GIG of Southwest Washington

February GIG Meeting

2012-02-12T20:34:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to come to our next GIG Meeting on Saturday,
Feb 18th from 10am-12pm at our NEW location:

Village at Van Mall Clubhouse
5000 NE 72nd Ave
Vancouver, WA 98661

Parking is on the street so make sure to check the signs.
Three guest speakers will triple the information and the fun!
See you there!

Why I Changed My Mind About Chocolate

2012-02-09T17:26:00.000-08:00

"The right kind of chocolate can be a heart-healthy gift for your Valentine.
For most of us, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without cards, flowers, and chocolate. Americans buy 58 million pounds of chocolates—of all sorts—for their loved ones on Valentine’s Day alone, making it the second most popular day for indulgences after Halloween.

It all seems to blend so beautifully together, especially on February 14 when love is celebrated and honored in so many ways.

Of all the superfoods on the market today that are loaded with extraordinary super-powered phytonutrients (think chia seeds, maca, goji berries and mangosteen), chocolate alone possesses an alluring mystical power that enchants us all. But, I haven’t always been a chocolate fan as many of you who have read my 30-some odd books know.

Offered at the sacred ceremonies of the ancient Aztecs and Mayans, chocolate has been around for a long time, and for good reason.

Researchers suggest that a bit of chocolate— an ounce or two of the right kind, several times a week—can actually be good for your heart.

Cocoa—from which chocolate is derived—is a rich source of heart-protective compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids—also found in Fat Flushing foods like cranberries, berries, apples, and onions—are key plant-protecting shields from environmental toxins and aid in repairing damage. When we consume flavonoid-based foods, we derive the same benefits as the plant.

The special type of flavonoids in cocoa are called flavanols. They are superb at preventing fatty substances from turning into plaque in the arteries. Flavanols valiantly protect the arterial wall from buildup created by the undesirable LDLs (low density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol. In addition, by making blood platelets less sticky, you are reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.

And let’s not forget that cocoa is a decent source of magnesium, one of the key minerals for a healthy heart in the first place. For years I have been telling my clients that chocolate cravings may be a sign of magnesium deficiency!

Perhaps the most important benefit that high quality chocolate bestows upon health is its ability to modulate nitric oxide. Nitric Oxide is essential for balancing blood pressure and blood flow. It may also have the ability to improve insulin sensitivity thus forestalling metabolic syndrome.

But not all chocolate is created equal.

Not all chocolate contains the optimum levels of flavanols that bestow so many health benefits.

If you want to get the real deal, then obtain the very best high cocoa-content dark chocolate on the market—look at the label for a 60 percent or higher cocoa content. We are not talking about milk or white chocolate here or commercial candy bars loaded with fat, waxes, chemicals, or extra sugars.

Now, chocolate may not be for everyone.

Like me, for instance, and anyone else who is a “copperhead” and is rather hyperactive with racing minds, tired bodies, and irregular sleep patterns. Chocolate, like black tea and soybeans, is a high source of copper in the diet which can be stockpiled in the tissues creating a whole slew of symptoms ranging from anxiety to roller-coaster emotions ultimately creating adrenal burnout.

But for the most part, a tiny amount of chocolate a few times a week simply can’t hurt and can heal the heart and satisfy a sweet tooth.

Knowing the importance of flavanol-rich cocoa for optimum heart health, I formulated our Fat Flush Chocolate Whey Protein with a cocoa that contains the highest flavanol content I could find on the market. I then blended it with the finest non-denatured (unheated) hormone-free whey protein high in L-Leucine that turns off the hunger hormone while promoting weight loss, lean muscle tissue, and liver health.

So enjoy two shakes per week for your chocolate fix and get some extra fat burning help in the process!

For Valentine’s Day, I am making my whole staff a Raspberry Truffle Frappe with Fat Flush Chocolate Whey Protein and 1 cup of raspberries. But, just for an extra special treat—I mean it’s only one day a year—I am splurging with some specialty chocolate from my favorite brand, Chocoperfection."

-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Gluten-Free Buns

2012-02-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

"Did you know McDonald’s has a gluten-free bun in Spain, Sweden, Finland and Norway?

Talk about feeling left out over here in America. Sheesh.

Although I first learned about this when a friend forwarded me this blurb on gluten-free fast food from CNN’s Fortune blog, the gluten-free bun is apparently not a particularly new introduction.

Still, I thought some of you intrepid gluten-free travelers might want the info should you find yourself in Europe. And if I wasn’t aware, at least one or two of you were in the bunless dark too.

A greater search around the Internet brought up some reviews, which I’ll share below the jump. When I enlisted a friend to check McDonald’s Norwegian website, I got a second shock: Burger King offers gluten-free buns too, at least in Scandinavia!

So how do these buns taste? Well, according to the reviews online, they’re not half-bad — especially if you’re craving some fast food while abroad.

Spain

Gluten Free Appetite posted the press release announcing McDonald’s gluten-free buns back in June (it’s translated into English).

Sweden

Gluten Free Mrs. D wrote about her first gluten-free McDonald’s, and also her memories of McDonald’s in Russia twenty years ago (not GF, but really interesting!).

Norway

Gluten Free / Dairy Free NJ has great photos as well as a comprehensive review of the Olso gluten-free experience — Burger King, McDonald’s, and more.

Glutenfri.org is a resource for safe options in Norway, and although the descriptions are in Norwegian, Google Translate does a decent job of piecing information together.

Finland

Aptly enough, Globally Gluten Free was my top result when looking for news.

As always, it’s advisable that you take the same precautions internationally that you take at home: if you don’t feel that the people at the counter understand the precautions required to keep you safe, don’t eat! One easy way to simplify the process is to carry gluten-free dining cards, which are available in many languages including Spanish.

Have you had a fast food hamburger on a gluten-free bun while abroad? How was it?"

-Triumph Dining

Taking It To Heart

2012-02-07T21:08:00.000-08:00

"Two simple strategies every woman needs to follow.
Although breast cancer may be the most feared disease among women, cardiovascular disease is still our number 1 killer. That’s why February, the month of hearts and flowers, will always be associated with American Heart Month. Stats show that every single minute of the day, heart disease claims the life of one more woman. And that’s not acceptable. And why do more women than men now die from heart disease?

As a result of major studies, we know now that the pattern heart disease follows in women is notably different than the pattern than it follows in men.

First, although heart disease can occur at any age, in women it becomes a significant health factor during menopause, about ten years later than in men.

Second, women are less likely to experience the classic crushing chest pain men describe. A woman’s symptoms are much more subtle, often starting weeks or even months (yikes) before an attack. Women may describe feeling not right with symptoms such as shortness of breath, unusual weakness or fatigue, sleep disturbances, chest discomfort that comes and goes quickly, arm (left) or jaw tingling, vision problems, anxiety, and indigestion. The vagueness of these symptoms leaves women to ignore them, delaying treatment. When these women do seek treatment, their doctor may misdiagnose their condition.

Third, the disease itself develops differently in women according to researchers at the University of Michigan, Cardiovascular Center. Significant blockages tend to occur not in major arteries, but in smaller, less flexible blood vessels. When diagnostic coronary angiography is performed, the major vessels appear clear. This helps account for some of the differences in treatment women receive, conclude the Michigan researchers.

If you are experiencing any of the red flag warning signs, or simply are interested in prevention because there is family history of cardiovascular disease, then follow these two simple heart healthy strategies:

1. Get Tested.

From my experience, two of the most helpful baseline blood tests include C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen tests. The best CRP level is below 1 mg/L. The higher it goes, the more indicative of an infectious condition, autoimmune disease, and gradual narrowing of arteries.

Fibrinogen is a protein that regulates clots and gauges viscosity and stickiness of blood. A level over 350 mg/dL is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Wouldn’t you know that of all habits, smoking raises fibrinogen levels the most and the highest incidence of heart disease is among postmenopausal women who smoke!

So if you are smoking, stop right now.

Keep in mind that you can take your heart to another level of assessment.

If the CRP levels are high, or you have survived a stroke or heart attack, then you may be a candidate for the PLAC test. This latest advancement in testing measures the enzyme Lp-PLA2 which identifies your immediate risk for heart attack and stroke because it is found in high concentrations in plaques that are ready to rupture.

In a study that appeared in Circulation, participants with the highest Lp-PLA2 were 33% more likely to suffer another heart attack. If your levels are 235 ng/mL or higher, you have the highest risk of heart attack or stroke. PLAC may be the fastest way to assess acute risk factors of all.

2. Consume heart-smart oil.

First and foremost—and especially if you are a female (you’ll know why in a moment)—make sure that you are taking at least 2-4 grams of omega-3 essential fatty acids.

I handpicked my Super- EPA for the purest daily heart smart protection. Super –EPA contains molecularly distilled fish oil free from PCBS, dioxin, and heavy metals. Fish oils provide the essential fatty acids that become part of the tissue like hormones known as eicosanoids that have control over every aspect of bodily function. They are antidepressive, pain decreasing, anti-inflammatory, blood vessel dilating, bronchiole dilating, hormone stimulating, and immunity strengthening. Researchers have found that fish oils not only reduce the risk of heart disease by preventing blood clots and thinning the blood—but they also lower blood triglyceride levels.

Among females, high triglycerides are an important risk factor in the development of heart disease. Keep them under 100 mg/dL.

Super- EPA also packs a double whammy by reducing triglyceride levels so significantly and reducing heart disease risk. It also acts as an anti-obesity agent that successfully targets belly fat, wouldn’t you know? So not only can you potentially prevent heart attacks, but you may also be on your way to the real belly fat fix—6 grams of omega-3s daily is about what takes!"

-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

1-2-3 Gluten Free

2012-02-06T21:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

10% Off All Orders $20 or more
Happy Valentine's Day! There's no better way
to surprise someone special in your life than with home-made treats! We have numerous recipes on our website to get you started. Brownies with Chambourd buttercream layered with a decadent ganache anyone?
Heart-shaped sugar cookies so you write your own special message? More ideas posted on our facebook page and website so be sure to check them out. They are all easy to make, but you won't beat the taste!
Through February 13, please enjoy 10% off all orders of $20 or more placed on our website.

Enter the promo code "heart" at check out.

We need your vote!!
We're so excited that 1-2-3 Gluten Free Products have been nominated in 7 categories of the Best of Gluten Free Awards! This year, the awards are divided into 55 categories, ranging from Best Gluten-Free Cookie to Best Gluten-Free Restaurant Menu. Winners are chosen by popular vote in an online poll, which was released on February 2, 2012. The polls will close at midnight on March 2, 2012.
1-2-3 Gluten Free has been nominated in the following categories:

-Best Gluten-Free Cake Mix
-Best Gluten-Free Brownie Mix
-Best Gluten-Free Cookie Mix
-Best Gluten-Free Muffin Mix
-Best Gluten-Free Cornbread Mix
-Best Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Mix
-Best Gluten-Free Pancake & Waffle Mix

Please vote for us now!

50% off Limited Supply
We have a limited supply of products that are at or near their "Best By" date. Check our webstore frequently for updates of products. They're marked up to 50% off -- no need to enter a promotional code. Plus, if there is a current promotional code in effect (as there is now), you can apply that promotion to these products too!

Save 10%
Remember: Enter the promo code "heart" to enjoy 10% off all orders of $20 or more. Shop now!
Offer Expires: February 13, 2012
www.123glutenfree.com

Coffee's Unique Health Benefits

2012-02-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

"Coffee is the greatest source of antioxidants in the
American diet. With over 1,000 phytochemicals, coffee's
unparalleled antioxidant punch no doubt plays a role in its
protection against disease. Drinking just one cup a day-
caffeinated or decaffeinated- can decrease the risk of
developing diabetes by 13%. But at 12 cups a day, the risk
of getting diabetes is slashed by 67%.
Far from being a risky habit, coffee has now been shown
to provide powerful protection against an epidemic of diabetes
and a rising tide of other age-related diseases. It's an all-
natural and inexpensive elixir- to go!"

-Life Extension Magazine, January/February 2012

French Meadow Bakery

2012-02-06T20:53:00.000-08:00

Lingonberries Market now carries French Meadow Bakery
Brownies and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Come and get
them!

Fairycakes

2012-02-06T20:50:00.001-08:00

If you are craving cupcakes, come into Lingonberries Market,
they have lots of fresh and filled Fairycakes in a variety
of yummy flavors!

2012 Fat Flush Soup- Customize For Your Special Needs

2012-02-02T21:20:00.000-08:00

"Exclusively released in the January 23, 2012 First for Women magazine, we have been receiving rave reviews from all over the country on the updated version of the “homemade soup that makes your body released trapped fat.”

Since the issue is no longer on the stands, First has graciously granted us permission to reprint the recipe in this blog for those of you who were not able to secure a copy.

All you have to do is savor the soup twice a day – preferably at lunch and dinner— with a small salad or bowl of steamed non-starchy veggies. Throughout the day, sip on herbal teas (dandelion or peppermint tea), lemon and water, plain water or unsweetened cranberry juice with water (1 oz of juice to 7 ounces water) so that you are consuming at least 64 oz of liquid.

Start the day with a protein rich breakfast in the morning. I would personally suggest a Fat Flush Body Protein smoothie with its 20 grams of clean vegetarian based-proteins per serving to help kick-start glucagon, the protein-based hormone that mobilizes fat from storage. Or choose any of the easy protein-packed breakfasts, you will find in the Fat Flush Plan, Phase 1.

And now the recipe…

2012 Fat Flush Soup

2 tsp. olive oil

1 ¼ lbs. lean ground beef, turkey or chopped chicken*

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

1 large red, orange and/or green pepper, seeded and chopped

1 large zucchini or yellow squash, chopped

8 oz. mushrooms, chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

1 bottle (46 oz.) reduced-sodium tomato or vegetable cocktail juice

1 can (15 oz.) pinto, garbanzo or black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (14 oz.) crushed tomatoes

1 Tbs. fresh lime juice

1 Tbs. ground cumin

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste

1/4 cup each fresh cilantro and parsley leaves, chopped

1: In saucepot over medium-high heat, cook oil 30 sec. or until heated. Add beef, turkey or chicken. Cook 5 min. or until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet; drain, if desired.

2: In same saucepot, cook onions, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms and garlic 5 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

3: Stir in next 6 ingredients and cooked meat. Add up to 1 cup water to thin soup, if desired. Cover; bring soup just to a simmer (do not let boil). Reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer 20 min., stirring occasionally. Stir in cilantro and parsley. Cover; let simmer 5 min. more. Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired. Soup can be stored up to 5 days in the refrigerator or frozen.

*Or for vegetarian option, omit meat and add another can of beans.

Serving size: 2 to 3 cups (makes 10 to 12 cups)

Soup Tweaks
What has made this Fat Flushing soup especially popular is that you can tweak the basic recipe to speed weight loss if you are a thyroid type and are tired, constipated, depressed or experience extremely dry skin; an adrenal type and are frequently stressed, crave salt, and lightheaded; a liver type, plagued by headaches and bloat; or are fending off yeast and are constantly craving carbs and have frequent GI distress.

Mix and match the various recipes and eat the soup that is designed to quell any of the symptoms you may be experiencing. All the tweaks blend beautifully together! Please refer to my blog from January 3, 2012 for further information.

To boost the thyroid, simply add two teaspoons of Seaweed Gomasio to provide thyroid nourishing iodine. Also add 1 cup of potassium-rich zucchini.

For adrenal healing, add ½ teaspoon pink Himalayan sea salt for added adrenal-supporting sodium and also add 4 to 5 cups of escarole and spinach for extra rich magnesium content.

To help detoxify the liver, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric which is a potent anti-inflammatory that enhances the liver’s ability to filter toxins. And, for those fighting Candida or other types of yeast and fungus, consider substituting ½ cup grated daikon (a white radish) for the mushrooms— which can increase yeast in sensitive individuals. Double up on the yeast-fighting garlic (4 cloves) and add a small peeled and chopped eggplant which is rich in antifungal nutrients.

Enjoy!"

-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Is Low T Your Problem?

2012-02-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

"The natural solution to igniting the hormone of desire.
It’s February. Heart health month and Valentine’s Day just around the corner.

Now’s the time to start thinking about rekindling the hormone of desire. You know— the one we hear about on television so much these days. The truth is up to 13 million Americans may have low testosterone levels.

Low “T” is getting to be epidemic. Levels decline with age and as they decline, so does sexual desire and performance.

But testosterone is not just for men!

Boosting testosterone levels for women is absolutely critical to keep the fires of passion burning into menopause and beyond. One of the most effective and safest ways of restoring testosterone levels is to use the precursor to testosterone— natural progesterone.

So many of my clients have experienced a significant boost in their sex drive as well as improved mood, decreased anxiety, enhanced sleep, increased energy, and significant weight loss when they use progesterone.

An added perk: Studies suggest that natural or bio-identical progesterone stimulates new bone formation and protects against osteoporosis.

Many years ago, when I was writing my book Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause, I had the opportunity to interview the late Dr. John Lee. Dr. Lee was a pioneer for natural progesterone therapy. He believed that it helped offset estrogen dominance, burned body fat as fuel, stabilized blood sugar, provided antidepressant benefits, balanced the thyroid, acted as a natural diuretic, protected heart health and set the stage for testosterone.

Dr. Lee was such a strong proponent of the extraordinary benefits of progesterone therapy for women of all stages of life that he typically recommended a physiological dose of 20 milligrams to mirror the normal production of progesterone during the menstrual cycle.

The type of progesterone I recommend most for helping to increase testosterone levels is ProgestaKey. It is a transdermal crème that contains bio-identical progesterone which I developed based on Dr. Lee’s cutting edge research. Recommended dosages for women are specifically designed for each phase of the life cycle, from menstruation (apply once or twice a day starting on the 12th day after the first day of menstrual flow through the 26th day) to perimenopausal (apply once or twice a day starting on the 7th day after the first day of menstrual flow through the 27th day) to menopausal (apply once or twice a day for a maximum of 25 consecutive days. Resume after a five day break.)

To avoid saturating the receptors beneath the skin in any one area, apply the crème to different areas each day. Soft skin rich in capillaries is the most suitable, such as those found in the neck, upper chest, breasts, inner arms, palms, backs of hands and soles.

The progesterone from ProgestaKey is absorbed into the fatty layer beneath the skin. You will probably notice your skin becoming more resilient and moist in the areas when you often apply the crème. The progesterone is taken from the fatty layer beneath your skin by the blood stream, which distributes it throughout your system. This is not an overnight effect. It may even take several weeks, or occasionally a couple of months for the progesterone level to build in your tissues and make its effects felt— especially with regard to testosterone.

Whether you are approaching peri-menopause or are in the throes of menopause, or beyond, you owe it to yourself to give natural progesterone a try. Symptoms like loss of muscle tone, irritability, profuse sweating, and intolerance to heat —symptoms experienced by a variety of women— can also completely disappear along with a lagging libido."

-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

UDI's Pizza

2012-01-31T20:34:00.000-08:00

Lingonberries Market now carries UDI's Pizzas in 3 delicious flavors:
Margherita
Three Cheese
Uncured Pepperoni
They are 10oz. and cost $8.09.
Come get yours today!

Reader Submissions

2012-01-29T19:47:00.001-08:00

I always make the effort to educate family members about gluten-free eating when we are sharing meals, writes reader Angela Harris. At a large family gathering a distant relative asked me, "What is gluten and why is it free?" I thought it was a joke. As it turned out, he really didn't know!

Another reader tells us: I went to a chain restaurant with friend, a restaurant I knew had a gluten-free menu. As the waitress handed me a regular menu I said, "I need a gluten-free menu." She responded, "I can take these menus to the kitchen and wash them off for you."

-Triumph Dining Gluten-Free Publications

Gluten In Medications

2012-01-29T19:38:00.001-08:00

Last November, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) announced that it would conduct a first-of-its-kind research study on gluten in medications, funded by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). NFCA, partnering with St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, is conducting this research in two parts. The first part of the study is happening now: a survey of the celiac and gluten sensitive populations.

NFCA urges all people who are following a gluten-free diet to participate. Participants will be asked about their experiences taking medicine. They will also be asked to share information if they think they might have had a gluten-related reaction to an over-the-counter or prescription medicine.

Results from the survey will guide the second phase of the study: our team will test some of the medicines identified in the survey to see if they contain gluten.

This critically needed preliminary research aims to validate or nullify the anecdotal adverse experiences associated with gluten in medications that have been reported by people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. It is a first step to determine if more investigation is needed which may lead to additional research, labeling, and safe use guideline initiatives. More information about the Safe Use Initiative can be found at www.fda.gov/safeuseinitiative .

We are looking to generate as MANY responses as possible to strengthen our research. We need YOUR help in this effort. We ask that you circulate this message and invite all those who are gluten-free to complete this survey. You also can use the attached article in your organization’s newsletter.

To participate in the this survey, please go to www.CeliacCentral.org/Survey. The survey takes between 4-15 minutes to complete. It closes on February 28, 2012.

To learn more about Phase One of our Gluten in Medications research, visit NFCA’s website: http://www.celiaccentral.org/research-news/gluten-in-medications-survey-now-available-from-nfca/

Questions? Contact Nancy Ginter at nginter@CeliacCentral.org or at 215-325-1306, ext. 101. Many thanks for your consideration and assistance.

Chick-fil-A

2012-01-28T21:46:00.000-08:00

Chick-fil-A Launches New Kids’ Meal With Grilled Chicken Nuggets
Chick-fil-A has a generally good reputation amongst the gluten-free community, and with their latest announcement I expect their reputation will only improve.

According to the press release on their website, Chick-fil-A is adding two new, healthy options for their Kids’ Meal: grilled chicken nuggets and Buddy Fruits® Pure Blended Fruit To Go. Combined with one of the beverage choices (skim milk, apple juice, lemonade or water), it’s about as healthy of a fast food meal as you’re likely to find anywhere.

Now, before I type up the rest of the press release, let’s jump over quickly to the disclaimer on Chick-fil-A’s gluten free info online:

…Some ingredients such as spices and natural flavors may be proprietary; therefore, we may not have the source listed for those items. We recommend you review this list with your physician before consuming any of the products listed below, or any other item on our menu. Although the ingredients in these menu items are gluten-free, we do not have gluten free prep areas and procedures for assembly of these menu items.

What does this mean for you? Before you go ahead an order anything, ask the location that you’re at whether or not the fryer is dedicated (anecdotal reports indicate that most locations do have dedicated fryers for their fries). If you’re concerned about cross-contamination, ask that the people preparing your food change gloves and use clean tongs. The web is full of stories of Chick-fil-A employees happily taking these precautions, and full of celiac diners happily eating — but without clearly explaining your needs and deciding whether or not you feel that the people behind the counter understand what you’re asking, there are no guarantees.

The press release clearly indicates that both the grilled nuggets and the blended fruit are gluten-free, describing them as:

Introduction of Grilled Nuggets: These gluten-free Grilled Nuggets are made from a boneless, skinless breast of chicken tumbled in a salt and pepper spice blend and then grilled to perfection. The four count is only 80 calories and 1 gram of fat, while the six count contains 110 calories and 1.5 grams of fat.
Addition of Buddy Fruits® Pure Blended Fruit To Go: Apple Cinnamon: Each squeezable fruit pouch is gluten free, all natural and contains 100 percent pure fruit. It is 60 calories, 0 grams of fat and equals one serving of fruit.

This is heartening not just because of the ingredients — which are indisputably better for everyone than deep-fried nuggets and fries — but because the company made a point of spelling out the relevancy for celiacs loud and clear.

-Triumph Dining Gluten-Free Publications

February Meeting

2012-01-28T21:41:00.000-08:00

Please come join us for our next GIG meeting on Saturday,
February 18th from 10am-12pm.

We have a new location,
The Village at Van Mall Apartments Clubhouse
5000 NE 72nd Ave, Vancouver, WA 98661
The cross street is Van Mall Drive.
Parking is on the street, so make sure to check the signs.

Our guest speakers are:
Linda Chaplik from Oh! Goodness Baking
Jeff Lee from Living Earth Bakery
Junea Rocha from Brazi Bites

Don't miss it! See you there...

Gluten Free Pop Tarts

2012-01-22T19:13:00.000-08:00

"The latest update is that the arrival date has been delayed again. At this point, we are not going to speculate as to when they will be available due to the numerous delays. As we have stated in our update emails, a toaster pastry is a difficult product to manufacture (think to how many non-gluten free pop tarts are available on the market) and delays in launching such a unique allergy friendly product is not surprising. We are keeping a list of individuals who want to be notified when they arrive. Email us at info@navanfoods.com to be notified. Please note that we are a retailer for this product and not the manufacturer. Navan Foods will have them available for purchase only online here when they become available. If you would like to know where they will be available to you locally, please contact the company, Eco Planet, for that information.

There are two staples missing from the allergy free market: gluten free/dairy free pop tarts and goldfish crackers. Well, soon there will be a GF/DF pop tart available from Eco Planet. This company manufactures the hot cereals which is free of the top eight allergens and so will be the toaster pastries.

The toaster pastries will be available in Frosted Blueberry, Frosted Strawberry, and Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon. We heard from the company that they should be available in early September."

-Navan Foods Newsletter

GMO Labeling

2012-01-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

"Over 75 percent of packaged foods now contain one or more GMOs; over 80 percent of crops like corn and soy are genetically engineered. GMOs are in cooking oils, sugars, and baking powder; they’re also in surprising products like bee pollen and tofu; and they’re in those mysterious but ubiquitous ingredients like dextrose, isoflavones, and lecithin. With the FDA still hemming and hawing over how to handle GMOs, the onus truly is on us to sleuth out hidden GMOs if we want to avoid them.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum of skepticism to outrage, don’t you want to make that choice yourself?

Me, too. Which is why I’m urging you to watch and share this just-released video produced by Robert Kenner (of Food Inc. fame) with your friends; then add your name to list of the hundreds of thousands of folks who also want to make that choice—for themselves. All it takes is a label; we have the right to know, and we have the power to demand such labeling from our government.

Will you join Delicious Living and newhope360.com in supporting Just Label It and GMO labeling? Over 500,000 people like you—from moms and teachers to farmers and small business owners—have contacted the FDA about why labeling is important. Please take a moment to check out the Just Label It campaign, watch the video, and pass it on to your friends."

Radha Marcum
Editor-in-Chief, Delicious Living

Carlotta Mast
Editor-in-Chief,
newhope360.com

Against The Grain Gourmet

2012-01-17T21:42:00.001-08:00

Don't forget to come into Lingonberries Market and stock up on
Against the Grain Baguettes and Pizza, they are delicious!

French Meadow Bakery

2012-01-17T21:40:00.001-08:00

Lingonberries Market will now be carrying French Meadow Bakery
Chocolate Chip Cookies and Brownies. Yummy!

A Thought

2012-01-17T21:37:00.000-08:00

"The difference between stupidity and genius is that
genius has its limits." -Albert Einstein

What Skinny Women Know

2012-01-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

"How you can take your kitchen to the cleaners.
This just in— straight from the pages of the Skinny Diaries! Here’s how to beat the odds in light of the new stats that suggest that the average diet lasts only about six weeks. Half of the dieters lose their momentum because of their lack of willpower while a full 25% give up because they become moody or depressed.

This is what smart women do to obtain and maintain that slimmer figure – all year round – and what you can do, too. Try these tips on for size:

1. Get rid of processed carbohydrates and sugar from your kitchen starting today. Refined carbohydrates in the form of white rice, white bread, and white pasta (the “wicked whites”) are rapidly converted to sugars in the body and upset the body’s blood sugar and fat-controlling systems. Keeping these products out of the house is a very simple yet most effective way to maintain a well-balanced blood sugar level for long-term energy and the avoidance of temptation that jumps off the cupboards.

If you need even more help waking up your metabolism, consider The Weight Loss Formula – which my fat flushers have depended upon for well over 15 years. Weight Loss Formula contains the study-backed dose of chromium (400 mcg) which is far and away the most sugar-regulating nutrient for metabolism. More than 90% of us are chromium- deficient. It is the most effective trace mineral for knocking out cravings, overcoming insulin resistance, and turning around hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),

The more sugar you eat, the more chromium you deplete!

L-Carnitine is another key Weight Loss Formula component. This non-essential amino acid (at a 500 mg dosage) is as essential as it gets for weight loss, however. L-Carnitine converts body fat into available fuel. I have often recommended to clients they double up on the Weight Loss Formula to maximize their weight burning efforts. In fact, a recent article in the Endocrine Journal discussed the dramatic effects of L-Carnitine in weight management when up to two grams were taken.

2. Stop adding sugar to foods such as cereal and fruits and to any of your drinks—even those herbal coffee substitutes or herbal teas you are now using. All forms of sugar, sugar alcohols, and artificial sweeteners are out for this transitional phase. The noncaloric sugar alcohols (such as mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol) found in sugar-free chewing gums are often the cause of cramps, diarrhea, and bloating. Artificial sweeteners like Aspartame (also known as Equal or NutraSweet) can increase both sugar and carbohydrate cravings by blocking production of serotonin. Insufficient serotonin creates more sugar and carbohydrate cravings, which can then increase the likelihood of binging. Watch out for all the fancy names for any of the above, like dehydrated cane crystals, cane juice crystals, cane sugar, caramel, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, dextrose, diastase, fructose, fruit juice and fruit juice concentrates, invert sugar, lactose, malt syrup, maltodextrin, maltose, sorghum syrup, regular sugar, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, and brown sugar. Even agave is a “no no” because of the high fructose connection.

3. Foodwise, just remember to go with unrefined and unprocessed as much as possible. This is the only way to ensure that you are really reducing your sugar intake, especially the hidden sugars in sauces, cereals, dressings, and such. Most vegetables and fruits as well as chicken, meat, fish, tofu, and eggs are as sugar free as you can get. The naturally occurring sugars present in legumes, grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds are combined with fiber and other nutrients which help to balance your blood sugar by slowing down the body’s absorption and assimilation of the natural sugars present.

4. Dilute even the natural sweeteners or naturally sweetened foods whenever you can. If you are a health nut already and are using healthful sweeteners like barley malt or brown rice syrup, for example, then dilute these concentrated sweeteners with water. After a week or two, you are ready to transition into Flora-Key. Flora-Key is the probiotic sweetener that will not affect blood sugar nor trigger food cravings but will accelerate your weight loss efforts by balancing your colon flora to help the body extract more food energy from the calories you do ingest.

5. Avoid any food with the label “fat free,” the marketing trick that makes you think such foods may help you lose weight but have actually contributed to our increasing weight and health problems. When “fat free” is on the label, you can be sure to find lots of sugar in various disguises ending with “-ose” like sucrose, glucose, dextrose, and levulose to improve the taste factor. Excess amounts of sugar that are not balanced with protein and fat cause the pancreas to release insulin, the body’s main fat storage hormone.

6. The more natural, the better the food for you. So, load up on fresh veggies and fruits. The more processed a food may be (think potato chips and even orange juice), the more it will tend to raise your blood sugar because the fiber and nutrients are missing. Keep in mind, chromium is the best blood sugar leveler of all – especially when coupled with L-Carnitine.

7. Make a vow to ingest foods only with 0 to 4 grams of sugars per serving. Become a sugar sleuth. To cut the sugar out, you have to know where it is hiding first. There’s no way around it. If you are still buying packaged foods, you have to pay attention to what’s in them. Three quarters of the sugars Americans ingest are “hidden” in processed foods, so you have to become a health detective. Learn to read those labels and search for the various names for sugar itemized in number 5 above.

8. Now that we are on the topic of labels, note that the label “sugar free” means that the food contains fewer than 0.5 grams of sugar. The labels “no added sugar,” “without added sugar,” and “no sugar added” mean that no sugar or ingredients containing sugars were added during the processing or packing of the products and that the product has no ingredients that were made with added sugars, such as jams, jellies, or concentrated fruit juices. The term “reduced sugar” means that the product contains at least 25 percent less sugar than the original product.

9. Start eating for taste and good health. The human body requires only about 2 teaspoons of sugar in the bloodstream at any one time. You can easily meet this requirement with fresh fruits and veggies, protein, and fat.

10. Listen to your body. Think about what happens when you eat that decadently chocolaty dessert. You may feel an initial high, but an hour later the irritability, depression, and lethargy set in; what is your body telling you? It wants my Fat Flush Chocolate Whey – a whey better substitute that will satisfy your sweet tooth and enhance lean muscle mass which is your body’s innate calorie burner.

The bottom line: Skinny women choose foods that make them feel good for the long term—mentally, emotionally, and physically. And you, too, can become a slimmer, fitter “skinny woman” version of your very best self."

-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Lingonberries Market

2012-01-15T21:06:00.000-08:00

Come check out their clearance table, it is overloaded with
some great buys!
Also, frozen Piece of Cake is now $3.50 for a limited time.
And don't forget that Betty Lou Fruit bars and Zip Chips are
still "buy one get one free." Now that's a great deal!!

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

2012-01-12T21:01:00.001-08:00

Ingredients:
* 1 1/2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
* 1 1/2 teaspoons whole psyllium husks
* 1/3 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
* 3/4 cup quinoa flakes
* 1/8 cup teff flour
* 1/8 cup coconut flour
* 1/8 cup potato starch
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
* 1/4 cup shortening (pretty sure you could sub butter/Earth Balance/coconut oil, but haven’t tried it)
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Whisk together the flaxseed meal, psyllium husks, and pumpkin puree in a small bowl and set aside.
2. In a medium sized bowl, whisk the quinoa flakes, flours, starch, and spices. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, shortening and vanilla. Beat in the pumpkin mix, then gradually beat in the dry ingredients until completely mixed.
4. Turn your waffle iron to the highest setting, spray with oil to prevent sticking, then drop batter onto iron by the tablespoon full (one cookie per waffle segment). I find it’s helpful to let the cookies bake about 30 seconds longer than when the iron says it’s done. Put the cookies on a cooling rack and serve warm or keep in an airtight container at room temperature.

Makes about 20 cookies.

-Triumph Dining Newsletter

Your Food

2012-01-12T20:43:00.000-08:00

"A Poison in Your Food Linked to Over 60 Diseases
It’s why we are becoming the United States of Diabetes.
Sugar has been linked to more than sixty different ailments, including Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and most recently— Metabolic Syndrome, said to affect 75% Americans to some degree! (See full list of sugar-related ailments) Studies show that there are almost 30 million of us with Type 2 diabetes with another 70 million individuals that qualify as pre-diabetics. Sugar is very sneaky.

It is so pervasive in our society, not only in obvious forms such as cookies and candy but also in just about any other food you can think of. From packaged meats to soups to commercial salt, sugar is in there. It’s even hidden in such nonfood items as vitamins, aspirin, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and various cosmetics.

The sugar connection to cardiovascular health was first noticed in the 1970s. In the classic study The Saccharine Disease, surgeon Capt. T. L. Cleave showed convincing evidence that increases in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other common diseases could be traced to increases in sugar and refined-carbohydrate intake. These diseases were virtually nonexistent in primitive cultures, he noted, until about twenty years after the societies began eating refined carbohydrates.

British researcher John Yudkin, M.D., came to a similar conclusion. In his classic book Sweet and Dangerous, Dr. Yudkin cited numerous examples in a variety of societies that showed that sugar was a more likely cause of heart disease than fat. For example, the Masai and Samburu tribes of East Africa, he explained, have almost no heart disease, yet they eat a high-fat diet of mostly meat and milk but no sugar.

Recent research is proving the validity of the theories posed by Drs. Cleave and Yudkin, showing a direct relationship between sugar and heart disease because of insulin. Remember that when sugar is eaten, insulin is produced. Insulin not only helps to store excess sugar as fat (as explained before), but also helps regulate blood triglyceride levels, which are a major predictor of the development of heart disease. The more sugar you eat, the more insulin your pancreas will produce, and the higher your triglyceride levels are likely to be.

High insulin levels in the blood are also linked to low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, the “good” cholesterol), high blood pressure, high triglycerides and obesity––four other important heart-disease risk factors. Caused by the common problem of insulin resistance, this conglomeration of symptoms was originally named Syndrome X in 1988 by Gerald Reaven, MD, a world-renowned endocrinologist and Professor Emeritus at Stanford University School of Medicine. Today, this condition is more popularly known as Metabolic Syndrome.

While refined sugar consumption has declined in recent years, a new breed of sugar substitutes has emerged in the form of artificial sweeteners such as Splenda, aspartame, and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Ironically, sugar’s “kissing cousins” may be even more harmful to your health than sugar itself. Could it be just a coincidence that at the same time the country was quietly being slipped high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the general food supply, the average cholesterol levels were shooting up through the roof. Not to mention the trend of increasing triglycerides and abnormal liver tests. How could this be, you ask? The answer is just as simple – your body is not designed to metabolize HFCS. Put simply, the HFCS skips right past the need for insulin production (so your body doesn’t send out a signal that it’s gotten food, so your appetite is satisfied) and goes right into your cells where it becomes an uncontrolled source of trouble all the way down to your liver. Your body simply doesn’t recognize HFCS so it doesn’t know how to control it and in the end it stores it as fat.

If you suspect Metabolic Syndrome, have your doctor perform some simple tests. Here are some things to look for:

* Low HDL levels (lower than 50 for men, lower than 60 for women)
* Total cholesterol/HDL ratio (greater than 3 to 1)
* High triglycerides (greater than 100)
* High triglycerides/HDL ratio (greater than 4 to 1)
* Fasting blood sugar greater than 100 (now considered pre-diabetes)
* Fasting insulin greater than 5 (IU/DL)
* Blood sugar greater than 126mg/DL (now considered diabetes)

Here are some highlights of a sample program I recommend to help control and treat Type 2 diabetes and full-blown Metabolic Syndrome:

1) A high quality multivitamin that contains optimal levels of the B-complex vitamins that aid metabolism and help to buffer diabetic neuropathy while offering rare therapeutic minerals for natural diabetes therapy. I usually suggest the Female Multiple (regular or iron-free) because not only is it chock full of B vitamins but it contains a wide array of trace minerals like the blood-sugar stabilizing vanadium ( 100 mcg), manganese (10 mg) and the miracle “molecule” molybdenum (100 mcg). In order to metabolize fructose and sucrose, the body requires a molybdenum-dependent enzyme so daily amounts of this trace mineral is critical to avoiding depletion and to help your body get rid of the brain fog which often accompanies sugar intake. In addition, this multiple contains the ideal ratio of magnesium to calcium (2:1 in favor of magnesium).

Magnesium is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in diabetes because it personally escorts glucose into the cells as well as performs more than 300 other bodily tasks. You may need more than what is in the Multiple, but that will give you a foundation to build upon by adding another 200 -400 during the day or before bed for peaceful and uninterrupted sleep!

For men, I recommend the iron-free Male Multiple. Excess iron is a major factor in cardiovascular disease and can be unusually elevated in males past the age of 40 and in females who have stopped menstruating.

2) Biotin – 5 mg. A high potency biotin can enhance sugar metabolism, lower triglycerides and stop yeast in its tracks by preventing the yeast from converting into its more aggressive fungal form. Yeast overgrowth is an all too common byproduct of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It can create huge sugar cravings that even the most potent appetite suppressants cannot control. Over the years, many of my clients have reported fuller hair and stronger nails with biotin.

3) Chromium – 200 – 400 mcg. A key nutrient that improves insulin sensitivity and even helps to produce more insulin receptor sites. Very helpful in overall weight loss which is why I included it in The Weight Loss Formula with a hefty dose of 500 mg of L-Carnitine and other supportive nutrients and herbs that stabilize blood sugar, increase energy level and support healthy fat metabolism.

4) EPA and DHA (the Omega-3s) – 1,500 mg twice per day. This natural anti-inflammatory will tamp down inflammation, raise HDL, lower triglycerides, and prevent the type of nerve damage that is frequently associated with diabetic neuropathy.

5) Vitamin D-3 – 5,000 IU taken 1 – 2 times per day. The key here is to check your Vitamin D levels with your doctor —and have him oversee your D supplementation— every three to six months with the 25 OH vitamin D blood test. The ideal level is between 50-80 mg/dl according to the Vitamin D experts I have interviewed. Vitamin D is probably the most deficient vitamin in America today. It has been found to impact hundreds of genes that can halt and “cure” Metabolic Syndrome along with diabetes."

-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Cooking With Cayenne

2012-01-11T21:00:00.000-08:00

A member of the spicy chile family, cayenne gets its heat from capsaicin,
a compound known to reduce pain (just don’t get it in your eyes), prevent ulcers by destroying bacteria and stimulating stomach-protective juices, and assist weight loss by suppressing appetite and revving up metabolism. Cayenne pepper also provides a hefty dose of vitamin A.

Buy ground cayenne as fresh as possible and keep it tightly sealed in glass, away from warmth and sunlight—not above your stove, which exposes it to heat and humidity.

Tea.
Got a cold? Mix a pinch of cayenne into a cup of hot beverage to stimulate nasal passages and ease congestion.

Breading.
Combine ½ teaspoon cayenne, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, ¼ cup minced or ground almonds, and 1 cup panko or regular bread crumbs; press onto catfish fillets and drizzle with oil. Roast at 375 degrees until fish flakes easily, 12–15 minutes.

Mac ’n’ cheese.
Stir as much cayenne as you dare into your next macaroni and cheese or manicotti filling; the cheese’s creaminess and the pasta’s starch will diminish the burn.

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

Liven up your vegetable intake with this zesty dish. Cayenne and paprika lend heat and color; lemon and parsley add bright but mellowing tastes.

1. Preheat oven to 425˚.

2. In a small bowl, whisk 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon cayenne, ¼ teaspoon paprika, and salt to taste.

3. In a medium bowl, combine dressing with 4 cups (about 1 pound) cauliflower florets and toss thoroughly to coat.

4. Spread in a 9x13-inch pan, and roast 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden and tender. Toss with 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice and ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley. Serves 4.

-Delicious Living Magazine