Have you ever noticed a little extra belly fat around your middle and wondered "where did that come from?' Especially if you are pre-mid or post menopausal, haven't changed your diet or are dieting?  

One of the main reasons is Cortisol. 

Losing belly fat can be a real challenge, but understanding the role of cortisol in the process can make all the difference. Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress, and it can cause the body to store fat in the belly area. But don't worry, there are ways to keep cortisol levels in check and keep that belly fat from accumulating.

What is Cortisol? 

Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It helps the body respond to stress by increasing blood sugar levels, suppressing the immune system, and increasing the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. When cortisol levels remain elevated for extended periods, it can lead to a variety of health issues, including...

Today, we're going to delve into the dangers of fructose, a sneaky little sugar that can wreak havoc on your health. We'll discuss how fructose inhibits vitamin D absorption, destroys the immune system and gut bacteria, creates oxidative stress, and explore the worst types of fructose. Then, we'll reveal the foods highest in fructose and share some immune-boosting, gut-healing, and stress-reversing food options to help you feel your absolute best. So let's dive right in, shall we?

The Dark Side of Fructose

Fructose, a natural sugar found in many fruits and added to a plethora of processed foods, may taste sweet, but it's not so sweet for your body. When consumed in large amounts, fructose can lead to some serious health issues.

1.  Inhibits Vitamin D Absorption: A high intake of fructose can reduce the absorption of vitamin D, an essential nutrient for bone health and immune function. This can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis, weakened immunity, and a host of...

I want to talk about something that can help you achieve your health and wellness goals - the Study of One.

What is the Study of One, you might ask? Simply put, it's the practice of looking at yourself as an individual, with your unique body, habits, and lifestyle, to find the best way to achieve your goals. Instead of following generic advice or fad diets, the Study of One recognizes that each person has their own needs and preferences when it comes to nutrition and fitness.

So, how can the Study of One help you create optimal weight loss and lifestyle changes? Here are a few tips:

1. Know Yourself: Take the time to understand your body and its needs. Start by keeping a food and activity journal to track what you eat, when you eat it, and how it makes you feel. You may notice patterns or triggers that affect your eating habits or energy levels.

2. Find What Works for You: Instead of following a one-size-fits-all diet, experiment with different foods and eating patterns to see what...

Introduction

Have you ever felt bloated or experienced pain after eating certain foods? It is important to recognize that different foods affect our bodies in different ways. Inflammation is a natural response of the body's immune system to fight off infections, injuries, and illnesses. However, when inflammation is chronic, it can lead to various health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. In this blog post, we will discuss the study of one, which is a personalized approach to identifying foods that cause inflammation in your body and foods that heal your body.

The Study of One: Personalized Approach

The Study of One is the Study of YOU!

Yes, it is a personalized approach to identifying foods that cause inflammation in your body and foods that heal your body. It involves paying close attention to how your body reacts to different foods.

One way to do this is by keeping a food journal where you record everything you eat and how you feel after eating.

You can also...

This Shabbat preparation was going to be easy peasy for me because I was invited for both Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch until ... I heard a panicked knock on my door.  My flustered friend rushed over to my home to share the all but enthralling news that she had to cancel lunch due to another engagement she thought was for Friday night.  And, asked if I could host her guest.  "Of course" I responded without even thinking about what that would entail.  

Well if I am taking one guest, I might as well invite a few more!  

And so, here goes the off the cuff shabbat menu for five guests!  

Shabbat lunch turned out so well. It was so last minute, I had to get super creative! There was no time to shop or plan a menu!

So, we started with a watermelon salad soaked in a combo of Rose water, maple syrup and lemon juice and fresh mint as garnish - sinfully delicious.

Then we had fresh spelt challah with a white truffle olive oil, followed by...

My  friend Kim is a great cook.  I decided to join her and begin to eat different.  I have been enjoying the fabulous Shabbat dinners that she prepares every week.  The dinners are full of fantastic food, all kind of foods, creamy soups with nuts and fruits, and always a salad with different colors and textures and dressings, as well as meats, fish, and of course the bread and wine.

We began to follow Dr. Furhman's Nutritatrian Lifestyle almost 3 months ago.  To tell you truth, It was difficult! We tried to keep some our favorites dishes and accommodate some of the changes, but that did not go well (understatement).

So, I had a serious conversation with my self and concluded that I am too heavy for my size!  So I better get my act together--all this cheating was not helping!  And in addition, my back was hurting.  I had to do something, I was desperate!

Since, I had been enjoying the vegan dishes that Kim prepares for...

The saying "Bread is life" is as true as it gets - as long as its not processed and enjoyed with a Mediterranean diet.  

However, when joined with the typical American diet, it's not life it's inflammatory.  And that leads to quick weight gain, joint aches and a plethora of other acute or chronic ailments in the body.  

The problem is though Bread is a household staple! 

For Asians it's rice, For Mexican's its tortillas, but for American's it's bread -- and that holds true for Europeans as well!  And going off bread completely isn't the best solution.  Why?  because when you deny yourself of the foods you love best, you tend to overcompensate and binge on them when they present themselves at special dinners or events.  And before you know it, you are gaining weight and suffering with auto-immune issues.  

So, the question is how can we have our bread and eat it too!

First, find a low carb gluten free or sprouted bread that you like...

Heart Disease is one scary dude.  Why?  Because it's super silent.  

It's really caused by plaque build-up and vascular constriction in the body's vessels.  

Signs that there is stress on the heart are often overlooked.  They include shortness of breath, digestive problems, and usually left shoulder and arm pain.  

The other day I woke up with my left shoulder aching.  At first, I thought I slept on it wrong and then when it didn't go away I got a little nervous.  So I started checking into heart attack symptoms.  Well, it did resolve itself with some prayer and TLC after a couple of days, but the psychological impact was huge.  

As you most like know, I am a pretty good eater.  Never processed foods, almost always home-made and lots of veggies and some fruits.  The problem is that I do struggle with high cholesterol and I think its because I eat a lot of high-fat foods!  For the most part their healthy high-fat foods,...