#34 February 2021 Simplify Health News - A Whole Foods Diet Can Prevent, Treat, and Heal Illnesses

#34 February 2021 Simplify Health News

A Whole Foods Diet Can Prevent, Treat, and Heal Illnesses

Simplify Holistic Nutrition Consulting & Functional Medicine Health and Wellness Coaching

February is here. It is amazing to me that at a time where all our lives are so different, time still flies.

My 93-year-old mom is vaccinated twice, feels great, and feels more worry-free. She misses contact, concerts, classes, elaborate lunches with her friends but continues to go on her 1-hour walks daily, lately with her walker. With that as a training device, she walks faster and moves so much more elegantly with a straight back.

Her daily routine includes 3 fresh meals, which is how I grew up...and a positive attitude (lots of laughter during our phone calls!).

I am in awe of her.
Her discipline and her routine, I wish everybody!

This is my son Daniel, my mom, and my husband, Bernhard in November 2020 in Germany, on my mom's 93rd birthday.

This is my son Daniel, my mom, and my husband, Bernhard in Nov. 2020 in Germany, on my mom's 93rd birthday

Currently, I am studying in three different programs. In February, I will finish a year of Functional Nutrition. I am also working hard on becoming a Fitness Nutritionist with international certification (please be patient until I am ready...). This topic initially did not interest me as much as an 'Anti-Inflammatory Diet,' 'Longevity,' or 'Where Food meets Physiology.' But I love to make good use of my time with more peace, working mainly from home. Like my mom, I love structure, routine, and discipline.

I also listen daily to Dr. Mark Hyman's Longevity Roadmap, where he and his medical team talk about the Functional Medicine approach they use on the different topics their patients seek them out for. I have been learning from Dr. Hyman for almost 9 years, since I started studying with a group called Integrative Practitioners, brought together by the Institute for Functional Medicine.

The topics that are always at the foundation of HEALTH
are prevention through a healthy lifestyle.

Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition…and of course water intake
Exercise
Good sleep habits
A purpose in life
Enriching loving relationships
Spiritual connectedness
Positive emotions

These are all the topics that we should be mindful of. Especially at times like these, make good use of the peace you all have with more time at home for reflection on your healthy lifestyle and goals for improvement…

As I love research, I have been looking worldwide for research about eating- behavior during Covid-19. There are a variety of studies from Bavaria, Italy, the University of Florida, and Poland.

What it comes down to is that we are all home more and have an opportunity to switch gear (if you have not done so) to all homecooked meals with fresh, healthy ingredients, without short cuts. No excuses!

My favorite Cookbook is from George Mateljan: “The World’s Healthiest Foods.”

He has done years of research, and it agrees with my understanding of healthy eating, to only eat the BEST, the most nutrient-dense food sources! Why waste our health on unhealthy foods, right? His analysis of nutrients on each healthy food is helpful, but amazing is the ranked food list for each nutrient. I recommend this book a lot. Whenever it comes to nutrient deficiencies, try food first!!!

We buy a mountain of fresh vegetables in all different colors and shapes plus lean protein every week, and I love to use what my heart and appetite desire. Our cabinet is filled with organic herbs and spices, and when I run out of fresh herbs, I mix and match and try new tastes. Dinner with my husband (or our children if they are home) with candles and nice music in the background is my favorite time of the day.

For Valentine’s Day, why don’t you try a few red colored fruits and vegetable
for your dinner menu?

For Valentine’s Day, why don’t you try a few red colored fruits and vegetables for your dinner menu?

How about a German favorite?
Red cabbage?

Cabbage is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. It will stay fresh for two weeks if refrigerated, is available all year round, is low in cost, and available organically grown. Red cabbage has 6 times more antioxidants than green cabbage. Scientific studies now show that cruciferous vegetables like cabbage are included among the vegetables with the highest concentration of glucosinolate phytonutrients, which increase the liver’s ability to produce enzymes that neutralize potentially toxic substances. It is also low in calories, is an excellent source of Vitamin C, has anti-inflammatory properties (anthocyanins), and with that, adds anti-cancer health benefits as well. The glucosinolates in cabbage can be converted into isothiocyanate compounds that are cancer preventive for various cancers, including bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.

Cabbage contains a variety of nutrients of potential benefits to our stomach and intestinal lining. It can provide valuable cholesterol reduction support. Its fiber-related nutrients bind to bile acids in the intestines, which in turn signals a process that has your liver make more bile acids.

Cabbage has so many health benefits whether you eat it cooked or raw. However, a recent study has shown that the cholesterol-lowering ability in raw cabbage improves significantly when steamed.

In Germany, a traditional recipe for red cabbage is with apples, onions, and cloves. When I make this recipe, I use a small amount of Avocado Oil and a bit of water to sauté/steam all ingredients.

Please know that your inflammatory response to cabbage can be tested with the FIT 132 and FIT 176 Test that you can order on my website.

Order your FIT Test

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

A great time to reflect on the people and the things you love in your life. Be mindful of using colorful fruits and vegetables because as you just read, each have their unique amazing health benefits!

Wishing you Peace and Health,

Silke