Gratitude Weekend: Celebrate Your Health with Raw Food Recipes and Health Enhancing Resources

Traditionally the day after Thanksgiving has been called “Black Friday”. Although I understand the meaning, as it’s a day when businesses traditionally go “in the black” because of the flood of consumer buying activity, still I’m not fond of the name and I prefer to name our post-Thanksgiving Day sale something more in line with the theme of the holiday it follows. So this year, I decided to offer a “Gratitude Weekend” sale, filled with very special offers of products and services to empower you to be healthy and vibrant throughout the holiday season. The average person gains extra pounds of fat during this season, because food surrounds us at every turn. Yesterday, as I watched my relatives consume processed, nutrient depleted, and dangerous to their health foods without thought about how it affects their “bottom line”, I started thinking about ways to reach the masses with the message that their food choices are hurting them. So today, I am taking away some of the barriers. I’m offering some huge savings on my e-book and recipe collections, many of which educate about the dangers of the usual processed ingredients in favorite holiday and “treat” foods. Read on for details of my “Gratitude Weekend” sale. You’ll see 5 special sales! Enjoy these special offers through the end of the weekend. Order Today and Win! Just to make these amazing offers completely irresistible, anyone who participates in the “Gratitude Weekend” sale will have the opportunity to win one of: 1st prize: a seat in our next B4 Be Gone Program (Valued at $997!) 2nd prize: Dried and Gone to Heaven DVD set with e-book and 3 online videos (Valued at $297) 3rd prize: Dessert: Making it Rich Without Oil and physical book bundle (Valued at $29.95) Gratitude Weekend Specials: “Gratitude Weekend” Special #1: $37 Holiday Video Bundle Here’s what Special #1 includes: Enjoy access to TWO special holiday videos that will help you serve up delicious dishes for the holidays: Sweets for the Holidays: Class Video and Recipes   Join us for our class “Sweets for the Holidays: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free, Oil-free Holiday Treats” and learn to make amazing raw vegan versions of traditional holiday dishes such as gingerbread men, cookies in festive seasonal shapes, candy, turtle brownies and more. You can take these to parties, give them as gifts or serve them at your own holiday gatherings. These recipes are not just for the holidays, either. You can use them for celebrations all year long. Healthy Holiday Feasts: Class Video and Recipes Join us for our class “Healthy Holiday Feasts: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Living Foods versions of Traditional Holiday Favorites” and watch as we prepare eggless egg nog, turkeyless turkey loaf, potatoless mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie and more. Then, sample all of the dishes that we prepare. For each class you’ll receive 2 1/2 hours of recipe demonstrations and all the recipes in a PDF eBook! Regularly $27 each, you can enjoy a special price of just $37 for both when you Order Here! http://www.drritamarie.com/go/Thanksgiving2011 Use coupon code: HOLIDAYVIDEOS2011 *********************************************************************** “Gratitude Weekend” Special #2: $97 Deluxe Holiday Bundle* Here’s what Special #2 includes: You’ll receive all of our holiday resources including physical copies of our Thanksgiving Feasts and Healthy Halloween Treats books. The package includes the complete Indulge without the Bulge DVD bundle (*Please note, shipping rates are in addition). Sweets for the Holidays: Class Video and Recipes Join us for our class “Sweets for the Holidays: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free, Oil-free Holiday Treats” and learn to make amazing raw vegan versions of traditional holiday dishes such as gingerbread men, cookies in festive seasonal shapes, candy, turtle brownies and more. You can take these to parties, give them as gifts or serve them at your own holiday gatherings. These recipes are not just for the holidays, either. You can use them for celebrations all year long. Healthy Holiday Feasts: Class Video and Recipes Join us for our class “Healthy Holiday Feasts: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Living Foods versions of Traditional Holiday Favorites” and watch as we prepare eggless egg nog, turkeyless turkey loaf, potatoless mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie and more. Then, sample all of the dishes that we prepare. For each class you’ll receive 2 1/2 hours of recipe demonstrations and all the recipes in a PDF eBook! Indulge Without the Bulge Holiday Bundle You can get our ENTIRE holiday collection of books, videos, and guides with this DELUXE holiday package! There’s no better way to get through the holidays than with a complete toolkit of ideas, recipes, and video demonstrations that will leave you with a New Year’s waistline you’ll be proud of! In addition to the Sweet Treats for the Holiday and Healthy Holiday Feasts Class videos you’ll receive: Healthy Halloween Treats (pdf, hardcopy, and video recipe demonstration) Thanksgiving Feast (pdf, hardcopy, and video recipe demonstration) Healthy Holiday Traditions (pdf and video recipe demonstration) Indulge Without the Bulge (DVD and checklist) Regularly $202.95 for everything you see here, you can enjoy a special price of just $97 (plus shipping) for everything when you Order Here! http://www.drritamarie.com/go/DeluxeHoliday2011 Use coupon code: DELUXEHOLIDAY A Great Gift Idea: You can keep the e-books for yourself, ~Contact.FirstName~, and give away the hardcopies as gifts to your loved ones! ********************************************************************** “Gratitude Weekend” Special #3: 50% Off All Digital E-Books! We have many, many valuable e-books and recipe guides to keep you on the path of vibrant living. You can access many of our digital e-books for 50% off (some exceptions apply*). You’ll find a list of our available e-books HERE! Here are some of the e-books you may enjoy for Special #3: Power Breakfast Ideas Start Your Morning off Right by Learning Easy-to-Make Raw Food Breakfast Recipes that Give You Plenty of Energy to Fuel You Through the Day! You might have heard many health experts say that it’s crucial to begin your day with a meal. What they might have failed to say, though, is how to make your first fuel of the day powerful enough to propel you forward with energy and gusto! Order here! http://www.rawpowerbreakfast.com/ Use coupon code: GRATITUDEFRIDAY2011 Deliciously Quick: Lunch and Dinner Ideas Avoid the Fast Food Drive Through Line at Lunch and Dinner Time and Enjoy a Hearty, Quick and Easy to Prepare, Nutritious Meal Instead! If you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired because you don’t have time to prepare healthy meals for you and your family, we have GREAT news for you. By using the simple, yet delicious recipes in this e-book, you’ll soon be on your way to the lean, strong and energetic body that you desire and deserve! Order here! http://www.drritamarie.com/classes/lunchdinner.htm Use coupon code: GRATITUDEFRIDAY2011 Greens From the Sea The Secret to Increased Energy A Strong Lean Body and Vibrant Health Sea vegetables are filled with difficult to get minerals and nutrients in a concentrated form. Research shows that eating sea vegetables on a regular basis supports the endocrine system, especially the thyroid gland. People who eat sea vegetables regularly are less likely to experience osteoporosis, fatigue and adrenal exhaustion. There are delicious recipes included in the book to help you to start receiving the health benefits of sea vegetables right away. Order here! http://drritamarie.com/seagreensorder.htm Use coupon code: GRATITUDEFRIDAY2011 Holiday E-Books: You can also purchase any of our individual holiday e-books with this special 50% off deal: http://drritamarie.com/shop/seasonal Healthy Halloween Treats (pdf) Order here! Thanksgiving Feast (pdf) Order here! Healthy Holiday Traditions (pdf) Order here! Use coupon code: GRATITUDEFRIDAY2011 *Please Note: The 50% Off Special does not apply to Dried and Gone to Heaven nor Dessert: Making it Rich Without Oil. But remember, any “Gratitude Sale” order will give you a chance to win either of these books! *********************************************************************** “Gratitude Weekend” Special #4: $47 Discovery Consultation (75% Off!) Here’s what Special #4 includes: Discovery Consultation with Dr. Ritamarie What would you do in life if you had all the energy in the world and nothing to hold you back? With over 20 years of experience in guiding people to their full health potential, Dr. Ritamarie will work with you to identify your particular obstacles and suggest a wellness strategy for you to overcome your unique challenges. With individualized attention through your Discovery Consultation, you’ll receive both immediate strategies to empower you to action NOW and long-term options for taking your health, and your dreams, to the next level. Order here! Use coupon code: DISCOVERY2011 A Great Gift Idea: If you have friends or family who need help with their health, ~Contact.FirstName~, you can arrange a health consultation as a gifts to your loved one! Limited Availability: There are only 10 of these specially priced consultations. They are available on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t delay. *********************************************************************** “Gratitude Weekend” Special #5: Register for the Green Cleanse and Add a Friend for Free! ($97 Value!) Here’s what Special #5 includes: Harness the magic of blended greens to increase your strength, energy, and vitality! What if there was a method of cleansing that was quick, easy, affordable, fun and effective, left you feeling satiated and energized, and could be shared with a group of like-minded people to support you through it? The Energy Recharge Green Cleanse has all the components you need to become more energetic, vibrant, and strong. There are delicious green recipes and menu planners, daily e-mail messages, support calls, a community forum, and countless bonus features to optimize your results. You’ll also receive 3 months of free post-cleanse support in the Eat Green Be Lean Club! This program is the result of hundreds of hours of research, recipe development, and one-on-one coaching. You get a full week of support and continued access to the forum for ongoing community and connection. Register now, and for our “Gratitude Weekend” special, you can invite a friend for free! Order here! *********************************************************************** Reminder: All specials are in effect until Sunday, November 27th, at midnight! Ensuring that your weekend and the holiday is centered around delicious and nutritious food that will leave you feeling energized and appreciative all year long and wishing you love, health, and joy, Dr. Ritamarie

Reduce Belly Fat and Brain Fog: Adrenal Gland and Stress Connection

7 of my favorite strategies for reducing brain fog and reducing excess belly fat were outlined in a previous post .

1. Get a handle on stress.
2. Burst exercise
3. Regulate your Blood Sugar
4. Eat a Nutrient dense diet rich in whole, raw plant foods and test nutrient levels and function regularly
5. Balance  Your Immune system, avoid allergens and eat a Gluten Free Diet
6. Get sufficient high quality  Sleep
7. Incorporate regular Cleansing and Detoxification, like a 7 day green cleanse every quarter.

Today’s post discusses getting a handle on stress to reduce belly fat and brain fog.

It should be no surprise that managing stress tops my list of brain fog and belly fat reducing strategies.

Face it.  Stress happens.  You can’t necessarily control the external circumstances.  You can control your response to them.

When you’re stressed, your adrenal glands produce adrenaline and cortisol.  Adrenaline is responsible for helping you to perform heroically, like in the story of the mom who lifts a car off her child.

Cortisol rises more slowly than adrenaline and lasts longer.

One of it’s jobs is to cause fat to be released from storage and turned into sugar…which is a very good thing if you’re running away from a tiger.   It also causes you to become more efficient at burning fat for energy – you’re not going to be able to refuel while in pursuit by a hungry animal.

Since most modern day stressors don’t require physical exertion, like getting stuck in traffic, financial concerns, an over demanding boss, or  juggling children’s activities cortisol can work to your disadvantage.   When your fat stores are released and turned into sugar, the lack of physical exertion causes your blood sugar levels to rise, which causes extra insulin to be released.  Insulin triggers the extra sugar to be converted back into fat because you don’t need it in your sedentary life.

Most of the fat is stored on your waist.

Then there’s the effect of  cortisol on your brain, explained in detail in the 7 Strategies to reduce belly fat and brain fog.

Managing your stress levels, and reducing the amount of time you spend in fight flight mode, also known as sympathetic nervous system dominance, is mandatory if you would like to reduce belly fat and brain fog.

It takes some retraining, yet I know from both personal and clinical experience that it can happen.  One of the easiest practices you can start is breathing and appreciation.

With an investment of as little as 3 minutes a day, you can create a breathing and appreciation practice that can transform the negative effects of stress to highly beneficial ones.

The best description of this is on the Heart Math website.  I’ve been employing these methods for years and have taught them to thousands of patients and clients.  The results are miraculous.

I’ve taught this technique to many patients and students with great success and even have a recorded teleseminar and work book available to guide you through it.

Other practices that can help you dissipate the negative effects of stress are yoga, meditation, massage, Reiki and tapping, also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) .

It’s important that you find a method that works for YOU.  My personality and lifestyle is such that Heart Math works better for me than meditation and yoga because I need only invest small amounts of time throughout the day and I can do it while I do other things.  It’s the best technique for all of us chronic multitaskers!

The next article in this sequence is Reduce Belly Fat and Brain Fog:  Blood Sugar Level Regulation

Adrenal Exhaustion and Fatigue: Symptoms and Strategies

Are Your Adrenal Glands Over Worked and Under paid?

Lately I’ve been writing a lot about belly fat and brain fog. Adrenal stress and exhaustion is a very common cause.   Watch this video and learn what causes adrenal fatigue, how you can tell if you have it, what you can do to prevent it and strategies for restoring yourself to vibrant, energetic and happy.

Adrenal exhaustion is a common cause of many health issues experienced in our modern day world.

Comment below and let me know how you if you know or think you’re suffering from adrenal fatigue and what 1 step you can take to start to heal.

Love, health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

The Power of Digestion: Chronic Fatigue Links to Your Stomach

Poor digestion is beyond bloating and gas.  Chronic fatigue, adrenal exhaustion, depression and challenges with focus, can all originate  from poor digestion.   According to Hippocrates, ‘the father of medicine’, “All disease begins in the gut.”

You may have been lead to believe that shopping the perimeter of the grocery store, eating whole foods, breathing deeply and moving is all it takes to have get up and go and maintain perfect health.

Yet more and more health practitioners are beginning to realize that even if you take the time to eat better and to shop, prepare and consume more consciously, you are not what you eat. While what you eat is vital to your overall health, it would be more accurate to say “You are what you digest and assimilate.”  You may be eating great yet your cells may be starving. How can that be?

According to the NIH, each year digestive problems account for  about 105 million doctor visits, more than 13 million hospitalizations and over 230,000 deaths in the U.S alone, and the cost of digestive disorders is staggering. These diseases cost the United States $100 billion annually in direct medical costs and $44 billion in indirect costs such as disability and mortality.

Digestive disorders are more than just a nuisance. They are downright dangerous. Chronic gut issues can contribute to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, suicide and a host of other serious conditions.

Most of us don’t think about our guts unless they hurt us. Yet your gut can be hurting you by letting you down on the
digestive job, even if you don’t have specific gut complaints. Maybe you experience fatigue, the inability to lose that last 5 pounds, or a brain that doesn’t seem to be the sharpest tack in the box anymore.

While you can’t build a healthy body without good food to nourish your cells and organs, even if your food is perfect, you can’t flourish unless your digestive tract is able to break the food down, absorb the nutrients and eliminate the waste.

So how do you know if you have digestive issues that need attention?  If you’re bloated, gassy or have gut pain, it’s obvious.  It’s the more subtle signs that are less frequently associated with gut problems.  For example, difficulty sleeping, referred to as circadian dysrhythmia, can start because your cells are not well fed and your organs, like your adrenal glands and brain, are not receiving what they need to keep you energized during the day and horizontal and refreshed during the night.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine if your gut is contributing to disease.

• Do you have a chronic fatigue that doesn’t go away with any intervention you have tried?
• Do you carry an extra 5 to 50 pounds regardless of how you eat or how much you exercise?
• Do you have trouble concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions??
• Are you frequently cold for no reason?
• Are you frequently stressed out, worn out or depressed for no apparent reason?
• Do you have a chronically coated tongue?
• Does your pulse increase 20-25 beats within 15 minutes of eating?
• Do you feel worse after you eat?
• Do you usually have less two bowel movements daily? (Hippocrates told the Athenians that is was essential that they pass large bulky motions after every meal!)
• Do your stools regularly smell ‘bad’?
• Do you have chronic  heart burn, burping, bloating, gas and pain immediately or within hours of eating?
• Do you just not feel well no matter how vigilant you are with eating well, taking supplements, working out, trying to have a positive attitude?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you likely have a gut issue that needs to be addressed to protect your
health.  If you answered yes to 3 or more of these, it’s possible that your gut problem is already adversely affecting the rest of your body and you need to take action right away.

Getting nutrition from your mouth to deep down into your cells where it counts takes a lot of intestinal fortitude and multiple steps with many organs and nutrients working in harmony.  Many of our modern “advances” interfere with your gut’s ability to do its job – things like environmental chemicals, antibiotics, alcohol, some prescription and over the counter medications and chronic stress.  This can leave you with chronic fatigue and adrenal exhaustion.

In restoring optimal gut function, it’s important to evaluate and target all the working parts of your digestive tract.

If you have chronic problems or are experiencing the effects of gut imbalance in parts of your body outside your digestive tract, it’s important that you take time out to do a gut healing protocol as soon as possible and repeat the process a couple of times a year to maintain your gut health.

Here’s a short list of actions you can take to get the process started:

1. Chew your food well.  The only part of your digestive tract that has teeth is your mouth.  Un-chewed food particles can’t be digested and can contribute to inefficient digestion.  You’d be surprised by how many digestive problems are solved by this simple step.
2. Start to eat gut healing foods on a daily basis.  Three that are easy to incorporate are:  chia seeds, which soothe the gut lining and contribute essential fats to calm the fire of inflammation, green drinks, which provide an abundance of healing chlorophyll and minerals, and turmeric, a potent anti-inflammatory and cancer protective herb.
3. Eat daily servings of probiotic containing foods like sauerkraut, homemade nut and seed yogurt and coconut kefir or take a high quality probiotic supplement to keep your gut critters in harmony.
4. Relax and breath before you start to eat.

Having the discipline to do a gut support protocol on your own can be challenging.  There are always excuses that prevent you from starting.  That’s why I teamed up with my good friend, colleague and mentor Dr. Lindsey Berkson,
author of “Healthy Digestion the Natural Way” to create a unique program called “Get Your Gut in Gear”.  This program is for you if:

• You’re fed up with chronic indigestion, gas and bloating and you’re ready for a flat and comfortable belly.
• You’re frustrated with not having the energy to fully engage in the activities you love.
• You’re concerned about the risks of an out of balance digestive tract.
• You’re tired of that extra 5 to 50 pounds you just can’t shed.
• You answered yes to 3 or more of the questions above and you’re not sure where to begin to restore your gut to health.
• You’ve tried various gut herbs and cleanses before and just can’t seem to complete them or get the promised results on your own.

Get Your Gut In Gear is lead by  two digestive health experts and includes membership in a supportive community to guide you to detox, rebuild and reboot your gut so you can sleep better, feel better, think better and shed those last frustrating pounds.
Just eating a colorful healthy diet may not be enough. Digesting it adequately is what counts.

As Hippocrates said, “All disease begins in the gut.” To take it a step further…

“Good health begins in the gut.”
“Great health begins in the gut.”
“All health begins in the gut.”

Love, Health and Joyful Digestion,

Dr. Ritamarie

www.GetYourGutInGear.com

My Commitment to My Adrenals: No Fatigue, Just Sleep!

When I work with people with fatigue symptoms, related to thyroid and adrenal overload, I talk about several key things:

1. Whole foods, fresh diet, high in raw foods
2. Proper hydration
3. Omega 3 fat balance
4. Getting off allergenic and inflammatory foods, including gluten, dairy, and sugar.
5. Fresh air and sunshine
6. Exercise
7. Restoring their adrenal reserve and enhancing detoxification via sleep.

I model the first 6 beautifully. I am committed to being as healthy and vibrant as I can be so that I can be a role model to others.

So why is number 7 so ###!!## hard for me?

I did really well on my sleep commitment the first week of my 30 day challenge.

My adrenals loved me for it, and I warded off a bout with adrenal fatigue by giving myself what I needed.

So why can’t I make a firm and lasting commitment?

I’m backsliding. I won’t even say how late it was when my head finally hit the pillow.

There’s still lots to do…there always will be. Yet I am off to meet my pillow and keep my commitment to me.

I made no commitments today and I kept none. What a deal. Tomorrow is a new day.

I did make myself a quart of green juice to start the day. It was lovely. I also did a great job on my omega 3′s today.  The subject is on my mind, as balancing the immune system was the topic of the week for Balance My Body.

I noticed dark circles under my eyes…not good for a fatigue expert to look tired. Not good for someone who prides herself in looking much younger and having the body of a 20 something year-old to notice signs of aging.

Commitments for Sunday, and the rest of the week.

• I will get outside and exercise
• I will make at least 16 ounces of green juice and 32 ounces of smoothie
• I will get my omega 3′s again
• I will eat consciously and with gratitude
• I will…can I say it and mean it…I will…..I will…..go to bed by 11PM…at least Sunday

Please hold me to it. Write me and ask me what time I went to bed. I can’t lie.

Post below and be bold enough to check in and make sure I am doing what I committed to. Sleep is vital for health. Food is great, exercise is great, greens are great…but they will only take me so far if I keep burning the candle at both ends.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Sleeeeeeeeeeeep!

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie