Eating Deliciously without Depravity

We have so many organs working daily to help keep us feeling active and vivacious, but how hard are you working to keep your organs happy and healthy?

Can’t We all Just Get Along?

Heart disease, kidney disease, liver function, reproductive health and digestive disorders are only a few of the parts of our bodies that require proper maintenance for proper function.  What most people don’t realize is that one hidden problem over a long period of time can lead to a bigger problem overnight on a completely different part of our body.  For instance, if a woman struggles with digestive issues and suddenly gains weight, she will most likely go see a gastroenterologist.  When, she should be seeing an OB-Gyn for possible ovarian cysts or fibroid tumors.  Furthermore, Americans chase problems every day for years and years without ever finding any real answers.  We hope to help you grasp a better understanding of how our bodies function and all our parts work together in perfect harmony when we are fueling ourselves properly.

Diseases and their Sneaky Symptoms

Kidney Disease

• Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
• Constant Lethargy
• Lower back pain
• Pain in the groin
• Leg Pain
• Swollen or Round Face
• Headaches
• Dry Eye
• Sinusitis
• Muscle Cramps

Several of the above signs are chalked up to, “it is what it is,” when they are our body’s way of saying, “hey you, something’s wrong, could ya help me out a little?”  The main function of our kidneys is to filter the toxins in our bodies.  If they aren’t working like they should, this can lead to toxic build up in our bloodstream.  First, the toxins build up and cause other things to stop working like they should.  Secondly, things like our eyes don’t produce tears adequately leading to things like dry eye or sinusitis.  Thirdly, due to facial swelling because of the sinusitis a person may start taking diuretics thinking they are retaining water.  Lastly, the diuretics exacerbate an already existing problem and lead to a plethora of issues that could have been avoided by simply drinking MORE water.

Liver Disease

• Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
• Abdominal pain and swelling.
• Swelling in the legs and ankles.
• Itchy skin.
• Dark urine color.
• Pale stool color.
• Chronic fatigue.
• Nausea or vomiting.

Of course, we are going to mention alcohol and its contribution to all thing’s liver.  Alcoholism leads to 75% of all liver failure cases in the United States.  With that being said, we’re not here for an intervention, at least not today…just a simple warning to pay attention to how much you’re drinking.  When you add your drinks per day up, you might find that cutting the spirits out for a while will lead to a better you.

Heart Disease

Heart disease symptoms caused by heart arrhythmia.

• Fluttering in your chest
• Racing heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Fainting (syncope) or near fainting

Heart disease symptoms caused by heart defects.

• Pale gray or blue skin color
• Swelling in the legs, abdomen, or areas around the eyes

Signs and symptoms of congenital heart defects that usually aren’t immediately life-threatening include:

• Easily getting short of breath during exercise or activity
• Easily tiring during exercise or activity
• Swelling in the hands, ankles, or feet

Heart disease symptoms caused by diseased heart muscle.

In early stages of cardiomyopathy, you may have no symptoms. As the condition worsens, symptoms may include:

• Breathlessness with activity or at rest
• Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet
• Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting

Heart disease symptoms caused by heart infection.

Endocarditis is an infection that affects the inner lining of your heart chambers and heart valves. Heart infection signs and symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness or fatigue
• Swelling in your legs or abdomen
• Changes in your heart rhythm
• Dry or persistent cough
• Skin rashes or unusual spots

Heart disease symptoms caused by heart valve problems.

Depending on which valve isn’t working properly, valvular heart disease signs and symptoms generally include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat
• Swollen feet or ankles
• Chest pain
• Fainting

Obviously, we want you to see a doctor if any of the above symptoms occur often or seem life-threatening because several bad habits can lead to heart disease. Although, several can be avoided with the proper diet and lifestyle.  It doesn’t have to be miserable, on the contrary, it can actually be more fulfilling and tastier.

Digestive Disorders

• Bleeding.
• Bloating.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Heartburn.
• Incontinence.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Pain in the belly.

Unfortunately, several of the above symptoms are the result of too many years of fun.  Years of fried foods, heavy alcohol, sugary treats, and processed foods can all lead to digestive disease.

We Don’t Know Everything, but We Know A Lot…

“C is for cookie, that’s good enough for me,” was cookie monster’s favorite song to sing daily on Sesame Street.  Somewhere along the way in the mid-nineties and early 2000’s, Michelle Obama decided America’s obesity crisis had to end.  As a result, she concluded the beginning of the end would start with the children.  This led to several changes such as school lunches containing healthier choices, vending machines were removed, fruit was added, and physical education made a huge comeback.  Unfortunately, Cookie Monster lost his beloved lyrics and it’s been said, he never ate another cookie again.  Although we agree with Michele’s efforts to clean up America’s eating habits, things don’t have to be so one-sided.

Eating Can be Fun Again.

We ALL seem to be chasing the latest fad in eating healthy.  From Atkins to Keto to Fasting, these are all ok choices, but hard to create a life-long way of doing things.  As a result, people will try the latest fad diet, lose some weight, get off the diet and gain the weight right back.  Even more, they retain their bad habits as well, be it cake at midnight or 3 glasses of white wine before bed.  Aside from weight gain, fad dieting can also lead to disease due to the yo-yo toll it can take on our bodies.  Did you know, it is possible to learn something fun and new all while training your body to crave all things GOOD?

Here’s What We Would Do, but You Do You…

Before we would do anything, we would start from within by getting a good old fashioned blood workup.  As a result, we would start by knowing the facts without guessing what might or might not be leading to our gambit of issues.  Once we know the facts, we would start with a few supplements based on our specific needs found in our bloodwork.  Supplements are simply a way to kick-start your body and get it on the right track.  An example would be finding out you may be low in Vitamin D which contributes to several underlying issues and eventually disease.  Food can and will help you to get that D back to level A but taking a supplement at first lets your body know things are about to get GOOD! Luckily, here at Elite Health Online, we can help you with all of this and we’re only a consult away. Heck, it is why we started this whole thing in the first place…to help make America healthy again.

Let’s Eat!

You can be a lover of meat, fanatical for fish or very vegan, we really don’t care, it’s not about that.  Your daily quality of life can be found in the way you eat or prepare whatever it is you love to eat.  Moreover, it can be REALLY FUN and FULFILLING.  We dare you to try one or all the recipes listed below and try to tell us you hated it…it’s simply not possible. Bon Appetite!

Miso Glazed Mahi Mahi

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons sake or sherry
• 2 tablespoons miso paste
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon liquid aminos
• 1/2 tablespoon orange juice or marmalade
• Pinch hot pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon each grated garlic and ginger
• Grated zest of one lime
• 1 (6 ounce) Mahi Mahi filet
• 1 tablespoon chopped shallots
• 1 teaspoon toasted almonds
• Juice of 1 lime

PREPARATION

Whisk together the sake, miso, mirin, liquid aminos, ginger, garlic, cayenne, and orange in a bowl. Add the Mahi Mahi to a Ziplock flipping over in the marinade to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Bring Mahi Mahi to room temperature, about 15 minutes, then remove the fish from the marinade and shake off excess. Save the remaining marinade.

Heat a small non-stick pan over medium high heat with a small drizzle of olive oil. Add the fish and cook until done, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove fish from pan to a serving plate.

Pour the reserved marinade in the pan and cook until it is reduced by half. Add the shallots and almonds, tossing to mix. Pour over the Mahi Mahi. Squeeze the lime on top and serve.

Crock Pot Chicken and Cauliflower Rice

INGREDIENTS:

• 5-6 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 large 24oz. jar of picante sauce
• 1 bag of frozen cauliflower rice
• 1 can of pinto beans
• 1 can of Rotel tomatoes
• 1 bag shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

PREPERATION:

Place all chicken breasts in large crock pot and pour the entire jar of picante sauce over the chicken.  Turn crock pot to high setting and let cook for at least 6 hours or until chicken is falling apart and easy to shred.

Heat cauliflower rice up and add 1 can of drained rotel and 1 can of drained pinto beans.  Toss with salt and pepper to taste and add 1 cup of Monterrey Jack cheese, mix until melted throughout.

Plate the cauliflower rice as a bed for the shredded chicken.  Add the chicken on top of the cauliflower and finish off with a few avocado slices on top.  Enjoy!

Zucchini Boat Bruschetta

INGREDIENTS

• 3 medium Zucchini
• 2 cups grape tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup sundried tomatoes (chopped)
• 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
• 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
• 3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• Salt
• Pepper

 

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil (greased lightly) or parchment paper.

1. Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out a hollow area in the middle for the filling.
2. Arrange the zucchini cut side up on the lined baking sheet. Brush or spray with olive oil (about a tablespoon total). Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
3. Roast the zucchini in the oven for 12 minutes, until golden.
4. Meanwhile, combine the grape tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, and remaining olive oil. Add sea salt and black pepper to taste.
5. When the zucchini is done, spoon the bruschetta tomato mixture into each zucchini boat.
6. Bake for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft. Afterward, set the oven to the broil setting.
7. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the bruschetta. Broil for 2-3 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden.

 

Let’s Sum it Up…

Bottom line, eating right can be fun and delicious without depriving yourself.  Disease can be prevented by keeping our body fueled with what nature intended.  Keeping our hearts, liver, kidneys, and digestive tracts in tip-top shape WILL stop hundreds of diseases in their tracks.  Disease is sometimes inevitable, we understand that harsh reality, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do all we can to preserve all the health we’ve got.

Tip of the Day

Maybe you would like to start cooking and eating better, but have no clue what the words, chop, dice, shred, and dash REALLY mean.  Let alone understand the difference between a shallot and a scallion or sauté vs sear.  There are several companies out there that have made it super easy to learn how to cook hundreds of delicious dishes while having it all delivered right to your front door. Hello Fresh and Plated are two of our all-time favs.  Each company does an incredible job of sending you healthy meals with the exact ingredients you’ll need for way less than you would spend in the store.  You’ll feel like your own personal chef in no time, we promise!  Cheers and Hail to the Chef!