Term papers!

Over the summer I attended a wonderful outdoor patio party overlooking the Long Island Sound.  It was hosted by my dear friend and business colleague, Dr. Brett Denkin.  He sure knows how to throw a fun party!  While there, I had the pleasure of running into my friend Jamie.  We caught up on work and then transitioned our conversation to the beautiful potluck food before us.  This is when the topic of cinnamon and honey took hold!

Being a life long foodie, I've always known that both cinnamon and honey have therapeutic properties.  In the nutrition world, cinnamon is a spice known for it's ability to help balance blood sugar.  While honey, especially if locally sourced, can help with anything from allergies to acne.  

As I was leaving the party, Jamie said, "I'll send you that email…"  Sure enough, when I checked my inbox the following morning an email about cinnamon and honey was right there waiting for me to read.  "Maybe cinnamon and honey will take care of everything!" was Jamie's perfect response to a health complaint I had shared with her the previous evening.  

Below I summarize some of the contents from her email.  While the email (which was not Jamie's but one that had been forwarded to her) seemed to promise to "cure" one's ailments, I take a different stance*.  Try the remedies only if they sound doable and see how you do.  Too much of anything is not always a good thing…. however, it doesn't hurt to experiment & report back to us on your learnings*.  Remember, your body knows best!

Honey Tips!

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot.  It will do what some call turning to sugar.  In reality honey is always honey.  However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will,l "crystallize."  When this happens loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in hot water, off the heat and let it liquefy.  It is then as good as it ever was.  Never boil honey or put it in the microwave.  To do so will kill the beneficial enzymes in the honey.

Possible Medicinal Uses for Cinnamon and Honey!*

Consider taking honey and cinnamon together to help relieve stomach upset & gas.

Sprinkle cinnamon powder on 2 TB of honey before food.  It may relieve acidity, helping you to better digest heavier meals.

Be youthful and try some tea with honey and cinnamon powder!  Some scientists claim that if one consumes 3-4 cups per day, your life span will increase!!!

Got pimples?  Try 3 TB of honey and one Tsp of cinnamon powder paste.  Apply the paste to your pimples before sleeping and wash upon rising with warm water.  It is suggested to use this remedy daily for two weeks to remove your pimples from the root.

Gargle your way to good breath.  Mix 1 tsp of honey and cinnamon powder with hot water and see if your breath stays fresh throughout the day.

Strengthen your immunity with daily consumption of small amounts of honey (make sure it's raw and unprocessed) and cinnamon as they could, according the email, help protect the body from bacteria and viral attacks.  

Experiment & Be Kind.

Remember, what is one person's healing agent could be another's poison.  Go slow and report back on your experimentation findings.  Be sure to buy your honey from a local farmer and make sure the honey has not been heated at high temperatures.  Next week I will be visiting Sherwood Farm in Easton, CT and picking up a jar of theirs (called Sal and Tom's Easton Honey).  One of my nutrition clients used their honey (along with love, good food, rest, etc) to help remedy her child's weakened immune system and she was floored by the positive results!

In Health, 

Alison Held, M.S.
Clinical Nutritionist

Everyday we are exposed to numerous chemicals. Many of which hang out in your handbag, bathroom vanity, bedroom drawer and also the shower.  While these may seem harmless, accumulation over days, months & years greatly adds to your overall toxic burden.  

We simply can't control all of the outdoor fumes that we breathe in (e.g. diesel fuel trucks) but we, the consumer, can control what we put on our skin.  

Mission = Good Health

If your mission is to get or stay healthy, consider an upgrade (or at least some further label reading awareness!). Yes, our food intake can be a big culprit when it comes to our health but so can our favorite hair care products, makeup, soaps, detergents, sunscreen and moisturizers.

There is a huge industry selling us expensive products with natural, organic, and paraben claims.  However, just like we do with our food labels, we must read the fine lines on the back of our packaged personal care products as well.  Let's avoid the fancy labeling and marketing.  Instead, let's truly become educated as to what's in our products.

Environmental Lab Testing = Toxic Humans!

I've started to test client's environmental load through a urine test that gets sent off to a lab…the results are astounding.  The levels of solvents being excreted (or not being excreted) from humans is at an all time high.  

And these lab results verify to me how it important it is that we take good care of what goes in….because what goes in, doesn't always come out!

Harmful Synthetics = Limit Exposure

These are just a few of the items to watch out for and avoid.  

Phthalates – animal studies show us that these can damage the kidneys, liver, lungs, & even the reproductive system.

Parabens – allergic reactions are common but more importantly, they can disrupt normal hormone function.  Look out for the following: butyl-, ethyl-, isobutyl-, menthyl-, propyl-

Synthetic Colorings – may be carcinogenic and may cause headaches, skin irritation, and more.  

Aluminum – this is a heavy metal.  Heavy metals are neurotoxic & in large amounts, poisonous to the body.

Talcum powder – yikes! …this one can increase the risk of ovarian cancer!  

1,4-Dioxane – a known carcinogen.

And…. there are others.  I say, if you aren't going to eat it, don't put it on your body.  O.k., so that might be unrealistic but really, do you need all these chemicals clogging up your beautiful body & cells?

Think twice before you purchase & consider slowly transitioning out of the old chemical laden products to new healthful ones.  To start your research, the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database is an excellent place to begin.

In Health,

Alison Held, M.S.
Clinical Nutritionist