Whole grain, gluten-free, yeast-free and delicious Purity Bread

Finding a loaf of gluten-free bread that is moist and delicious is very difficult! Even more so, finding gluten-free bread that is also yeast-free, soy-free and egg-free has proven to be a nightmare until the birth of Purity Bread from Julian’s Bakery! Oh my goodness, after living years without eating sandwiches, now there’s hope.

photo source: http://www.julianbakery.com

Many may not believe that this bread would taste good because not only is it gluten-free, but also it is dairy, egg, soy and yeast free and that’s not even the kicker! This bread does not contain any artificial preservatives and it is healthy. In fact, it is great for people with challenge with diabetes because it is low in carbohydrates and high in fiber and protein! One slice (about ¼-inch thick) is only 68 calories and 10g of carbohydrates of which 8g comes from fiber! So for those on the “low carb” diet, that’s only net 2 carbs!

The ingredients are simple and include the following: buckwheat, millet, brown rice, teff, flaxseeds, (sprouted beans of navy, black, red, pinto, baby limas, large limas, garbanzo, great northern, kidney, black-eyed peas, yellow & green split peas and lentils), onion, guar gum and sea salt. According to the bakery, this bread is prepared in a non-gluten environment!!

This bread is savory, which makes it perfect for sandwiches. The onion flavor definitely comes through in this bread, but even when paired with a fruit spread, it’s still a delicious treat for morning breakfast! There are a few tricks to keep in mind before eating this bread and they are as follows:

• Remove the bread from its original packaging and discard; gently remove any ice on the bread. (Typically when purchasing from the grocery store it will be frozen.)
• Wrap bread in clean plastic wrap and place in a plastic storage bag; keep refrigerated. The bread will stay fresh up to 10 to 12 days when refrigerated.
• Slice bread into ¼-inch slices before eating. For best results, lightly toast or bake bread slices before preparing a sandwich. Due to the high moisture content of the bread if you do not toast the bread prior to assembling the sandwich, then your bread may be a little soggy especially if using tomatoes or spreads.

Unfortunately, sometimes it is hard to find this specific brand of Julian’s bread, but when in stock, you can find Purity Bread at Healthy Habit Health Food Store in Phoenix (Bethany Home Road and 7th Street).   If you do not live near this area, you can also purchase this bread online or by phone; it’s just that easy! They offer specials all of the time.  Just so you won’t be caught off guard, this bread retails for $9.99 in store, but $6.99 online (not including shipping)–yes, it’s pricey, but it’s worth it!  In fact, currently the bakery is offering $5 off to first time customers with the following promo code 1776 when purchased on the website  www.julianbakery.com.

For more information about Purity Bread:
Julian Bakery
5621 La Jolla Blvd
La Jolla, CA 92037
1-800-98-BREAD

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My Neti experience

This topic is definitely not for the squeamish!  For months, I have heard about the Neti pot and how it changed people’s lives so much that they don’t catch colds.   Unfortunately this was very hard for me to grasp.  Why do you ask?  Well, first let’s start with the fact that I did not really understand what a Neti was, so out of ignorance I decided not to try it.

Neti pot

So, what the heck is a  Neti?  According Ancient Secrets, Neti is the practice of nasal irrigation that has been used by practitioners of Yoga and Ayurveda in India for hundreds of years.   Nasal irrigation is the process by which excess mucous, dirt and other irritants are flushed out of the nose and sinus with water and a saline solution.  In order to flush out this mucous, a Neti pot can be used.

What made me reconsider trying the Neti process, besides everyone singing praises, was the fact that I had a  lot of mucous (oftentimes bloody) that appeared every time I blew my nose or sneezed.  Also, I developed a cough, which occurred from the excess mucous that  had drained to the back of my throat.  So, after following videos and reading the instructions on the Neti pot box, I decided I was ready to give the Neti a try!  At first glance, the Neti looked like a tea pot with an extra long spout, but of course it was different.  The first time I tried it, I felt like I was going to choke; it almost felt like I as going to drown!  The instructions stated to breathe through the mouth, but when I did that, I would somehow swallow also!  I think it was because I was not relaxed.  The second day I tried the Neti and it worked great!!  How could I tell?  Well, let’s just say, I had a lot of mucous!    After clearing my nasal cavity, I felt the difference, I could take several deep breaths for starters.  Also, my coughing was reduced tremendously!!

After reading about how the nasal cavity works and understanding the upper respiratory system, I am now a believer!  The Neti pot is a must have for every family.  We need to add nasal irrigation to the same schedule as brushing our teeth–it’s preventative maintenance.  My Neti pot is made by Ancient Secrets and cost me about $13–because I was at a pricey store (but you can find them for a little less than $13).  Also, there are other ways that you can achieve nasal irrigation without using a Neti pot, check out the video below for some other options.

For more information on Neti pots, nasal cavity, etc., here are some helpful links:

• Nasal Saline Irrigation and Neti pots
• Understanding the nasal cavity
• Nasal irrigation informational video (click on picture below)

Is BMI the right calculator for your weight?

Even though the BMI (Body Mass Index) chart is starting to take center stage these days with the current American obesity epidemic, this chart is not new and has been around for centuries.  In fact, the BMI was developed in the late 1800’s by a mathematician, Aldophe Quetelet; who originally named BMI the Quetelet index.   Without giving a mathematics lesson, the BMI, simply stated is a function of weight and height.  Many times in the past friends and family have said, you’re not overweight you look good; that BMI calculator is not for “us”.  So for years, I ignored the BMI (Body Mass Index) until a couple of years ago when I started studying to become certified to Provide Dietary Guidance.  The more I studied the chart, I learned that there were a few missing things not compensated in the BMI calculation, such as bone mass, sex, age, ethnicity or even body fatness, so I guess that’s why my family was against it.  Instead BMI only includes weight (both fat and muscle) and height.  However, despite what many people feel, studies have shown over the years that there is definitely a correlation between the BMI number and body fatness, which makes it important to consider. What do you think?

Throughout the years, there has been controversy by physicians and other health care providers who question whether or not this number is a good indicator.  But even with this controversy, majority of the health care professionals, feel that this number is a good indicator when determining a person’s body weight status.  The following indicates the body weight categories for a specific BMI.^*

Category	Adults (BMI) kg/m2
Underweight	less than 18.5
Normal	18.5 – 24.9
Overweight	25 – 29.9
Obese	greater than 30

^*BMI Chart (2010 US Dietary Guidelines)

The traditional way of calculating one’s BMI is to use the BMI chart.  However,  calculating one’s BMI has gotten easier. There are a number of calculators available on the internet through sites like the Center for Disease Control, as well as available on mobile applications such as the “BMI Calculator” app available for the iPhone.

So, don’t ignore BMI,  use it as one more tool in your healthy living tool box!  Determine what your BMI status is and make adjustments if needed.  But remember, only you and your health care provider can determine what’s best for you!

To learn more about BMI and specific details about the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, download this full report.