Natural Remedies
Dabney Vaccaro
Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry has been clinically proven to reduce symptoms of cold and flu, and is a must for any family medicine chest!

Elderberry Syrup
Health & Wellbeing
Dabney Vaccaro
My Weeds Are Killing Me!

This spring I planted a new vegetable garden that included some flowers and medicinal plants. Thankfully, it’s been going really well in spite of a cool and dry spring. Each day, I would walk around the garden to “check” on its progress. Up until….

A recent vacation left my garden unattended. While the electric fence did its job keeping the animals out, the weeds were a different story….or a nightmare.

My Weeds Are Killing Me!
Encouragement
Dabney Vaccaro
Leaning In On New Words for 2023

It’s a new year and many people put forth a valent effort to make real, positive changes in their life, especially one’s that affect their health and wellbeing. For the past five years, or so, I’ve chosen a word that becomes my word of the year. One that I mediate and pray on to see how it affects my life and watch to see how it manifests during the year.

Leaning In On New Words for 2023
Encouragement
Dabney Vaccaro
Moving Thru Anger

I was not equipped to deal with anger or conflict.  My “Leave it to Beaver” homelife was joyful memories. If my parents had disagreements, they surely never discussed it within the family.  I did, however, witness my father giving “the business” to projects or vehicles he worked on.  My mother called it the Bush Temper as if it was a contagious virus we need to watch out for.  “He’s got the Bush Temper; you’d better look out!”  I may have demonstrated some of that in my earlier days, however, I suppose I’ve mellowed in my older years….or have I?  

Moving Thru Anger
Health & Wellbeing
Dabney Vaccaro
Do You See Me?

During the recent American Herbalist Guild conference, an attendee shared to the group how she felt seen among us as to who she really is. In her hometown of California, where she grew up, among her family and friends, she lamented that she isn’t seen and therefore, feels out of place and frustrated. Can you relate?

Do You See Me?

live sugar free

A Little Sugar

A Little Sugar

During a recent conversation, I was made aware of our lack of understanding about sugar that left my head spinning. The person I was speaking to had dental decay and was concerned about the amount of money it was going to cost for all the repairs. I asked him if he knew what was causing his problem? After a short pause, he came up with the lack of coming to the dentist, then added probably that he drinks coffee. Hmmm…

Why do you think coffee is causing your problem? I probed. He explained that all he put in his coffee was “a little” sugar. That was the only thing he could think of that had sugar in it. I asked how much was “a little.”

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My Sugar Addiction

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I think I’ve been addicted to sugar all my life.  When I was little, I would sneak cookies from the cookie jar, and would frequently ask my dad to buy me a candy bar at the store check out.  When I was old enough, I started baking cookies, brownies, and cakes.  Not sure how all of this sugar stuff started, but I’ve been feeding my cravings for years.  There wasn’t a reason for me to stop the habit initially, even though I knew it wasn’t considered healthy.  For most of my life, I’ve been able to maintain my weight, did not have problems with my teeth, and have been healthy…according to my doctor.  It wasn’t until my spouse was diagnosed with cancer that I started looking into health, particularly, food.

The more I learned about systemic disease and cancer, I was convinced that sugar is a primary culprit in disease.  What I found frustrating is that my husband’s doctors did not really touch on foods to eat or avoid.  When I asked about sugars, one oncologist told me that cancer will feed on anything and that it’s not necessary to avoid sugars.  On the other hand, when a patient has a PET scan (an image to help diagnose cancer), the patient drinks sugar water prior to the scan.  Why? Because the sugar water goes directly to the cancer cells or tumor.  If cancer doesn’t consume sugar, why use sugar water?

So why stop consuming sugar?  Here a just a few reasons:

  • Sugar has no nutritional value and is only adding empty calories, and empty calories mean you are hungry more often.
  • Loose weight, because consuming empty calories and eating more often leads to weight gain.
  • Have more energy, because instead of the highs and lows of the sugar rush, you will have sustained energy.
sugar2
sugar2

According to the Web MD, between 2001-2004, Americans consumed an average of 22 teaspoons of sugar a day, amounting to a 355 calories.

It’s not easy.  So what’s the first step?  Decide you are going to cut out sugars.  You can decide how far you want to go.  Will you give up added simple sugars or will you give up starchy pastas and potatoes too?  You decide.  See now you feel is a few days.  First, though, set yourself up for success.  Remove temptation from your eyes and brain.  If you have cookies or soda in the house, get rid of it.  This may not be so easy, so be prepared.

  1. Stock your pantry and refrigerator with alternatives to sugars.
  2. Prepare snacks ahead of time:  celery and no-sugar added peanut butter, nuts like almonds or cashews, fruit like apples, grapes, etc. (you will enjoy fruit more once you give up the table sugars) and enjoy a fruit smoothie, hummus and veggies, and chips and salsa
  3. Have meals ready to go when you get home from work or school.
  4. Convince a friend or family member to do the challenge with you.
  5. Keep a food journal so you can see your progress.  I like My Fitness Pal
  6. Weigh yourself in the beginning of the challenge and then again in two weeks.

It’s exciting to see what progress is being made.  When you start to feel better, you'll want to continue.  Remember, moderation is key.  It's okay to have some sugar once in a while.  Just know that sugar is a treat NOT a food.

Health-bite: Feel better without sugar.

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