- protecting all our vital organs (heart, lung, kidney, liver, brain, central nervous system)

- getting the blood pumping (our blood contains red blood cell which is our nutrient deliverers and white blood cell which are our immune system or clean up crew)

- moving toxins around and preparing the skin (sweat), the kidneys (urination) and the lungs (breath) to excrete these toxins

When our muscles contract, whether that is from running, biking, walking, lifting, swimming, Pilates, yoga, stretching exercises, sports (need I go on), each muscle contraction is squeezing thousands of internal pipe-lines called lymph (where our white blood cells, the “army”) lives.  In addition, the heart is a huge pump that is just receiving and delivering blood (white and red blood cells) to each part of the body.  Moving your body not only gets some of the “crap” out, but it also delivers healthy nutrients to each organ system.

So, stop reading and get up and 20 jumping jacks!  Go kick box tonight or walk after a light dinner!  Get your blood moving so all the yummy nutrients you had for dinner get delivered to any body part in need of a little love!

I was mesmerized.  Without as much as a thought, I dove in for one slice which quickly accumulated into four insanely good slices of pizza.  I broke my gluten free diet of 5.5 years with much regret, I must admit.

Now, let me back track for a second.  I’m 30 years old and I have eaten gluten every day of my life until August of 2006.  Most of you are probably thinking, “what is gluten anyway?”  So let me start there.  Gluten is a protein found in some grains such as wheat and related species like spelt, barley and rye.  Corn, rice, quinoa, millet and amaranth are NON-gluten containing grains.  Some theories say that ALL grains contain a small amount of gluten, but the ones mentioned above as GF (gluten free) typically do not give gluten sensitive people a problem.  Oats.  Well, those guys are on the fence for most people.  Half the gluten sensitive population who buy gluten free (GF) oats do just fine.  The other half, just can’t seem to process any grains all that well and oats are a definite no-no.

Common symptoms:  gas, bloating, digestive issues, constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, inability to gain or lose weight, muscle or joint aches/pains, head aches, moodiness, sleep disturbances, inability to regulate your own temperature (running hot or cold), dehydration, anxiety, depression, diabetes, poor immune system, thyroid issues, adrenal issues, infertility, cancer, heart disease and much more…

Gluten was introduced to our diet during the industrial revolution.  Prior to that we were eating more of a paleolithic diet (veggies, meats, fruits, nuts and maybe some legumes/beans).  We were grain free.  As a matter of fact, cows naturally eat grass, but since we have been trying to bulk them up by feeding them corn, soy, gluten and other grains, the cow’s inability to process the grains has weakened their immune system leading to more disease = the use of antibiotics and then the use of hormones to re-bulk the cows for slaughter and resale.  Gross right?!  To think that you are eating meat with hormones and antibiotics in it.  Ewwww.

The point was actually, well 1. eat grass fed beef, but 2. since we are carnivores and omnivores, we too do not typically do well with grains.  Grains weaken our immune system and gut function.  So living in a society where EVERY meal contains some sort of processes carbohydrate (or grain) is hard on our bodies.  Hence all the disease and dysfunction.  To make things even worse, 2/3rds of people are sensitive to gluten.  And get this, most of our immune system is in our gut and 90% of our happy hormone (serotonin) is also produced in the gut.  So if you are eating foods that upset your gut, like gluten, then guess what.  Your immune system is compromised and you probably aren’t full of energy and Suzzie sunshine.  Get it?  Our digestive tracts, like the cows, are compromised by excess grain intake leading to a weakened immune system which leads to all sorts of other mental, physical and emotional complications.  Gluten being the major culprit.

So how do you know if you’re gluten sensitive or truly allergic?  You can start by requesting a stool sample or an allergy test from your Doctor.  I prefer to get as much information as possible, which is why I like ALCAT.  ALCAT is a lab that tests up to 200 different types of foods and even herbal medicines, molds, environmental allergies, food additives and dyes with your blood.  It tests your immune systems response to the antigens in each food/allergen being tested.  It is my personal favorite test and done right in my office!

Ok, so if you aren’t even curious or convinced yet, watch this 12minute clip I did on TV several months ago about gluten, then be sure to read my personal story.  This will blow your mind.  PS- the gluten topics starts 4 minutes into the clip.

So, here is my story.

I didn’t even know what gluten was until I enrolled at National College of Natural Medicine to being my medical school journey the natural way!  I remember walking into my first doctors appointment thinking, “there’s nothing wrong with me.  I’m fit, I’m healthy, I’m happy and I’m about to be a doctor.  I’m a personal trainer and nutritionist.  I know all about healthy living and healthy foods.”  BUT I made an appointment because I felt it was only appropriate that I begin seeing a naturopathic doctor since I too would soon be an N.D.  Turns out I had some body aches and pains, my periods weren’t regular, I wasn’t having daily bowel movements, I had chronic urinary tract infections and brain fog mixed in with some learning difficulties and some suppressed emotions due to past trauma that I had “overcome”.  Dang, maybe I was a mess!  But, my issues didn’t seem that “obvious” and as “bad” to me.  I felt fine.  The world experience me as awesome and the issues I did have weren’t “that bad”, so I thought.  I guess I could have felt a little bit more energized, had less physical pain, less sensitive to cold weather and of course I wished I was a better “learner”, but I truly thought everything was “good” minus a moment here and there of feeling crappy.  But crazy thing is- you don’t even have to have those moments.  You can feel amazing all the time and reach a whole new level of health that you didn’t even know existed.  So, as my doctor was so eagerly trying to convince me of this “even better health feeling”, I agreed to take gluten, soy and diary out of my diet for 3 months with the promise that I could slowly add it back in to see how my body reacted. I was skeptical and somewhat defiant at first, but finally committed to taking gluten, soy and dairy out of my diet without as much as one single bite for 3 whole months.

3 months later was Thanksgiving.  Yup!  I gorged on all my favorite foods.  Stuffing (gluten), pie (gluten and dairy), corn bread (corn, gluten and diary) and much more…. needless to say, I was comatose 5 minutes after dinner and still “not me” for about three full days after that.  My gut hurt, my body ached, my nervous system was shot and my mind felt emotional.

That’s when I decided, I would be committed to going gluten free for good.

It’s amazing what shifted for me over the years.  I was truly able to see how different my body felt and performed in every day life as well as in my sports- I was functioning off real energy, I felt physically stronger, more agile and pain free.  My mind felt clearer, sharper and I was communicating more effectively.  I felt less emotionally reactive, at a whole new level of happiness and grounded.  I felt alive, solid and free.  I transformed into a happier and healthier version of me!  Now don’t get me wrong, food is just one aspect of the whole picture.  I was being treated on all levels using botanical and energy medicine, exploring my new profession, but having one less stress on my body (food- something you eat at least 3x/day) definitely helped!

It was interesting because so many of my “little symptoms” went away and my overall health improved drastically with a very obvious “bad” reintroduction experiment with my eliminated foods, that once I made the choice to stop eating gluten, I never really thought twice about having it .  It was never tempting.  And truth is now days, grocery shopping GF really isn’t as hard as you think.  Eating out is getting easier since most restaurants have GF options.  And I knew how it made me feel, which wasn’t worth the bite of a gewy chocolate chip cookie or a warm slice of pizza.

I much prefer being at the top of my game, feeling good, having the clarity and energy to manifest the future I want, playing in the sun and loving life 24/7 verse having lingering issues, feeling internally irritable, tired, unmotivated, constantly making trips to CVS for a quick suppression drug that will have a negative side effect on your overall health and eventually cause some alternate medical issue or feeling clueless in the “all natural section” when really you just need to avoid the foods that “hurt you” and seek out naturopathic medical care to 1. repair your gut, 2. detox your central nervous system and associated organs and 3.  balance your endocrine system.

But something about last Sunday.  I either forgot or needed this quick reminder to educate YOU!  Day one post-gluten, I was a mess.  Irritable, indecisive, emotional (and for those who don’t know me- I’m a very free spirited, happy go lucky person with a lot of energy and an optimistic attitude), but I was in a head space.  A funky space.  I wanted to be alone, but then I didn’t.  In my mind everything irritated me, options created confusion and nobody could do anything right.  Of course, I could push all that aside and show up in the world as “regular easy flowing me” so nobody could tell there was anything “off”, but the mental process and the internal feelings were so “irritable and insane”.  The internal inflammation created by my indulgence manifested as joint pains, muscles aces and fatigue.  I felt like I had the flu.  And even worse, my insides were so irritated I felt like I was crawling out of my skin.  Everything itched, I was tired but wired and I wanted it all to just STOP.  Honestly, I felt like a drug addict detoxing.  Sounds dramatic, but watch any movie that portrays a drug-detox or a mentally ill person in a psych-ward and that is how I FELT.  I was internally uncomfortable and it was effecting my physical body, my mind and my mood.  Fortunately I’m in control of my mind, body and emotions and could detach myself from what my body was experiencing and move through my day “normally”, but my insides felt like I was going crazy- mentally and physically with itches and twitches, oh my!  My immediate thoughts were irrational, I couldn’t sleep and I was unmotivated and tired.  I was a mess.

Clearly, still a bit brain foggy since the last paragraph was so repetitive!

Day three proved to set me closer to normal, but honestly, I still feel a little “congested”.

This whole expereince just reminds me that when we are feeding our bodies foods that our body LIKES, it creates a healthy, happy body that can reach it’s optimum potential.  But when we are unconsciously (or consciously) feeding our body foods the body is “reacting negatively too”, we are causing a constant stress leading to imbalance and differing levels of dis-ease.  That could be physical symptoms such as weight gain, constipation and head aches…high blood pressure, joint aches/pains and sleep issues.  Or it can mean feeling mentally unstable, moody, anxious, irritable, depressed or even fatigued.

I suggest YOU don’t let the gluten monster impact your life and see what foods are healing you and what foods are hurting you.  Get an ALCAT test done or start with the elimination diet and see how your overall health and specific issues begin to change.

As always, I’m here for you!  Happy eating!  From Life In Motion Clinic and Dr. Michelle 760.230.2270.

In Health, Dr. Michelle Wolford, ND

Week 1 was interesting…Day 1 was a challenge.  I had a dinner party for 14 people and still managed to stay away from gluten, dairy, soy, corn, peanuts and alcohol.  Day 2 and 3 were great because I just continued with the empowerment I felt on day 1.  Day 4 was fine until I had dinner at my aunt and uncles and it was taco night.   avoided corn tortillas, sour cream and cheese; and of course the ice cold cerveza that presented me after a 2hr tennis match (that I by the way, so desperately wanted!), but then I found out the guac had sour cream in it.  I could tell because I felt mucusy immediately after adding it to my food.  I then found out the hamburger meet had a seasoning on it with gluten and soy.

I was a bit bummed because the reason I wanted to do this cleanse was to “give my body a break”.  To clean out and feel amazing!

So, Monday and Tuesday night I really focused on being good again.  Not allowing something small discourage me from my personal commitment to cleanse.  Int he past, I would have wanted to make an excuse and say, “well, it’s already messed up, how about those chips and beer!?”  But this cleanse has two purposes for me- a superficial purpose and a deep/spiritual purpose.

Wednesday night rolled around (Day 7) and I had coffee.  I never have coffee so avoiding coffee is NOT part of MY cleanse, but I learned something really interesting.  Coffee is toxic to my nervous system.  I had literally two sips and was so wired that it sent my adrenals (stress glands) into overdrive.  And that night, I had two glasses of wine without even thinking.  I was on warp speed non-thinking, ungrounded, focused yet oddly robotic mode.  Then I realized, I hadn’t eaten ALL day and alcohol is basically sugar and sugar on an empty stomach for me = cookie monster meaning without thinking because I’m still wired and acting somewhat impulsively from the two sips of coffee went out and bought a block of cheese, some gluten free crackers, chicken, rice and salad mixings.  I crave more sugar (alcohol, dairy, carbs and chocolate) as well as fatty foods like nuts, cheese and meats to counteract the sugar high.  What a learning experience!

So last night I broke the cleanse, but I learned SO much from it.  So, today, I’m back on and I have gained awareness!  And hopefully can use this new information for future decisions, habits, actions, ect!  What have you learned?

Lent, March Madness and a little spring cleaning for a better beach body or just a healthier YOU!!!  You in?  Let’s be honest, we can always do a little more on the healthy side for ourselves.  Whether that’s play more, eat cleaner, laugh more, relax more, take some time for YOU….more is not always better, but in some cases, it is!  And this month, I’m asking you to do MORE for YOU.

Go grab a piece of paper….write down the top 3 things you want to accomplish this month- 3 for biz, 3 for personal and 3 for health.  Then expand that thought for the rest of 2012 (3 biz, 3 personal and 3 health goals you would like to accomplish in 2012).

Those goals are going to be your main focus, but the cleanse I’m going to guide you through will help support your ultimate goals.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that my shoulder-angel is secretly in love with my shoulder-devil, so often the lovers spat results in the rebellious side getting the final say (oops! I’m human too…), but I’m ready for the angel to prevail and have a successful, true spring cleaning to prep my body for big decisions, a more energized, happier, healthier me and what greatness can emerge from changing a couple things in my life.  Some changes are temporary, but often the healthy ones that make a positive impact, stick, and I’m looking to press the reset button!

Some of you may want a re-set as well or maybe you already feel really great, even with all these crazy changes going on, but either way, think of this challenge as a way to enhance your greatness.

The best place to start with true sustainable change that can actually impact your life is WITH-IN!  So, why not clean out the junk, clear some space for newness and see what follows?

I’ve cleaned my house, cleaned out my closet, cleaned the kitchen (fridge and cabinets) and now I’m ready to clean my insides.  Heck ya!  Ok guys, for those interested, I’m about to take you on a health journey.  Doesn’t matter where you are in the grand scheme of your personal “health journey” we can ALL benefit.  It is about enhancing what you already have going for you and catapulting you into a higher level of awesomeness.  I think it’s always good to re-evaluate and create a personal challenge that will result in “mo-better”.  This will be a journey of add-ins and omissions that can impact your health, wealth and relationships in a positive way! 

I have chosen to do a 31 day cleanse.  I will start today, March 1 (something happen with Mail chimp, so its now the 2^nd- sorry!), but many of you have requested the weekend to get organized and “really” start Monday March 5.  There is NO perfect time to start.  Stop making excuses- now is the BEST TIME!

I challenge you to commit to 10 days, once you make it to 10, then push yourself to go a full 21.  It takes 21 days to form a habit.  You want to see some things shift, right?

My goal is to really center myself and focus on cleansing ME the ENTIRE month of March.  I challenge YOU to cleanse your LIFE for 31 days (even if it spills into April!)  See what you can get ride of and then what you are open to attracting.

So, I will start by asking you to be honest with yourself, what do YOU (not your mother, your boyfriend, your wife, your friends, ect), but YOU really want to create in your life?  What do you want your life to look like? 

Big question, I know.  But sometimes part of cleansing is about getting ride of old thoughts, patterns and beliefs; things, behaviors, thoughts that do not serve you well.

Keep THAT in your minds eye as you make decisions this month and remember the moment is just that- the moment- so lets enjoy the moment, but make decisions that bring you closer to your ultimate dream!

Ready?

You are welcome to do a 10, 21 or March long cleanse.  I recommend MARCH LONG for the greatest impact!  And we want IMPACT, right?  I know I do.  Still have that piece of paper?  Write down your answer to these questions…

-What are the 3 most self destructive habits you have?

- What are the 3 most self supportive habits you have?

- What are the 3 most unhealthy foods/drink you eat/enjoy?

- What are the 3 healthiest foods/drink you eat/enjoy?

Still have the answers to the previous (bolded) questions?  Put those answers on the same page!  Now maybe you have some motivation behind staying true to your ULTIMATE goals behind the cleanse.

It’s important to remember… a successful cleanse isn’t always about “taking out”, it is often about adding in or substituting “better”.  And change can be hard.  So, relax your way through this cleanse, be gentle on yourself, understand there is an initial adjustment period and think successful thoughts!  And make successful decisions.  This isn’t for ME, it’s for you.  That is why I ask, what do YOU WANT?

Tiered (different levels) of the cleanse:

Level 1- New to the cleanse

* Your 3 most self-defeating habits (substitute something healthy for those during the cleanse).

Ex:

1.  Alcohol

2.  Sugar (chocolate in particular)

3.  No routine around sleep

Changes:

1.  No alcohol or/ limited to 1 drink; can’t drink 2 days in a row

2.  No sugar

3.  Bed by 10:30, up by 630-730 DAILY

Add in’s:

* castor oil packs

* appropriate water intake for body weight

* ground flax seeds

Level 2- Cleanses for the Intermediate Cleanser

            * same as above

            PLUS…

Diet restrictions:  No inflammatory foods- gluten, soy, dairy, corn, peanuts, sugar (alcohol, chocolate, grains)

Level 3- Master Cleansers (Not “The Master Cleanse”)

* same as in level 1 and 2

Supplemental Diet Restrictions:  Follow blood type diet!

PLUS…

Naturopathic cellular detox supplementation and intestinal rehabilitation.  Call office to order basic supplements or schedule an appointment for a more personalized plan.

BONUS:

            Take the info from your list (your goals for the month) and start implementing them into your daily life!  Try it out for a month!  See what happens.

For those looking for more guided and directed assistance, you can all my office at 760.230.2270 and schedule a Wellness-Support visit at a discounted price of $180 to have better direction and a more personalized plan!

Here we go!

Sometimes I find it easier to make a skeleton schedule.  Not that you have to follow it rigidly because sometimes that can take the fun out of life- the experience, exploration, but it gives you some guidelines to work within.  Plus, I want to avoid your inner rebel wanting to break free of your regimented cleanse.  This 1 month journey is about success.  So, journal yourself.  Learn about yourself.  When you want to make an excuse for your self-defeating behavior, why you have convinced yourself you “need” things and what are those things…healthy things?  Healthy things in excess or unhealthy things that just make you feel good in the moment.  This cleanse can be as deep and impactful or as easy and surfacey as you want.  Just ENJOY IT!  HAVE FUN WITH IT and get your friends to do it too.  It helps!

Follow my support center and personal blog on www.lifeinmotionmed.com/blogs

Honor all your doctor patient relationships!  And patients, always communicate to your doctor what it is you need!  Medicine is suppose to be fun!  It is a healing journey that will last your lifetime.

Best, Dr Michelle

Often times we fear the truth because of how it may makes us feel or how others will perceive us or how we may perceive ourselves.   The truth is a funny thing, it can strengthen a relationship or bring one to an end.  It can disappoint someone, hurt someone or even set them free.

Speaking your truth is speaking your heart.  And sharing your heart is honorable.  Nobody can argue with the truth.  Because the truth is, what is…

I have a theory…Honesty, although intimidating at times, is freeing.  There is however a delicate balance between openness and loquacity.  Sharing your truth is sharing your heart and you can’t argue with the truest expression of self.  That should give everyone the confidence to be honest- unafraid of hurting, disappointing or losing someone.  Fear is only a self-created emotion that generates a self-created/or feared prophecy.  Rather we should all strive to live with an open heart and mind to the present moment unattached to what the future holds.  The universe has a divine plan and part of that divine plan is divine timing.  Today is the perfect moment for what you are experiencing and it will lead you to a clearer, more empowering and insightful tomorrow.

It’s like taking a journey up river to the source.  The pool of trashed filled, mucky water when traced up stream, up the mountain side to its source becomes clean, clear and full of pure light and life.

Be truth in all that you do and know that the truth with set you free.

Best, Dr Michelle

Check out our first take!

http://www.wazillomedia.com/show/the-nice-guy-show/44

Instead of getting up every morning, going for a nice walk or jog to get the morning energy flowing.  To then come home to a nice warm shower, clean cloths and a home cooked breakfast.  Full, yet skinny belly because work out #1 is already crossed off my list and I’m moving stress free (ie: no stress hormone production in my body that would increases belly fat).  I then drive 7 miles to my beach front office where I get to smell the crisp salty ocean air and look at palm trees out my treatment room window.  Patient #1…then #2.  Three and four.  A break for lunch.  PS- whole foods is 2 blocks from my office or I can dine at the organic Mexican food place downstairs or take my packed lunch to the beach!  Patient #5, then 6…maybe a #7.  Some office work and patient calls/emails.  Then off to yoga I go at 4:30 or 5:45!  Sweat out some toxins, maybe get an after yoga surf or beach volleyball game in.  Then home!  To a healthy cooked meal, drinks with friends, some patient research or personal time to study my Spanish, meditate or do some painting.  I crawl into bed about 10:30pm and then get to do it all over again!  Just another beautiful day in sunny San Diego, California!

Facebook.  Twitter.  My balanced life NO MORE!!!

And this isn’t for personal reasons or I’d enroll in FBAnonymous  or TWITAnonymous and get some serious recovery under my belt.  Which I may have to buy a bigger belt soon since exercise hasn’t happened in 2weeks!  All I do is computer, computer, computer.  I just wanted to look for more up to date and alternative ways to continue educating people about Natural Medicine!  I absolutely LOVE what I do!  The healing modalities and experience I can offer people like YOU!

So, how do you stay balanced in life when your other passions (like work) are consuming you?  This is an epidemic problem altering our society!  Wouldn’t you agree?

My patients complain of no sleep, less exercise, getting caught late at work and eating poorly because they are tired, bored, emotional, stressed, on the run 24-7.  And now I find myself so immersed in social media that I want to share EVERY THOUGHT because I see value in every thought and I want to get it down NOW, but I’m sacrificing myself and my beliefs to play the social media game.

How do you stay balanced in a world that is moving and communicating faster every day, every minute, every second?

Best, Dr. Michelle Wolford, ND

With some brief diet tips and more….

Check this out!  There is this amazing ranch in Texas that ships all over the U.S. (maybe internationally too.  I would have to check.) that …

1.  Feeds their cattle on a “green finished” diet.  Meaning, throughout the life of the FREE RANGE ROAMING in its natural environment cow, the only food the cow eats is 100% organic grass free of herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals.  Plus, the cows are also fed other green forage such as forbs, legumes, and herbs.  This means absolutely NO GRAINS- no soy, no corn, no wheat or gluten that can weaken the animals immune system that would lead a typical farmer to use hormones or antibiotics.  Instead, these cows are supplemented with probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fatty acids & CLA (Conjugated linoleic acid- the one that helps reduce belly fat!  Ya that fatty acid!!!).

On Jordan Rubin’s Ranch  ALL their cattle are slaughtered according to Biblical practices.  This means, the cow is honored for the life it lived and honored for the food/health/nutrition it will be providing its consumer.  Ok, so no slaughtering process is pretty, but the Jordan Rubin Organic Food Company and Ranch has the most humane process that actually GIVES YOU BETTER MEAT.  Let me explain!  When a cow is (typically) beaten over the head with a mallet and shot, the process is so traumatic for the cow that immediately all the nervous system hormones stimulate the stress hormones, releasing toxins in the blood and leaving a cellular imprint in the cells of that cow (ie: in the meat) and now you are basically EATING TOXIN FILLED TRAUMA MEAT.  Yes, that trauma is passed into your system.  BUT, if you eat meat from an animal that was honored for its life and the carotid (neck) artery is cut, the cow has a less traumatic death- ie: no stress hormones in your meat = no stress hormones in YOUR BODY from the meat!  Most of us are stressed enough, we don’t need to ingest cow stress too.

3.  Lastly, they also remove all the fat around the vital organs and kidneys.  This fat functions as an “organ cushion” for protection, but also stores passing toxins that were unable to be discharged.  So you know how I practice drainage therapy to help your cells detox old toxins- mental/emotional, environmental, physical.  Well, their way of eliminating even more “waste” is by cutting the fat away from the organs of elimination (since WE ALL store toxins in our fat).  By removing the fat, we increase the cleanliness of the meat.  It’s similar to Kosher but without the Rabbi!  (Stole that from Kenny!  Jordan’s right hand man!)

Try Jordan’s meat!  Bet you will see, feel and appreciate the difference.  Check out the link above!  Oh and listen to his radio blast- so amazing!  No affiliation with the Jordan Rubin Company, I just believe in the product he is selling!