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Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower Soup
  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 shallots, sliced
  • 2 cans coconut milk or heavy cream
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil
  1. Place florets and shallots on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast at 400° F for about 30 minutes or until golden.
  2. Place roasted florets, shallots, and all other ingredients in a large saucepan.
  3. Bring to a boil, cover, and allow to simmer for 35-45 minutes. Add water to thin out mixture.
  4. Remove the bay leaf. If desired, puree soup in high-speed blender for smooth texture.
  5. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Enjoy!

What is Diet Variation? Understanding Feast and Famine Cycles

If you've been following me for a while, this concept won't be new to you. Diet variation has nothing to do with eating a variety of different foods, but rather how much food you're consuming; more specifically, it's engaging in feast-famine cycles.

This concept isn't new, bodybuilders have discovered it as a way to break through fat loss/ muscle gain plateaus, using cheat days. I honestly discovered it out of desperation while trying to help a client who was insulin resistant and had very damaged hormones. We were trying to get her into ketosis, but it just wasn't working, and she had previously been on my Cellular Healing Diet, which didn't work for her either—she was weight-loss-resistant. Something magic started to happen though when I switched her back to the (higher carb) Cellular Healing Diet: all of a sudden; she began to lose weight. Her hormone sensitivity went up, and then when I got her back on a ketogenic diet, she started making ketones and actually got into ketosis. It was an AHA moment for me, realizing that:

The key wasn't in the either-or diet; it was in a combination of the two.

Diet variation is rooted in the way of life of our ancestors, who regularly went through periods of feast followed by periods of fasting (in between hunts). It's this dance between both spectrums of eating that allows our hormones to optimize, our body to heal, healthy weight loss, and so much more. The problem we're trying to break free from here is stagnation, which manifests itself on both ends of the spectrum: being stuck in feast or fast mode.

Stuck in Feast Mode

It's no surprise that in the last century, the drastic change in lifestyle has made food so accessible that we no longer have to think twice about getting it. Supermarkets and mini markets are always within arms reach, open 24/7. We live in a culture that revolves around meals (not to mention all the marketing). Food has become the centerpiece of our society.

Famine used to be built into life because a hunt would go badly—or war would make food scarce. Today, there is no mechanism forcing us to go without, and so most of the population is living in constant feast mode. This constant fed state drives inflammation because the body is either in rest and repair mode or growth mode. A steady influx of food means the body is always digesting and never really focusing on repairing itself. The cellular consequences are an increase in the risk of disease.

The Body Is Smart, It Will Adapt To Fast Mode Too

Although the majority of the American population is no doubt stuck in feast mode, I would be willing to bet that many of the people reading this are stuck in “fast mode.” “Fast mode” doesn't necessarily mean you're only fasting, but it also applies to a ketogenic diet (essentially, whenever the body is running on ketones). You can only take your carbs so low, for so long, before negative consequences begin to creep up.

When I first discovered keto, it worked for me in the beginning. When it stopped working, I lowered my carbs— and lowered them more, until I no longer could. It was at that point that my progress stalled and even started reversing itself: I was gaining belly fat on a practically zero carb diet. Not only that, but my insulin started rising!

What's going on here? Well, the body is incredibly smart, and when it gets used to running on ketones (fat) instead of glucose (sugar) for a long time, it will begin to store fat for future use. It thinks, “Okay, this is my fuel source, better stock up in case I need it in the future.” Being stuck in ketone-burning mode will also upregulate the gluconeogenesis function, whereby your body will start pumping out more insulin than if you were consuming carbs. I've seen it time and time again: someone on strict keto for too long will consume a carb refeed, and their insulin will actually drop. Not only that, but a sustained low carb diet blunts the insulin receptors, and we have begun to see insulin resistance happening as a result—on low carb diets!

Why Does It Work?

It has to do with adaptation. I've interviewed many scientists and experts on Cellular Healing TV, and one of these scientists is Krista Varady, Ph.D., and author of The Alternate Day Fasting has spent her career researching feast-famine cycling. Her studies demonstrate the power that alternate-day fasting (capped at 500 calories per day) has on hormones, weight loss, brain function, and disease reduction. Dr. Valter Longo saw the same benefits in his five-day fasting-mimicking diet. He noticed a generation of new stem cells, a decrease in excess body fat while preserving lean muscle mass, and maintenance of healthy levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

When we vary the diet, hormonal changes take place as a result of forcing adaptation on the body. Similarly to exercise, if we stick to one same diet or training program for an extended period, the body will adapt and hit a plateau. We've seen the same adaptation success in the study of weight loss resistant mice, who were exposed to hot and cold therapy. The adaptation forced on the body by being exposed to cyclically hot to cold temperatures (like sauna and cold showers) enabled these mice to lose body fat finally.

When one style of eating is maintained for a long time, we begin to see imbalances that are not conducive to health and longevity. It can cause deficiencies (like a vegetarian diet) or can drive up inflammation (like a high protein paleo diet). Still, when we find balance and swing between high carb (feast) and low carb (fast) days, the body is continually adapting and becoming more resilient.

People are debating on what diet is best…. But what I'm saying is: they're all okay. The magic is in the change, forcing adaptation. That's the key.

Benefits of Diet Variation Include:

  • Loss of body fat
  • Increase of lean muscle mass
  • Improved cognitive function
  • Fights cancer
  • Fights diabetes
  • Fights cardiovascular disease
  • Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation

Are All Carbs The Same?

Look, the studies show that feast-famine cycles work even if you don't change your diet whatsoever. The alternate-day fasting study that Dr. Krista Varady did had people going back to their standard American diet on the non-fasting days, but I can't help but wonder how much better their results would have been if they opted for a healthy diet on feast days. The same goes for Dr. Valter Longo's fasting-mimicking study: apart from the five days of partial fasting, the patients could eat whatever they wanted. I always tell my clients to opt for the healthier types of carbs. Healthier being unrefined, preferably organic foods like yams, wild rice, squash, pumpkin, carrots, and fruit. If the only way you're going to implement these fast cycles into your life is by still being able to have pizza on the weekends, then start there. Still, over time you should try to clean up the diet because although the feasting is an essential aspect of the protocol, there are harmful effects that ensue when consuming GMOs, refined oils, flours, and sugars, hybridized foods, and pesticides/ herbicides.

You have to factor in your current state of health, allergies, and intolerances. If your hormones are damaged or your insulin resistant, stay away from the junk. If you're already in optimal health, you can get away with more junk, but if you care about living a long (and healthy to the end) life, you'll opt for healthy carbs too.

Types of Diet Variation: How to Implement It

There are three main ways you can implement diet variation in your life. Best choose the one that you can see yourself sustaining in the long run.

1. Seasonal Variation

Seasonal diet variation is a very natural process when you think of following a seasonal ancestral diet. There weren't many plants growing in the winter so that winters would be very ketogenic (animal protein and fats), and summers would be more abundant in vegetables and fruit, which is the higher carb cycle. So in the winter you can restrict your carbs and consume a moderate amount of protein and high fat to stay relatively keto, and in the summer consume those berries, yams, pumpkin, wild rice, and whatever else carbs you enjoy.

2. Monthly Variation

The monthly variation has been studied and is referred to as the “fasting-mimicking diet” spearheaded by Dr. Valter Longo. Participants were restricted to 500 calories (mostly from fat) for five days a month, and for the rest of the month, they could eat whatever they wanted. The results were astounding: weight management and metabolic health, autophagy, and stem-cell rejuvenation.

Another way of incorporating a monthly variation might resonate with the women out there, who feel a wave of carbohydrate/ chocolate cravings take over when they're nearing their menstrual cycle. We've had this conversation many times in my household, and how beneficial it can be actually to listen to your body's cravings! Keeping with a ketogenic diet the rest of the month, you can indulge in all those carbs one week a month and get all those diet variation benefits plus ease the symptoms you may be having during the massive hormonal shift that occurs when you menstruate.

 3. Weekly Variation

Weekly variation is great because it's easy to incorporate into your life. Cycling seasonally can be difficult because you get used to one style of eating; I know personally when I've played around with seasonal shifts, it feels very odd to make the switch to a daily higher carb diet. With weekly variation, you hop around between keto, fasting, and a carbohydrate reefed(s), and can tailor the days to suit your schedule. I like to keep my higher carb days for a Saturday or Sunday, and then depending on your goals and your current state of health; you can include one, two, or even three days of fasting on busier days (you won't even realize you aren't eating!).

There are so many options here, but these are three of the most typical weekly diet variation combinations I teach my patients:

5-1-1: five days keto, one-day fasting, one-day feasting.

4-2-1: four days keto, two days are fasting, one-day feasting.

3-2-2: three days keto, two days fasting, two days feasting.

Find a balance that works for you. If you're sick or healing from adrenal issues, be mindful of that and include more feast days. You might be the type of person who always wants to maximize benefits but trust me: easing into it will maximize the benefits. If you're a seasoned intermittent faster and have completed prolonged water fast, try for the 3-2-2 or the 4-2-1. Listen to your body, and find a method to vary your diet that can realistically fit into your lifestyle.

Learn more here>>>> https://healthhuntersradio.com/episodes/hunters/episode-9-what-is-diet-variation

Beyond Fasting

There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of diets out there that promise quick, effective results. But there’s only one protocol I’ve found that can truly reverse fatigue, brain fog, low libido, stubborn fat, mood issues, and more…And this program doesn’t ask that you print out pages of shopping lists or memorize a list of “forbidden” foods. Instead, it’s designed to train your body to create new stem cells and heal from the inside out… no complex meal plans required.

Dr. Pompa's bestselling book Beyond Fasting holds all the secrets of fasting and more, with a 7-week proven protocol that sets you up for fat burning, blood sugar control, and endless energy. And if you’ve tried fasting before with no luck? Set yourself up for success with the only fasting program that equips you with the tools to create new stem cells from day one. It’s time to banish fatigue, constant food cravings, and stubborn fat.

Grab your copy of Beyond Fasting for proven healing program that will change your life.

The Hidden Dangers of Mold Toxicity: A Silent Killer

The Hidden Dangers of Mold Toxicity: A Silent Killer This subject is an incredibly important topic because it is an ever-growing “missing piece” in the very complicated matrix of modern-day illness. Today we are going to talk about mold. Not the kind of mold that grows on food, but rather black mold: a biotoxic predator that is sweeping the nation and hiding behind our walls and floorboards.

mold toxicity

The Hidden Dangers of Mold Toxicity: A Silent Killer

Mold is an ever-increasing problem because modern ways of constructing buildings use drywall and wallpaper, which (as we will explore a little bit later) is the perfect storm to create a black mold infestation. Let’s dive in and explore the symptoms of mold toxicity, what to look for to properly diagnose mold infestation, and how to safely get rid of it in your home.

As we’ve touched on, the dangerous mold that we are discussing today is not the kind that grows on food left in the fridge too long. These biotoxic molds that take hold of our homes, hotels, or workspaces release a particular type of toxin called mycotoxin, which is a biotoxin that interferes with the body’s hormones and eventually takes a severe toll on whole-body health.

It can have a musky smell that you can recognize, but frequently it goes completely unnoticed. It is common in old hotels as well as newer office spaces, especially in damp locations. All it takes is some water (which could be dampness in the air or a leak in the pipes), and all of a sudden, the mold starts to grow indoors. There’s not necessarily visible mold; oftentimes, it’s behind the walls or the floorboards — a silent killer.

Some people are susceptible to mold.

Some people enter a space and immediately start feeling the symptoms: headaches, body aches, allergies, poor sleep. It’s estimated 1 in 4 people are hypersensitive to mold exposure. Whether or not you are one of those hypersensitive people, you do not want to be exposed to this stuff, because mold exposure is causing low levels of chronic stress that can build up over time and cause severe damage in the body.

The Symptoms

Mold toxicity is one of the most common things I see in my patients. They will begin to describe their symptoms, and within minutes, I can already tell: it’s mold. Mold toxicity is very hard to diagnose because the list of symptoms is so broad and complex. Many people get turned away from their GP’s because there are no specific tests available to diagnose it accurately. But as someone who has experienced it myself and seen so many patients recover from mold toxicity, I know it’s real.

The Symptoms of Mold Toxicity Include:

Autoimmune Reactions

The low level underlying chronic stressor of mold toxicity can be that source of stress that’s slowly filling up your cup until some specific event triggers a full-blown autoimmune reaction. A common occurrence is during pregnancy. If a woman has been filling her cup up with these low levels of mycotoxin stress for years, and then falls pregnant, the led released from her bones (since bone density naturally reduces during pregnancy) can trigger a severe autoimmune reaction.

Another example of this low level of underlying stress is a subject we touched on recently at Health Hunters, and that is mercury (amalgam) fillings. We think these poisons don’t impact us because they are not hurting us straight away, but they are there slowly and silently stressing the body— until it breaks.

Mold Toxicity: My Experience

This subject is something I have experience with not only through my clients but in my personal (and recent) life. I had a blower go in my heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that resulted in a condensation build-up, which filled up the pan, which eventually overflowed and started leaking. It took us about two days to notice because the HVAC was running non-stop, so when I went downstairs to check on the system, I saw a wet carpet.

I put fans on it immediately, and when I went back the next day to check on it, the wood was covered in fuzzy mold. When I got back from a trip, my daughter was complaining of knee pain (which she hadn’t had in a long time). My wife started to have pain in her hips, and I had fatigue and just felt “off.” We cut into the drywall to reveal about a quarter-inch thick of mold growing all over the place. We were by mold exposure.

It can go undetected.

It’s important to note that many people would never suspect that mold is at the root cause of their ailments. On the surface, we did everything right, pulled up the carpet, and let everything dry. But the mold was behind the boards, and although it was invisible, it was infesting the air and poisoning our bodies with biotoxic materials.

Drywall and paper are the perfect storms for mold because cellulose (found between the two) is food for the bacteria. All you need is a little moisture (or a leak), and you have yourself a mold infestation. This problem amplifies with how most modern buildings are sealed because of the lack of airflow traps in moisture (combined that with the drywall problem): biotoxic warzone.

What To Look For:

You may have to “fog” your space:

If there’s any leak, this is a surefire sign that mold is on the way. Make sure you properly dry all the affected areas within 24-28 hours, including under the floorboards and behind the walls. Preventatively I would also suggest using a natural chemical and fog space (see below for more on how to do that).

How To Properly Test 

Test Yourself

Test Your Home for mold toxicity

Your average mold testing or insurance company will not accurately diagnose mold infestation. Many companies only test for spores in the air. Since mold lurks behind walls and floors, their spores are hidden there as well. What is emitted into the atmosphere are mycotoxins, which do not register on a spore test.

A better option to test for mold toxicity is the ERMI Test. The ERMI tests bits of dust that have been vacuumed out of critical places (like behind the walls, the HVAC systems, and corners in the basement). This test is much more accurate in locating the spores. You can order one at survivingmold.com.

Another, even perhaps better tool, is mold dogs. Yes, dogs have been trained to sniff out the mold. They are an incredible tool to locate mold in your home or space. Hop on Google and find a business in your area.

I Found Mold, What To Do?

  1. Control the Humidity: Controlling humidity is the number one because humidity feeds the biotoxins. It’s what sends the toxic stuff out into the air; it’s what’s making you sick. If you don’t control the humidity, there will be no fixing the problem. The key number here is less than 50% humidity. Ideally, significantly lower than that. To get humidity levels low, you may require an industrial dehumidifier, or two, depending on the size of your space.

Low-Humidity is imperative before moving forward because a humid space is a moldy space.

  1. Inline Air Filtration Filters: If you don’t already have them, try installing inline air filtration filters. MERV 7 to MERV 11 would be my suggestion. If you go too high of a MERV rating, it can cut down on the flow for your HVAC. A high MERV rating affects your air conditioning and heating within the home. You can install larger units (which are a little more expensive). However, the bigger size means you can get a higher MERV rating and still move quite a bit of air through your HVAC. We like Enviroklenz mobile air system.
  2. Mold toxicity: Detox the Home: once you’ve dehumidified, you want to clean the space (including the entire HVAC). Then you want to “fog” the space with a natural chemical to knock out the biotoxins and mold count. There are a few options. One effective spray is “Concrobium.” Concrobium is an over-the-counter natural chemical you can find at places like Home Depot. To do this properly, you need to seal up the house. Sealing the house creates negative air pressure. Next, spray the entire home as well as the whole HVAC system. Your best bet is to hire someone competent to do this properly. You don’t want to risk improperly detoxing your home and risking future problems.
  3. Re-test, and possibly evacuate. Unfortunately, getting rid of mold toxicity is not always possible. Even the most qualified company might not be able to fix a nasty mold problem. When building materials are very porous (like wood), the infestation can be profound. No amount of excavation, cleaning, and fogging will do. You have to understand that these toxins mostly make their way into everything. It can go from books to bedding, clothes, and furniture. If your mold problem is bad, you might have to genuinely get rid of everything, move, and start fresh. Taking beds, furniture, and other objects from a mold-infested home into a new home might bring those biotoxic spores with you. It might seem extreme, but having worked with so many clients whose health has been devastated by mold toxicity: it’s worth it.

Here’s one way to address mold before you take deeper or more drastic measures… 

Because millions of people suffer from mold, but also allergies and sensitivities. They feel like their lives are a constant battle between their bodies and substances in the environment that trigger their symptoms. That’s why I’m so big on something called the EnviroKlenz®, which is an indoor air solution that kills bad bacteria (including mold) and also removes impurities from the air.  EnviroKlenz® is committed to air purification on TWO fronts – odors and toxins AND particulate matter – WITHOUT allowing harmful compounds or particulate matter to linger in the air.  And there are no fragrances, no toxic chemicals, and no additional compounds, ever. 

EnviroKlenz® is relentless at removing particulate matter in the air like smoke, soot, and pollen too!  With its hospital-grade HEPA filter, it can remove at least 99.97% of fine particulate matter from the air in your home or business quickly and efficiently.

For more on how to make your home safe, check out Cellular Healing TV, and for more on how to safely and efficiently detox from toxin exposure (including mold), check out Drpompa.com. You can also learn more here: Health Hunters Radio, Episode 14: Dangers of Mold.

 

 

Anti-Inflammatory Golden Latte

Anti-Inflammatory Golden Latte

  1. Place all of the ingredients in a high-powered blender. Note: If your blender is not a high-powered one, grate or mince the turmeric and ginger roots before adding them to the blender, or use powdered turmeric and ginger.
  2. Blend on high speed for 10 to 30 seconds. The longer the mixture is blended, the stronger the turmeric and ginger flavor will be, especially if using fresh roots.
  3. Transfer the blended mixture to a small saucepan and bring to a light simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally, about 8 minutes. Pour into mugs and sprinkle with cinnamon.
  4. Enjoy!

Coconut Cashew Cookies

Coconut Cashew Cookies

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  3. Place ingredients in the bowl of a food processor in the order listed above. Blend ingredients until you can pinch some of the mixture between your fingers and it sticks together.
  4. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl.
  5. Roll the mixture into round balls (I like using a melon baller) and place onto your prepared baking tray, leaving a little room between each one.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are slightly browned on the top. They brown fast, so keep a close watch.
  7. Remove from the oven, and place in a cool spot. LEAVE the cookies on the baking sheet for 20 minutes to cool before moving. (DO NOT skip this step, the cookies will crumble if they are not completely cooled first).

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

  1. Preheat oven to 425° F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. (If you are using a pizza stone, place in the oven while it preheats, without parchment paper.)
  2. On the stove top, cook the cauliflower rice until tender. I generally add a few tablespoons of water for fresh, 1 tablespoon or none at all, for frozen.
  3. Once the cauliflower is warmed through (do not overcook), let cool slightly then place in a clean kitchen/tea towel and squeeze really, really well to remove all of the water.
  4. Add the squeezed cauliflower to a large bowl, with the eggs, coconut flour, baking powder garlic powder and sea salt. Mix really well to combine with a wooden spoon.
  5. On the parchment lined pan, press and form into your crust, it should be around 8-9 inches in diameter.
  6. Bake the crust without toppings for 12-15 minutes in the 425°F oven. Bake until it is golden brown on the bottom and not soft or soggy in the middle.
  7. Remove the crust from the oven to cook the toppings and melt any cheese, etc.
  8. Once done, let cool for just a minute or two, cut and serve!
  9. Enjoy!