Brenda's Blog

Spiced Sweet Potatoes…..

4 medium sweet potatoes or yams; diced
place on greased cookie sheet
brush on olive oil (or spray)
brush on honey
sprinkle with cinnamon
sprinkle with salt and pepper
Bake 20 minutes on 325
Turn and bake 20 minutes on flip side

Enjoy!

Concern over gluten intolerance is increasing in direct proportion to the growing promotion of whole grains. As a result, people are often confused regarding the role grains should play in a healthy diet.

We are often bombarded by hype in advertising about cereals and breads containing whole grains. The net result is that along the way, the true story of grains – both good and bad – gets lost in a barage of sensationalized hype.

While the Hallelujah Diet includes limited use of grains, is a gluten-free diet beneficial or even necessary? And if there are benefits to including whole grains, what are the options for people who are gluten intolerant?…….Health News, 2011

In a final analysis of our clients at A Health Connection LLC, we have learned that most people who believe they are gluten intolerant find out that they are not. After looking at the results of an individualized nutritional analysis and making food suggestions based on that person, the client discovers he/she can eat whole grains and a wide variety of other wheat products without difficulty. In fact, they find out that their G.I. tract (gastrointestional tract) becomes balanced and functions properly. This is due, in many cases, to simply getting the proper digestive enzymes that are needed for proper digestion and distribution in the system so that nutrients get into the cell where they are needed to ‘nourish’ the body and produce energy instead of fat. Many times these enzymes lie dormant due to preservatives in the diet as well as medications a person may be taking. Once the G. I. tract becomes balanced and functioning properly, the gluten issue becomes a non issue.

We make our whole grain products by milling the wheat berry ourselves with all the natural nutrients and fiber intact. Then we bake them immediately resulting in a very highly nutritious as well as most delicious product. Some of our varieties include whole wheat bread, cinnamon raisin, apple crumb, banana chocolate muffins, and our famous cinnamon rolls to name a few……Brenda Ihle RN, A Health Connection LLC

With the winter months just ahead of us, how do we know if we are getting enough Vitamin D?

For light-skinned people, 15 to 30 minutes of mid-day sun exposure five or six times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen during the summer months is usually sufficient to provide adequate Vitamin D. Dark-skinned people require up to six times that amount of exposure to arrive at the same level of vitamin D as fair-skinned people. So, during the winter when this may not be possible, it is a good idea to use daily supplementation of Vitamin D from a good source of D3 (cholecalciferol) of 2,000 to 5,000 IU’s. A whole food source is best………Hallelujah Acres Health News…..

A Health Connection LLC….offers a wonderful, natural whole food source of this supplement at a very reasonable price.

Our wonderful bread and muffin products made from the freshly-milled wheat and spelt berries are also very healthy as well as delicious all year round. Visit our website at www.ahealthconnection.com and see for yourself…..Brenda Ihle, RN, A Health Connection LLC……

Salmon….taking fish oil supplements for at least 10 years can shrink your rislk of ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer, according to a study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. It’s thought that the omega-3 fats in fish oil reduce inflammation, which may contribute to breast cancer.

Olive Oil….Another reason to reach for extra-virgin olive oil; when researchers in Barcelona gave rats with breast cancer a diet in which fat came predominantly from extra-virgin olive oil, they found that the olive oil’s antioxidants and oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat), quelled growth of malignant cells.

Parsley….University of Missouri scientists found that this herb can actually inhibit cancer-cell growth. Animals that were given apigenin, a compound abundant in parsley (and celery), boosted their resistance to developing cancerous tumors. A couple pinches of fresh parsley in your dishes daily is recommended.

Coffee….Drinking about two 12 ounce coffees a day may lower your risk an of aggressive form of breast cancer, says a 2011 study in Breast Cancer Research. One possibility is that antioxidants in coffee protect cells from damage.

Broccoli….Sulforaphane-a compund in broccoli-reduced the number of breast cancer stem cells (which cause cancer spread and recurrence) in mice, according to research from the University of Michigan. Since boiling destroys some sulforaphane, it is recommended to eat broccoli raw, briefly steamed or stir-fried.

A Health Connection makes products with anti-cancer agents as well because of the ‘real nutrition’ in the freshly-milled wheat berry. Our line of supplements also have many anti-cancer agents

Here’s a wonderful delicious and healthy recipe to start out this fall.

Smoky Maple-Mustard Salmon

3 TBS Dijon Mustard
1 TBS Pure Maple Syrup
1/4 tsp Paprika
1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Pepper
1/8 tsp Salt (preferably Sea Salt)
4 4 ounce Skinless Wild-Caught Salmon Fillets

Preheat oven to 450. Spray baking sheet with Olive Oil Cooking Spray

Combine Mustard, Maple Syrup, Paprika, Pepper, and Salt in a small bowl. Place Salmon Fillets on a prepared baking sheet. Spread the mustard mixture evenly on the Salmon. Roast until just cooked through; 8-12 minutes.

Per Serving: 148 calories, 4 grams fat, 53 mg. cholesterol, 4 grams carbohydrate, 3 gram sugars, 23 grams protein, 276 mg sodium, 434 mg. potassium, Omega 3′s

A Health Connection LLC creates wonderful and healthy breads and muffins to serve with such recipes as well as breakfast menus.

Also, our upcoming Lifestyle Management Classes beginning September 28th and our Nutrition Class on October 22nd offers suggestions and solutions to keep you healthy, energetic, and trim……Brenda Ihle, RN…A Health Connection LLC

Did you know that skin issues such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and rashes can be the result of a nutritional imbalance? Once the problem is addressed with whole food and supplements, in most cases, the issue is resolved.

Sometimes the skin issue can be the result of an allergic reaction to medication or coming into direct contact with something in the environment as well.

Whole food probiotics and natural vitamin E are very beneficial for healthy skin. Of course, whole foods are also very important.

A Health Connection offers assessments that many times reveal the underlying cause of the skin problem. Then we offer whole food and whole food supplemtation suggestions along with consistency that resolve the problem……Brenda Ihle, RN

Have you ever been on a diet or weight reduction plan, it worked, then six months later, you found yourself back where you started from?

Could it be because the plan/plans you tried were not for you? Could it be that weight loss and maintenance need to be very specific to the individual?

Here at A Health Connection LLC we think so. As a result, we have put together a plan that is so special to each person, it makes it easier than anything else you may have already tried.

Our Lifestyle Management program is quite unique as it begins with a nutritional assessment and consultation, then combines a detoxification process, which re-starts your metabolism, then combines eating for your blood type while incorporating the glycemic index. There are also coaching sessions which helps get you and keep you on tract.

Join us for great fun as we begin a new group on Wednesday, July 6th for four consecutive Wednesdays ending July 27th.

Check out our website at www.ahealthconnection.com and click on ‘lifestyle management program’ for details.

Call 513 515-0710 or email at ahealthconnection@gmail.com for registration details.

Brenda Ihle RN
A Health Connection LLC

Our Lifestyle Management Program is fun and exciting as you create a new you. The group settings are also very supportive.

So you misplaced your car keys. Again. A lack of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, both brain-boosting nutrients, could be to blame. “Omega-3s are loaded with DHA, a type of fatty acid that helps promote well-functioning synapses,” says Joseph Quinn, MD, associate professor of neurology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. What does this mean? It keeps neurons in your brain firing more effectively. A lack of B12, meanwhile, has been linked with confusion, numbness, and fatigue. Up to 15 percent of Americans could be low on B12, according to the NIH, in part because some people may have trouble absorbing the nutrient. Get you brain back on track by chowing down on fatty, omega-3 rich fish like mackerel, trout, herring, tuna, salmon….Health Magazine.

Not a fan of fish? Don’t worry, we offer natural supplements that will meet your daily omega-3 requirements. To get more B12 try A Health Connections breads made from freshly milled wheat berry. Our products not only promote healthy brain functioning but also a healthier GI tract, heart, and can balance blood sugars….Brenda Ihle, RN

Do you know that certain foods are more beneficial to your health than others according to your blood type? There are others that can make your body toxic. Some have also been proven to fight cancer. Richard Belivearu, PhD, says, “All the studies on cancer and nutrition point to eating plant-based foods for their phytonutrients and other special compounds”. Aim for five to nine daily servings of all kinds of fruits and vegetables but especially ones that will compliment your blood type and can fight cancer as well.

When choosing vegetables a good choice for Type O is Broccoli, while Type A may benefit more from Spinach. Type B should try adding more carrots into their diet, and AB should go for Cauliflower. Broccoli in particular contains a sizable amount of sulforaphane, a particularly potent compound that boosts the body’s protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals. It may help combat cancers such as breast, liver, lung, prostate, skin, stomach, and bladder.

Choose nuts and seeds according to your blood type. Type O’s should choose walnuts, and peanuts are better for Type A. Type B’s look for almonds and AB chestnuts. The phytoterols (cholesterol-like molecules) in walnuts have been shown to block estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, possibly slowing the cells growth.

When choosing fruits based on blood type look for blueberries for Type O, blackberries for Type A, bananas for B, and cherries AB. Berries in particular are packed with cancer-fighting phytonutrients. Blackberries contain very high concentrations of phytochemicals called anthocyanins, which slow down the growth of premalignant cells and keep new blood vessels from forming. They may help fight colon, esophageal, oral and skin cancers.

These grains may be beneficial to your overall health based on your blood type. Type O and B look for Spelt. Type A should make a choice for wheat and Type AB for rye.

Garlic may not do your breath any favors, but the protections it offers against digestive cancers just might be worth the smell. Phytochemicals in garlic have been found to halt the formation of nitrosamines, carcinogens formed in the stomach…..Health Magazine

A Health Connection offers our clientele a unique lifestyle weight management program based on thier individuality and their blood type. As a result they are able to maintain normal body weight and a state of good health. This program is not restrictive, cleanses the system, and leaves a satisfied client….Brenda Ihle, RN

Eat To Beat Illness Dr. David Katz, MD, director of the Yale Prevention of Disease Research Center says: “Diet is the fuel that runs the complex human machine and all of its parts, including the immune system. Essential power players are high quality proteins and brightly colored fruits and veggies, which provide immune-boosting antioxidants; and omega-3 fatty acids.

Keep Your Body Moving Dr. Fryhofer states that exercise can keep you from getting sick by stimulating your immune cells that target cold infections. A university of South Carolina study found that people who walked or did other moderate activity for thirty minutes most days averaged one cold per year.

Hydrate Inside and Out Lower humidity and temperatures help the flu virus spread, which may explain why flu outbreaks peak in winter. Humidity kills the virus, so keep air at home warm and moist. When in a dry environment, such as an airplane cabin, use saline nasal spray to moisten the membranes in your nose. “When nasal passages are hydrated, the cilia, hair-like structures lining the nose, do a better job of keeping bacteria and viruses out,” Dr. Fryhofer says. Drink plenty of water too. Your body needs H2O to execute many immune functions.

Befriend Bacteria The good kind! Probiotics are friendly microbes that may strengthen the immune system by crowding out bad germs that make you sick. A German study found that healthy men and women who took probiotics daily for three months shortened bouts of the common cold by almost two days and reported reduced severity of symptoms……Health Magazine

A Health Connection has many whole food supplements that will boost your immune system and assist you in remaining healthy throughout the winter months. Check us out at www.ahealthconnection.com or find us on Facebook. A Health Connection: The nutritialicious source! The perfect combination of good taste and good health!