Sami G's Blog - Your Guide to Nourishment

5 Little Known Factors that Affect Your New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:29:00 +0000

1) A resolution is a promise to yourself, and if you make a promise to yourself and can’t keep it, you will feel guilt and shame. That shame (whether it is conscious or not) will sabotage future promises to yourself.

2) If you use willpower or force to achieve a resolution, it takes away the energy of willpower from some other part of your life. Willpower is not a sustainable behavior and can be toxic. Many people falsely believe that you can use willpower over and over again when the truth is you can only use so much before it starts to hurt you. Willpower is not a sustainable behavior.

3) Setting a resolution often carries the expectations of quick results. When these results are not attainable, the expectations become a reason to be judgmental and critical of yourself, which will undermine your original and future resolutions.

4) A resolution puts pressure on yourself to change a behavior. If you are ready to make the behavior change, great! Your body understands what it is capable of naturally and its time schedule may be different than yours. So if your body is not ready to change the behavior, the pressure can put added stress into your life and make it difficult to perform in other areas, therefore derailing your efforts.

5) If you make a resolution to please someone else, then you may be denying your own needs, and the resolution could hurt you and the other party more than it will help to bond in the moment.

What is the answer?

Set an intention – instead of a resolution. A resolution is a specific goal with a deadline. I am going to lose 10 lbs. by March 15. Restated as an intention, I intend to lower my carbohydrate intake and increase my exercise time per week from this many minutes to this many minutes, and intend to increase my walking time by 1 hour per week total. Listen to your body and let it set the schedule. If you are not able to maintain your intention, easily and without judgment go back to it and start over or renew your efforts. This is a natural and organic way to treat your body. Happy New Year!

Fennel, Celery & Apple Salad - Recipe of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:05:00 +0000

I love fennel.

It contains its own unique combination of phytonutrients—including the flavonoids rutin, quercitin, anethole, and various kaempferol glycosides—that give it strong antioxidant properties.

Studies document that the anethole in fennel has repeatedly been shown to reduce inflammation and help prevent the occurrence of cancer. It's also a great source of vitamin C, fiber, folate and potassium, all needed for cardiovascular and colon health.

Fennel is crunchy and slightly sweet, making it a refreshing partner with apple and celery. This salad makes a wonderful side dish to salmon. Be sure to use organic whenever possible.

Sami's Fennel, Celery & Apple Salad
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
2 T. raw honey
2/3 c. organic extra virgin olive oil
3-4 stalks celery, with leaves - stalks thinly sliced, leaves chopped
2 large apples, peeled, quartered, cored & thinly sliced (gala and jazz are nice)
2 small fennel bulbs, thinly sliced crosswise
1 T. chopped fennel fronds

Blend lemon juice and honey, then whisk in extra virgin olive oil.

Combine celery, celery leaves, apples and fennel in large bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss to coat. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Rosemary Cauliflower Mash - Recipe of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:28:00 +0000

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only a week away?

Ditch the blood sugar roller coaster ride this holiday usually brings and instead opt for healthy (and equally yummy) versions of your favorite comfort foods.

Potatoes are highly glycemic and contain as much sugar as a can of coke, and you really don't need that.

Cauliflower is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables that require heat to neutralize goitrogens (thyroid suppressants), which make it a perfect potato/starch substitute.

I love cauliflower because it's flavor profile can go sweet or savory, and its unique texture can easily be manipulated to allow for a wide array of comfort food substitutes. Cauliflower is low in calories, high in fiber, folate, and vitamin C, and possesses a high nutritional density.

Sami's Rosemary Cauliflower Mash
1 large head organic cauliflower (if you can find orange cauliflower you'll increase your vitamin A content 25 times over white varieties)
1 tsp. unrefined sea salt
1 sprig fresh organic rosemary, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 T. organic or raw butter

Remove stalk and leaves
Wash and steam for 15 minutes
Transfer to food processor with salt, rosemary, garlic and butter.
Process to creamy consistency
Transfer to a beautiful serving dish and enjoy!
Serves 2

You can also save your physical and emotional health with my Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving.

Cheers to truly enjoying dinner this year rather than being sprawled out on the couch with your pants unzipped!

Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:09:00 +0000

Know true hunger. Teach your body the difference between physical hunger and social or psychological hunger. This takes some time to master, especially when your brother keeps bringing up your old high school boyfriend who wore sweatbands all the time and thought he was Eddie Van Halen, in front of your new boyfriend, whom you’ve only been dating for a few months. Meditation and Clearing are amazing tools to have at your disposal during these times. Simply slip away to the bathroom or take a walk outside and ask yourself “what are the feelings that are provoking my anxiety and frustration?” Then clear them and meditate for a moment to see if you are truly physically hungry, or just full of anxiety that is triggering your desire to eat. The answer may surprise you. Trust me, this works.
Eat slowly. Practice keeping your fork down until you have finished your last bite of food and take at least 15 minutes to finish your meal. Many digestive problems can be eliminated by slowing down because your brain needs time to tell your body you are, in fact, full. If you eat slowly and mindfully, conscious of every bite, you’ll probably eat less but enjoy your food more. Think the French Paradox is a load of crap? Think again. Every time I am in France I always lose weight, and I attribute this to the greater positive energy generated in the kitchen and at the dinner table with people I love. Savor what you are eating. Make love to it, and enjoy the process.
Eat to 80% fullness. What does this mean? It means eat until you are just satisfied. Remember points #1 and #2 above and you’ll master this one in no time.
Get active. Just because it’s the holidays and your gym suddenly becomes a ghost town or you’re traveling doesn’t mean you can’t work up a sweat. Staying active will help keep your mind clear and your metabolism up. It can also help you cope with Aunt Martha’s annoying comments about your new hairdo. Besides, who doesn’t love a nice, long walk after dinner snuggled next to your sweetheart?
Get plenty of sleep. Yes, I know you are in charge of your family’s dessert committee (heck, you probably are the committee), plus you’re not thrilled about seeing your in-laws, but trust me, adequate sleep will do you wonders. Not only does sleep change your hormone balance and ability to recover from stress, but the more sleep you get the leaner you are. The less sleep you get, the heavier, weaker and sicker you’re likely to be. And you definitely don’t need to be dealing with that. Quick tip, turn off your computer and TV at least two hours before hitting the sheets.
Ditch the white stuff. You can still make wonderful desserts without the use of refined sugar. Coconut palm sugar is a great 1 to 1 replacement to white sugar and is loaded with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Other great options include date sugar, maple syrup (grade B and organic), molasses and raw honey (not for infants). Keep in mind that these sweeteners are still sugar and regardless of marketing tactics, are still highly glycemic. Therefore, I recommend keeping them to a minimum.
Enjoy proteins and fats first. I know Aunt Martha will have platefuls of sugary finger foods, and little crystal bowls from the 1960’s scattered throughout the house full of peanut M & M’s to entice you, but trust me, you’ll enjoy Thanksgiving dinner so much more if your blood sugar is on even keel. Instead, go check out the deviled eggs, or better yet, eat a healthy snack before leaving the house such as an apple with a handful of sprouted almonds or a protein shake with coconut oil. Your adrenal glands will thank you!
Eliminate vegetable oils. This really is a biggie. All vegetable oils (canola, soy, corn, safflower, etc.) use solvents, usually hexane, during the extraction process that still remain in the finished product. No amount of refining will remove these harmful substances. So called "heart healthy" canola oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which easily become rancid and foul-smelling when subjected to oxygen and high temperatures. The standard deodorization process removes a large portion of the omega-3 fatty acids by turning them into trans fatty acids. Don't buy into industry marketing tactics. These oils are very toxic. Think nut and seeds oils are better? Nope. These oils are so delicate they go rancid very quickly, long before they hit the shelf. Instead, opt for raw coconut oil and raw or organic butter for cooking and baking. Use olive oil sparingly and only after cooking. Click here to read my complete article about oil processing.
Replace white flour with sprouted options. The abuse of grains through today’s current processing methods renders them devoid of nutrients. Sprouting breaks down hard to digest starches and anti-nutrients leaving you with healthier (and tastier) pies, cakes and breads. Check out To Your Health Sprouted Flour Company for more information.
Support your local farmer. In 1992, the USDA approved a rule to permit irradiation of raw, fresh or frozen packaged poultry and produce. Irradiation depletes foods of their valuable vitamin and mineral content. Conventional animals are also subjected to deplorable living conditions, and injected with a wide variety of hormones, antibiotics, and flavor enhancers. In other words, you are throwing your health and money down the toilet. Buying from your local farmer supports healthier animals, a better environment, and better health for you and your family. And I almost forgot, your food will taste better too! How’s that for a Rock Star Thanksgiving? Check out the Organic Consumers Association for more information about food irradiation.

What Are You Really Craving This Holiday Season?

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:19:00 +0000

by Amanda Zabel, M.A.Ed., LPC, NCC, Certified UTUE Practitioner

Yummmm, I can smell that pumpkin pie from here! And that seasonal music and lighting… It’s getting to be that time of year again.

We are entering the holiday season, which is a time of family, traditions, memories, expectations, socializing, entertaining, and LOTS of STRESS.

Think about this, November is National Diabetes Month. Right at Thanksgiving (and a variety of religious holidays), when families and friends are getting together, having parties and dinners, baking up a storm and … well, EATING! We are also being alerted that diabetes is reaching alarming numbers. I just recently heard that over a third of a billion people have diabetes. Something is very wrong here!

What IS going on?

While most of us have some positive anticipation about being with family we may not have seen for a while, there is usually some anxiety about how it will go, and often for very good reason.

How many of you have experienced getting back together with relatives and felt the pull to fall into an old family role that may not be serving your present life?

What about old hurts and unresolved conflicts hidden behind the holiday smiles and hugs?

How about competition with siblings, cousins and co-workers? What about the lingering grief about a relative who is no longer with us that gets put on the back burner until we are together again, yet remains unexpressed. What about the company party or the school parties where we are supposed to add all of this activity into an already busy life? We don’t even have to mention the financial stress of this time, and sometimes not enough resources to pull off the expected holiday.

That’s a lot of stress!

The truth is we think we crave sweets and goodies during this time, but what do you really crave?

I don’t know about you, but for me, I really crave connection.

We may crave being loved, being seen and important, being respected. So much of our holiday season evokes a warm, happy, nostalgic, cheery time.

We all want that.

But, really, how often does the holiday season meet with our expectations, our longings, and our true cravings? Many of us seek to satisfy these unmet needs, desires and cravings with overeating, choosing foods we normally would not eat, alcohol and other indulgences. Not really being attentive, we seek to meet our emotional needs with something that doesn’t actually fulfill us.

What keeps us from having the connection, the love, the respect and importance we crave?

Who is running your show? Do you depend on the other people in your life to stop expecting things from you, to connect with you in a way you want, to give you the love and respect you desire? Do you give your power to your family and friends to determine for you if you are valuable, lovable, and important?

The truth is, each one of these things is our own responsibility, and the quality of our relationships has to do with our emotional makeup and our personality, not the other person’s.

At UTUE, we can guide you to effectively resolve and clear old patterns, emotions, expectations, and energies that keep you from having what you really need, want and desire.

We specialize in Green Personalities. This is your personality that stems directly from your core, rather than from unseen motivations and drives. We consider this an organic personality that doesn’t need to look outside itself for satisfaction by needing things from others or filling tummies with holiday indulgences.

Is Halloween Scary or Are You Just in a Bad Mood?

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:31:00 +0000

The most common call we get at my non-profit UTUE is when students struggle with overwhelming feelings of anger, fear and shame. We usually get them to a better place by clearing the negative energies connected to these feelings, and it is also important to look at the sugar connection and its toll on the physical body.

The truth is that sugar can start a downward spiral of negative emotions and/or reinforce them, and is directly connected to accelerated aging.

Sugar and simple carbohydrates put stress on the adrenal glands (walnut shaped glands that sit on the top of each kidney) by rapidly shifting blood sugar levels that in turn directly affect your mood. Cortisol, an adrenal hormone, works with insulin to maintain healthy levels of circulating glucose (blood sugar) and regulate the flow of glucose (the chief source of cellular energy) into the cells for energy production. When blood sugar levels are low (hypoglycemia), sweet cravings often follow. By eliminating sugar and processed foods, blood sugar remains more stable, providing less strain on the adrenal glands.

What can you do?

Celebrate the amazing person you are by allowing patterns that no longer serve you to die so you can experience a rebirth of ideas. Keep in mind that many cultures around the world view the aging process as a positive, powerful tool for growth and renewal.

Clear your way to enjoying healthier foods in their natural state so your Green Personality can shine through.

Replace white sugar with natural sweeteners such as ground stevia leaves, coconut palm sugar, date sugar, raw honey, and maple syrup, and use them in moderation.

Have a Healthy Halloween - Recipe of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:50:00 +0000

I am not a fan of sugar.

It's the most addictive substance on the planet, and the cause of so many health problems today (I know because I was addicted to it for years).

I also love a great party.

And I realize the importance of letting your hair down and enjoying some yummy sweetness once in a while.

So, here are a few of my healthy, super easy favorites for you to enjoy this Halloween (the first two your kids will really love).

Apple Bites
Just quarter and core an apple, cut a wedge from the skin side of each quarter, then press slivered almonds in place for teeth.

Fruit Roll-up Bats (or any other halloween cookie cutter shape you like)
Unwrap unsweetened organic fruit roll-ups and cut out various shapes.

Almond Butternut Squash Bars
2 c. ground raw (soaked or sprouted) almonds (flour)
1 c. cooked and mashed butternut squash
Pear sauce from 1 large pear
1 T. organic butter or coconut oil

Mix ingredients well and bake on baking paper at 300 degrees for 20 minutes.

Carob Dipped Strawberries
24 Large Strawberries with Stems
Sauce:
2/3 c. carob powder
1/2 c. pastured butter (raw is best) or coconut oil
1/3 c. grade b maple syrup
1 T. vanilla extract
1 T. chocolate extract
Pinch of unrefined salt
1 c. raw cream or coconut milk

Place all ingredients in sauce pan over low heat and stir until well amalgamated.

Dip strawberries in sauce and place on wax paper. Chill well before serving.

Baked Apples
Scoop out core and seeds of large baking apples. Fill each apple with a tsp. of honey, a tsp. of butter or coconut oil, and ground or coarsely chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds. Bake in the oven at 320 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Creme Caramel
For 1 person you will need:
1 egg
3 T. water
1 tsp. honey
Ground cinnamon
Mix all ingredients well. Pour into shallow ramekin dishes. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 300 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

A note about trick or treating:
Ensure your kids' blood sugar is stable by feeding them a healthy protein/fat/vegetable meal before heading out for the night. High quality fats like raw butter and coconut oil naturally lower the glycemic index of sugar laden foods. This is why all my recipes call for the addition of healthy fats.

The Best Anti-Aging Therapy is Having a Green Personality - Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:03:00 +0000

How we suppress our body’s nudges and stay stuck in limiting perspectives.

Remember Patricia's story about her pancreatitis? She overcame this chronic condition by changing the energy connected to it, which led to renewal of her mind and body.

Meet Jane: in her late 80′s, and has suffered from stomach pain for the past few decades. Her doctor has her on medications to suppress the pain. Two weeks ago she was not feeling right, so she was admitted to the hospital. The doctors decided to operate to remove her gallbladder. Much to everyone’s surprise, her gallbladder was gangrene. Jane suppressed her body’s nudges through the years, and found a way to survive, however, a Green Personality listens to the nudges and seeks to find the underlying cause. Jane is alive today, but this limited perspective kept her from listening to what her body was trying to tell her all those years. Had Jane listened, she would probably still have her gallbladder today.
If you are always seeing life in the same perspective, it is easy to become narrow-minded. Patricia found out that by changing her perspective about her ‘dis-ease’, she could overcome her doctor’s predicted outcome. This is the mind body connection at work that comes from having a Green Personality.

What are some of the benefits of uncovering your Green Personality?

Patricia attributes developing her Green Personality to overcoming debilitating disease, and having a life that is sustainable and renewable. This does not mean that she no longer has challenges; challenges are a part of life. What it means is that as the challenges present themselves, she is able to react in a way to maintain inner balance and harmony. You can do this by:

Learning to trust yourself
Listening to the nudges and refusing to suppress them
Changing and expanding your perspective

Developing a Green Personality is the best anti-aging therapy for a happy, fulfilling life.

Is Your Pancreas Overloaded? Take the Test

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:28:00 +0000

The pancreas is a gland that serves a dual purpose: it digests fat through the external secretion of pancreatic fluid (exocrine), and it is a blood regulator involved in the production of insulin and blood sugar regulation, making it a part of the endocrine system.

The pancreas is a busy, hard-working organ. In Chinese medicine, it is the yang, masculine organ of the body that teams up with the spleen, which is a feminine organ.

Pancreas literally means “made of flesh” because Pan means the whole, the universe, the god of creation, and Crea means flesh. Everything connected to the value of the soul takes place here. The flesh rots while the soul is everlasting.

The pancreas is most often associated with diabetes, the body's inability to process sugar. Diabetes often represents a denial of the sweetness of life. It can also represent a misplaced faith in one's own ability to control the physical world. Given that the pancreas has a dual function, reflecting the essential duality of the physical universe, it has both the ability to digest ideas and to extract that which is not only sweet, but life sustaining.

In my last post, I detailed the life of Patricia Rohn and her amazing journey in overcoming pancreatitis and other chronic health problems through a whole foods diet and emotional clearing. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that reduces its ability to function, causing pancreatic insufficiency, malabsorption, and diabetes.

Ensuring pancreatic support by determining your metabolic type, while beginning a daily clearing practice is the first step in overcoming digestive dysfunction.

Take the Test
If you answer "Yes" to any of the questions below you may require pancreatic support.

I experience belching and gas within 1 hour of a meal.
I have a sense of fullness after meals.
I experience abdominal bloating 1 to 2 hours after eating.
I feel like skipping breakfast.
I am sleepy after meals.
I feel better if I don't eat.
I have undigested food in my stool.
I bruise easily.
I have headaches over my eyes.
My stools are hard or difficult to pass.
I have mucus in my stool.
I have bad breath or strong body odors.

If you suspect that you may have pancreatic insufficiency, begin by eliminating alcohol and processed foods. Additional supplementation is also recommended.

If you would like more information about emotional clearing and pancreatic/digestive support, feel free to contact me.

The Best Anti-Aging Therapy is Having a Green Personality - Part I

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:03:00 +0000

This month, our Director and Teacher Patricia Rohn will be 60 years young. Those who know Patricia are amazed at her energy, youthfulness, mental clarity, and emotional intelligence.

Why it is that she is so healthy and able to teach five exercise classes a week on top of working with students full-time?

It is because Patricia embodies what we call a Green Personality.

Simply put, a Green Personality renews and sustains positive behaviors and effectiveness over long periods of time. It develops and grows over time and is better with age. A Green Personality supports a healthy body because it is natural for both the essence (soul) and the body to work in harmony. This is what is commonly known as the mind body connection.

A Green Personality uncovers essence by removing negative energy. It is an energetic process. The opposite of a Green Personality is programming and training where the essence is not considered. Too much programming in the form of behaviors and patterns creates a toxic environment that leads to disease, toxicity, and aging of the body and mind.

Patricia’s journey to a Green Personality was not an easy one. A naturally gifted child, her intuitive and artistic abilities where quashed by her mother’s jealousy and rage. Patricia learned early on that she would be abused if she competed with her, and as a result, she grew up with a lot of guilt, shame and anger about her unique talents. These negative emotions manifested in her physical body in the form of rheumatoid arthritis and pancreatitis, two extremely debilitating and chronic conditions.

“When I was 22 I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I had a nodule removed from my thyroid and two weeks later I woke up with my knee the size of a small melon. After many tests they concluded that I had RA, and the doctor said it was aggressive and moving quickly and intensely. He said that I would live in a wheel chair by the time I was 30 years old. In my bold way, I expressed my dissatisfaction and he said I didn’t have to be angry. I told him I was a dancer and this diagnosis was a crushing blow to me. The wheel chair never happened. I started to watch my diet and became a vegetarian and started to exercise. I was told to avoid white sugar and white flour.

However, later I started having pain after eating certain foods like French fries, processed foods, and chocolate. I was losing my appetite and was avoiding foods that had lots of fat. My family doctor suggested Prozac because he couldn’t find anything wrong. I was in continuous pain like a toothache in the center of my body and I wasn’t eating and losing weight. I was so miserable life wasn’t attractive. I went to a specialist who diagnosed the pancreatitis. He told me ‘you need to stop drinking’! But I had stopped drinking five years earlier! I told him I didn’t drink but he didn’t believe me. The doctor prescribed medication and I started to feel better, but I had constant diarrhea and I had to organize my life around bathrooms because I couldn’t trust that I could go somewhere and not have an attack. Although the medications helped a little, it was extremely expensive and I had to prepare all my own meals because if I ate the wrong thing I would have such severe diarrhea that it would put me in the hospital. My life revolved around this disease and limited me in profound ways.

After 10 years, I remember the doctor said ‘I don’t know how you’ve made it this far and if things don’t change you’ll be lucky if you make it another year.’ I was angry and afraid I was going to die. Most people die from pancreatitis within the first six months. Five years into my pancreatitis I was in a car accident while training for a new job. The accident shattered my knee and I was unable to work for five years. This was the same knee that my RA was diagnosed. I had a difficult time walking and even after five years, when I met Jason, I was walking with a limp. Being able to just walk let alone lead exercise classes seemed out of the question.”

Like most of us, Patricia was trained to cope with what was going on in her life by eliminating the problem. However, simply eliminating the problem is never a solution. For real change to occur, the energy surrounding the problem needs to change.

In 1999 Patricia met Jason Rohn, Executive Director of UTUE, and after incorporating the Clearing Process and a whole foods diet, she made a most amazing recovery.

“Jason asked me if I would like him to help me with my emotions. I said sure, not believing that he could help me or if this process really worked. As we started to do what he called ‘clearing’, the most amazing things started to happen! I started sleeping through the night. For over six years I lived in constant pain, not only from the pancreatitis, but also from the car accident I was in. This was so amazing to me! As we continued to clear, I noticed that the colors all around me were more vibrant and I felt like I was walking on air. My life truly changed overnight.”

Food is an excellent example of the exchange of energy. Foods that have been processed (which is 90% of what grocery stores sell) are dead and lack the life force that they originally had when they were whole. Eating these foods and their energy of processing and machines creates imbalances for the ecosystem of the human body. This is why a holistic approach to nutrition is a synergistic partner to the Clearing Process.

At UTUE, we teach students how to use our unique Clearing Process to remove these negative energies so they can embody a Green Personality. Clearing allows you to see the barriers that are standing in your way so you can get what you need, want, and desire that is in alignment with the purpose of your essence.

Cauliflower Rice - Recipe of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:35:00 +0000

One of my all time favorite vegetables is cauliflower. It comes in white, green, orange, brown, yellow, and purple; and is one of the most versatile vegetables on the planet.

Case in point, cauliflower rice.

Many of my healing protocols for chronic diseases include the elimination of grains, which at first is a struggle for most people. The illusion of struggle dissipates after I teach them how to use vegetables in creative and unique ways. Cauliflower is a winner because it's flavor profile can go sweet or savory, and its unique texture can easily be manipulated to allow for a wide array of comfort food substitutes.

I encourage you not to buy into the "whole grain" craze. One of the main reasons for today's skyrocketing obesity and disease rates is because of the abuse of grains (with subsequent chemical additives like sugar). Even gluten-free, whole sprouted grains can cause health challenges if over consumed. The fact that massive grain production parallels the rise in chronic diseases is no coincidence. If you struggle with an autoimmune disease such as Crohn's Disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Addison's Disease, Celiac Disease, Fibromyalgia, or Diabetes I recommend eliminating them entirely. Clinical and sub-clinical thyroid and adrenal problems that often go undiagnosed also show much improvement through the elimination of grains (this is a phenomenon I experience daily with patients). Many behind the scenes health problems also mysteriously disappear with the exclusion of grains. Keep in mind that fruits and vegetables are carbohydrates that contain significant amounts of fiber, meaning it is unnecessary to consume grains for their fiber content (not to mention grains are hard to digest). If your goal is weight loss, grains should be one of the first things you minimize in your diet.

Packaged food labels touting the health benefits of grains with phrases like "gluten-free", "organic", or "all natural" are simply clever advertising designed to get your hard earned money. These foods are still processed and contain zero health benefits.

Instead, celebrate your body with a wonderfully easy to follow "rice" recipe made out of cauliflower:

Sami's Basic Cauliflower Rice
1 large head organic cauliflower (if you can find orange cauliflower you'll increase your vitamin A content 25 times over white varieties)
1 tsp. unrefined sea salt
5 chopped organic scallions
Coconut oil, raw butter or organic ghee

Wash cauliflower and pat dry (this is important because cauliflower soaks up water)
Pulse florette's in food processor to rice like consistency
In a large skillet over medium heat add oil, butter, or ghee *
Add "rice" and scallions and allow to cook covered for approximately 10 minutes
Stir mixture occasionally
Add spices, remove from heat and enjoy!

This a great base for a wide variety of flavors such as Thai, Indian, Mediterranean, and Japanese so have fun experimenting!

*Be sure to heat your "rice." Cauliflower is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables that require heat to neutralize goitrogens (thyroid suppressants).

Dieting vs. Cleansing - What's the Difference?

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 02:41:00 +0000

Our cellular structure is an amazing system with between 60 and 70 trillion cells. Each of these cells has its own individual furnace that makes that cell function. This furnace is called mitochondria. To create heat within the mitochondria of the cell, our bodies require high quality nutrition.

Dieting is not the answer to raising the body's metabolism. The truth is that you are doing the exact opposite because when you reduce calories, because the metabolism slows down and in effect shuts off mitochondria. When you stop dieting and begin to eat more calories again, your body now has less mitochondria fired up. This makes your metabolism sluggish and increases cortisol levels (a stress hormone created by the adrenal glands that causes fat storage). This is what causes the rapid return of weight.

When you burn fat cells, the impurities are released into your system. A proper cleansing program will carry away these impurities from the tissues to the liver, and then to the colon for elimination. Without adequate nourishment, this process does not occur.

Diets are never successful for long-term weight loss because they do not address the need to cleanse the body of impurities. During a cleanse, impurities are released so that the body sheds fat, which leads to better overall health with less fat and more lean muscle.

Our bodies were designed to burn fat, and all body types function differently.

Cleansing is also essential for chronic health problems such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and cancer to name a few.

Keep in mind that not all cleansing methods are equal. Most of them do not actually fire up the mitochondria in our cells and tend to do more harm than good. For this reason, I do not recommend Master Cleanse type programs that rely on citrus, sugar, and warming spices because they lead to muscle wasting and energy depletion.

A true cleanse program will put your body into fat burning mode to assist in building lean muscle while you incorporate healthy changes for life.

To learn more about cleansing programs, click here.

What Japan Needs Right Now

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:01:00 +0000

The news is full of images of the devastation in Japan. Destruction for miles and miles, boats on top of buildings, pictures of emotional people in sheer terror; then in stark contrast, we see workers at the nuclear reactors who are risking their lives to save the millions that live close by! It is easy to be concerned and wonder “what does this mean for the world and for me? How can I go about my daily activities while this is going on?”

The cloud that no one is referring to is the energy cloud of emotion (emotions are energies). Unlike a radiation cloud that is restricted by time and space, energy clouds of emotions can travel across the globe in an instant.

There is a stark contrast of positive and negative energy circling the globe right now. In the negative realm there are waves of hopelessness, fear, doom, and anger. At the same time there is courage, hope and determination to help others. We can see the fabric of humanity at its best where there are those who acknowledge that we are all in this together; then we can watch the actions of many that are heroic and inspiring.

What can I do for others?

Although money and supplies are critical in Japan right now, there is something that we can also do that is even more critical – positive emotions! There is nothing more toxic than fear, panic, hopelessness and doom. What is the antidote? Activating Creator Energy! When you see images of people in Japan, send individuals or groups Creator Energy by filling them up. When the Prime Minister is on TV, fill him up with Creator Energy. Of course, don’t forget to do it for yourself first.

What can I do for myself?

Use Clearing to remove the fears, anxieties, panic, hopelessness and doom and whatever else you are feeling. Visit “How to Clear”, to familiarize yourself with the basics of clearing if you need help. There is a false belief that the emotion of fear will keep you safe, but that is not true. The emotions of fear and hopelessness can be more toxic than the radiation and other negative effects of the earthquake. When you clear these negative emotions, you will have greater objectivity and be able to act in your own best interest. Also, when the negative emotions seem overwhelming, remember to activate Creator Energy for yourself.

If you are really suffering, schedule a session with a UTUE Teacher!

Does the Earthquake have some meaning of things to come?

Many people have asked me this lately and the truth is I don’t know. If anyone says they do know I would not trust them as a source of information. What I do know that it is easy to see this situation out of proportion and with a heightened sense of fear and doom. What disturbs me the most is when I see us hurting each other in war and ethnic cleansing, something we have been doing for too many years now.

Do what you can for the people of Japan and then live your life!!!

Written by Jason Rohn of UTUE on March 27, 2011

7 Ways to Eliminate Toxins from Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 02:25:00 +0000

In honor of National Nutrition Month, I encourage everyone to be conscious about the toxins contained in every day life. We live in a toxic world. Wherever we reside, wherever we work, wherever we play, wherever our kids go to school, our bodies encounter substances that can damage us, make us sick, and even kill us. So many of the things in our lives that we take for granted—the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe—can betray our health. Other things we read warnings about—prescription drugs, lawn and garden chemicals, household cleaners—turn out to be more toxic than we could have ever imagined. Toxic substances poison our organs, drain our energy, and cause cancer and other killer diseases. We have to learn to protect ourselves against today’s world if we want to live to a healthy, ripe old age. And in order to do this, we must have freedom from toxins.

As part of my Spring Detox Program, here are 7 things you can do NOW to eliminate toxins:

Throw out all chemical household cleaners such as polishes, floor cleaners, abrasives, disinfectants, etc. and replace them with botanically derived, biodegradable options from conscientious companies that disclosed all ingredients. I am a huge fan of Seventh Generation Products. A lot of cleaning can be done around the house with basic water, vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and olive oil. You can clean your wood floors with strong tea. You can polish your furniture with a mixture of 1 cup olive oil with 1/2 cup white vinegar. You can pour white wine on red wine carpet spills to remove the stain.
Major contributors to the general toxic overload of the body are personal care products such as cosmetics, toiletries, and perfumes. Keep in mind that this is a self-regulated industry. More than a thousand carcinogenic and toxic chemicals are used in the formulation of these products. The old belief that our skin is a barrier from these toxins has proven to be completely false. Chemical sunscreens damage the skin, can actually cause cancer, and block the body's ability to produce important vitamin D. Aluminum in deodorants has shown to be a contributor to breast cancer. Ditch yours for a chemical-free option. I use Simply Divine Botanical's Spray every day and find it to be very effective.
Replace laundry care products with botanical, biodegradable options. Keep in mind that chemical soaps remain in the fibers of your clothes, bedding and towels, and give off toxic fumes while next to your skin. Delicate baby skin is especially susceptible to these toxins.
Decorate your home with beautiful, life giving houseplants. They are our great friends when it comes to keeping our homes toxin free. They consume toxic gases and replace them with oxygen and other beneficial substances.
Buy and use only natural fats. Fats are truly amazing in their ability to draw out toxins, heal cellular structures, and ward off disease. Coconut oil and raw butter are particularly important if you are suffering from a chronic illness or have been subjected to toxic chemicals.
Try to reduce your exposure to electro-magnetic pollution and radiation. It is not entirely clear yet the massive effects EMF's have on our lives, but brain cancer is linked to these pollutants. I realize most people cannot live without their cells phones, but you can make adjustments. When you are at home use a land line. If this isn't possible or you travel a lot, make sure to attached a diode to your phone to neutralize these pollutions. Attach larger diodes to your computer to protect yourself while working, and when you sleep at night, store your cell phone in another room or place in airplane mode. When we sleep our bodies are are working hard to detoxify and rejuvenate. Give your body a chance to fully engage in this process.
People with tense and negative emotions tend to fall ill more often than those who are relaxed and happy. Why does this happen? Because every emotion creates a certain biochemical response in the body. Negative emotions create negative biochemistry that leads to disease. Positive emotions create positive biochemistry that leads to healing and recovery. The most effective way to eliminate negative emotions is through clearing.

As we spring forward tomorrow morning, I encourage you to remember the greatness of your being. No matter your situation or health challenge, you can start right now, today and begin anew.

Top 10 Ways to Cope with Job Transition

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:37:00 +0000

Job transitions can be stressful—whether they’re due to layoff, a new job or working extra hours because other workers were laid off. If you’re facing one, consider the following.

1. Take an honest look at yourself. What are your strengths, weaknesses, skills? How did those influence—positively or negatively—your transition?

2. Step up your self-care. Major changes are physically and emotionally taxing. You need self-care now more than ever.

3. Engage your curiosity. What went wrong, or right? What could you have done better? What worked really well?

4. Focus on what you want, and less on what you don’t want. Keep your eye on the prize.

5. Find support. Since your transition affects your family as well, it may be better to seek the outside support of friends or professionals.

6. Work on your thoughts. Calm your fears and reinforce your sense of hope and happiness.

7. Reassure (or avoid) those who are threatened by, or jealous of, the change.

8. Create your own rite of passage. Ceremony and ritual help with all transitions.

9. Let go of how things were “supposed to be” and accept “how things are.” Find appreciation for what is.

10. Keep things in perspective. Or try on a new perspective. Don’t get stuck. Remember, the only constant is change.

Accessing the Power of Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:11:00 +0000

The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery.

But while we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just a Thanksgiving word. We have to learn a new way of looking at things, a new habit. And that can take some time.

That’s why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.

Remember that gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Pain and injustice exist in this world, but when we focus on the gifts of life, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us hope.

There are many things to be grateful for: colorful autumn leaves, legs that work, friends who listen and really hear, fresh eggs, warm jackets, tomatoes, the ability to read, roses, our health, butterflies. What’s on your list?

Some Ways to Practice Gratitude:

• Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly or monthly lists. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way.

• Make a gratitude collage by drawing or pasting pictures.

• Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your nighttime routine.

• Make a game of finding the hidden blessing in a challenging situation.

• When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel.

• Notice how gratitude is impacting your life. Write about it, sing about it, express thanks for gratitude.

As you practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be delighted to discover how content and hopeful you are feeling. That sense of fulfillment is gratitude at work.

Cacao: The Continuing Controversy

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:55:00 +0000

In the last few years we’ve seen an explosion of raw cacao and dark chocolate products saturate the marketplace all touting the magical-like, health promoting effects of this brown little bean; and promoting it as nature's finest medicine designed to boost metabolism and help you lose weight. Many guru’s have also suggested that living on this "Food of the Gods" will take your health to places you never thought possible.

The last two episodes of The Sami G Show featured Raw Vegan Chef, Author and Master Herbalist Angela Elliott in a very frank, open-minded discussion about the devastating effects of cacao. During her seven year experiment, she encountered tremendous beautifying effects, but then something went terribly wrong. Suddenly she began to experience debilitating 24/7 headaches, severe fatigue, adrenal, liver and nervous system impairment, and a complete shutdown of her small and large intestinal valves. She also gained 20 lbs. As she explained it, cacao is like a "ticking time bomb" in that it may take years for adverse effects to show up.

What is conveniently left out of the marketing literature is that cacao is extremely high in phytic acid, a substance that blocks the absorption of important minerals like calcium and zinc, and causes a wide variety of health problems. Keep in mind that raw, fully fermented cacao does not completely eliminate phytic acid. Theobromine, cacao's stimulant, is also not something to be taken lightly as it can cause serious nervous and endocrine system imbalances. It is especially taxing on the adrenal glands. Angela's experiment consisted of taking in large amounts of cacao, however, I've had friends and clients experience negative side effects such as anxiety, heart palpitations, and jitters from ingesting very small amounts. Cacao also requires sugar to combat its extreme bitterness. Don't be fooled by claims that natural sugars are good for you, they are still sugar, can be very addictive, and cause blood sugar imbalances.

Angela's road to recovery included physical, emotional and spiritual therapies such as kundalini yoga, Chinese herbs, enzyme therapy, colonics, fasting, and exercise to name a few. After seven months of therapy, Angela is now in a glorious state of health.

My personal and clinical experience with cacao is that it should be used in extreme moderation such as a holiday or special occasion.

The take home message here is to raise awareness about the potential dangers of cacao, not to villainize it. There is no reason to eliminate cacao from your life unless it causes you serious harm. We live in a world of mass marketing consumerism, which often leaves us confused when it comes to making the best decisions for ourselves. A yummy chocolate bar or slice of cake every now and then can be a delightful pleasure, one you can take joy indulging in.

I encourage you dear reader to listen to your body. You are the master in charge.

Click below to listen to The Sami G Show episodes featuring Angela.

Part I - Cacao: Food of the Gods or Not?

Part II - Cacao: The Dark Side

Samantha Gilbert, CHNP
Sami G, Your Guide to Nourishment

7 Healthy Super Bowl Snack Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 23:44:00 +0000

Enjoying the big game need not be a strain on your healthy lifestyle. These options will keep your energy, mood and blood sugar in check, as well as satisfy the full range of eating lifestyles from vegetarian to meat eater. When the game is over, you'll have plenty of energy to clean-up AND play with the kids.

1. Replace processed food dips with homemade nut-based options. The key here is to activate nuts beforehand so they become a nutritious food. Eating raw nuts without soaking or sprouting makes them extremely difficult for the body to digest, which can lead to health challenges. To activate, simply soak raw, organic nuts overnight in salted water, rinse well, then dehydrate or use right away.

Sami's Spinach Dip
2 c. activated almonds
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. unrefined salt such as Himalayan Crystal Salt (or more to taste)
1/4 to 1/2 Jalapeno or Habanero pepper
3 T. Olive Oil
1 c. water (more or less to reach desired consistency)
16 oz. chopped spinach
1 small sweet onion

Process almonds, lemon juice, water, olive oil and salt in high powered blender or food processor. Transfer to large bowl. Chop remaining ingredients and fold in. Best made the night before so ingredients can set in refrigerator.

2. Serve fruit and veggies with homemade nut butters. Nut butters are very expensive and only a handful of companies actually activate their nuts beforehand (yes, these nuts require soaking too). Instead, make your own with activated nuts and high quality ingredients.

Sami's Nut Butter Options
Almond/Rosemary/Date
Walnut/Maple/Cinnamon
Pecan/Carob/Coconut
Pistachio/Fennel/Lemon Zest
Simply add activated nuts and ingredients to your food processor, blend and enjoy. Note that a carrier oil and salt are important here. I use raw coconut oil for sweet butters and olive oil for savory options. A pinch of coconut palm sugar may also help round out flavors.

3. Replace processed chips with seed crackers such as flax or chia. These can be purchased in the raw foods section of your local health food store.

4. Place sprouted seeds such as pumpkin in brightly colored bowls throughout the house for easy access. Go Raw brand makes wonderfully flavored sprouted pumpkin seeds.

5. Get creative with good carb substitutes such as red bell peppers, portabella mushrooms and celery. Stuff them with your favorite pasture raised meats, seafoods, raw cheeses, herbs and spices.

6. Offer dessert options that use unrefined sugars such as coconut palm sugar, date sugar, raw honey, yacon powder or syrup, and maple sugar or syrup. Remember that these are still sugar so use them in moderation.

7. Replace alcohol with raw kombucha (I like GT's brand) and fresh fruit smoothies. So many options abound here so feel free to experiment. You can even mix them together for a super healthy spritzer. I love to serve mine in wine glasses. For the ardent beer fan, organic, unpasteurized beer is a better option.

Samantha Gilbert, CHNP
Sami G, Your Guide to Nourishment

The Bowel, Your Second Brain - Part 2 of a 3 Part Series

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:12:00 +0000

Almost 70 million Americans are victims of digestive disorders, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, Celiac disease, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, candida, as well as various food intolerances. That's more than heart disease and cancer combined. We are constantly hounded to "eat whole grains" in order to get more fiber. With so many people getting on the whole grain bandwagon, why are digestive disorders on the rise?

Despite the medical establishment's misguided fiber theory, it is important to note that fiber plays a key role in the digestion and assimilation of food. What is misleading is the notion that you can just introduce more fiber into your diet for optimum health without taking into consideration rebuilding of the internal environment.

We live in a highly addictive, carbohydrate obsessed society with food giants playing on our vulnerabilities and desires to be thin, beautiful and healthy. Every time I see a Kashi cereal commercial I want to throw my TV out the window. Don't buy into the illusion. Despite claims of "organic" and "natural" these products are far from being good for your body. In truth, they cause a wide variety of health challenges such as the previously mentioned digestive disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis to name only a few.

Grains are very difficult to digest and require careful preparation to remove toxic anti-nutrients. Food giants violate this cardinal rule with their high heat extruded breakfast cereals and lifeless whole wheat breads. Careful preparation is achieved through proper soaking and fermentation in an acidic medium. Even after this process is complete, grains should still be consumed minimally and in a balanced fashion with high quality fat and protein sources. In addition to building healthy gut microflora, your best fiber-based foods are fresh, organic, whole vegetables and fruits (emphasis placed on vegetables). Some seeds such as chia and flax also have a high fiber content. Keep in mind that legumes fall into the very same category as grains in terms of preparation to release toxins.

The next time you are at the grocery store perusing the breakfast cereal aisle, consider for a moment where that box of cereal was prior to being shipped to the store. Catchy design and marketing claims aside, consider that for months it was sitting in a warehouse and before that was created with high heat, chemicals, and solvents to get it into those neat little shapes. Consider that the crunch you love is causing your blood sugar to bomb and disrupting your entire endocrine system. Consider that your favorite box of cereal is making you sick.

Samantha Gilbert, CHNP
Sami G, Your Guide to Nourishment

Sami G's Recipe of the Week - Raw Lasagna

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 03:35:00 +0000

This is a favorite of mine that I tend to really enjoy this time of year. It's very easy to make (with some prep time) and although I love using raw goat cheese, for an entirely plant-based dish, simply substitute it with my raw almond cheese recipe. Do your best to purchase all ingredients fresh and organic.

MARINARA SAUCE:

2-3 cups Sun Dried tomatoes, soaked in water for 2 hours (purchase dried sun dried tomatoes)
8-10 fresh Tomatoes
parsley
onion
garlic
basil
oregano
sea salt
olive oil

Cut up and blend the tomatoes in a blender. You should have approximately 3 cups of pureed tomato. Drain the sun dried tomatoes (save the liquid to thin the sauce later if you need to) and add enough of them to the tomato puree until the mixture is quite thick. Use your intuition with the following: garlic, onion, a little olive oil, parsley, fresh basil, sea salt, oregano. Add any other ingredients you like such as cut up olives.

ALMOND CHEESE:

2 cups organic, raw activated almonds (almonds that have been soaked overnight in salt water and rinsed well)
Juice of 4 lemons
1 cup water (or more to reach desired consistency, it should be thick)
1 T. Himalayan crystal salt

LASAGNA:

5-6 zucchini
3-4 cups thinly sliced portabella mushrooms
6 cups spinach, packed, then coarsely chopped
Thinly sliced raw sharp cheddar goat cheese or almond cheese
Marinara Sauce
Cheesecloth (all cotton for culinary use)
9.5″ X 13″ X 2″ Pan (size just a guideline)

Thinly slice the zucchini with a mandolin or by hand (I love my mandolin and you can get them for cheap). In a separate pan, marinate slices for 1-2 hours in a mixture of olive oil, water and lemon juice (you can do this in the morning for dinner). You will need enough slices to completely cover the bottom of the pan two times.
Place a double layer of cheesecloth in the pan, with at least 6 inches of cheesecloth hanging out on all sides. Remember to do this first, it makes a huge difference.
Pat dry the marinated zucchini slices. Fit closely together enough slices to completely cover the bottom of the pan.
Pour over a small amount of the marinara sauce and spread over the zucchini slices.
Spread out a layer of mushrooms, (use 1/2 the mushrooms)
Spread a thin layer of raw goat cheese or almond cheese over the mushrooms
Evenly place half of the chopped spinach over the cheese and press firmly into place

REPEAT THE STEPS

Zucchini slices
1/2 of the remaining marinara sauce
the remaining mushrooms
the remaining cheese
the remaining spinach pressed in to the cheese
The remaining marinara

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and transfer to your dehydrator set to 115 degrees 2 hours before serving. If you don't have a dehydrator, let it sit in the fridge until 1 hour before serving. Then put in the oven on the LOWEST setting (this is more of a cooked version). This is usually 150 to 170 degrees. Keep in mind that various climates require different heating times. Make sure to watch your lasagna carefully.

SERVING THE LASAGNA

The vegetables will have given off a great deal of liquid. Using the ends of the cheesecloth, carefully lift out the lasagna (you may require help). Drain the lasagna for a few moments then either place it in a new pan or have someone quickly pour off the liquid and dry the pan and put the lasagna back in.

Top with Basil. Slice, Serve, Enjoy!

Sami G's Top 10 for 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:54:00 +0000

Nurture Yourself. We are so used to doing things for others that we forget about the importance of being good to ourselves. For me, to nurture means disconnecting from the world, clearing away mental and emotional blockages, and just being STILL. I promise after a few weeks of this practice you will be sharper and the world will seem more alive to you. This also allows you to connect with spirit in a way that opens up all of your creative resources. Remember, you cannot be fully creative and make good decisions when you are stressed, fearful and full of anxiety. Despite the fact that I was crazy busy this past year, this daily practice helped me immensely.
Listen to Your True Voice. This can be difficult at times because we are so used to treating ourselves like machines and when we treat ourselves like machines, we block the ability of our true voice to speak to us. This is especially important where diet is concerned. How many times a week are we inundated with this or that new diet, supplement, or work-out program that guarantees quick results? The truth is that there is NO SUCH THING AS A UNIVERSAL DIET as we are all genetically and biochemically unique. When we activate our true voice (many of us only hear the critical one), we allow our divine expression to shine through so we instinctively know what we require.
Always Stand in Integrity. This can be difficult because it often means we stand alone, and being alone can be frightening. If you find yourself engaged in relationships (business or personal), situations, and decisions that are less than your highest and best interest, I encourage you to reexamine your life and what you really desire. The truth is that when you are out of integrity, you are not being true to who you really are and why you are on this planet to begin with.
Ditch New Year's Resolutions. The New Year is an obvious time of reflection and life review. Setting goals and cultivating a practice of evolving oneself is very important. What I see with New Year's resolutions is that they hinder our ability to create real change because they activate patterns of self-abuse and self-judgment (I've always been the QUEEN of self-abuse so this one is very personal for me). If you desire to loose weight, set realistic goals that work in alignment with your lifestyle and requirements. This way you can create a REAL PLAN of ACTION.
Take Back Your Power. Many of us give away our power without even realizing it. We often think that because we are spiritual beings, we have to always be loving and kind in a way that compromises who we are. This type of "loving kindness" is a magnet for people with less than desirable intentions. While I firmly believe in love and respect, being a doormat because we are afraid to speak our truth is not a constructive way of taking hold of our power.
Be Resilient. Having a business in a time of economic hardship has taught me much about life. The main lesson is to ALWAYS be resilient. This applies to weight loss, the reversal of chronic disease, and the ending of relationships. I really believe we ask for these experiences before we come into embodiment so we can transmute all the negative crap and help others. And trust me, I know all too well about hardship and being in the darkest depths of despair. The cool thing is that tomorrow is another day and in every moment, we have the gift of choice.
Eat Real Food. This means ditching the processed stuff and supporting your local farmer. Seriously, how are we ever going to get out of the mess we are in by supporting commercialized agriculture?!? Make a commitment to eating at least 50% raw foods that come from mineral rich soil. Just think of all the time and money you will save on $6 lattes, doctor visits, sick days, feeling hopeless and depressed, and having no energy. Get informed, get real and get raw.
Honor Your Body. I don't care if you are Gisele Bundchen. We all have things about our bodies that we'd like to change. The key here is to honor it rather than obsess over it. Did it ever occur to you the immense power this type of thinking has in your life? Stand in front of a mirror in your birthday suit and love on yourself. Then thank God that you have this wonderful, amazing, fascinating physical structure.
Find Your Passion. What do you love? In other words, what stops time for you? For me, helping others with their nutritional needs has been the most fulfilling, inspiring, important thing I've ever done. I often look up after a long day to notice it is 1am and I should really get my beauty sleep. This is passion. This is doing what you came here to do.
Be Full of Yourself. I love what Oprah said on a recent show "be so full of yourself that your cup runneth over." In other words, KNOW AND OWN YOUR GREATNESS even if it scares other people or causes relationships to crumble. You know who you are and what you have to offer. So what are you waiting for? Pick yourself up, get out there and bring it!

Samantha Gilbert, CHNP
Sami G, Your Guide to Nourishment

Sami G's Recipe of the Week - Coconut Eggnog

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 04:52:00 +0000

My oh my is it really that time of year again? Makes me want to snuggle up in front of my fireplace with the perfect glass of eggnog.

For this recipe, I use high quality Superfoods and choose to skip the alcohol and replace it with Guarana for a nice kick with the addition of Maca and Lucuma Powders. The wonderful thing about high quality fats like coconut is that they naturally lower the glycemic index when paired with sugars. For the same reason, I also really love coconut palm sugar as a natural sweetener for its caramel-like complexity. Keep in mind that it is still a sugar and should be used very moderately, so I only use it for special occasions. I find ground vanilla beans to be a better option over vanilla extract because many have a grain alcohol base that leaves an unpleasant aftertaste.

Cheers to you and your family this Holiday Season!

Sami G's Coconut Eggnog
8 pastured, raw, organic egg yolks (check out your local farmer's market)

4 cups coconut cream or milk (I like Let's Do Organic Coconut Cream)

6 T. coconut palm sugar (or more to taste)
2 tsp. ground vanilla beans

1 T. maca

2 tsp. lucuma powder

1 tsp. guarana powder

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

In a large saucepan add coconut cream and coconut palm sugar over LOW HEAT.

In your blender on low blend the egg yolks with the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, maca, lucuma and guarana.

Pour approximately half the egg mixture in with your coconut mixture.

Continuously stir over LOW HEAT.
Add remaining egg mixture to saucepan.

Continue stirring until the eggnog thickens slightly (enough to be able to coat the back of a spoon).

Pour the eggnog into a large glass bowl or pitcher.

Allow the eggnog to sit and cool until it reaches room temperature.

Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Prior to serving, sprinkle with nutmeg.

Enjoy!

*Please note that coconut palm sugar is very coarse compared to superfine refined white sugar.

Emotional Triggers - How Your Personal Story Effects Your Health

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 00:57:00 +0000

Did you know that your personal story that comes from the root of your existence (soul) has a direct impact on your state of health and well being? And in particular, your propensity to gain weight?

As a child, I struggled with massive amounts of self-judgment, guilt, shame and self-criticism. When I got older, these negative energies presented themselves as excess weight and my coping mechanism for dealing with these negative energies was food. Because most of us are unable to see these energies and how they effect us, often times we become lost and confused about what to do.

Because our personal story is unique to each and every one of us, it stands to reason that our nutritional plan would be as well. How many times a day are we inundated with the latest diet trend or magic pill that promises to detox and quickly melt away fat? Why is it that some people have success with certain lifestyle changes and others do not (example vegetarians vs. meat eaters)? Because like our soul, we are all biochemically and genetically unique with each person requiring different nutritional components to thrive. There is no such thing as a universal diet just like no one person has the same story.

Our story is the conversion of our essence (soul) into consciousness. When a health challenge presents itself to us, it is our soul's way of telling us what requires healing. Obtaining a thorough nutritional assessment that is custom tailored to your specific requirements is the best way to begin your healing journey on the cellular level. On the soul level, incorporating a practice of clearing, which is an effective way to directly remove and affect negative emotions, we can eliminate all that stands in our way to our fullest and highest potential.

Are you ready to start creating your own powerful story?

Samantha Gilbert, CHNP
Sami G, Your Guide to Nourishment

Emotional Triggers - How To Avoid Thanksgiving Overeating

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 23:45:00 +0000

THE SAMI G SHOW - THE REAL REASON WE PACK ON THE POUNDS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Think it's the mashed potatoes and gravy, holiday parties and desserts galore that cause weight gain during the holidays? Think again!

The truth is that negative energies connected to our emotions can unconsciously cause us to overeat without our even realizing what we are doing. In this fascinating episode, we uncover how family stress causes us to overeat and gorge ourselves, because who better to bring up our emotional triggers than our family?

Can you relate to the following scenarios?

Your mother says, "oh, I see you cut your hair" in a disapproving way.
Your brother looks at you, pats you on the belly, and says "too much beer?"
A cousin comes over and says "my daughter just got accepted into this gifted program, how is your daughter doing?"

Then, without even realizing it, we've already make three trips to the hors d'oeuvre table in an effort to cope with these negative feelings. Our negative energies are not because of the gathering, but because of these comments that are whimsically thrown about and are often harsh and harmful. Sometimes even if those comments aren’t said, we expect them, so we respond as if the comments were said because we have been trained to respond in this manner.

The real reason for holiday weight gain stems from a lack of nutrient dense foods and negative family emotions that cause us to overeat. When we eat nutrient deficient foods while we are stressed and anxious, we are not able to digest our food in an efficient way so we store the extra food on our bodies as fat, instead of passing it through.

In this episode, we demonstrate how we can eliminate these negative energies with the UTUE clearing process.

Don't sit down to T-Day dinner without listening to this fascinating show! Click here to listen.

Samantha Gilbert, CHNP
Sami G, Your Guide to Nourishment

Why do we use the same energy to loose weight that we use to gain it?

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Gilbert) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:19:00 +0000

Does this client statement sound familiar to you?

"The coach is in my face, screaming push it! drive it through, give me one more (rep). When I was in high school sports and then in the Army, this happened often as we did physical training and tried to be the best. Like everyone else I just assumed this was the way to maximum performance. The way to coach others in anything was to push them, drive them, and say more, more, better, better. Don’t stop, keep going! Right???"

Regardless of what we've been taught, driving people in this way does NOT work. Why? Because it activates our critical voice that tells us, “we have failed, we’re not good enough.”

So what does this have to do with eating compulsively?

Traditional motivational techniques of willpower, self discipline, self control and competition often make us feel negative emotions like guilt, shame, hurt and anger. At the same time, we may be suppressing these negative emotions, and therefore not aware of them. The minute we let down our guard of self control, we have the need to eat compulsively, which comes from the buildup of these negative emotions. No wonder there is so much yo-yo weight gain and loss.

Willpower and self control are not sustainable or organic to the way we are designed, especially regarding eating. We’re designed to eat to sustain life and fuel our everyday activity. When we overindulge in eating, or overeat, the simple act of ‘eating’ becomes a coping mechanism to overcome too much negative emotion or emotional pollution.
So, if you find that you do use self control, willpower and competition when dieting, consider that there may be a price you are paying that you aren’t even aware of.

Samantha Gilbert, CHNP
Sami G, Your Guide to Nourishment

Source: Jason Rohn, UTUE