Mate

Guayaki Yerba Mate Organic Tea, 25-Count, 2.6oz

Yerba mate is the good alternative to coffee for those who can’t start the day without a cup o’ caffeine. Providing the same buzz that coffee gives, Yerba Mate is preferred by many as it’s packed with nutrients, too. Mate is made from the naturally caffeinated leaves of the celebrated South American rainforest holly tree. It is widely known for not having the heavy “crash” that coffee can bring. Another benefit of Yerba Mate is that it can be prepared and consumed in a variety of ways–hot, cold, with honey, in a tea infuser, in a French press, or even in a traditional coffee machine.

Sparkling Water

While it’s not the most exciting beverage in the world, sparkling water can be a refreshing alternative to both coffee and water. Especially when flavored with natural, sugar-free, fruit extracts, sparkling water is delicious and hydrating. There is a lot of competition in the marketplace from Perrier to San Pellegrino.

Hot Apple Cider

Hot apple cider’s sweet tanginess offers its own unique pick-me-up in lieu of caffeine, and its soothing warmth is just as satisfying as that of coffee on a cold fall or winter morning. In addition to its natural sweetness, because apples are the key ingredient, apple cider offers health benefits not available in coffee.

Click on this link for a recipe by the Pioneer Women for Hot apple cider.

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric is highly anti-inflammatory, and this golden turmeric tea recipe is sure to help heal your body from a number of inflammatory health conditions.  Turmeric can help detoxify the liver and protect cell damage caused due to environmental pollutants, attack from free radicals . Research has found that turmeric extracts can lower blood cholesterol levels – especially LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol. It has lipid lowering properties. This can reduce cholesterol levels and benefit weight loss by reducing adipose tissue weight gain.

This rich creamy and lightly sweet beverage is something you’re sure to enjoy!

Turmeric Tea Recipe

Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Pour coconut milk and water into the saucepan and warm for 2 minutes
  2. Add in butter, raw honey and turmeric powder for another 2 minutes
  3. Stir and pour into glasses.

You  have to exercise caution when combining it with medications or supplements taken to slow down blood clotting. Turmeric supplements must be stopped two weeks prior to a surgery.

It must not be consumed by diabetic patients, those with gallbladder problems and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor about the right dosage to consume for a specific medical condition

 

Thanks for reading my latest blog.  Please let me know if you need any support with it. 

Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet?  If not let’s do that now, Got Hypothyroidism?   I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com .  You can also  Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.

Have a great day!

Audrey
XoXo

 

References

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

Please Like and share my blog!

27 fantastic delicious ways to Cook with Quinoa

Quinoa is considered a superfood—and for good reason. It revs up your energy levels with iron and magnesium, and it’ll keep you full with filling fiber. Plus, this healthy whole grain can be made for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and even incorporated into desserts. Quinoa contains small amounts of the heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids and, in comparison to common cereal grasses has a higher content of monounsaturated fat. As a complete protein, quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids – including the elusive lysine and isoleucine acids, which most other grains lack. Quinoa dates back three to four thousand years ago when the Incas first realized that the quinoa seed was fit for human consumption. According to WHFoods quinoa “was the gold of the Incas” because the Incas believed it increased the stamina of their warriors. The Quinoa Corporation calls quinoa the “Supergrain of the Future. Quinoa is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat. It is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids, contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains, contains Iron, contains lysine, rich in magnesium, high in Riboflavin (B2). B2 improves energy metabolism within brain and muscle cells and is known to help create proper energy production in cells, high content of manganese. Manganese is an antioxidant, which helps to prevent damage of mitochondria during energy production as well as to protect red blood cells and other cells from injury by free radicals. If you’re curious about cooking with quinoa, try one of these 26 fun, flavorful, and wholesome recipes.

1.Oatmeal Cookie Quinoa Granola

Adapted by Simply Quinoa

Oatmeal Cookie Quinoa Granola - spice up your breakfast with some chocolate chips

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients (minus chocolate chips).
  3. Melt the liquid ingredients together and pour over dry. Stir until evenly coated.
  4. Transfer mixture to a baking sheet and bake for 35 – 45 minutes, stirring every 10 – 15 so granola doesn’t burn.
  5. When golden brown, remove from oven and let cool completely. Stir in chocolate chips and store in an airtight container for 2 – 3 weeks.

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

2.Pumpkin Pie Quinoa Breakfast Cookies

Need a “grab & go” breakfast idea? This recipe is by Simply Quinoa.

Need a quick + healthy breakfast option? These Pumpkin Pie Quinoa Breakfast Cookies are the perfect, nutritious treat you need!

  • 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water)
  • 1/4 cup cashew butter (or nut/seed butter of choice)
  • 1/4 + 2 T cup pure maple syrup
  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 medium banana, mashed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup quinoa flakes
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon all spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Whisk together the flaxseed meal and water, and set aside.
  3. Beat together cashew butter, syrup, pumpkin, banana and vanilla in a large bowl. Add flax egg and mix to combine.
  4. Pour in oats, quinoa flakes, baking powder, spices and salt to the bowl and stir together. Fold in chia seeds (if using).
  5. Drop 2 tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet and repeat until no dough remains. Gently flatten the cookies with your fingers before you pop them in the oven.
  6. Bake cookies on center rack for 15 – 18 minutes until edges are golden brown. Remove and let cool on the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
  7. Enjoy at room temp or slightly reheated in a microwave

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

3.Simple Slow Cooker Overnight hot quinoa and steel cut oats

Recipe from my E Book Kicking Hypothyroidisms booty, The Slow Cooker way        

This is a power filled breakfast! It’s a blend of quinoa and steel-cut oats.

  • ½ cup steel cut oats – I use BoB Red Mill’s  gluten free oats
  • ½ cup well rinsed quinoa – You can find a brand that is  pre-washed so you don’t have to rinse it
  • 3½ cups (28 ounces) filtered water –
  • ¼ teaspoon fine Himalayan sea salt
  • Spray your slow cooker with non-stick spray. In a mesh strainer, rinse out the quinoa for about 3 minutes. If you didn’t purchase the already rinsed quinoa. Combine the steel cut outs, rinsed quinoa, water and sea salt into the slow cooker. Mix well. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or until liquid has been absorbed

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

4.Overnight Quinoa

Overnight Quinoa Recipe

Adapted by From Lizzie Fuhr, POPSUGAR Fitness

1 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt

1/4 teaspoon of Ceylon cinnamon
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Directions

  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a glass jar. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. The next morning, remove from the fridge, top off with your favorite fruit, and enjoy.

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

 5.Honey Garlic Shrimp Quinoa Salad

Adapted by Thing Love Affair

                                                   Honey Garlic Shrimp Quinoa Salad

3 cups Cooked Quinoa (about 3/4 cup dried)

1 lb Frozen, Peeled and Thawed Shrimp

2 cups Snow Peas

1 Red Pepper, julienned

1 cup Bean Sprouts

4 tbsp Raw Honey

2 tbsp Hot Sauce

1 1/2 tsp coconut amino’s

1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Cloves Garlic, minced

2 tsp Fresh Ginger, minced

Green Onion, chopped thinly for garnish

Sesame Seeds, for garnish

Instructions

Cook your quinoa. I always remove the tails of my shrimp and discard. Add snow peas and red pepper in a pan for about 3-4 minutes. Next add the bean sprouts and cook for an additional minute. Whisk the honey, hot sauce, coconut amino’s, olive oil, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl. Add your cooked quinoa into a large serving bowl. Top with veggies and shrimp. Pour sauce on top and toss.Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds.

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

 

6.Shrimp Fried QuinoaShrimp Fried Quinoa

Recipe adapted by  Savvy Naturalista

3 eggs (fried)
1 medium onion
2 cups quinoa (cooked)
2 cups medium shrimp (frozen)
1.5 cups peas and carrots (frozen)
¼ cup coconut amino’s
2 tbsp. organic sesame seed oil

Recipe Directions: On medium to high heat place sesame seed oil in a skillet and let warm up. Chop up onion and place into skillet, sauté onions until they become translucent.

Add quinoa and frozen veggies to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stir in the shrimp and cook until the shrimp turn pink (about 3 minutes). Add the egg and cook the mixture for 3 minutes. Add cocnut amino’s sauce, cooking for another 3 minutes.

Serve while hot and add your favorite condiments on the side.

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

7.Slow Cooker Coconut Lentil Quinoa Soup

This recipe was adapted by one of my many recipes that you can find in my slow cooker E book!

1.5 cups of red dry lentils

1.5 cups of vegetable broth

1 cup of rinsed, uncooked quinoa

½ onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

½ inch fresh ginger root, finely chopped

½ cup shredded coconut

½ cup can coconut milk

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon of black pepper

Place everything in the slow cooker. Except the shredded coconut and coconut milk. Cook on high 3 hours or low 6. 30 minutes prior to being done add the coconut milk and shredded coconut flakes. Stir everything to combine. Ladle into bowls.

8.Slow cooker Low Carb Un-Stuffed Cabbage Roll Soup

Adapted from Sugar -Free Mom

cabbage roll soup3 (1 of 1)

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped shallots

2 pounds ground turkey

1 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp Himalayan sea salt

1 tsp pepper

1 can of unsalted fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 cup of uncooked, rinsed quinoa

5 cups beef broth, low sodium

1 large cabbage or 8 cups sliced

1 can of low sodium tomato soup

Heat olive oil and garlic on medium high heat in a cast iron skillet. Add onions and shallots and cook until softened. Add your ground turkey and cook until browned and no longer pink. .Add seasonings to the turkey. Add the quinoa, beef mixture, can tomatoes, diced cabbage , onions, shallots, seasonings and tomato soup to the slow cooker. Stir to combine everything. Cook on high 3 hours or low 6 hours.

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

9.Red Curry quinoa and Lentil Stew
This delicious, stick to your gut and fill you up stew. This hearty and flavorful stew is ready in less than 30 minutes. This recipe is one of many from my E Book.                                 Kicking Hypothyroidisms booty, The Slow Cooker way       
                                                         
Ingredients
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
3 tbsp of red curry paste
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 tbsp Coconut Amino’s
½ cup cooked quinoa
½ cup uncooked red lentils
1⅓ cup vegetable stock
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, with their juices
1 tsp brown sugar
Celtic Sea Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
    1. In a large sauce pan, cook the garlic, onion and ginger over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring.
    2. Add the carrots and red curry paste. Stir and cook for a few more minutes.
    3. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir, cover and lightly simmer for 20 minutes.
    4. Remove the lid and let simmer for another 5-10 minutes until everything is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed.
    5. For an extra zing add a dash of crushed red chili flakes
     You can also cook this in the you slow cooker . Do step 1 then add everything to your slow cooker. Allow to cook 4 hours on low or 3 on high.

10.Honey-Butter Quinoa with Corn and Scallions

Honey-Butter Quinoa with Corn and Scallions

Takes only 20 minutes start to finish and involves melted butter and honey. Recipe here.

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

11.Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowls

Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowls

If Chipotle were ~actually~ healthy. Recipe here

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

12. Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad

Buffalo sauce makes everything better. Recipe here

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

13.Quinoa Crust for Pizza or Cheesy Garlic Bread

Quinoa Crust

Quinoa Crust for Pizza or Cheesy Garlic Bread. Recipe Here.

14. Quinoa Salad with Autumn Pears, Baby Spinach, Pecans

Karina's quinoa salad recipe with baby spinach, pears, and chick peas, with pecans and maple vinaigrette is gluten-free and vegan.

Recipe here

15. Citrus Chicken Quinoa Salad
from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

So many bright, fresh flavors with none of the artificial stuff!

16.Smashed Chickpea + Quinoa Salad
from Simply Quinoa

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

Smashed Chickpea Quinoa Salad >> just in time for spring and the perfect substitute for potato salad!

17. Black Bean Quinoa Salad
from Damn Delicious

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

Black Bean Quinoa Salad...PLUS 20 other fabulous quinoa salad recipes that you should try this spring!

18. Quinoa Greek Salad with Chickpeas
from Simply Quinoa

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

Quinoa Greek Salad with Chickpeas and 20 other quinoa salad recipes you should be enjoying this spring!

19. Curried Quinoa Bowls with Spinach + Almonds
from Vegan Yumminess

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

Curried Quinoa Bowls + 20 other quinoa salad recipes to enjoy this spring!

20.Skillet Salmon with Quinoa, Feta and Arugula

from Serious eats

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

Skillet Salmon with Quinoa, Feta and Arugula

21. Baked Tomatoes with Quinoa, Corn, and Green Chiles

from My Recipes

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

Baked Tomatoes with Quinoa, Corn, and Green Chiles

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

22.  Sweet Potato Pie With Maple Quinoa Crust

This maple quinoa crust adds delicious crunch to sweet potato pie.

Get the recipe from Nosh and Nourish

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

23. Quinoa Chocolate Chunk Cookies

This chocolate chip cookie is good(er) for you. Just go with it.

Get the recipe from I Heart Eating

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

24.Quinoa Burrito Bowl

Burrito bowls are always a great quick and easy dinner option, and this version using quinoa packs a healthier punch than using rice.

Get the recipe from Like Mother Like Daughter

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

25. Easy Pesto Asparagus Quinoa

Don’t let the word casserole fool you; this super modern, super easy dinner will be your new favorite way to eat quinoa. Or pesto. Or asparagus.

Get the recipe from Oh, Sweet Basil

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

26. Quinoa Fried “Rice”

This pork-fried quinoa will have you forgetting fried rice ever existed.

Get the recipe from Queen of Quinoa

Order your quinoa today! Click on this link.

27. Greek-Inspired Quinoa Salad

This is from one of my favorite books The Beauty Detox Solution by Kimberly Snider

She uses millet but millet isn’t good for your thyroid. I switched out the millet and replaced it with quinoa.

6 cups of water

2 cups of dry quinoa, rinsed

1/2 cup pitted and chopped kalamata olives

1/3 cup drained capers, chopped

1/4 cup minced scallions, diced

Dressing:

2 tb. fresh lemon juice

1 tbs. Dijon mustard

1.5 tsp. Celtic sea salt

2 tbs. raw apple cider vinegar

1 tbs. minced shallot

2 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil

Make sure you rinse your quinoa under water in a mesh strainer for about 5 minutes.

In a saucepan over high heat, bring the water to a boil. reduce the heat, then add the quinoa and simmer until the quinoa as directed on the packaging.

Blend all the dressing ingredients together until smooth in a blender, or simply add thim to a small bowl and whisk. Add your quinoa to your mixture. Add the diced olives, chopped capers and diced scallions. Mix well and enjoy!

I don’t know where to start

Hang in there. This wont happen overnight.

I know, there is so much information overload that most people are confused as to where to start.  You can start by taking ownership of your health. I wanted you to understand or get a idea of how everything has a part to play in your body. I am on a  path to help you, lead you and inform you through this terrible illness. Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism isn’t just here take this pill and it will fix your issues. Hypothyroidism has a root cause. Once you start addressing the root of your problems then your body can start healing itself. Your body is an awesome design but there is a complex balance between everything. It’s a domino affect. If you have something in your body that is overworked  it will cause a major shift in your body. Don’t worry the good news is it can be healed.

Sometimes we have to do a little pruning of the branches, in order for the tree to be healthy again. A number of things can be the reason why you have hormonal imbalances, food intolerances, thyroid issues, adrenal fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, personality changes, leaky gut, depression, an autoimmune disorder, chronic pain, no metabolism and low sex drive, bloating, anxiety, menstrual problems and infertility. It starts with becoming aware and how your health can be influenced by many different circumstances.
How would you define good health? Logically one would define good health as absence of a disease or following some sort of ground rules that avoid developing a disease. This book can help you begin to understand what a Keto Autoimmune protocol is and start guiding you in the redevelopment and healing of your body. You will begin to understand how to fix your gut, strengthen your immunity and fight inflammation with an autoimmune approach. The Keto AIP removes all the common inflammatory food triggers that stimulate a possible autoimmune reaction in the body. Along with helping to reset those adrenals, boosting that energy and doing a little ass kicking to those hormones that have decided to act like a wild college student and pull an all-nighter the day before final exams.
Your health doesn’t have to be a difficult situation but a positive realization that things need to change. This new lifestyle change has many parts to it and I hope you will embrace not only the physical but the spiritual awakening. Common food intolerances that are known to trigger inflammation are eliminated in this Keto AIP protocol are Nightshades, Eggs, Grains (gluten), Dairy, Legumes, Corn, Soy, Dairy and lectins.

The Keto Autoimmune Protocol Healing Book for Women: Strengthen Your Immunity, Fight Inflammation and Love Your Incredible Body

theketoautoimmunebookcover

A Women’s Holistic Holy Grail Handbook for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s: How I healed my Hypothyroidism and Autoimmune Disorder with Personalized Nutrition

Poisoned Profit

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

Please Like and share my blog!

The Hypothyroidism diet (and How I am doing it anti anxiety style)

On my journey of self discovery, I’ve come across some many articles that say “eat this, not that”. I want to be live a long life full of great health, happiness and wisdom. There is always room for improvement. After finding out I had hypothyroidism 15 years ago. It’s been on a never ending battle to feel normal again. What is normal, you ask? Well, we all have what we consider to be our own “normal”. What’s normal for me , might not be normal for you. My main goal is to eat to cater to my body. It can be overwhelming and mind boggling to figure out exactly what I should be eating. So I start with the basic’s. My hypothyroidism. Next, whatever else is bothering me. I listen to my body. Right now, the 2nd thing that I am concentrating on is anxiety.

Anxiety can be a symptom from hypothyroidism.  Along with dry skin, hair loss, weight gain, unable to lose weight, heart palpitation’s, depression, memory problems, frequent constipation, high cholesterol, changes in your menstrual cycle, sensitivity to cold,  Muscle cramps and aches, slurred speech, jaundice, decreased libido, dry hair,  knot in throat, & tightness in your throat.

You don’t have to encounter every one of these symptoms to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Everybody’s experience with the disorder is different. While you may notice that your skin and hair have become dry and rough, someone else might be plagued more by fatigue , depression or anxiety.

The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level reflects the severity of the hypothyroidism. For example, if you have a mild form of hypothyroidism and a relatively lower TSH level, you may not notice—or even have—symptoms. That’s because your hormone levels haven’t decreased to the point where they have a major impact on your metabolism. The more hypothyroid you become, the more symptomatic you’ll be.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism aren’t always noticeable, but it’s important that you understand what to look out for. Recognizing hypothyroidism early on will allow you to manage the disorder and prevent it from interfering with your life.

So I’ve been reading The Mood Cure and The Anti-anxiety Food Solution writing down notes, crossing comparing notes of foods that will cater to bringing my anxiety down. I’ve always believed that you are what you eat and food is the key to our good health. think of your body like a car engine. You have to put the right fluids in it to get it run properly. Feed it the right things or it will break down eventually or refuse to run all together! While reading  The Anti-Anxiety book I came across many interesting things. It’s full of awesome information. Gut damage, food intolerances and  nutrient deficiencies play a key role in many of our problems.  We can’t expect to feed our bodies processed , sugar loaded, fake foods, artificial  crap and expect it to be okay with it.

So, this is what I’ve learned and how to cater to my anxiety while fighting hypothyroidism.

1.Avoid sugar, processed foods and “white foods”

This should already go without saying since we have hypothyroidism. We should be eating gluten free. Having hypothyroidism it makes us more sensitive to gluten. Some of us have gluten intolerances and  don’t even know it. key thing is to listen to your body. Avoid junk food, refined sugar, all of the white foods ( white flour, white rice, white bread and so on) processed foods, soda’s, sugary beverages and alcohol. We must keep our blood sugar stabilized.

Try to always  eat organic (pesticide free), non-genetically modified, whole-foods. If you cannot afford organic there is a list here of fruit and vegetables that retain pesticides but it does not include berries particularly blueberries which are high on the list).

2. Eat Enough protein

Are you eating enough protein? Don’t immediately think of meat when I say this. Plants can give you plenty of your protein needs along with adding a scoop of Raw Meal to your smoothies.

 

3. Eat breakfast, along with a good protein and fat

You should always take your thyroid medication with lemon water and then eat after 1 hour of waking.

Gluten free oatbran with coconut oil ( good fat) , Ceylon cinnamon ( heart health, blood sugar, anti inflammatory, cancer fighter)   , flaxseed ( Good fat and fiber) , smashed banana ( potassium) . Along with 1 cage free boiled egg( protein) .

or you can make your self a smoothie!

1 cup organic Romaine lettuce,1/2  organic cucumber peeled, 1 diced whole organic apple with peeling, 1 organic celery stalk,  1 cup of filtered water, Add a scoop of  Raw Meal.

4. Keep a food diary

You must keep a food diary to see how you body reacts to certain foods.  Write down what you eat. Monitor how you feel after you’ve eaten certain foods. You could have a food intolerance dairy, gluten, legumes,

5. Improve your digestion.

I’ve read so many articles that have stated your stomach is your 2nd brain. You are what you eat! Having bad guy flora can contribute to anxiety and a whole list of health problems.  The digestive system actually has it own nervous system and over 95 % of serotonin is made in the guy. Having a sluggish thyroid can contribute to constipation, food allergies can contribute to digestive distress, which can cause you to have low zinc, low magnesium and adrenal fatigue. Add more high fiber whole foods to your salads like zucchini, celery and carrots.  Mushrooms and cucumbers are excellent choices too. Add a simple vinaigrette. Evoo & balsamic vinegar , Evoo & organic apple cider vinegar.

Enzyme-rich foods include:

Here is more information on ways to get more digestive enzymes. Click on this link to  this article. The Truth About Digestive Enzymes.

6. Exercise

Exercising raises Gaba levels ( the brains natural valium) .

GABA is a calming inhibitory neurotransmitter, it’s like the brains natural endogenous Valium.
GABA enables your brain to put an end to persistent worrying thoughts going around and around in your mind.
We believe the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin enable the brain to calm and control anxious thoughts, so when they are deficient it can make it almost impossible to stop worrying thoughts dominating and overwhelming our mind and turn into anxiety, even “normal” everyday worries or concerns can ruminate, escalate and cause terrible stress.

Symptoms of lack of GABA/serotonin include:-

  • anxiety, feeling fearful, general (free floating) anxiety disorder or GAD,
  • panic attacks,
  • nervy/stressed disposition,
  • persistent worrying thoughts going around and around in the mind, cannot switch of the mind,
  • inability to relax,
  • insomnia due to an anxious mind or cannot switch off the mind,
  • physical aches and pains because the nerves keep firing, possibly causing/contributing to fibromyalgia,
  • headaches,
  • IBS
  • carbohydrate cravings.

 

A taking walk outside in the sun is a good stress reliever plus you getting much needed vitamin d. Yoga has been proven to be a stress reliever. Jumping on a rebounder is excellent too.  A study showed that the increased G-force helped increase Lymphocyte activity. The lymph system transports immune cells throughout the body and supports immune function. For this reason, rebounding is often suggested as a detoxifying and immune boosting activity.  Click on this link to order yours today

 

7. Nourish your body.

Eat Grass fed meats, pastured poultry, wild fish, cage free eggs, whole organic fruits and veggies, flax seed oil, avocado’s ( good fats) pumpkin seeds, organic apple cider vinegar, lemons, mushrooms, garlic, coconut oil, zucchini, celery, more fiber, brown rice and quinoa. Eat 2 snacks and 3 meals a day. Make sure you getting plenty of vitamins. Drink plenty of water! You should take you body weight & divide it by 2, that is how many ounces you are to drink per day.  I also drink 2 tablespoons of braggs organic apple cider vinegar per day.

Stay away from sugar, dairy ( until you know if you can tolerate it) , all gluten,  no white foods, no processed foods, artificial colors and addictive’s.

Having Hypothyroidism you are to limit raw Cruciferous vegetables intake it can hinder the absorption of your medication.  Read more here about it.  Please do eat your cancer fighting cooked veggies.

 

Are you still confused about what to eat? Maybe you shouldn’t think about what your not eating and focus on what you can. Having hypothyroidism and anxiety   isn’t a curse it’s a chance to become better from the inside out.   Here is a sample menu of what my day looks like. Don’t forget to keep a food log!

4:oo am wake up 20oz of lemon  water with thyroid medication

4oo – 4:30 exercise rebounder ( when  your adrenals are low you shouldn’t exercise more than 45 minutes due to your already high cortisol levels in  your body) Click on these links to find out more about that.

Click Link 1    Help! What To Do About High Cortisol Levels

Click link 2     Cortisol and Thyroid Hormones

Click link 3     Adrenal fatigue: Healing a hormone imbalance

Breakfast

1 boiled egg, 1/2 cup gluten free oat brand, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1/4 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon flaxseed meal, banana

Gluten free oat bran because- it’s gluten free, high in protein , high in soluble fiber. It’s high in vitamin B and has iron. This is a stick to your guy breakfast.

Snack

Pineapple cup ( anti-inflammatory with digestive benefits, vitamin C, copper, B1 and B6, improves thyroid function) with 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds ( ( tryptophan, vitamin E, Vitamin k, iron potassium, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium and good fat) and dried unsweetened coconut flakes ( good fat)

Lunch

Smoothie or a Simple salad or you can have your smoothie for breakfast and eat your oat bran for lunch? There are many options

Smoothie- 1 cup organic Romaine lettuce,1/2  organic cucumber peeled, 1 diced whole organic apple with peeling, 1 organic celery stalk,  1 cup of filtered water, Add a scoop of  Raw Meal and I also add a teaspoon of dulse flakes a few times a week. Having Hypothyroidism makes you have very low iodine. Dulse flakes is an excellent way to boost  your iodine naturally thru foods.

At lunch I also take what my body needs in vitamins, although it might seem like a lot to some, it is what my needs right now.

Organic life vitamins, Super b complex, caltrate (D3), probiotic

Snack

organic apple with 1 boiled egg( protein)

Dinner

Quinoa with Grilled Zucchini, Garbanzo Beans, and Cumin

Along with a simple salad and here are 3 thyroid friend salad dressing recipes

Vitamin C flaxseed oil

( Yes, I checked to make sure I am not overdosing on any of my vitamins)

Yoga

Epsom salt foot soak ( magnesium) I don’t do this everyday but a few times per week. If you have high blood pressure this isn’t a good option for you. It can raise your BP.

For adults, the recommended dietary reference intake for vitamin C is 65 to 90 milligrams (mg) a day, and the upper limit is 2,000 mg a day. Although too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful, megadoses of vitamin C supplements may cause: Diarrhea

Want more tips and information on Hypothyroidism/anxiety food fighting recipes and suggestions? Keep an eye for my latest E Book that will be able to download by your finger tips soon! The Kicking hypothyroidism’s booty ( Anti-anxiety style) I am still working on the title but the book is in motion.

Here is a breathing exercise video that does work  By Dr. Pratt.

 

 

 

Please LIKE and Share this and post your comments below!

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.

 

references:

http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-hypothyroidism

http://www.healthnutnation.com/2013/11/07/10-ways-naturally-stimulate-digestive-fire/

http://www.balancingbrainchemistry.co.uk/peter-smith/26/GABA-Deficient-Anxiety.html

http://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/rebounding/

http://thyroid.about.com/od/symptomsrisks/a/All-About-Goitrogens-thyroid.htm

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/oat-bran-vs-rolled-oats-1761.html

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-raw-pumpkin-seeds-6627.html

http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2013/02/what-to-do-about-high-cortisol.html

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

https://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html

 

 

 

28 Ways to Boost Your Energy with Hypothyroidism

I’ve been do my best to manage my hypothyroidism for years. After tons of research. Here is a list of 28 ways you can boost your energy and fight back against hypothyroidism when it flares up!  Most common 16 symptoms of having hypothyroidism is:

16 symptoms of hypothyroid

  1. Fatigue
  2. Increased sensitivity to cold
  3. Constipation
  4. Dry skin
  5. Unexplained weight gain
  6. Puffy face
  7. Hoarseness
  8. Muscle weakness
  9. Elevated blood cholesterol level
  10. Muscle aches and pain
  11. Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
  12. Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
  13. Thinning hair
  14. Slower heart rate
  15. Depressed mood
  16. Impaired memory

Ways on how you can start to  manage your life with Hypothyroidism when a flares up :

  • Eat a Clean, Balanced Diet
  • Manage Your Stress
  • Drinking organic green juices.
  • Cooking all cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts and not eating them raw, which can effect and slow your thyroid.
  • Remove sugar, gluten and alcohol from your lifestyle.
  • Drink green Matcha tea.
  • Daily walks , meditation and yoga.
  • Take Epsom salt baths.
  • Finding a balance with Selenium/Zinc in my body to support my thyroid.
  • Removing parabens from all beauty products including makeup, shampoo, conditioner, soaps, sunscreen, dish soap, etc.
  • Using organic dyer sheets and organic laundry soap from Seventh Generation.
  • Using organic cotton shower curtains, towels and sheets.
  • Using steam saunas weekly to help detox and assist with auto-immune symptoms.
  • Reading all labels-making sure you stay away from Soy products
  • Maintaining a  Healthy Body Weight
  • Whole Food Supplements
  • Try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Limit your caffeine
  • No smoking
  • Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced
  • Add Vitamin B12, probiotics,  ample omega-3 fatty acids
  • Get plenty of sunlight to optimize your vitamin D levels and take 1000-2000IU daily of Vitamin D3
  • Lift weights
  • Make sure your medication dose is correct
  • drink more water
  • take a nap
  • Use organic coconut oil in your cooking
  • Adding chlorella, parsley, or cilantro to your daily smoothie to help your body detoxify from chemical exposures (petrochemicals, PCBs, pesticides, and mercury).

P.S.

It’s an utterly ridiculous notion to think that your work can’t make your heart sing and your soul smile. My life is to short and too valuable to be unfulfilling. I don’t want my life to be in a routine where I start to feel dull and I start to slowly die on the inside. I will express myself with all my skill and my life with enthusiasm! I am here to stay and screaming out to the world, “Here I come ready or not”!

I know, that I’ve found my sense of purpose and what makes my heart leap with joy it’s writing, blogging and being an investigative journalist.

Follow me on twitter

@thyroidismchick

A Women’s Holistic Holy Grail Handbook for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s: How I healed my Hypothyroidism and Autoimmune Disorder with Personalized Nutrition

Poisoned Profit

Disclaimer

The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested.  The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements.  Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek.  I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.