Many of us experience changes in our minds and body as we age such as: decreased energy, brain fog, mood swings, digestive issues, and issues with losing weight. This is not a natural progression of aging, nor do we have to suffer these changes. You can positively impact these changes with a few lifestyle changes such as; getting a good night’s sleep, healthy diet, and stress management. In addition to lifestyle changes, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can offer amazing improvement to some of your age-related health decline. Some potential benefits: Helps with weight loss Eliminate hot flashes Lift and stabilize your moods Increase your energy, and Libido Banish the “Dreaded” Brain Fog

The term FODMAP is an acronym, derived from " F ermentable O ligo-, D i-, M ono-saccharides A nd P olyols". Or easier said, these are short-chain carbs that move through your intestines and are resistant to digestion. Instead of being absorbed into your bloodstream, they reach the far end of your intestine where most of your gut bacteria reside. Many foods that contain FODMAPs are considered very healthy, and some function like healthy prebiotic fibers, supporting your friendly gut bacteria. Therefore, people who can tolerate these types of carbs should not avoid them. However, for people with a FODMAP intolerance of foods high in these carbs, may suffer from unpleasant digestive issues, and it might be best to eliminate or restrict consumption. If you are intolerant to these foods some of the symptoms may include; gas bloating Diarrhea constipation stomach pain If you frequently experience digestive upset that lowers your quality of life, FODMAPs should be on your list of top suspects. Though a low-FODMAP diet may not eliminate all digestive problems, chances are high that it may lead to significant improvements, especially those who suffer with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and various other digestive disorders. Foods to Avoid Fruits: Apples, applesauce, apricots, blackberries, boysenberries, cherries, canned fruit, dates, figs, pears, peaches, watermelon Sweeteners: Fructose, honey, high fructose corn syrup, xylitol, mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol Dairy products: Milk (from cows, goats and sheep), ice cream, most yogurts, sour cream, soft and fresh cheeses (cottage, ricotta, etc.) and whey protein supplements. Vegetables: Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, fennel, leeks, mushrooms, okra, onions, peas, shallots Legumes: Beans, chickpeas, lentils, red kidney beans, baked beans, soybeans Wheat: Bread, pasta, most breakfast cereals, tortillas, waffles, pancakes, crackers, biscuit Other grains: Barley and rye Beverages: Beer, fortified wines, soft drinks with high-fructose corn syrup, milk, soymilk, and fruit juices Better Food Choices Meats, fish and eggs: These are well tolerated unless they have added high-FODMAP ingredients like wheat or high-fructose corn syrup All fats and oils Most herbs and spices Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, peanuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, sesame seeds (not pistachios, which are high in FODMAPs) Fruits: Bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi, lemons, lime, mandarins, melons (except watermelon), oranges, passionfruit, raspberries, strawberries Sweeteners: Maple syrup, molasses, stevia and most sugar alcohols Dairy products: Lactose-free dairy products, hard cheeses and aged softer varieties like brie and camembert Vegetables: Alfalfa, bell peppers, bok choy, carrots, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, ginger, green beans, kale, lettuce, chives, olives, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, spinach, spring onion (only green), squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, yams, water chestnuts, zucchini Grains: Corn, oats, rice, quinoa, sorghum, tapioca Beverages: Water, coffee, tea, etc. It’s recommended to eliminate all high-FODMAP foods for a few weeks, then reintroduce some of them one at a time. It’s best to work with the help of a qualified health professional. There are also many books on the subject of a low FODMAP diet. Keep in mind that the purpose of such a diet is not to completely eliminate FODMAPs — which is extremely difficult, but more to decrease the amount you consume.

Not only for the environment but for anyone that breaths the air. Since when did ‘clean’ have a smell? In my mind, clean is the absence of smell, like cloths that were hung outside to dry, Nothing in nature smells like Pine-Sol, or Irish Spring. If you can smell it, then you've absorbed it either through breathing it, or putting it on your skin. All of it is toxic for our bodies!! My pet peeve is smelling scented dryer sheets, when I am outside, away from my house. Isn't that like polluting the fresh air outside, by making it smell like the fake smells inside? Ever walked into a public bathroom with those "air freshener" toilet cakes and you can about taste that smell? Not to mention, you smell like those things for several minutes after walking out. Maybe you've sat next to someone who has strong perfume on, and you start to get a headache or feel sick? When you breath in those toxic perfume chemicals, your body responds as if it's being poisoned, which it is. Unfortunately our Olfactory Nerve (provides our sense of smell) shuts down when under attack by strong smells. This makes us think we've just gotten used to the smell, which our nose has, but our body continues to absorb the toxins. When chemicals get absorbed into your body it causes some of our genes to work overtime (like those involved with the bodies detoxification process) which then affects these same genes by causing them to dysfunction, resulting in even more serious health issues. We are bombarded with environmental toxins everyday, but we can minimize the exposure, at least in our homes. If it has a strong scent get rid of it because its seriously affecting yours, and your families future health