Let's Talk about the Naturopathic Doctor!

I took my father to see a Naturopathic Doctor a couple of weeks ago.  My dad had a stroke in 2008 and has dementia, high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma and a few other things.  But, since getting him off about 6 medications recently, I have seen a drastic improvement in his health.  Even though I already knew the benefits of healing outside the pharmaceutical/chemical world, I was not sure my dad could still be helped.

I am now more optimistic.  This doctor assessed my Dad's health and prescribed a probiotic because he has a build up of yeast in his body.  She recommended a gluten free and dairy free diet (also, no sugar and very little meat) so that his body can focus on healing, which she said IS POSSIBLE.  It is possible to heal blocked arteries, high blood pressure, diabetes, cataracts (and lots of other things!) just by changing your diet!  She recommended organic whenever possible to minimize any chemicals interfering with natural body functions (including personal care products...remember what goes ON our bodies still goes IN!).  She said Dad has a build up of trans fats in his body which need to be minimized by increasing his consumption of vegetables (raw is best, steamed is next, roasted is next...after that, there are not many nutrients left).  Fortunately, we already do many of these things...we just had to take it to the next level.

After he is on this diet for a couple of months, she wants to work on reducing the metals in his body that are furthering his dementia.  When we reduce the metals, we can slow it down.

I look forward to keeping you posted on his progress.  I like learning more about how to care for my dad because it also helps me take better care of myself and the rest of my family!

Gluten Free Dairy Free Banana Cake ROCKS

This is a recipe from glutenfreegoddess.com; but, we put different frosting on it.  My boys and my dad helped make it ...and, it still turned out totally awesome! :)  Loved it.  I promise you will, too.

1 1/2 cups almonds

1/2 cup brown rice flour (sub your fave)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice (a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice)  add more or less for spiciness

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 large organic eggs

1/3 cup light olive oil

2 T. honey or raw organic agave nectar (we used honey)

1 1/3 cups organic light brown sugar (We have put in as little as 1/3 of a cup and it is still amazing...we might try not adding any sugar...just a little honey goes a long way!)

4 medium (not too big) very ripe bananas, cut up and mashed into puree

2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prep a 9 x 13 baking pan by lining it with greased parchment (I butter the pan, put in parchment, then butter the parchment..."butter" being, organic Earth Balance)

Process the almonds in food processor by pulsing on and off until a fine almond meal is formed. Pour the almond meal into a dry mixing bowl.  Add the rest of the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.

In a separate bowl beat the eggs and add the rest of the wet ingredients. Beat well. I just used a spoon...I don't like to use more than one "machine" per recipe.

Add the dry ingredients into the wet. Blend well (2 minutes).

Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 33 to 35 minutes until done.  Check the center with a wooden toothpick.

Cool the cake completely on a wire rack before frosting.

For the frosting, I just wiped out the food processor (from the almonds) and blended the following:

1 small banana (yellow/brown, just ripe)

1 1/2 cups organic powdered sugar

1/4 t. lemon juice

2 T. organic Earth Balance and 1 T. coconut oil (sub any combo)

It was super yummy drizzled over the top of this moist, delicious (like pudding!) cake.

Read more: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2006/01/frosted-banana-cake.html#ixzz1t1cgS29E