Clean Your Oven Without Harming Your Lungs

So many moms are asking,

 "How do I get things clean, I mean REALLY CLEAN without using  traditional oven cleaners that are linked to cancer?" 

The answer is Scour Off!

It is completely non-toxic (made from natural cherry pits) so when you have your head stuck in an oven during cleaning, you are not inhaling any caustic chemicals!

Call me to get yours!

714-536-6555 

Use a little Scour-Off Paste and a really wet sponge for dramatic results like the pictures above! 


Just a teaspoon of Nature Bright Whitener in the sink before I went to bed made my stained sink bright!

5 Ways to Lower Triglycerides

High triglyceride levels often mean increased risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Lower your triglycerides with these 5 simple diet and lifestyle changes.

Get More Omega–3s  Not all fat is bad fat. While you're working on reducing triglycerides, you should also focus on increasing healthy omega–3 fats. Omega-3's are actually good for your heart and especially effective at lowering triglyceride levels. I recommend eating at least two servings of omega–3–rich fish, such as wild salmon, herring, mackerel (though not king), sardines, rainbow trout, or even Pacific oysters, each week.If you are not going to be diligent about eating these fish twice a week EVERY week, speak with your doctor about incorporating fish oil supplements into your routine.I use Shaklee OmegaGuard because it  is guaranteed to be tested and free of heavy metals that have recently been appearing in some other brands. Maintain a Healthy Weight  If you're overweight, you are at a greater risk for high triglycerides, but simple lifestyle changes like following a balanced diet, incorporating healthy meal replacement shakes and exercising can help you lose weight and lower your triglyceride levels. Cut down on high–calorie foods and beverages and make it a priority to incorporate more vegetables and fruits into your diet. They're low in calories to help you achieve your weight loss goals, and packed with nutrients to improve overall heart health. Reduce Unhealthy Fats Our bodies store and circulate fat in the form of triglycerides. Eating a diet heavy in saturated and trans fats will raise the levels of your blood triglycerides. Fortunately, you can markedly improve your triglyceride levels by cutting down on consumption of these unhealthy fats and increase coconut oil in it's place. If you have high triglycerides, it's especially important to cut the saturated fat, including marbled red meat, poultry skin, butter, whole milk, and other full–fat dairy products. Since trans fats are even more harmful than saturated fats, you'll want to carefully check nutrition labels on margarines, snack foods, baked goods, and other packaged items to ensure they don't contain any trans fats. Limit Refined Carbs Low quality carbs (foods high in sugar or refined grains like white flour) can cause a sudden rise in your body's insulin, which can lead to a spike in triglycerides. To lower your triglyceride numbers, you'll need to dramatically limit your intake of sugary and refined carbs including sugar, honey, and other sweeteners, white rice, white bread, regular white pasta, and other foods that have been made with white flour (also called enriched wheat flour or all-purpose flour), including many cookies, cakes, breakfast cereals, crackers, and snack foods, candy, baked goods, and anything made with white (refined or enriched) flour. You'll also want to limit dried fruit and fruit juice since they're dense in simple sugar. Instead aim for high–quality carbs — vegetables, fruits, and whole grain foods like oatmeal, healthy cereals, brown Drink Less Alcohol If you have high triglycerides, alcohol should be considered a rare treat — if you indulge at all, since even small amounts of alcohol can dramatically increase triglyceride levels. In sensitive individuals, just one drink can send triglycerides soaring. When you're out at social occasions, consider ordering a flavorful spritzer made with seltzer water and a splash of fruit juice. It'll be healthier for you — and no one has to know that there isn't any alcohol in it. Understand the dangers of high triglycerides. If you have high triglyceride levels, your blood is more likely to clot. Additionally, studies have shown that high triglyceride levels are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke in both men and women. The good news is that in most cases triglycerides can be controlled with diet and lifestyle changes. Start by avoiding alcohol, sugary foods (including dried fruit and fruit juice), saturated fats, and trans fats. Do your best to maintain a healthy diet and weight. Make omega-3 fats a part of your diet. Since omega–3s positively affect nearly every heart–disease risk factor, it's a good idea to make them a regular part of your diet. Fatty fish is the best source of omega–3 fatty acids. I recommend getting at least three servings of wild salmon, herring, mackerel (though not king), sardines, rainbow trout, or even Pacific oysters each week. However, if you can't get that much fish into your weekly meals, fish–oil capsules are also rich sources of omega–3s. Good plant sources include ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, butternuts, seaweed, soybeans, and canola oil. Stick to fat-free or reduced–fat dairy products. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are some of the top sources of calcium, but you'll want to choose fat–free or reduced–fat varieties to keep your heart healthy. Whole–milk dairy is high in saturated fat, which contributes to high triglycerides. The saturated fat in whole milk can also contribute to high cholesterol and promote atherosclerosis, the build–up of plaque on artery walls. Exercise to improve triglycerides. Engaging in moderate exercise can help lower your triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Doing aerobic exercise may also stop the sharp rise of triglycerides after you eat. If you haven't exercised regularly (or at all) for years, I recommend starting slowly by walking at an easy pace for 15 minutes a day, five days a week. As you begin to feel comfortable, you can increase your walking time by five minutes each day. Strive to work up to 30 minutes most days of the week. I know it sounds like a lot, but your life may depend on it! (Always get clearance from your doctor before beginning an exercise program.)

Buffalo Chicken Wrap recipe

Here is a good wrap recipe that has a spicy buffalo kick. It can be "toned down" by reducing the amount of cayenne and Frank's RedHot Sauce.

1. Whisk hot pepper sauce, 2 tablespoons vinegar and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl.
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken tenders; cook until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add to the bowl with the hot sauce; toss to coat well.
3. Whisk mayonnaise, yogurt, pepper and the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar in a small bowl. Stir in blue cheese.
4. To assemble wraps: Lay a tortilla on a work surface or plate. Spread with 1 tablespoon blue cheese sauce and top with one-fourth of the chicken, lettuce, celery and tomato. Drizzle with some of the hot sauce remaining in the bowl and roll into a wrap sandwich. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

 Ingredients

Prep: 35 | Total Time: 35

• 2 tablespoons
  hot pepper sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot
• 3 tablespoons
  white vinegar, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon
  cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons
  extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound
  chicken tenders
• 2 tablespoons
  reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons
  non-fat plain yogurt
• to taste 
  freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup
  crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese
• 4 8-inch
  whole-wheat tortillas or gluten free rice wraps
• 1 cup
  romaine lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup
  celery, sliced
• 1 large
  tomato, diced

 © Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission. WebMD Recipe fromEatingWell.com

 Nutritional Information

Makes: 4 servings

Serving Size: 1 wrap

• Calories275
• Fat8 g
  • Saturated fat2 g
  • Mono Fat2 g
• Cholesterol55 mg
• Carbohydrates29 g
  • Dietary fiber3 g
• Protein24 g
• Sodium756 mg
• Potassium266 mg

* Nutritional Guidelines based on the USDA's MyPlate Standards. 

Gluten-Gree Maple Pecan Granola (dehydrator or oven)

Maple pecan granola

Ingredients:

1 cup dates, soaked
1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 cups pecans, soaked for 2 hours or more
1 cup almonds, soaked for 2 hours or more
1 cup pumpkin seeds, soaked for 2 hours or more
1 cup raw oat flakes (certified gluten-free, if necessary)
1/4 cup chopped dried pear or other fruit

:

Directions:

In a food processor, process the dates, apple, maple syrup, ginger, cinnamon and salt until smooth. You may need to scrap down the sides of the mixing bowl a few times. It's okay if a few small chunks of dates still remain. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
Add the pecans, almonds and pumpkin seeds to the food processor (no need to rinse out the bowl) and coarsely chop with a few quick pulses. You want this mixture to be chunky.
Add the nut mixture to the bowl with the date puree and mix to combine.
Fold in the oat flakes and dried fruit.
Spread the granola on dehydrator trays and dehydrate at 115 degrees for about 6 hours, or until the granola is crunchy. Break the granola into pieces and store in an air-tight container in the fridge.

~Alternatively, this recipe can also be placed in the oven and cooked at 350 degrees turning every 20 minutes until lightly crispy. I like to add sulfite-free pieces of dried apricot and raw nuts after they come out of the oven.

Raw Cookie Dough Balls Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup raw almonds
• 2/3 cup raw walnuts
• 2/3 cup raw oat flakes (see note below)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup raw agave nectar, pure maple syrup, or honey
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. In a food processor, process the almonds, walnuts, oats, cinnamon and salt to a fine meal.
2. Add the agave nectar and vanilla and process to combine.
3. Next, add the cocoa nibs (or chocolate chips) and pulse just to combine.
4. Roll the cookie dough into balls about 1 tbsp each (wet your hands if the dough is too sticky) and place them on a cookie pan lined with parchment paper. Place the pan in the freezer for about an hour to firm up. Store balls in a tightly covered container in the freezer.

Raw oat flakes can be substituted for regular rolled oats (or certified gluten-free oats, if necessary), but if you want this treat to be truly raw, look for raw oat flakes, which haven't been steamed or toasted during processing. They can be ordered from a company called Grainstorm .

Choosing the Best Chocolate

Everyone knows that when it comes to indulging your sweet tooth, dark chocolate is the best option. But is all dark chocolate created equal?

Q. How do you know the dark chocolate you have is really good for you? Are there levels to how good it is or isn't? And how much should you eat at one time?

A. Yes, the darker the chocolate, the higher the amount of health-promoting antioxidants (specifically, flavonoids) and phytonutrients it contains. Dark chocolate has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, reduce clotting, and benefit overall heart health.

A number of factors affect the antioxidant content, including how the chocolate is processed, but the most user-friendly way to select healthful chocolate is to simply choose one with a high percentage of cacao. I advise people to choose a bar that is at least 70% cacao if you’re looking to cash in on chocolate’s beneficial health properties. This label means that the chocolate bar is 70% cocoa by weight; the remaining 30% is mostly sugar and sometimes milk. (Milk chocolate has an even lower cocoa content — as low as 10% cacao — because it contains more sugar and milk than dark chocolate.) By the way, if the package doesn’t list the percent cacao on the label, you can assume it’s not high enough to meet my recommendation.

In terms of the amount, portion control is key. Because chocolate is calorie-dense, I advise people to limit their daily intake to 1 ounce. That equates to about 150 calories, give or take. A 1-ounce portion is about the size of a standard business card if you’re talking about a thin chocolate bar, If the bar is thicker like the ones pictured above, adjust accordingly.

A Gluten-Free Diet Reduces Inflammation

Due to the growing awareness of celiac disease and gluten-intolerance, food manufacturers, supermarkets and health-food stores are stocking the shelves with  gluten-free products. There is an increasing selection of gluten-free cookbooks and gluten-free websites of information. You can follow a gluten-free lifestyle and it is becoming increasingly easier and more convenient to do it.

LIVING 100 PERCENT GLUTEN-FREE

The most important part of living with any level of gluten intolerance is a 100 percent gluten-free lifestyle. This means eliminating foods such as traditional breads, pastas, beer, baked goods, gravies, sauces and cereals. These items can be replaced with rice, risotto, potato, corn, buckwheat, quinoa, millet and amaranth, as well as legumes like beans, lentils and chickpeas.

While the idea of forever living without your beloved favorite foods is daunting, fear not – the availability of great-tasting gluten-free foods is growing. Made with rice flours, corn and other gluten-free substitutes, most stores offer an ever-improving array of gluten-free goodies like beer, cereal, sauces, candy and pasta. People who must eat gluten-free can also search their local bookstores for gluten-free cookbooks to find delicious and inventive ways to cater to their unique dietary needs.

TIPS FOR GLUTEN-FREE LIFESTYLES

Beware of hidden sources of gluten: cosmetics, vitamin supplements, meal replacement powders and bars, restaurant food and even prescription drugs can contain gluten or gluten derivatives. Because of the discomfort – and even danger – of consuming gluten, its paramount to know how to avoid it. Here are a few tips to make sure your diet and other products you use are gluten-free:

1. Read the labels before you buy.

Get savvy on product labels and ingredient lists. If an item does not say "gluten-free", or if you are unsure of the status of certain ingredients, avoid it or call the manufacturer's customer service line for clarification.

2. Check your pantry.

Be on the lookout for stealth gluten hiding in your favorite foods – soy sauce, (however you can buy wheat free Tamari instead). Other things such as, malt flavoring and some varieties of maltodextrin (a food additive) all contain gluten unless labeled otherwise.

3. Avoid processed food products.

Many will contain additives with gluten – unless otherwise labeled.

4. Search for gluten-free restaurants.

Several mainstream chain restaurants, such as PF Chang's and Outback Steakhouse, offer gluten-free menu items. Many other restaurants are willing to accommodate patrons with food allergies and intolerances if given fair warning first, so call ahead and speak with a manager.

5. Order online.

Many online stores stock gluten-free sauces, pasta, cookies, pizzas and snacks in addition to other products that normally contain gluten.

6. Gluten-free does not mean calorie free.

Even though you will be cutting some foods from your diet, gluten-free food contains calories, carbohydrates, fat and protein, similar to their gluten counterparts. You are eliminating gluten from your life as a strategy for better health. Don't counter it by eating too much gluten-free food. Watch your portions!

If you are experiencing gastrointestinal distress and suspect that gluten may be the culprit, see your doctor for a diagnosis and follow-up treatment plan.

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For more information on living gluten-free, see these articles & recipes or e mail me for a free gluten-free meal plan. lifequesthealth@aol.com 

• Celiac disease and gluten intolerance
• Gluten-free recipes