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