And I'm not talking about Great White's song from the 80's. Yes it a good song to run down memory lane. But I'm talking about getting bitten up while you're hanging outside by the pool, having a dinner with family and friends, doing yard work, gardening or even on a hike. 

Those nasty bumpy itching or stinging bites. UGH!!! Plus some folks out there have bigger reactions to those bites based on the histamine levels in their bodies. YES, you can have more histamine in your body not related to those dang seasonal allergies. However that is a conversation for another day. Stay tuned for that one. 

There are many options to control those pesky bugs. From having a fan outside with you blowing them away to using bug repellent. Those of a certain age will remember the days trucks would drive around spraying DEET to keep those inconvenient bugs away. Since that time many reports and studies have been done on DEET, because of the concern about its neurotoxicity, ability to melt plastic and its greasiness. Neurological symptoms such as seizures have been reported in infants exposed to DEET. Note that recent studies are saying in low doses it is safe. As for me, I'll stay away from it for now. 

Options: 

• Picaridin is a synthetic chemical made to mimic piperine a compound  found in black pepper. It has been used in Europe and Australia. It has been shown to be as effective as DEET without all the nasty concerns. 
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is a great alternative to repel mosquitoes up to 6 hours
• Natural Alternatives as shown below

If you do get bit try applying tea tree oil on the bite. Tea tree oil is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and usually no-irritating.  Also pure lavender oil can be used. My favorite way to take the itch out of a mosquito bite is to put a dap of Beautycounter's Charcoal + Mask, just a tiny bit stops the itching almost immediately. 

​Did you know beside the COVID pandemic there is also an Alzheimer's epidemic. That Alzheimers is the leading form of dementia in the elderly. That subtle changes in memory start as early as 20 years before diagnosis. In fact according to a recent Forbes article, Blue Cross Blue Shield has seen 200% increase in diagnosis of this disease in 30-64 year olds. Now don't despair there are things you can do now to help protect your brain. First grab this book, The First Survivor's of Alzheimer's and also this book The End of Alzheimer's Program: The First Protocol to Enhance Cognition and Reverse Decline at Any Age Both are great and I read the first one in just under a week while on vacation last month, it has first hand accounts. 

Some of the simplest things you can do right now is change your diet. Choose fresh whole foods. Choose organic if that is financially hard to do, choose organic for the dirty dozen. Don't worry about organic when purchasing fruit and vegetables that are on the clean 15. (see below) However I will say if you having any inflammation at all, even if it's not memory related, please steer clear of corn. It is very inflammatory and hard to process. Just check your poop 💩 the next time you eat corn. If you see it in your poop your  body is not digesting it. 

Grab Dr. Bredesen's book and start implementing some of his strategies. If you need help deciding where to begin schedule a discovery call with me to see if working with a functional nutrition counselor would be beneficial for you.  

I can't believe I never wrote about the PREDICT (Personalized Responses to Dietary Composition Trial) 2 Study that I participated in back in March of 2020.  Wonder what was going on back that?😉 This was in depth nutrition study, covering blood glucose, and fat levels, activity, inflammation, sleep and gut microbiome diversity.  Participants wore a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an activity tracker.  We took finger prick blood samples to monitor blood fat levels and collected stool samples for microbiome analysis. 

We were required to eat muffins that has differing levels of fat and sugar. We also had to drink a glucose solution. After we ate the prepared food, finger blood samples were required. However in return we were able to see how the foods that we choose to eat responded in our bodies through the CGM and blood work drawn at the end of the study. ​

Here is just an overview of the foods I ate and the samples I supplied. The results were published here. 

About 9 months after I completed the study they sent me a report about my blood glucose and fat levels. I also received a report on my gut microbiome. It was fairly healthy, so apparently I am eating the right foods for my gut. Where as my blood glucose and fat levels need a little work. I am pretty sure my lack of a gall bladder is contributing to my fat levels, I will try adding in an ox bile supplement to help my body digest the fats coming in. As for the blood glucose levels, I still need to tweak what is raising them. 
Would you ever participate in a study like this? 

This weekend I made a new kind of granola. It's amazing at least my husband and I think so, the teen not so much. This granola is on the savory side. It would be great on top of brie with touch of onion jam. Since there are dairy allergies in our house we have started using Jules Foods cashew brie, which can be purchased at Vida Pour Tea in Greensboro located on State Street in Irving Park. I love this sweet tea shop, Sarah has several varieties of hand crafted teas, in addition to carrying locally made baked goods, kefir, kombucha and coffee. You can also find sleep, baby, feminine & masculine care products. In addition to ceramics, natural dental, honey, ayurveda, and plenty of tea-ware of course. If you are local go check out her shop and tell the girls behind the counter Mary sent you.  Otherwise you can visit her online. 

The last 2 months have left me feeling like I've lost a chunk of my life. However there have been good things that have happened as a result of the lock down. 

1) I am now baking bread weekly. That is HUGE for me. That is one baking experience that has not been successful for me. This week I even made Sourdough Pancakes, gluten free, dairy free but not vegan. Maybe next time. They were the most fluffy pancakes we've had since going gluten free. I love being able to use the sourdough discards in this way. ​

2) I am now running again, 2 times a week. This excites me greatly, because I broke my foot in January and was unable to run for  3 months. I am a bit tired and sore, but I'm much happier getting in regular exercise. 

3) Starting June 17th the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market is starting a program for prepared food and craft vendors to pick up pre-orders on Wednesday mornings. Please message me if you are interested in picking of orders from PaleoLove on Wednesday mornings. 

4) I will continue to offer my online store and offer products on Gate City Harvest online store for the time being. 

5) At this time I still have Momma Bear Shots available. I am considering repackaging them in returnable, reuseable. recyclable containers. I would like your feedback on the Momma Bear Shots if you are still using them and the new packaging is something you would prefer or not prefer and why. 

6) Since graduating from the Functional Nutrition Alliance as an educator/coach. I am starting a Facebook Group called Rethinking Food. Click here to join. or check it out. ​

Now is the time to accept the #dochangechallenge. ​

​Over the course of the last 8 weeks we all have been through a lot of changes and challenges. I've made a few new connections in the community for selling my granola, Momma Bear Shots and donuts, see below. I've also been picking up new skills and resources for shopping. 

1) You can find our products online at the PaleoLove Shop. Pick up at the Corner Market in the advance order tent or purchase at Susan's Table. In addition to Aubrey's farm - Gate City Harvest online store.  
 
2) I'm sure you have been watching everyone make sourdough bread online, wishing you could too. Nicole over at Gluten Free on Shoestring has a recipe for a gluten free sourdough starter and bread. It's not that hard to make AND the bread smells & tastes AMAZING.  Just ask my family.