Category Archives: Health & Wellness

List of Healthy Restaurants in Los Angeles

Finding places to eat can be tricky on a special diet. Here is a list of healthy options in the Los Angeles that will help you get out of your kitchen for some fun.eatveggies_resized

Vegan Options:

  1. Cafe Gratitude in Venice
  2. Native Foods in Culver City
  3. True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica
  4. Hugos in West Hollywood
  5. LA Vegan in Los Angeles
  6. Real Food Daily in Santa Monica
  7. Interim Cafe in Santa Monica
  8. Thai Vegan in Santa Monica
  9. Sage in Culver City
  10. The Fruit Gallery in Venice 
  11. Seed in Venice
  12. Euphoria loves Rawvolution in Santa Monica
  13. M.A.K.E in Santa Monica
  14. Lyfe Kitchen in Culver City
  15. Dogtown Cafe in Santa Monica
  16. Veggie Grill in Santa Monica and El Segundo

Grass-fed Options:

  1. Burger Lounge in Brentwood
  2. True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica

Diners with Steamed Vegetables:

  1. Jerry’s Famous Deli in Studio City, Marina Del Rey, Woodland Hills, and Encino
  2. Canter’s Deli in Beverly Grove

Top Five Reasons to Consume Fermented Food

1. It Makes Food More Nutritious

Fermenting grains reduces the phytic acid, making nutrients more bio-available. Microbial cultures create B vitamins (not B12) including folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and biotin.

2. Fermentation Preserves Food

Nomadic herding peoples learned to culture milk in order to extend its shelf life. Captain James Cook, an eighteenth-century English explorer, conquered scurvy by giving his crew large quantities of sauerkraut.

3. Supports the Immune System

A balanced and healthy gut is extremely important for the immune system. Check out The Body Ecology Diet for more information on rebuilding your immunity with probiotic nutrition.

4. Preserves Traditions and Cultural Heritage

Fermented food has a rich history of bringing health and wellness to those that practice this lost art. For more information Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz and Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig are great resources.

5. It Tastes Good

Daikon kimichi, jalapeno sauerkraut, kefir cheese, sour pickles, and ginger kombucha. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is.

Sources:
The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates
Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz
Image: http://wakeup-world.com

Symptoms of a Magnesium Deficiency

 1. Anxiety and panic attacks

Magnesium helps regulate the adrenal hormones

2. Asthma

Histamine production and bronchial spasm increase with magnesium deficiency

3. Blood Clots

Magnesium helps prevent clots by keeping blood thin

4. Bowel Disease

Magnesium deficiency slows down the bowl, causing constipation

5. Cystitis

Bladder spasms worsen with a magnesium deficiency

6. Depression

Serotonin is dependent on magnesium

7. Detoxification

Helps remove toxic substances such as heavy metals

8. Diabetes

Without magnesium, insulin is unable to transfer glucose into cells.

9. Fatigue

Magnesium is involved in more than 300 enzyme-driven biochemical reactions occurring in the body

10. Heart Disease

Like any other muscle, the heart requires magnesium

11. Hypertension

Without enough magnesium, blood vessels may spasm and bad cholesterol may rise

12. Hypoglycemia

Magnesium helps regulate insulin, without it, low blood sugar can be a problem

13. Insomnia

Magnesium is involved in the production of melatonin

14. Kidney Disease

Magnesium deficiency contributes to atherosclerotic kidney failure

15.  Migraine

Serotonin balance is magnesium dependent, without it you may get headaches

16. Musculoskeletal Conditions

Fribrositis, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, eye twitches, cramps, chronic neck and back pain may be caused by a magnesium deficiency

17. Nerve Problems

Magnesium helps treat peripheral nerve disturbances and the central nervous system

18. Obstetrical and Gynecological Problems

Helps prevents PMS and crampings, help infertility, alleviates premature contractions, preeclampsia, and eclampsia during pregnancy and reduces hypertension in delivering mothers

19. Osteoporosis

Use with calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K to ensure proper absorption and utilization of supplements

20. Raynaud’s Syndrome

Helps relax spastic blood vessels

21. Tooth Decay

A deficiency causes unhealthy balance of phosphorus and calcium in saliva

Sources:
The Magnesium Miracle by Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D.

What is Magnesium? How it Functions in the Body

Find Seasonal Food With An Interactive Map

seasonal map

Eating foods in season is good for your wallet and your health. Epicurious has a Seasonal Ingredient Map that let’s you pick the month and location to aid you in choosing the freshest ingredients possible for your dish. When food is in season, it has higher nutrition and tastes better. You are also more likely to support your local economy, therefore, engage in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly habits. Plus, eating healthy can be expensive, but eating locally and in-season will bring your costs down.

I’ve already seen strawberries, peaches, nectarines, cherries, asparagus, and artichokes at my favorite farmer’s market in Mar Vista and May has just started!

Source:
http://www.naturalnews.com/035575_seasonal_food_diet_health.html
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/seasonalingredientmap

Ergonomic Equipment For Your Desk

I thought I would share with everyone the ergonomic equipment I use at my desk.
foot stand 

Kensington Solemate Comfort Footrest with SmartFit System 

I got this foot rest because of the soft foam surface, 
so when I’m barefoot on the computer, my feet are comfortable. 
Amazon List Price: $42.14 & FREE Shipping

Rain Design iLevel Laptop Stand with Adjustable Height and Swivel Base 

I bought this stand because it matched my MacBook Pro, plus
it’s pretty and it swivels.
Amazon List Price: Price: $79.90 & FREE Shipping

Wacom Bamboo Splash Pen Tablet

My old wacom recently broke, and I’m currently
trying out this one. The size is on the small end, which I like
as my desk is overly crowded.
 Amazon List Price: $60.41 & FREE Shipping

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Although this is bulky, it’s a great ergonomic keyboard.
Amazon List Price: Price: $37.29 & FREE Shipping

Ergonomics Simplifed Yes 74 Mesh Back

I picked this chair because of all the possible adjustment options, and
I like the lumbar support from a mesh back. Plus it was on the cheaper end
for high quality ergonomic chairs.
List Price: $294.00