I speak to many mothers wanting to do the right thing and buy healthier food for their kids and themselves. Unfortunately, marketers have realised that if they put ‘Gluten Free’ on their product packaging most shoppers will assume it is a healthy option…but far from it!

Most ‘gluten free’ products you’ll find on the supermarket shelves are made with processed carbohydrates, thickeners, emulsifiers, sugar, preservatives and yeast, and they are cleverly marketed ‘Gluten Free’ under names such as Pure-Bred. For someone suffering from digestive problems or intolerances, these products may be a worse option than choosing a good organic wholefood product. Why?

Firstly, I have been experimenting with gluten free alternative foods for the last 7 years for my daughter, and subsequently for myself. My daughter had major gut dysfunction, and through trial and error finding healthy alternative options, she now has a pretty good digestive system. So I write this blog based on my experience.

To maintain a healthy gut, the food that needs to be avoided is sugar. A healthy digestive system requires a healthy gut flora (friendly bacteria) to provide a natural barrier from ‘bad’ bacteria, toxins and parasites. Eating processed and sugary carbohydrates promotes the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria and species of fungi, such as, Candida, Streptococci and Staphylococci, which can cause various health problems and gut dysfunction if they get out of control.

If you are celiac and cannot tolerate any gluten at all, then when it comes to bread, a gluten free bread may be your only option…if you have to eat bread. Having said that, research studies have shown that even some celiacs may tolerate an organic sourdough traditionally made with a natural sourdough leaven (not baker’s yeast). This traditional fermentation process produces enzymes that break down the gluten protein in the flour in a process called ‘hydrolysis’. My daughter can tolerate Sonoma Spelt Sourdough that you can buy at Harris Farm and Thomas Dux stores along with other Sonoma sourdoughs.

So my advise here is don’t just read the attractive marketing razzle dazzle on the front of the packet saying ‘gluten free’ with all the big red ticks on the side. Turn to the back and read the ingredients…and if you don’t know what they are it’s likely your body doesn’t either!

I’ll be blogging more about wholefood alternatives

Gaby Bonello

Holistic Kinesiologist – Ki Life Kinesiology, Northern Beaches Sydney.

The post Why ‘Gluten Free’ Is Not Always A Healthy Choice appeared first on Ki Life Kinesiology.

“Nature provides what you need” …in a weed.

I have an abundance of dandelion, which is a highly nutritious medicinal plant, growing as a weed in my garden. Many would have picked the flowers (the seeded head) to make a wish and blow the seeds into the air, yet don’t realise they’ve left the best part of the plant behind.

You can use every part of the dandelion plant – the leaves and flowers are great in salads or dried to make tea, and the roots can be dried and brewed as a coffee substitute. I pick and eat a couple of leaves before meals as a digestive and it’s an excellent liver tonic.

Food Fact from Dr Mercola:

Dandelions contain one of the richest sources of beta carotene of all herbs, numerous flavonoids (including FOUR times the beta carotene of broccoli), lutein, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, vitamins (including folic acid, riboflavin, pyroxidine, niacin, and vitamins E and C), a high source of vitamin K1, and minerals (including magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese, and iron). Every part of the dandelion is edible and full of nutrition and its leaves are rich in dietary fibre. 

So there you have it … feed from a weed.

That is, as long as you don’t spray it! (like they do on the current ‘Roundup Weedkiller’ TV ad).

Gaby Bonello – Ki Life Kinesiology, Northern Beaches Sydney.

The post My mantra for the garden and life appeared first on Ki Life Kinesiology.

Today, my daughter passed me October’s edition of Madison, whilst having arancinis and chinos at Bacino, Dee Why Beach. It happened to be the Health & Wellness edition for 2012 with a piece about Kinesiology … no coincidence I’m sure.

Well, to my surprise, I couldn’t have written it better. A simple answer to the question, “What is Kinesiology?” so I happily quote from Madison:

“Kinesiology is based on the idea the body can ‘tell’ you where are blockages in it’s energy flow, which a therapist can then release. A practitioner will use muscle monitoring and other diagnostic tests before releasing blockages with techniques such as” …

This is where techniques used in Kinesiology may vary; so I would say techniques such as …Traditional Chinese acupressure, brain integration, chakra balancing, postural & structural corrections and counselling.

“Because blockages can come from physical or emotional stress, the practice has a holistic bent. Your diet, lifestyle, mental state and work and home life are all examined.”

Kinesiology works on ‘all of you’ not just a part of you, as everything is interconnected. So, it would not be surprising if you go to a kinesiologist with a hip complaint and the focus of the session is around flow and forward direction in life. Or vice versa, your issue is the sense of feeling ‘stuck’ in life direction, and you receive a gentle pelvic structural correction.

Everything is interconnected … as today I complete my elevator speech!

Gaby
Gaby Bonello ~ Holistic Kinesiologist @ Ki Life

Kinesiology Northern Beaches Sydney

The post Kin~esi~what? appeared first on Ki Life Kinesiology.

“…a time to prepare the mind and body with new intentions…to grow.”

The air is warming, the birds singing, bright green buds and leaves begin to shoot…first signs of spring. A sense of restlessness may begin as the body feels this time of change within, stirring and moving to break through the crusted earth of winter.

Spring is a time to prepare the earth to sow new seeds. It is a time to prepare the mind and body with new thoughts and intentions to cultivate, to grow.

First, the mind must be cleared of unwanted weeds, the garden prepared and made fertile for new growth. This is a perfect metaphor for mind, body and spirit working together to create new possibilities.

Ready for something new? Whether it be in your health, relationships, career, money or wellness in general, experience Kinesiology to support you manifest your true intentions this spring.

Gaby
Gaby Bonello ~ Holistic Kinesiologist @ Ki Life

Kinesiology Northern Beaches Sydney

The post Welcoming Transitions of Spring appeared first on Ki Life Kinesiology.