Radiant Health

12 Food Additives to Avoid Like the Plague

12 Food Additives to Avoid like the Plague

1. Sodium Nitrate (also called Sodium Nitrite) This is a preservative, coloring, and flavoring commonly added to bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked fish, and corned beef. Studies have linked eating it to various types of cancer. 2. BHA and BHT Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydrozyttoluene are used to preserve common household foods. They are found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils. They are oxidants, which form potentially cancer-causing reactive compounds in your body. 3. Propyl Gallate Another preservative, often used in conjunction with BHA and BHT. It is sometimes found in meat products, chicken soup base, and chewing gum. Animals studies have suggested that it could be linked to cancer. 4. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) MSG is an amino acid used as a flavor enhancer in soups, salad dressings, chips, frozen entrees, and restaurant food. It can cause headaches and nausea, and animal studies link it to damaged nerve cells in the brains of infant mice. 5. Trans Fats Trans fats are proven to cause heart disease. Restaurant food, especially fast food chains, often serve foods laden with trans fats. 6. Aspartame Aspartame, also known by the brand names Nutrasweet and Equal, is a sweetener found in so-called diet foods such as low-calorie desserts, gelatins, drink mixes, and soft drinks. It may cause cancer or neurological problems, such as dizziness or hallucinations. 7. Acesulfame-K This is a relatively new artificial sweetener found in baked goods, chewing gum, and gelatin desserts. There is a general concern that testing on this product has been scant, and some studies show the additive may cause cancer in rats. 8. Food Colorings: Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3; Yellow 6 Five food colorings still on the market are linked with cancer in animal testing. Blue 1 and 2, found in beverages, candy, baked goods and pet food, have been linked to cancer in mice. Red 3, used to dye cherries, fruit cocktail, candy, and baked goods, has been shown to cause thyroid tumors in rats. Green 3, added to candy and beverages, has been linked to bladder cancer. The widely used yellow 6, added to beverages, sausage, gelatin, baked goods, and candy, has been linked to tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney. 9. Olestra Olestra, a synthetic fat found in some potato chip brands, can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and gas. Olestra also inhibits healthy vitamin absorption from fat-soluble carotenoids that are found in fruits and vegetables. 10. Potassium Bromate Potassium bromate is used as an additive to increase volume in some white flour, breads, and rolls. It is known to cause cancer in animals, and even small amounts in bread can create a risk for humans. 11. White Sugar Watch out for foods with added sugars, such as baked goods, cereals, crackers, sauces and many other processed foods. It is unsafe for your health, and promotes bad nutrition. 12. Sodium Chloride A dash of sodium chloride, more commonly known as salt, can bring flavor to your meal. But too much salt can be dangerous for your health, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Source: MSN Health and Fitness Amanda Moxley Certified Holistic Health Counselor Holistic Nutrition and Life Balance Expert www.RadiantHealthCoach.com

Personal Note from Amanda

Dear Amanda

I have some really exciting news to share with you that I have been holding back for way too long! Here it is: Johnn and I are having a miracle baby! I am four months into this epic journey of pregnancy and have definitely experienced a whole sleu of unfamiliar feelings, emotions and hormones raging a tidal wave over my life the past few months.

Thus far, the most amazing gift I have been given in this life transforming journey is the lesson to really listen to, honor and respect my body. It's ironic to be given this lesson again because I thought that I had mastered it! But unlike all life lessons, pregnancy is a process not a destination.

My intention is to keep on working and serving my passion for radiant health, life balance and bliss throughout these nine months and beyond. I am excited to see how my practice develops as I learn more and become a mom. And I'm even more excited to share my journey with you!

Love and Radiant Health,
Amanda

Yummy Summer Salad for Father's Day

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients:
½ bunch spinach (or any favorite greens)
10 garlic stuffed green olives
½ cup raw cashews
½ small yellow onion
½ red bell pepper
½ jalapeno pepper
½ cucumber

Dressing:
2 tablespoons tahini
Juice of 1 lime
2 pinches cayenne pepper

Directions:
Wash and dry all veggies.
Finely chop all veggies, olives and nuts and place in a large bowl.
Mix dressing ingredients together with a fork in a small bowl.
Add dressing to vegetables, toss well, bless and enjoy.

Enjoy,
Amanda Moxley
Holistic Nutrition and Life Balance Expert
Certified Holistic Health Counselor
www.RadiantHealthCoach.com

A Women of Strength

A WOMEN OF STRENGTH

a strong woman works out every day
to keep her body in shape
but a woman of strength looks deep inside
to keep her soul in shape

a strong woman isn't afraid
of anything
but a woman of strength shows courage
in the midst of her fear

a strong woman won't let anyone
get the best of her
but a woman of strength gives the best 
of her to everyone

a strong woman makes mistakes
and avoids the same in the future
but a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes
can also be blessings and capitalizes on them

a strong woman walks
sure footedly
but a woman of strength knows
when to ask for help

a strong woman wears the look 
of confidence on her face
but a woman of strength
wears grace

a strong woman has faith
that she is strong enough for the journey
but a woman of strength has faith
that it is in the journey that she will become strong

Personal Note from Amanda

Hello,

Last weekend we celebrated my sister, Samantha's college graduation. Sam is 10 years younger than I and all of these years I have enjoyed watching her grow up and discover her own path in life. She has a ticket for South America and is intending on exploring the world and then studying yoga!

Last Monday, Camp Williams 2008 began, an annual trip by Johnn's mom and dad, Sally and Ryan. This year Ryan and Stephen (my amazing stepdad) are tearing down our old deck and designing and building a brand new, state of the art deck, for Johnn and I.

Johnn's 85-year-old grandpa, Clendel, is here, too. He is an amazing fellow who has written several books and is always mentally engaged in reading, researching and writing. We are blessed to have him here. He hadn't been on a plane in 15 years and made the trek from Indiana in style.

And lastly, Saturday night we are hosting a big party in honor of the Snowbird Ski Patrol and all of the big hearts who have and continue to love us up during Johnn's recovery. It's going to be a blast!


Have a fantastic week!
Love and Radiant Health,
Amanda

Six Powerful Steps to Deconstruct Sugar Cravings

You may have noticed that once you have determined that you really desire Radiant Health, a beautiful body, healthy organs, glowing skin, hair and eyes, consistent energy and happiness that your little self or your ego (little child) may be having a fit or a temper tantrum.

You may experience crazy sugar cravings or you may feel obsessed about food or feel like you have to control what you eat.

Sugar cravings are deep seeded cravings usually brought on in childhood and they don't back down with ease.

You crave sweets for various reasons such as:

Stress

When you feel tired

As a reward for completing a demanding project or for working out

To soothe yourself when you feel emotional, upset, sad, angry, mad or even happy!

You crave sugar out of habit because you “always” drink coffee and have a muffin after you take the kids to school or you eat one tiny piece of chocolate every night after dinner.

You crave sugar to self sabotage yourself- you feel like you don’t deserve to feel totally amazing all of the time so you eat sugar to keep you feeling small, surrounded in drama and in chaos.

You have sugar cravings associated with holiday’s, family gatherings, and different seasons.
You have sugar cravings because your current way of living and eating is out of balance.

You crave sugar because you are unsatisfied in your career.

You have sugar cravings because you are unsatisfied in your love life or your because you feel lonely and want the perfect partner that ignites your soul.

You crave sugar because you exercise too much or not enough.

You crave sugar because you feel disconnected from your source.

Here are some tips to assist you the next time a sugar craving hits!

Step 1: Instead of just stuffing the sweet in your mouth without thinking about it, stop and ask yourself what am I really craving?

Step 2: Describe the craving by speaking it out loud or write about it in your journal.

Step 3: Ask yourself these questions:
What am I really hungry for?
How do I feel right now for example “tired, stressed, bored, lonely, angry, mad, sad, confused, totally happy.”
What am I hoping this sweet will do for me?
How do I imagine I will feel after I eat the sweet?
What is my intention for eating this sweet?

Step 4: After answering the questions, chose if you still want the sweet.

Step 5: If you chose to have the sweet is it possible to upgrade the quality of your sweet to the most amazing, best version possible of your sweet?

For example, last week I was craving a vegan chocolate chip cookie out of habit (because I got it in my mind that Saturday’s are a great day to enjoy a little treat.)

I stopped reviewed my questions and realized that I actually hate the way I feel after I eat those cookies!

Instead I powerfully chose to replace my low vibrational chocolate chip cookie craving with the most amazing, organic, high vibrational 70% organic dark cocoa, rich with Omega Oils, cocoa butter and organic vanilla beans. I ate one exquisite truffle and felt totally satisfied, nourished and over my sugar cravings (the only problem is as I write this I am craving another Truffle!)

Step 6: Love yourself up! Many times when you crave sugar you are actually longing for sweetness in your life. Make a list of ways you can nourish your body, mind and spirit without food.
Here are some examples:

Take a hot bath with lavender essential oil.

Get a hug or a kiss from your loved one.

Take a nap.

Pet your cat or dog.

Connect with nature.

Practice deep breathing.

Drink water or your favorite cup of herbal tea (chamomile, peppermint or ginger.)

Watch a movie or read a book.

Visualize your future, your dream life or plan a vacation.

Exercise in nature.

Play like a kid again.

I hope this assists you in kicking your sugar cravings to the curb for good!

Love and Radiant Health,
Amanda


© Amanda Moxley
Certified Holistic Health Counselor
Holistic Nutrition and Life Balance Expert
www.RadiantHealthCoach.com