​Did you know that pesticide residues are common in conventionally grown produce even after it is washed or peeled? Each year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) produces a list of the top Dirty Dozen offenders and the Clean Fifteen produce items that had the fewest residues based on an analysis of USDA tests.
 

​Some of the facts:

• Concerns were raised by the National Academy of Science around 25 years ago about the impact of pesticides on children’s brains and nervous systems.
• Studies reveal correlations between high pesticide consumption and fertility issues.
• Nearly 70% of samples were contaminated with pesticide residues.
• A total of 230 pesticides and pesticide breakdown products were found on the samples.
• More than 98 percent of samples of strawberries, spinach, peaches, nectarines, cherries and apples tested positive for residue of at least one pesticide.
• A single sample of strawberries showed 20 different pesticides.
• Spinach samples had, on average, 1.8 times as much pesticide residue by weight than any other crop.
• Hot peppers are not on the Dirty Dozen list but were found to be contaminated with insecticides toxic to the human nervous system. These insecticides are banned on some crops but still allowed on hot peppers.

 
I always tell my clients to buy the best food they can afford. When you can’t afford all organic produce prioritize the Dirty Dozen for your organic dollars.
 

Here is a guest blog from our Women Wine, & Wellness - Lowry speaker for April, Terry Treece.

“Our lives are a mixture of different roles. Most of us are doing the best we can to find whatever the right balance is . . . For me, that balance is family, work, and service.” – Hillary Rodham Clinton

We all have witnessed those people in our lives who overdo or been those people, the “aholic” be it workaholic, alcoholic, screen addiction etc . When focus, energy, and passions get out of balance, other areas of our lives and those we connect with suffer wounds that fester and grow. Of course there are times that require extra focus in particular areas, such as getting a degree or making a career or life change. Those times are when we need to remember the crucial impact of balance. Balance doesn’t necessarily mean that every area gets exactly the same attention, but that no one area takes over to the exclusion of other areas.
Balance is both internal and external, finding equilibrium between introspection and connection with others in our lives. The key is to acknowledging the importance of balance and recognizing it’s an ongoing process not a finite goal. In physical fitness, we work to get to our desired equilibrium and then work to remain or return consistently to that special place. Balance is an individual calculation and there is no one formula that fits all. We all get to choose our own priorities where we focus our energy, what our life balance wheels looks like.

Balance, Centered, Grounded is where we want to hang out the majority of the time and where we want to return when we get knocked off our path. The journey is to discover what practices or disciplines help us return to the sweet spot, the place of workable balance. Luckily there are all kinds of self-care that can support us, meditation, exercise, healthy eating, acupuncture, yoga, etc. The combination that best supports each of us is unique and individual. 
Acupuncture is an ancient medicine based on the study of balance in Nature and thus an integral part of who we are as beings. Acupuncture originated in ancient China many centuries ago, and is used as way to prevent diseases and to bring the body back to harmony when it has fallen out of balance. By inserting very fine needles into specifically mapped points along the meridians of the body, the acupuncturist can manipulate the body’s energy force, or Qi to help the patient return to his/her internal balance. When balance is returned so is health in body, mind and spirit.
 
Possible strategies to try:

1. Take Stock – What is working, what is not? What is one adjustment I can make today?
2. Prioritize and delegate – What do you really have to do yourself? What can you let someone else do?
3. Pay Attention to your overall health – Look at your eating, exercise, regular doctor checkups. How can you minimize toxins in your foods and environment?
4. Schedule regular time on your calendar- Schedule  Alone time and Connection time with family and friends.
5. Research and try out practices that solidly support your balance in life. Try classes, get referrals for meditation, Yoga, Qi Gong, Acupuncture, Talk Therapy, etc. Practice each one for 3-6 months before assessing the benefits and drawbacks. Choose 3-5 to become a regular part of your routine and life.
6. Treat yourself regularly – Have fun, do things that feed your soul- Reading, Massage, Classes, Concerts, Biking, Hiking, etc
7. Reassess each night - Journal what worked and what didn’t. What can you change? What do you need to research or contemplate further? Use a page of your journal to do a Gratitude Journal. Listing each little blessing, surprise or on-going good in your life. 

Contact Terry:
www.GateOfHopeAcupuncture.com | gate_of_hope@yahoo.com | 720-219-8802

​I get this question frequently from my clients as they work on reducing their sugar intake and look for other options. Stevia actually ended up being a discussion with my family over Easter brunch as there were little packets of Pure Via on the table. Marketing makes it so confusing to figure out what is really healthy and what is not. So let’s dive in…
 
What is Stevia?

• An herbal plant with many species that have leaves that are sweet, many times sweeter than sugar.
• In the same family as Ragweed, so if you have a ragweed allergy, stay away from Stevia
• It has been used in different cultures around the world for centuries as a sweetener and for its health benefits.
• It contains zero calories.
• It’s leaves contain two glycosides that make it taste sweet:
  • Stevioside which has the bitter aftertaste and
  • Rebaudioside that tastes less bitter

 
Different Stevia Products
 
Green Leaf Stevia

• The least processed of the stevia products. The leaves are simply dried and ground into a powder.
• It is 30-40 times sweeter than sugar so you don’t need much!
• Contains both Stevioside and Rebaudioside and so there are health benefits for weight loss, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, blood pressure and cancer.
• Use in moderation!

 
Stevia Extracts and Tinctures

• Some brands use only Rebaudioside to make the stevia less bitter, so there may not be health benefits.
• This is likely a better option than other sweeteners but we don’t have much information yet on it’s health effects.
• It is 200 times sweeter than sugar.
• Also be aware that some extracts contain alcohol.
• Use in moderation!

 
Highly Processed Stevia Products

• Typically pure white powders.
• This includes products like Truvia, which goes through extensive processing to extract Rebaudioside and uses chemical solvents that are toxic to the liver and carcinogenic. It is also combined with another sweetener, Erythritol, that can cause digestive discomfort and is typically genetically modified. In fact Truvia is less than 1% stevia.
• Other brands like Pure Via are also highly processed and contain other sweeteners like dextrose.
• 200-400 times sweeter than sugar.
• Avoid!

 
So why do I suggest using even pure green leaf stevia or extracts and tinctures in moderation only?
 
I thought you said there were health benefits, you say! Well here’s why…
 
I feel that one of the main benefits of removing or substantially reducing sugar in the diet is that our palate changes. We get used to and start to enjoy food without a lot of added sweeteners. Highly sweetened food starts to taste too sweet and we don’t enjoy it or crave it. When we eat and drink highly sweetened foods our appetite for them increases. Keeping sweeteners minimal is a huge help to our health.
 
Another issue to be aware of is that there are mixed studies on the impacts of stevia on our sex hormones. Some show that there are no impacts although some show that if used in large quantities stevia could have contraceptive effects. You may want to avoid stevia if you are experiencing hormonal balance problems or trying for a pregnancy.
 
 
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences and if you’d like any help then please let me know.