Tag: food

The Importance of Stomach Acid

Posted on by abigailseaver

Hello Everyone,
I wanted to discuss something that we take for granted but is incredibly important to our health:  Stomach acid.  The stomach lining secretes a fluid that is between a pH of 1 and 3 (highly acidic).  This acid, often called hydrochloric acid, breaks down the proteins that make up food and inhibits microorganisms, thereby preventing infection.  Some of us don’t make enough hydrochloric acid, which can really interrupt proper digestive function.  Signs that you might not be making enough stomach acid include: 
Abdominal Pain 
Bloating 
Gas 
Diarrhea 
Constipation 
Undigested Food in Stool 
Reflux 
Heartburn 

Believe it or not, in many cases acid reflux or heartburn is not caused by an excess production of stomach acid but rather the opposite.  See me to explore this further. 

What would cause stomach acid production to be low? 
Age over 65 
Stress 
Vitamin Deficiency 
Use of Acid Blocking Medications 
H. Pylori Infection 
Stomach Surgery 
Smoking 
Drinking Alcohol 

Stay tuned to my next newsletter where I discuss a simple solution to this problem and follow me on Instagram at abigailseavernd for more health tips and fun photos!

Cherry Chia Bites

Posted on by abigailseaver
Easy no-bake granola bars to take on your next adventure!
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/4 dark chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup raw pepitas
1/4 cup dried tart cherries
1 cup peanut butter or other nut butter
1/2 cup or slightly less honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl.  Press mixture into 8×8 pan, cover and chill in refrigerator for 2 hrs.  Cut into squares.  Store in refrigerator to keep firm.

Lemon Poppyseed Mini Muffins

Posted on by abigailseaver
Grain and dairy free, easy and delicious!
From elanaspantry.com, a great website for grain-free recipes
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3 eggs
1/4 cup honey or agave nectar
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1 Tbsp. lemon zest
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1.  Combine coconut flour, salt, baking soda in medium bowl
2.  Blend eggs, honey, oil and lemon zest in large bowl
3.  Blend dry ingredients into wet ingredients
4.  Fold in poppy seeds
5.  Spoon 1 Tbsp. into each greased mini muffin cup
6.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes
7.  Cool and serve

It’s Time for A Spring Cleanse!

Posted on by abigailseaver

Would you like to reduce allergy symptoms, fit into your summer clothes, improve your energy and sleep? It could be time for a spring cleanse! I have put together a package which includes a 30 minute office visit, an anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar balancing and cleansing diet along with a custom-blended liver cleansing tea from Shining Mountain Herbs. In the visit I will review my diet, supplement and exercise recommendations for the two week cleanse, which will be modified to suit your needs.

Call my office if you have questions or to schedule an appointment to get started!

Green Drink

Posted on by abigailseaver
A delicious smoothie to use autumn apples and kale, adapted from “Eating Well Magazine”.  My two year old loves it!
1 apple or pear, cored and sliced
2 bananas
4 cups chopped kale leaves, stems removed
1 tablespoon ground flax seed
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup cold water
12 ice cubes

 

Blend in a blender or food processor until smooth and drink!

Bitter Herbal Tonics

Posted on by abigailseaver

Bitter Herbal Tonics

In addition to the foods discussed above I also recommend an herbal formula containing bitter herbs to stimulate the digestive tract. Bitter plants stimulate the entire digestive tract to secrete digestive juices and are best taken prior to a meal but can also be used as an antidote to a large and heavy meal. These formulas are very effective at treating gas and bloating and can be used interchangeably with an encapsulated digestive enzyme supplement with the added benefit of stimulating the production of amylase, an enzyme found in our saliva which starts breaking down starches as soon as we chew our food.
I like our local Shining Mountain Herbs “Rocky Mountain Herbal Bitters” product which combines locally wildcrafted and organically grown herbs such as Aspen bark, Angelica root and Gentian root in a tasty formula. I usually recommend between 30 drops to one teaspoon up to three times daily before meals. This type of formula is contraindicated in acute gallbladder inflammation, intestinal blockage, for young children and in pregnancy.

Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese

Posted on by abigailseaver

Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese

6-8 servings

1/2 cup walnut halves
2 tsp. olive oil
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
6 medium beets, trimmed and washed
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onions

6 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. sugar
fresh ground black pepper

1/2 lb. fresh spinach leaves, de-stemmed and washed
3 oz. fresh goat cheese, crumbled

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F
2. Combine walnuts with olive oil, salt and pepper, mixing well to coat the nuts
3. Spread on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 7-10 minutes
4. Set aside to cool
5. Wrap beets in foil and place on rimmed baking sheet
6. Bake at 350 degrees until tender, about 1 1/2 hours
7. Let cool for 20 minutes, then peel beets by holding them under cold running water and rubbing off the skins
8. Cut into 1/2 inch wedges and place in a large mixing bowl with walnuts and onion
9. Combine all the dressing ingredients, taste and adjust seasoning
10. Pour over the beets and dress well
11. Let sit at room temperature at least an hour
12. Just before serving, arrange spinach leaves in individual bowls or on a large platter
13. Arrange beets on top and crumble goat cheese over

Gentle Cleansing Foods

Posted on by abigailseaver

Gentle Cleansing Foods

Many of us heartily enjoyed the abundance of rich food and drink available around the holidays and are ready to give our digestive and detoxification systems a little break in January. I recommend gentle cleansing foods and herbs at this time of year that stimulate digestion, absorption and elimination without depleting the vital heat we need to stay warm in winter.

Fresh lemon squeezed in a large glass of room temperature or warm water and sipped before meals stimulates hydrochloric acid production in the stomach and the release of bile from the liver, both of which help to break down and digest food.

Beets are a wonderful root vegetable that have both a nourishing, sustaining quality and a cleansing quality. Beets thin the bile made by the liver and stimulate its release while also providing a very gentle laxative effect. They are rich in the minerals magnesium, potassium and iron and provide a good source of fiber.

Dark leafy greens, particularly the bitter greens such as kale are also capable of stimulating the digestive tract to produce enzymes that break down food, including starch, protein and fat. They are rich in minerals and folic acid and provide much needed color and balance on a winter plate of brown and white foods.

Astragalus

Posted on by abigailseaver

Speaking of roots, another root that I am quite fond of at this time of year is Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese herb that acts as an adaptogen to protect the body from stress, and protects and supports the immune system to prevent colds and upper respiratory infections.  It can be taken daily as a preventative and is safe for children.  It is available in my office as a liquid tincture or capsule.  If you have a medical condition or are taking any medications, please ask your doctor before adding this herb to your regimen.

Foods for Autumn and Winter

Posted on by abigailseaver

With the onset of winter comes the need to make some changes to our diets to stay healthy.  From an Oriental perspective, the cold weather requires that we use greater amounts of energy to stay warm and therefore we have less energy to break down and digest our food.  With decreased “digestive fire”, it is more difficult to process raw vegetables and cold foods.  Get out your cookbooks and look at the recipes for soups, stews and other warm, cooked foods.  Root vegetables are particularly good at helping your body hold onto energy and warmth rather than dispersing it and allowing you to become chilled.

Kale Potato Soup

(Laurel’s Kitchen Cookbook)
This is a very simple yet satisfying soup!
1 large onion
1 Tbsp. butter
1 clove garlic
2 large potatoes
1 large bunch kale
5 cups hot water or stock
1/2 tsp. salt, to taste
Black pepper
Saute onion in butter, cooking until clear and slightly golden.  About halfway, add the garlic, crush garlic with a fork.  Add potatoes and 2 cups water.  Simmer, covered, until potatoes start to soften.  Wash the kale, remove stems and chop, then steam.  Do not cook with the potatoes as the flavor is too strong.  When potatoes are well done, puree half of them with remaining water or stock and salt and pepper.  Combine all and heat gently.  Makes 6 cups.

Kale Potato Soup(Laurel’s Kitchen Cookbook)This is a very simple yet satisfying soup! 1 large onion1 Tbsp. butter1 clove garlic2 large potatoes1 large bunch kale5 cups hot water or stock1/2 tsp. salt, to tasteBlack pepper
Saute onion in butter, cooking until clear and slightly golden.  About halfway, add the garlic, crush garlic with a fork.  Add potatoes and 2 cups water.  Simmer, covered, until potatoes start to soften.  Wash the kale, remove stems and chop, then steam.  Do not cook with the potatoes as the flavor is too strong.  When potatoes are well done, puree half of them with remaining water or stock and salt and pepper.  Combine all and heat gently.  Makes 6 cups.