Sunday, December 23, 2012

Gluten Free at Starbucks

Ok, so in my quest for all things "gluten free" I contacted the  canadian head office of Starbucks.
Basically I got a long but friendly email back stating the following:



We're delighted you took the time to contact us!

Starbucks is unable to guarantee a "gluten-free" environment in our retail locations due to the potential for cross contamination with gluten-containing products. The open environment and operating procedures of our store locations may present additional risk for gluten-sensitive customers aside from the gluten-containing ingredients themselves. "Gluten-free" is a claim with specific requirements defined by government agencies and industry standards. We are unable to make this claim on a product unless the item is specifically formulated and manufactured to meet the definition of the claim.

Thanks again for writing us.  If you ever have any questions or concerns in the future, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

So that was the main gist of the email. Kinda stinks that a prosperous company would care so little for those who are struggling daily with gluten intolerance. Even Rice Crispies has come up with a "Gluten Free" brand  of rice crispies in order to meet the demand. If you want to inquire about the Starbucks locations in your neighbourhood contact their head office yourself either through their website or by snail mail:

http://www.starbucks.ca/customer-service

Note to their credit. The local Starbucks does carry some prepackaged snack bars under the brand called
"Kind" which are labelled gluten free. However, that seems to be the limit to their gluten free food options.


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Winter Wellness!

The following KEY points to think about to maintain wellness during the winter months may assist you and your family:

Chewable Vitamin C tablets-- readily available at pharmacies and grocery stores--follow the instructions on the label.Vitamin C is said to boost the immune system and prevent vulnerability to colds and flus.
Raw Ginger-- peel a raw chunk smaller than a dice and swallow it with water like a supplement. Take care to chop it small enough that you can comfortably swallow it easily.
Raw Garlic-- One raw peeled clove of garlic taken at night, chopped into small size pieces that you can easily swallow with your favorite beverage. Raw garlic has been praised in numerous books and articles and is also being studies for it's effects on prevention of cancerous tumors.
Sunlight-- even though there isn't much sun these days in the winter time, your mood will lift if you are able to get outside even for a ten minute walk in cloudy weather. Even through the clouds, there are small amounts of sunshine that seep through, that can help you maintain a joyful mood and help infuse your body with small amounts of Vitamin D, aka, the sunshine vitamin. Of course, you must observe your own doctor recommended forms of sunscreen through the use of sun screen, sun block, proper protective clothing and hats. Sunlight that reflects off of objects around you outside will still impact you under any hat you may be wearing.
Probiotics- Doctors have finally come to the conclusion that our digestive tract may occasionally needs some support with the assistance of supplemental probiotics. Talk to your doctor about taking probiotics to assist your digestive system. Some individuals find that taking probiotics regularly helps them prevent cravings, gas, bloating, and constipation. Winter months can be more sedentary for many people, and therefore some people find that they are tempted to eat more food during the winter. Probiotics are sometimes helpful in curbing those uncontrollable cravings for carbohydrates.
Iron supplements for Women-- Seek your licensed medical practitioner to have regular testing of your iron levels, especially if you are in your years of menstruation. Women battling fatigue often discover that they have been low in iron, which is easily fixed with proper doctor recommended levels of iron supplementation.
Oregano Oil-- These pure oils are VERY VERY potent and should always be used sparingly. Just one or two drops of oregano oil in your coffee or tea can help build up your immune system against winter time colds.Most health food stores and some pharmacies carry these kind of oils. If you can, try to get the organic form.
Simplicity-- Keeping your food regimen simple and fresh. Perhaps this is obvious, but note that even though there really isn't much seasonal fruits and veggies locally available in the winter, that you don't necessarily need to neglect your good fresh food habits. You can gain great benefit from simple winter wonders like
homemade chili made from whole canned tomatoes, canned kidney beans, onions and garlic and bits of your favorite proteins such as meats, cheeses, or tofu.Season generously with rich chili powder and kosher salt. Serve your chili with a spoon of fresh sour cream, for that finishing touch.
Other fresh wonderful winter comfort foods include Homemade Chicken stew made with your
favorite seasonings such as parsely and curry powder. Basic healthy items are hopefully available year round in your grocery store, such as carrots, potatoes, apples and bananas. Keeping those items around will help you have fresh items available to nibble on when you or your family get the munchies. Oatmeal is available as a great breakfast food to have with your favorite natural sweetener and/or frozen/canned berries.

May you be blessed with the info you need at the right season in your life to learn what works well for you and your family in maintaining a happy life with more than enough energy and zest to accomplish all that God has called you to do.
Peace.
Carla
Disclaimer: This list is intended for conversational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, and is not intended to replace medical advice. This blog post is not intended to suggest treatments, cures, diagnosis, or prevention of any disease. Always consult your licensed medical professional for medical advice. The author and publisher of this blog post hold absolutely no liability for any ideas discussed in this post

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Garlic is natural medicine for treating high blood pressure

Garlic is natural medicine for treating high blood pressure
Wow, I just had to blog about this article.
This article claims that "the Japanese government officially recognizes garlic as a blood-pressure depressor."

Isn't that worth reading about? If you or someone you care about is struggling with high blood pressure, it may be very interesting to read this article. You can access it be clicking on the 
Garlic is natural medicine for treating high blood pressure


God bless. Peace, Carla.
Disclaimer: This blog post is written for conversational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice or cures or prevention of any disease. Always consult your licensed medical practitioner for medical advice. This blog  and it's author and publisher accepts no liability for the ideas discussed in this post or any other post on this blog .