Spring!  Slowly but surely it cometh and with Spring comes the Spring detox!  Time to feel refreshed and reenergized!  Shakes, smoothies and salads are all on the way so come back often to hear about my favorite recipes and tips.

Eat Well,
Coach Daniel Riehn

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth 

   Coconut oil is one of my favorite foods.  It's great for the skin and it's anti-microbial and rich in MCFAs other wise known as medium-chain fatty acids.  According to the University of Iceland these fatty acids break down the membrane of candida cells helping to kill it.
   Oil Pulling is also one of my favorite things to do with coconut oil.  You can find my post about it in April of 2013.  The list goes on and on.  Plus is a nice change from olive oil for vinaigrettes.  It's a great food to add to your diet and taste awesome (as long as you like coconuts).  Feel free to cook and bake with it too.
Eat Well,
Coach Daniel Riehn

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth 

I would like to communicate that C. albicans which is what most people have are endowed with TWO levels of built-in protection.  A biofilm and an extracellular matrix.  What is a biofilm? 

       Well, ‘A biofilm is a community of microorganisms such as bacteria or in our case fungi, which are attached to a surface. They are what cause things to be slimy when they are left in water. The microorganisms are encased in a support matrix, made up of polysaccharides, proteins, DNA and other organic molecules. If an object is put in a non-sterile surface (like our gut), a biofilm will form on the object’s surface. Usually the first stage is molecules such as proteins settle (or adsorb) on the surface. This is known as the conditioning film. Next, bacteria or fungi will settle on the area. Once the organisms settle on a surface, their biology changes and they shift from being adapted to living free in the water to living on the surface they have attached to. These fungi will then grow and multiply, forming colonies. As they multiply, they produce extracellular substances, which allow it to have a much stronger structure.’  The extracellular matrix in Candida Albicans is primarily composed of glucose at (32%). That’s right, it’s major protection is made out of sugar! 

     Sounds like a good enough reason to me to readjust you diet! 

Eat Well,

Coach Daniel Riehn 

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth   

  One of the most destructive toxins associated with candida is called gliotoxin.  It disrupts the DNA in white blood cells killing them outright.

Obviously this is a major weakener of the immune system and opens the door to infection.  I think it's time for the common populace to flush it out of their systems!                                                       

How?  Well one of the easiest ways would be to starve the yeast overgrowth in order bring back balance thus alleviating the gliotoxin's burden.  By changing up your diet to foods that don't feed yeast and instead promote health your wellbeing will improve.  The more committed you are to your goals and the smarter you pursue them the better the results you will achieve!

Eat Well,
Coach Daniel Riehn 

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth  

     This one shocking truth is the main catalyst that made me decide to specialize in yeast overgrowth.  What is it?
   
     There are 179 known toxins created by yeast digestion!  YUCK!!  All these toxins burden and weigh down your system causing a HOST of problems.
   
     What are they you may be asking me?  Well that is what we'll cover this week.  For starters one of the big toxins is called ‘acid aldehyde’. This toxin can damage all the tissues in the body including the brain, and it’s made when candida digests sugar.  Some health professionals call it the ‘hangover chemical’ because it’s produced when you drink alcohol. This is one reason why some people can feel sick all of the time. It’s because they have a ton of this toxin in their system as it is from their candida infection so when they do have a drink they become overwhelmed by the symptoms of a hangover because they are so toxic to start with.  What a great initiative to start phasing out alcohol. 

Eat Well,
Coach Daniel Riehn 

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth 

Asparagus Stir-Fry with Mustard

20oz asparagus
1 Tbsp high heat oil
3 Tbsp of your favorite mustard
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 red onion, sliced
1 tsp honey
1/2 cup almond milk

Break the chewy ends off the asparagus and then cut them in half.

Heat the wok or heavy bottomed deep pan until very hot.  Add the oil and swirl.  Stir-Fry the onions until tender.  Add the crushed garlic and cook for a minute.  Then add the asparagus and cook for 4 minutes or until fork tender.  Make sure they don't overcook.

Place the asparagus in a dish and set in a warm oven.  Mix the mustard, honey and almond milk.  Add to the wok or pan and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.  Pour over asparagus and serve right away.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different mustards!

Eat Well,
Coach Daniel Riehn

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth

     Today piggybacks on what we talked about yesterday.  In yesterday's post we specifically talked about attitudes and how focusing on them can either make us or break us.  In this post we are going to talk about focusing on the action part of it. 

     "Only when you focus in the right direction will you move in the right direction."  This is the fifth mindset.  Action can be the hardest part of our health journeys as we learn new habits and disrupt our own lives. 

     It is so easy to be swept away by the diet craze.  Or how one study says "this" while another study conflicts it by saying "that".  How can any normal person keep their head on straight?!  Somehow in the midst of all of this we have to navigate through it all and reach our goals.  However you take this journey, always try to keep these paradigms in the back of your mind.  Hopefully they will be an anchor for you along the way.

Eat Well,

Coach Daniel Riehn   

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth  

     This next mindset is very powerful.  It's one that I learned a long time ago and has helped me many times.  What is it you may ask? 

     It's "What you focus on you create." I firmly believe this.  However it's still hard not to focus on the negative in our lives.  Often the bad stuff seems to be loud and obnoxious while the good stuff just stands in the back corner and meekly says "I'm here too...."

     My point is that if you ruminate on the stuff you're not happy with it will be all you see.  Acknowledge the bad but give credence to the good.  Build on the good no matter how small an amount you are starting off with. 

Eat Well, 

Coach Daniel Riehn

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth 

     Today's mindset is "Mistakes are just portals to discovery!"  When we freak out over a craving or a secretly eaten candy bar we increase our stress levels.  Excess stress is never a good thing.  It doesn't take a genius to figure that out.  So what if you fell off the band wagon?!  That doesn't mean you have to quit or verbally abuse yourself!  Just get back on that wagon!
     Talk with your Coach about why you fell off in the first place.  What strategy didn't work for you?  What Primary Foods are out of alignment?  Are you being supported enough?  Are you graciously receiving that support?  All this and more are just some of the real world reasons we have trouble reaching our goals.  A Health Coach helps navigate those mindsets and emotions to get you back on the right track.  So remember the next time you race back to your favorite "no-no" food think "Why am I really doing this?  What's really going on here?"

Eat Well,
Coach Daniel Riehn

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth

     "Always look for solutions rather than dwell on your problems." Mindset number two!
This is a mindset that I have had to work on personally just like the rest of us and it's definitely not an easy one.
     I think one of the hardest factors about this particular mindset is that a person not doing this is focused on their insecurities and challenges instead of their over all arc of progression and success.  Some of the best advice I have ever gotten is "Daniel, don't ruminate on your problems."  Meaning don't obsess over and over on your challenges instead of finding and then doing solutions for those challenges.  I know it's hard not to get caught up with your difficulties and neglect to see the good that you are accomplishing. However applying this mindset will increase your sense of wellness and help empower you to move forward.

Eat Well,
Coach Daniel Riehn

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth    

     This week is attitude week!  Get ready as we dive into the inner workings of the mind and how we can set ourselves up for success.  Everyday this week I will be posting something critical about how the right frame of mind sets us up for success and how to start building up these mindsets.
     Today's post is on the concept "Every win is a win.  No matter how small."  Often times on our health journeys we get obsessed on the big goals and neglect to see or even give credit to the small, necessary victories and habit changes that we acquire along the way.  This very bad habit is not only self-depreciative but will also drive a person crazy waiting for the goals that they are striving for since they aren't experiencing the little sustaining victories along the way.
     Relax.  Do your part and let health come to you.  Not giving value to the daily victories and small steps won't make anything happen faster.  It's ok to feel accomplished when you do something right.

Eat Well,
Coach Daniel Riehn

Follow me on Twitter @eminenthealth