It’s the time of year when your calendar goes into overload. You need to maintain your normal schedule (which barely leaves time to breathe) while also finding time to buy a tree, decorate, buy presents, gift wrap, entertain family and friends and attend a host of holiday events.

It’s exhausting just thinking about it.

It happens every year and yet it seems to always catch us off guard. We convince ourselves that if we sleep a little less and work at little harder, we will be able to get it all done. We go into hyperdrive, doing 2 things at once in an attempt to get more done in 24 hours than is humanly possible. It’s usually a recipe for disaster.

Do you want to know how to accomplish more in less time?

Stop multi- tasking.

We live at a very fast pace. On an ordinary day we run from one task to the next with little or no break in-between. When that is not enough, we try to squeeze more in the day by doing several things at the same time. It seems logical that if you practiced multi-tasking long enough, you would get really good at it and save yourself all kinds of time.

Do you believe that you have become more efficient by multi-tasking?

You would be wrong.

When you try to do 2 things simultaneously you may get both tasks done correctly, but you would have gotten both of them done better, and in less total time, if you had done them one after the other instead of at the same time.

The reason for this is simple.

Even though it may feel like you are doing several tasks simultaneously, you are in fact not doing them at the same time. You are rapidly switching between them just like the juggler trying to keep all the balls in the air at the same time.

Doing several things at once is a trick we play on ourselves, thinking we’re getting more done. In reality, our productivity goes down by as much as 40%. We switch-task, rapidly shifting from one thing to another, interrupting ourselves unproductively, and losing time in the process.

I know some of you think you have gotten really good at juggling several things at once and that you are the exception to the rule. The studies tell a different story. Research shows that heavy multitaskers are less competent at doing several things at once then light multitaskers. In contrast to almost everything else in life, practice works against you.

The more you multitask, the worse you are at it!

If that is not reason enough for you to reconsider the way you structure your day, research shows that multi-tasking isn’t just inefficient, it’s stressful. So, give yourself a break today. Decide that you are not going to begin something new until you complete the task you started.

You might be surprised how relaxed and productive you will be when you accomplish more by doing less.

Give yourself the gift of serenity. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day and do the most important things first.

Stay focused and on task and put the joy back into your holidays.

They’re among a group of investors who have given, so far, $17 million to Memphis Meats — a startup company that’s growing meat (beef, chicken and duck) from animal cells.

No actual animals are involved, just their cells.

Branson is so confident about Memphis Meats’ future that he told Bloomberg News, “I believe that in 30 years or so we will no longer need to kill any animals and that all meat will either be clean or plant-based, taste the same and also be much healthier for everyone.”

Really???

There’s no doubt that industrial agriculture, including CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) and the monocrops used to support them, is destroying the planet and must be changed.

But is lab-grown meat really the direction we should be heading?

Once you get past the science-project feel, the idea of lab-grown meat sounds plausible — even ingenious. Meat without any of the environmental downsides and with no need to send animals to slaughter? Grown neatly and efficiently in a lab, resulting in juicy steaks, chicken and duck — enough to feed the world? It sounds too good to be true, but that hasn’t deterred a laundry list of investors from staking their claim in this emerging market.

The “meat” starts with cells taken from live animals. The cells are then grown in a lab for four to six weeks. Reportedly, a beef meatball was created in February 2016, followed by chicken and duck in March 2017, but the product is still far too expensive to bring to market.

It costs about $9,000 to produce 1 pound of lab-grown chicken and about $18,000 to produce 1 pound of beef meatballs.

Aside from the cost, other hurdles also remain, like the controversy over Memphis Meats’ use of fetal bovine serum, although they say they plan to replace it with a plant-based product instead.

The Good Food Institute (GFI), which seeks out entrepreneurs and scientists to form plant-based and lab-grown meat companies, put out notice that the preferred term is “clean meat” — not cultured meat and certainly not lab-grown either.

But is it really accurate to call this new product “clean meat?”

It would seem that this term already belongs to grass fed farmers who are raising animals on pasture, without reliance on chemicals or genetically engineered (GE) feed, in accordance with the laws of nature.

What’s clear is that these lab-grown meat companies want their science experiments to appear like real meat, only better. It’s promoted as a win-win for everyone, but do you know who the biggest winners will be?

The billionaire investors slated to get even richer if their fully patented meat products take off.

No one can patent a natural cow, chicken or duck, but with the advent of lab-grown meat, the resulting beef, chicken and duck is very much patentable — and fully controlled by its makers.

As we’ve seen in the past with Monsanto’s patenting of GE seeds, putting the food supply in the hands of a private corporation is rarely a good idea. (The patenting of seeds and the subsequent restrictions on seed has led to what is essentially a takeover of the farming industry by chemical companies.)

There’s more than money at stake; if you control the food supply, you essentially control the world.

Creating patented lab-grown meat products is not about feeding the world or eliminating animal suffering. It’s about dominating billionaires looking to put patents on the food system.

They all share the common thread of giving the world the meat they love without the pollution and animal suffering. PETA has even taken to calling lab-grown meat “cruelty-free” meat. Many people view lab-grown meat as the lesser of two evils when comparing it to the CAFO meat that currently dominates the market.

There is no doubt that CAFO meat is devastating to the environment, unsustainable and inhumane. Change is urgently needed, but eliminating nature in favor of lab-grown meat is not the answer.

The fact is, when animals are raised according to regenerative agriculture, an ecosystem is created, one that is both healing for the land and productive for the farmers who keep it. Eating meat is not synonymous with harming the environment; it’s industrial farming practices that have done the latter.

Sourcing your foods from a local grass fed farmer is one of your best bets to ensure you’re getting something wholesome. And, you’ll be supporting the small farms — not the mega-farming corporations — in your area.

It’s important to vote with your pocketbook.

What future do you want for your food supply?

It is a disease for which conventional medicine believes there is no effective treatment or cure. It currently affects an estimated 5.4 million Americans^. That number is projected to triple by 2050. Within the next two decades, this severe and lethal form of dementia may affect as much as one-quarter of the U.S. population. Already, it is the third leading cause of death.

The good news is that lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise and sleep can have a significant impact on your risk.

In 2014, Dr. Dale Bredesen published a paper that dramatically demonstrates the power of lifestyle choices for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s.

Using dietary interventions, detoxification, exercise, sleep, meditation and supplementation, he was able to reverse Alzheimer’s in 9 out of 10 patients!

The full protocol is described in his book, “The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline.”

Keeping your blood sugar low is critical. Studies show a strong correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and insulin resistance. You don’t have to be diabetic to be at risk. Even mild elevation of blood sugar is associated with an elevated risk for dementia.

According to Dr. David Perlmutter, a neurologist and author of “Grain Brain” and “Brain Maker,” anything that promotes insulin resistance will ultimately also raise your risk of Alzheimer’s.

Considering the lack of effective treatments, your best line of defense is preventing the disease from occurring.

I would suggest beginning with the 28-Day Detoxification and Elimination Diet. In a matter of weeks, you can detoxify your body and greatly reduce your blood sugar. I have worked with insulin-dependent diabetics who were able to come off their medication just using this dietary intervention.

Call today for more information 866-222-6490.

Here are some simple suggestions you can try on your own:

1.Avoid process foods and eat organic whenever possible. Processed foods contain a number of ingredients harmful to your brain, including refined sugar, fructose, grains (particularly gluten), vegetable oils, genetically engineered ingredients and pesticides.

2.Add healthy fats to add to your diet. Healthy fats are critical for optimal brain function. Good choices would be avocados, butter, organic pastured egg yolks, coconuts and coconut oil, grass fed meats and raw nuts. Be careful to avoid trans-fats and hydrogenated oils.

3.Keep your fasting insulin levels below 3.

4.Eat fermented foods and take a high-quality probiotic- SEE MASTER SUPPLEMENTS

5.Exercise and move consistently throughout the day. Exercise has been shown to slow down the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s.

6.Spend time in the sun. Having adequate amounts of vitamin D is critical for your immune system to function properly and to fight the inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s. Have your levels checked in the winter when you are spending more time indoors. When you can’t get vitamin D from the sun, supplement with vitamin D3.

7.Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Sleep deprivation causes disruption of certain synaptic connections that can impair your brain’s ability for learning, memory formation and other cognitive functions. Poor sleep also accelerates the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

8.Learn something new. Mental stimulation helps to build up your brain and is associated with a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Check out Brain HQ (https://www.brainhq.com/) for some on-line brain training programs.

The sooner you become proactive about your brain health, the better your odds are for avoiding a future devoid of all the things you treasure most.

What could be more important than that?

If you need help, give me a call 866-222-6490.

Change is much easier when you have the right information, guidance and support.

It’s not uncommon to feel rundown in today’s’ fast-paced society, but just because it’s commonplace doesn’t mean it’s “normal.”  When it becomes a struggle to find the energy to get through the day, your body is sending out an SOS.

You would be wise to pay attention. It can save you a lot of heartache down the road.

Here are Six Warning Signs Your Body Needs to Detox and De-Stress

1.You Can’t Lose Weight

You have tried every diet out there and nothing works. You’ve cut back on calories and increased your exercise and the needle on the scale just won’t budge.

Chronic, low-grade inflammation could be the cause. When you eat foods that your body has an intolerance toward they create an inflammatory response. Even healthy foods can cause inflammation, which can pose serious problems not only for weight loss, but for short-and long-term health. Chronic low-grade inflammation can cause obesity, premature aging, and even disease.

The foods that can be highly inflammatory may surprise you. A detox will show you how to determine which foods are a problem for you.

2.You Notice an Increase in Negative Thoughts and Feelings

Are you feeling overwhelmed, bad about yourself, or experiencing surges of anger? These are signals you may be under too much stress. Your stress response is an instinctual reaction that triggers your mind and body’s “fight or flight” response, giving your mind and body what they need to protect or escape from a dangerous situation. When the danger is removed, the stress response subsides. This acute stress is good for us and helps you when facing life-threatening situations

The issue occurs when you are continually exposed to stressful circumstances that don’t subside – chronic stress. In these situations, your “fight or flight” response continually fires without rest, and that can cause a number of symptoms including negative thoughts and feelings. In turn, negative thoughts and feelings can exacerbate stress levels. Unless you take the steps you need to detox and destress, the cycle of stress and negative thoughts and feelings will continue.

3.You Have Trouble Concentrating and Remembering

Do you find yourself reading the same sentence over and over again because you are too distracted to concentrate? Are you forgetting to show up for commitments that are important to you?

The idea that food affects the mind is an alien concept to many people, but when you find yourself constantly feeling fatigued, distracted, moody or just “not yourself,” you are dealing with brain fog. When you eat food your body is sensitive to, you experience damage to your gut that affects brain function.

Do you want to regain your sense of clear-headedness, focus and joy?
It starts with a detox that addresses the underlying issues including food intolerances, diet, stress levels, sleep and level of physical activity. Many will experience a “cloud” being lifted in a matter of days.

4.You are Losing Your Hair

It’s natural to experience some hair loss each day due to age or activity, but if you are experiencing more than average hair loss, stress may be one of the reasons. The physiological changes you can experience with chronic stress can impact your hair follicles and the strength of your hair, causing hair to fall out.

The good news is stress-induced hair loss can be reduced or eliminated altogether by practicing new ways to manage your stress and learning different things you can do to reduce your stress levels.

5.You Are Tired All the Time

Sometimes the only symptom of a food intolerance is fatigue. If you getting enough sleep but always feeling tired, it could be something you are eating. When you have food sensitivities and eat foods your body doesn’t like, you activate your immune system which is the equivalent of being sick. Your immune system is expending a great deal of energy trying to remove the offending food and you suffer the consequence of feeling tired all the time.

A detox removes the most common food offenders which calms the immune system. Replacing these foods with delicious and deeply nourishing foods restores your energy. Many report being able to add up to 10 hours of productivity to every work week.

6.You Have Headaches, Migraines or Cold Hands and Feet

Do you frequently have cold hands and feet? Do you often find yourself experiencing headache pain? Stress could be a cause. During a stress response, your heart rate increases and your blood flow is diverted from smaller muscle groups to larger ones. When this occurs for an extended period of time as in the case of chronic stress, blood flow and oxygen levels to your head and extremities can be reduced, resulting in cold hands, feet and headache and migraine pain.

If you are experiencing one or more of the Six Warning Signs You Need to Detox and DeStress, it’s time to take action! Here is Step 1-

Register today for our very special workshop:

“How to Detox Your Body and DeStress Your Mind”

Discover

• What “healthy” foods could be sabotaging your weight loss
• What hidden thought patterns are keeping you stuck
• Why counting calories doesn’t work (and what does!)
• What you can do to quiet your mind for a peaceful night’s sleep
• Why your sugar cravings are out of control (and what you can do about it)
• What you can do to manage stress in the heat of the moment

When:  Monday, September 17^th

Time:   6:30 PM

Where: Vibrance For Life Wellness Institute

64 River Road

Summit, NJ 07901

Our last event sold out very quickly. Don’t miss out- CLICK THE REGISTER BUTTON AND RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!

https://mindbodydetoxdestress091718.eventbrite.com

When you cleanse your mind and body with practices that detox and de-stress, you increase your energy, lose weight, reduce stress and anxiety, and recharge your life.

Don’t you deserve that?

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pounds thin asparagus, heavy stalks trimmed
• 1 pound organic, free range chicken, cooked, chopped into bite size pieces
• 2 avocados, peeled, seeded, and chopped into small cubes
• 1 tablespoon shallots, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place 1″ of filtered water in a large skillet and add salt. Once warm, add the asparagus in a thin layer and cover. You may need to work in batches. Allow to cook through where there’s still a bite, but don’t allow it to turn mushy. This might take about 5 minutes, but it will depend on the thickness of your asparagus. Drain water when finished and chop asparagus into 1″ pieces.
2. Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining shallots, dill, Dijon mustard, and lemon in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Place the chopped chicken in the bowl and stir. Then add the asparagus and combine. Gently fold in the avocado and serve.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 bunches of kale, about 4 cups of greens, stems removed, coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1″ fresh ginger, skin removed
• 1/3 cup of almond/cashew or sun butter
• 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup of full fat coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 carrots
• 2 apples,  cut into strips
• 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds
• Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the kale in a large bowl with olive oil, a small squeeze of lime and some salt and start massaging the greens. Kale is ready when the leaves have softened and turned bright green. (Massaged greens will keep well in the refrigerator for a few days.)
2. In a food processor, mince the garlic and then add the ginger to mince. Next add the nut butter, lime juice (about 1 tablespoon), coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, coconut milk, and red pepper flakes, and blend. If the dressing is too thick to pour, add a tablespoon or two of water and blend again. Season with salt.
3. Use a vegetable peeler and peel the carrots directly onto the kale salad. Then add the chopped apples. Pour a little of the dressing over the greens to absorb the flavors. Add additional dressing when you serve the salad. If the dressing gets too thick, add a little hot water.
4. Top with slivered almonds and the protein of your choice

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups of Califia Unsweetened Toasted Coconut Almond milk (You can substitute any non-dairy milk)
• 1/2 cup organic chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Organic unsweetened shredded coconut to sprinkle on top (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour 2 cups of toasted coconut almond milk in a mason jar and add the chia seeds, vanilla and cinnamon and stir. Let sit overnight, stirring once or twice.
2. Serve with fresh fruit on top.
3. Sprinkle with shredded coconut

Most people are surprised by that, but I see it in my practice all the time.

Your skin is a mirror of your gut and mind. If your diet is poor, your mind is stressed, and you are sleep deprived, the first place you will see the damage is on your skin.

Many try to resolve the problem with expensive pills, creams, and treatments. That solution only leads to a bottomless money pit.

The secret to healthy skin is not what you put ON your body, but what you put IN your body.

You can heal most skin issues by balancing your hormones, changing your diet and healing your gut. The same rule applies whether the issue is acne, eczema, rosacea, wrinkles, weight gain, or rapid aging. Symptoms of pimples, redness, inflammation, and dry skin point to an imbalance that needs to be addressed.

Your body is an amazing miracle. It knows exactly what it needs to survive and thrive. When there is a problem, it sends out an SOS, better known as a symptom. Symptoms are a warning sign there is a problem that needs to be addressed.

Dry scaly patches could signal you have excess insulin in your body. It could also signify low thyroid function. Itchy skin could be a sign of food allergies.

It’s important to pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you and get to the root cause of the problem. It is almost always diet and lifestyle.

Inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and trans fats that are so prevalent in the Standard American diet are big contributors to skin problems. The Inflammation they cause can trigger everything from mild skin irritation to brain fog, aggressive behavior, anxiety, depression and more. Dermatitis, which manifests as eczema, acne and rashes, almost always signifies excessive inflammation.

When you are willing to get to the root cause of the problem and make the right changes, your body quickly repairs itself and regains balance.

It won’t be long before your skin clears up, and you look and feel better.

Not sure where to start? Here are the 9 key steps to take:

1. Stop eating sugar and highly processed foods. Sugar sticks to amino acids present in collagen and elastin, producing Advanced Glycation End products, commonly referred to as AGEs. And that is exactly what they do; age your skin and other organs. It also contributes significantly to other skin issues like acne.
2. Identify and Eliminate food sensitivities. Food sensitivities can trigger or exacerbate bad skin conditions. Studies show dairy contributes to acne. Other studies link autoimmune diseases like psoriasis with gluten intolerance. My 28-Day Elimination and Detoxification Program provides an easy way to break free of these and other food sensitivities.
3. Take a probiotic and/or eat fermented foods. The health of your gut influences healthy skin far more than you might realize. Probiotics work by adding healthy bacteria to your gut which helps to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and improve skin conditions like acne. See my Master Supplements page to see which one would be best for you.
4. Eat foods that are rich in Omega-3. Dry, itchy, scaling, or flaking skin could indicate a fatty acids deficiency. Eat omega-3 rich foods like wild-caught fish and flaxseed regularly. I also helps to supplement with a high-quality fish oil
5. Optimize your nutrient status with high potency multivitamin/mineral.A variety of nutrients play a role in healthy skin. Zinc deficiencies can contribute to eczema, acne and other skin rashes. Studies also find vitamin D can help treat skin problems like psoriasis and acne. Have your vitamin D levels checked in the winter months to make sure you are getting an adequate dose.
6. Exercise, sweat regularly and use a skin brush. When your body temperature rises like it does during exercise, blood flow transfers heat form the core of your body to your skin. Sweating helps move and excrete toxins from your body. A sauna or steam bath are another good way to sweat away the toxins in your body. Skin brushing before your hot shower, gently and effectively removes the top layer of dead skin cells and deeply cleanse the pores.
7. Get adequate amounts of great sleep. Studies show that chronic poor-quality sleep increases signs of aging and has an adverse effect on the way you look. Aim to get 7-8 hours of solid sleep every night.
8. Get a grip on your stress levels. Stress can affect or exacerbate any number of skin disorders including psoriasis. Learn some easy breathing techniques, meditate or find whatever else can help you destress and do it regularly. The more proactive you can be with handling your stress, the easier it is to control.
9. Read labels and be careful with anything you apply to your skin. Stop using creams, sun block and cosmetics that contain paraben, petrochemicals, lead or other toxins. Drugs and chemicals are easily absorbed through your skin. Simple rule- If you wouldn’t eat, don’t put it on your skin. For more detailed information, visit the Environmental Working Group web site’s skin products page.

That’s a big list. Don’t get overwhelmed. You don’t need to do everything at once. Any small change you implement will make a difference.

The most critical step you must take is dietary. Discovering and eliminating your food intolerances is a real game changer. It only takes 2 weeks to experience for yourself how powerful this is. The best part is- It really isn’t hard.

Why don’t you let me show you how?

Call today for your free consultation- 866-222-6490.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Carol was generous enough to share her story with you.

Carol is a very smart woman. She has a successful career as an addiction specialist and a clinical social worker, but continued to struggle with her life-long battle with food. She was determined to avoid the health issues you knew were looming in the not to distant future. She was ready to take her power back and create a future filled with energy and abundant good health. She has big dreams and she is well on her way to making them all come true.

Read her story and let her success inspire you to reach for the stars too:

Kathy changed my life.

I called her in April of 2018, immediately following my doctor’s appointment. I registered at the scale at 199 pounds (it was really 201 but I bargained for the two pounds of clothing I was wearing: it was April!).  And then the doctor read me the riot act…something like. “Get your bad boy LDL cholesterol down, your good girl HDL cholesterol up, lower your AIC which now indicates you are on your way to being pre-diabetic, and lower your triglyceride numbers (fat in the bloodstream)—or I am putting you on medication (statins) to do the job.”

I called Kathy for help, “I need someone who can help me keep on track with my goals to get my health back. I am not going on medication.”

I am a therapist and have worked extensively with people who have had bariatric weight loss surgery. In a former lifetime I was a Nutri-system counselor, I have been on and off diets all my life. I knew how to lose weight, what I didn’t know was how to not gain it all back again plus more.

I knew this time it had to be different.

So, I called Kathy, and I signed up for her excellent 12-week program and expected weight loss, and yes, that happened. In fact, I am 31 pounds lighter in 12 weeks.  My 5’ 6” self went from a size 18 (stretchy pants) to a size 12 (zippered slacks!).

Kathy is so knowledgeable and understanding—she gets “it” and she got me. She provided easy instructions for what to eat and what to avoid and had faith in my ability to make this change toward health.

And it happened.

My energy level SOARED. With the Back to Basics meal plan, I was full eating good healthy food. I had NO FOOD CRAVINGS!

Not only do I PASS UP SUGAR now, I don’t even think about it!

My wife and I did this together on Kathy’s Family Plan. My wife is a normal weight, but it improved her feeling of well-being tremendously.  We call it THE MOJO MEAL PLAN—because it is not a DIE-t.

Kathy was an amazing guide through this process of transformation. Our bi-weekly conversations also identified some of the emotional blocks that really are underneath all the weight. I am so grateful to Kathy as with her help I have reclaimed my body and my life.  Months later, here I am, on my meal plan, feeling great and healthy!

I went to review my results with my doctor. She looked at the June 21^st, 2018 results and said, “THIS IS REMARKABLE; how did you do it?”

I told her that I worked with an amazingly gifted nutritional guide and mentor.

We reviewed my stats: my blood pressure had dropped from 120/80 (which was good) to 110/60 (which is excellent).

My BMI went from 33 (which is obese) to 27.76.  

My weight dropped from 201 pounds to 170 and steadily I am finding the sweet spot for maintenance. (I have never been here before and it is WILDLY EXCITING!!!)  

My hemoglobin A1C (the marker for diabetes) dropped from 5.4% to 5.2% (standard range is 4.8-5.6%).

My triglycerides dropped from 118 mg to 76 mg (or 64 %!!!),

HDL from 59 mg to 60 mg (the standard is >39);

My VLDL cholesterol (the cholesterol associated with the development of plaque deposits on artery walls) dropped from 24mg to 15 mg (standard is 5-40 mg)

And my LDL went from 119 mg to 134 (standard range is 0-99 mg).  Turns out, (especially for middle aged women like myself) that people with “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low triglycerides (less than 100 mg/dl) may actually be at a lower risk for heart disease then people with “normal” cholesterol levels and higher levels of bad cholesterol AND THAT WOULD BE ME!

Thank you Kathy for giving me my life back!!!!

Carol Morrison LCSW, CASAC

How cool is that?

Do you want to know how she did it?

Give me a call 866-222-6490.

Some research suggests the health of your gut bacteria might be the missing link to chronic weight-loss resistance.

It’s only recently that new genomic techniques have opened the doors to detailed study of our gut microbiome.

Scientists suspect that the make-up of the inhabitants of our guts might help explain why some people put on weight while others stay thin.

One study published in the scientific journal Nature found that weight gain was associated with lack of bacterial diversity.

Every time you have a meal, you’re eating not just for yourself, but for the hundred trillion living microbes that line your large intestine. This live-in colony of microbes, which together can weigh several pounds and consists of hundreds of individual species, is a digestion powerhouse, breaking food down into useful and nutritious components for us and for themselves.

If you find yourself feeling chronically sick and run down, the health of your microbiome could be the reason why. A staggering 75 to 80 percent of your immune system is in your gut! The more diverse your microbiome, the healthier you are going to be.

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, said thousands of years ago “all disease begins in the gut.” Science is catching up with antiquity. Many seemingly unrelated health problems are now being lined to underlying gut problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

It seems modern science has finally caught up with what sages and shamans have known for thousands of years. We are intimately connected to the earth. And, we need to rotate our diets throughout the year, and change our eating habits with the seasons.

Many people I speak with eat the SAME food day after day, year after year, regardless of the season. This type of eating will feed only a small population of bacteria in the gut, which can lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and other digestive problems.

Foods like blueberries, broccoli and salad greens are good for you and you should eat them to improve your health, but Not year-round.  These foods don’t grow in every season. While the produce selection at the grocery store may not vary throughout the year, eating fruits and vegetables according to their natural growing season can provide a surprising range of benefits, not the least of which is a more diverse microbiome.

Which means better health and a slimmer waistline.

Do you want to know what you should be eating now?

Here’s was local, in-season food list for NJ in early August. SEASONAL FOOD LIST

Give your diet an extra boost and try eating something you haven’t tried before. Here is simple and delicious recipe to get you started:

CLICK HERE to make CHICKEN, CASHEW AND COLLARDS STIR FRY