4 Roots of Optimum Wellness

There are four essential parts to being healthy: Diet, Exercise, Sleep & Attitude.

Vitae Elixxir Healing Herbs

A proprietary combination of ten disease-fighting herbs used for more than 40 years and helping thousands of people with serious health issues.

Books by Author & Health Coach Chris Pedersen

In a world of adventure and imagination, kids’ books in print and digital that encourage a healthy lifestyle.

6 Tips to Lose Weight

Don’t count calories—take a serious look at the food you want to eat, then ask, ”Is this something that will give my body good health?”

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Springtime Headache?


So you don’t have the classic allergy symptoms—itchy eyes, runny nose. But you have a headache you just can’t shake. Stays with you and keeps you awake at night.

Well, you may be having an allergic reaction to the pollens. Not having a full-blown histamine reaction, but still your body is reacting to the seasonal pollens.

That's me since last week.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Sprouted Bean Trio Salad Recipe


I celebrated my birthday this past weekend. It was wonderful! My actual birthday was on Wednesday, but I draw on the rule that says women get to celebrate for a week.

We had 35 beautiful friends over and served up a yummy taco bar put together by our dear friend Carrie Nave Manson, caterer extraordinaire. She and her husband Bill are owners of the beautiful Cielo Estate Winery and event location in Shingle Springs. Cielo means heaven in Italian.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Controlling Allergies Naturally

North Tabletop Mountain, Butte County, CA
"Achoo!" "God Bless You!"
Tired of the assault on your body when springtime hits? Many people run for the Claritin or something similar to relieve their allergy symptoms this time of the year. But those medications come with side effects. I remember once taking an anti-histamine to relieve a runny nose. The result: it felt like my nose had been rooter-rootered and the Sahara Desert had moved in. It was a very uncomfortable feeling.

I married a guy who was highly allergic to everything... and I mean everything. Grasses, molds, dander, dust, pollens, etc. Got him out of mowing plenty of lawns. Some years ago I discovered grape seed extract or OPC (Oligomeric ProanthoCyanidin). Although you find most OPC extracted from grape seeds, the compound can also be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as pine bark and green tea.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Beet & Goat Cheese Arugula Salad Recipe

The warmer weather has finally arrived. Even though we eat salads as a main course all winter, everyone likes salads when the weather is warm. My friend Joanne (a life-long health advocate like myself) recently turned me on to this delicious salad.

I love beets, but boiling and peeling them is a messy matter. This recipe skips the messy and bakes them instead. Use a peeler to remove the outer skin of the beets and cut them into quarters.

Friday, April 15, 2011

My Cancer-Fighting Arsenal, Part 2

Last month I posted a blog on Vitae Elixxir, the herbal extract I take as part of my cancer-fighting arsenal. Another cancer-fighting supplement I take every day is B17.

History
This vitamin has a very colored and even tragic history. In the 1960's Dr. John Richardson, MD treated cancer with B17 and enzyme therapy (more about enzymes in a future post). He was a pioneer in the alternative treatment of cancer. Dr. Richardson's work revealed that cancer was arrested, slowed, and prevented by the cyanide-containing B17.

Dr. Richardson wrote in 1977:
"Instead of patients spending their final days or years butchered in surgical theaters or micro-waved in chemotherapy and radiation rooms, I have witnessed my patients experiencing an improved quality of life and enjoyment in their remaining time."

Monday, April 11, 2011

Blueberry Pie Recipe

No one will ever know this blueberry pie is healthy, never saw the inside of an oven and contains no sugar. It's delicious! You might even be tempted to eat it for breakfast. Go right ahead! You'll love how easy it is to make. Once the blueberries are thawed and the almonds are soaked, you can have this dessert ready to pop in the fridge in 20 minutes! File this recipe as sugar-free, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Exercise! You've Got to Move It, Move It!

Heritage Oak 1/2 mile into my 3-mile run
The Poppy Trail
Exercise is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. I'm calling it one of the roots of health, along with diet, sleep and attitude. Exercise contributes to being and staying healthy. So what motivates you to get out and exercise? For me, its knowing I feel so much better when I exercise.
My main source of exercise is running. I really don't like running, but I know its a quick way to get exercise with the most benefit. I love running on the beautiful Poppy Trail close to my home. And then there's Brandy... she can never get enough exercise. She gives me the look if I don't take her out for a run.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

Butternut squash is my favorite squash. The sweet, buttery flavor of this wonderful vegetable could turn a veggie avoider into a veggie lover. You get a healthy dose of phytonutrients from this relative of the pumpkin, such as vitamin A, C, potassium, magnesium, iron, folate, B vitamins, folate, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.

This hefty vegetable can be a chore to cut. Here is a great post on how to peel and cut a butternut squash.

Friday, April 1, 2011

The Three Amigos

Yesterday I met with my friend, Debbie, and she introduced me to Katy. Debbie and Katy both have cancer—lymphoma. Plus, Katy has cancer of the tongue. Debbie was diagnosed in December last year and Katy has had cancer for almost two years.