Storing Uncooked Rice For Flavor & Freshness

Store in the refrigerator or freezer up to several months or under one year.

Rinsing The Rice

Removes the dirt and dust.

Cleaning The Rice

Cover the rice in a bowl of filtered water and move the rice with your hand or kitchen tool until the water turns milky white. This removes starches from the rice. Drain.

Soaking The Rice

Cover the rice with filtered water add a small amount of vinegar and let it set out on the countertop overnight for 6 to 8 hours before cooking. Soaking removes heavy metals like mercury and arsenic and other anti-nutrients. Anti-nutrients impair the digestion of the other good nutrients. 

Anti-nutrients

Phytic acid is an anti-nutrient that is found in rice, it can be neutralized in as little as 7 hours when soaked in water with the addition of a small amount of an acidic medium such as vinegar or lemon juice or yogurt. 

Soak using warm water to speed up any chemical reactions taking place in the rice and water.

Cooking the Rice

Using extra water will also get rid of more arsenic in the rice. Once the rice is cooked drain the extra water immediately. Rice is all about time and water with no peaking. I prefer a pressure cooker which also breaks down other anti-nutrients.

Each rice cooks with a different amount of water and different cooking time. Follow the cooking instruction for the type of rice you’re cooking.

Let the Rice Set

Remove from heat and the heat of the pan so that the rice does not continue to cook. Let it settle in for about 5 minutes or so. 

Eating the Rice

Keep carbs in check with serving size. ⅓ cup serving size with other foods.

Storing Cooked Rice

Cooked rice is very moist, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria growth if it is left at room temperature for more than two hours. …

1. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 
2. Break up the rice with your hand and reheat with a little water. …

• Brown rice has 80% more arsenic. Be careful when substituting ingredients with rice flour products.
• Arborio is best for risotto and rice pudding.
• Jasmine is my favorite.
• Basmati is another favorite.

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Research Tools For Moving Out Of State

Here are some research tools for moving out of state. Moving out of state can be expensive and for many people a one-way ticket due to the cost of moving. Here are some tools to use in researching the best options for you. Consider the taxes, air quality, weather and weather disasters, cost of living and drug problems along with the overall view of individuals of each state.

TAXES TAXES TAXES

Bankrate lists states with no income tax, do they really offer a tax break?

Compare Taxes By State

Compare taxes by the state. Here is an example comparing North Carolina with South Carolina.

Sales Tax Rate By State

Sales tax rate by state.

Map Of States Showing Sales Tax Rates

For a quick view, this map shows the sales tax rates by state.

AIR QUALITY

Healthy air quality rankings are provided by the lung association.

WEATHER

MAP OF THE BEST SUMMERS

Where is the best summer weather in the USA?

Weather Disaster Avoidance Map

Before considering purchasing your largest asset out of state, consider how you may avoid the largest weather disasters.

Extra-Tropical Cyclone

Where do extra-tropical cyclones happen?

COMPARE COST OF LIVING

The average cost of living is 100% anything under is below the average cost of living and many places are well over the 100%. Marin County, for example, has a cost of living at 208%.

Which States Are Affordable?

Here is a map of the USA comparing the cost of living for each state.

DRUGS PROBLEMS BY STATE

Drug problems can be found in every state, some states have more problems than others. The District Of Columbia is at the top of the list.

THE BEAUTY OF NATIONAL PARKS

Being surrounded by the national parks offers beauty and discovery.

The Largest Industry In Each State By GDP

It may be helpful to understand the largest industry in each state.

Climate Health Of The USA

Understanding how the climate can affect your health.

Retirement

Best And Worst States To Retire To

Reverse Mortgage Information For Retirement

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While dating the first kiss is held as a romantic moment. Before the first kiss and before intimacy there are some issues to discuss. If there isn’t a comfort level to discuss these things beforehand then it’s most likely too early to proceed. Here is one way to begin the conversation.

According to new research, kissing can lead to various conditions. Some of these conditions are quite serious. A 10-second kiss can carry up to 80 million gems. The exchanging of saliva usually causes these diseases.

The Fine Art Of The Smooch!

When it comes to kissing, choose carefully, because it turns out you can catch more than just feelings! Whilst kissing provides us with many health benefits, it can also transmit germs like bacteria and viruses which can lead to disease. Without trying to ruin the mood, here is a guide to all the germs which can potentially be transmitted by kissing! Before the first kiss, have a little talk.

Conditions Spread From Kissing

1.  Herpes Virus Family Of Infections

• Epstein-Barr Virus | Mononucleosis | Mono | Known As ‘Kissing Disease’
  Herpes Simplex Virus | Type 1 – Oral |  Type 2 – Genital
  Cytomegalovirus | Cold Sores
  Varicella-zoster virus(causes chickenpox)

2.  Warts (Human Papillomavirus, HPV)

3.  Respiratory Viruses | Strep Throat | Influenza

4.  Tooth Decay & Gum Disease | Periodontitis 

• Flora of bacteria, viruses, and mucus that live in the mouth! Forming plaque, which can cause cavities or gum disease (gingivitis) when it builds up under your gum line.

5.  Viral | Bacterial | Meningitis

6.  Syphilis | Transmitted | Kissing | Sex

7.  Sexually Transmitted Disease | HIV | Chlamydia | Gonorrhoea

8.  Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

9.  Lyme Disease | Salvia | Ejaculate

10.  Hepatitis B or C | Sexual Contact | Intercourse

11.  Let’s Talk About Sugar

Most types of sugar wreak havoc on our body’s systems, especially our microbiome. Our microbiome is the living collection of all the bacteria that reside in and on our body, and it is so important to our overall health that scientists have dubbed it another organ.

The beneficial bacteria, the probiotics in our gut where most of our microbes live, are responsible for a variety of health-promoting functions, like regulating our immune system, balancing our blood sugar, helping us absorb nutrients, and even calming our emotions.

One of the biggest microbiome disrupters is a diet full of sugary, processed foods. The probiotics in our gut feed on prebiotics, which are plant-based fibers from whole foods like apples, onions, garlic. Can you guess what the bad guy bacteria like to eat? You guessed it—sugar! When we eat a high-sugar diet, the undesirable bacteria thrive and start to grow out of control, while our beneficial bacteria dwindle in number.

Keeping your sugar intake to a minimum and avoiding other common microbiome depleters, are the steps right now to help keep your microbiome intact for the true sweetness of a kiss.

11. The Drugged Kiss

Pharmaceutical drugs and recreational drugs are passed on via the saliva and bodily fluids as well.

Relationship Agenda

Check in to see if you are on the same page. Are you both looking for a monogamous partner or will you be in a relationship with unknown partners? Some people are just looking for a sexual exchange. What is the agenda of each one of you?

Keep The Conversation Open |Ongoing

Sex is an opening conversation, there’s much more to talk about. This is mostly about the first kiss. In today’s world a conversation that needs to take place. This is a start. Next is the conversation about sex!

Preventing The Transmission of Kissing-Conditions!

Avoid kissing someone when either one of you is sick, run down or not feeling well.

Avoid kissing someone when they have a cold sore, wart or ulcer in or around their mouth.

Brush and floss your teeth well! Get semi-annual or annual cleanings to remove plaque build up.

Further Relationship Reading

Talk Sex Before Having Sex

The Real Difference Between Chemistry And Love

Expectation Station

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Healthy Food Replacements

Healthy food replacements, make simple ingredient changes to immediately up your nutritional food value.

Switch:

Candy with Homemade Fudge (Cut the sugar in half to 3 tablespoons.) Now that I have your attention.

Rice with Wild Rice (Wild Rice is a seed rather than a grain, soak for 24 to 48 hours before cooking.)

White Potatoes with Sweet Potatoes (Sweet potatoes, have more fiber and are slightly lower on the glycemic index than white potatoes. For this reason, blood glucose will rise a little more gradually with sweet potatoes than with white potatoes. As far as nutrients go, sweet potatoes are a rich source of vitamin A and beta-carotene.)

Cereal or Oatmeal with Amaranth (Gluten-free, protein, essential lysine, lowers cholesterol, high in calcium, full of antioxidants and mineral, improves eyesight, easy to digest.)

Vegetable Oils with Coconut Oil for Cooking and Olive Oil for Sprinkling  (Olive oil has a low smoke point, making it less ideal for cooking methods requiring high heat like pan-searing and high-heat stir-fries. Coconut oil, being mainly a saturated fat, is able to withstand higher temperatures than other oils, making it one of the best oils for cooking.)

Iceberg Lettuce with Romaine Lettuce (Romaine lettuce provides more than 10 times the vitamin A that’s available in iceberg lettuce.)

Snacks with Sprouted Nuts (Most nuts need to be sprouted by soaking in salted water overnight to be able to absorb the nutrient value of the nuts. Best to dehydrate your nuts after soaking and store them in the freezer taking out a small jar at a time. Macadamia and pine nuts do not need to be sprouted and dehydrated before eating.)

Sandwich Bread with Vegetables Wraps (Romaine lettuce leave wraps, lettuce cups, apple slices, sweet potato slices, to name a few.)

Table Sugar with Maple Syrup (When you use it at all.)

Wheat Flour and Gluten-free Flour with Coconut or Almond Flour (Coconut flour is extraordinarily absorbent and very little coconut flour is needed to successfully produce a recipe. In baked goods, you generally want to substitute 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup coconut flour for 1 cup grain-based flour. You will also need to increase the number of eggs.)

Chocolate with Raw Cacao (Reduce inflammation and improve mood.)

Whipped Potatoes with Whipped Parsnips, Celery Root or Cauliflower

Soda Pop and Coffee with Spring Water 

Store Bought Mayo With Different Flavored Hummus (Or make fresh homemade Mayo.)

Dairy Milk with Nut Milks (Coconut milk, almond milk, and hemp milk. Vary the different kinds of milk and don’t use too much almond milk due to the omega 6 content.)

Fruits with Berries (Berries provide minerals and vitamins without the added sugars of many fruits.)

Root Vegetables with Well Cooked Cruciferous Vegetables – (Cruciferous vegetables contain phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals, and fiber that are important to your health.)

Use local organic produce in season.

What’s your favorite food replacement?

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Cannabis Dosing~Less Is More

When it comes to dosing with cannabis, starting with a low dose is the best way to begin. Over using or over dosing cannabis simply increases your tolerance and raises your cost of use. So when starting out with any strain that is known or unknown, start slow and low. Less is more!

Dispensary Pre-rolled Joint

The average THC concentration in today’s strains is around 12%, which is about 3-4 times as potent as strains a couple decades ago. Using these numbers, this means that your typical pre-roll will have approximately 100mg of THC. Some strains have a THC concentration upwards of 25%.

• The average dispensary pre-roll joint contains about 750mg – 1g of cannabis. Full effects of the herb can often be felt immediately or within 15 minutes. After that, the experience starts to mellow out and will wind down over the course of the next 1-3 hours. Best to not use a whole joint in one sitting.

Vaping

Vaping is a cleaner way of oral dosing cannabis.

• Each hit off the vape pin has 2.5 mg. Today a dose is 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg. Effects appear within 90 seconds, reach a maximum after 15-30 minutes, and taper off within 2-3 hours. Begin with 1-2 doses every 2-3 hours. Best to limit intake to 3 doses per hour.

Tinctures 

Tinctures are used per drop or dropper full by either holding them under the tongue (sublingual) or by swallowing them and delivering them via the GI-track.

• A 1/4 of tincture equals 2.5 mg a full dropper would be 10 mg. It can take 15 to 30 minutes to notice the effect. Holding it under the tongue will impact how soon the effect is felt. Swallowing it in tea and using the GI-track effect could last up to 6 hours.

Sublingual

A sublingual is delivered in a mist under the tongue per spray.

• 1-2 sprays of sublingual are equal to 5 mg. It can take 3 to 10 minutes to notice the effect and can last 1-2 hours.

Edibles

Edibles are the same dosing, 2.5 mg is used for micro dosing through out the day going up to 10 mg. Most edibles are marked for this kind of delivery. Edibles are one of the most effective sleeping aids as it stay’s in the system for six to eight hours providing a sound sleep. Using an indica rich strain is most effective as a sleeping aid. If getting to sleep is the issue, using a sublingual tincture of indica under the tongue will send you off to sleep.

• Edibles are most often marked for dosing at 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. It can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to notice the effect and can last six to eight hours.

Start Slow And Go Low

A slow approach would be to micro dose every three hours. Perhaps 9 am noon, 3 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm.

Beginning with the smallest amount. 1-2 hits of the joint or vape pen every three hours.

Your watching for your minimum effective dose. Your MED.

A Sample Dosing Plan For Slow And Low

• 9 am – 1/4 dropper CBD Tincture
• noon – 1/4 dropper CBD Tincture
• 3 pm – Vape Pen Sativa 1-2 hits
• 6 pm – Vape Pen Hybrid 1-2 hits
• 9 pm – Indica Sublingual 1-2 sprays
• Bedtime – 2.5mg to 5mg infused chocolate under the tongue.

Call for your personalized cannabis dosing solution. 415-409-9264

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Is Your Sleep Pattern Disrupted?

Why Your Body Loves Sleep

Sleep is the time when the body is able to repair and heal itself. The body does it cleaning at night. The mind and emotions also become balanced through sleep. The perfect night’s’ sleep begins long before you get into bed.

Setting Up Your Daily Sleep Routine

• Avoid caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, sugar, and fruits, flour and starches after 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the afternoon.
• Eat dinner before 7:00 p.m., so it has time to digest before bed.
• Go to bed well before 10:00 p.m., if possible by 9:30.
• Be physically comfortable, the bedroom should be dark and cool.
• Sleep in organic cotton sheets, pajamas and bed cover.
• Rise before 6:00 a.m. Sleeping past dawn, causes toxins to accumulate and creates a dull, tired feeling when you awaken.
• Exercise in the morning between 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Your Hour Of Power Before Sleep

One Hour Before Bed~Switch Off All Electronic Devices

• Take a cool shower or a warm detoxify bath and rinse with cool water.
• Relax with some deep belly breathing. Let your exhale be longer than your inhale.
• Enjoy relaxing music, write out worries in your worry journal and let them go.

Design Your Place To Rest

Design your sleep environment to establish the conditions you need for sleep.

• Your bedroom should be cool – between 60 and 67 degrees and free from any noise that can disturb your sleep. A good sleeping environment is free from light.
• Check your room for noises or other distractions. This includes a bed partner’s sleep disruptions such as snoring.
• Consider using blackout curtains, eye shades, ear plugs, “white noise” machines, humidifier, fans and other devices.
• Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows. Make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive.
• Have comfortable pillows and make the room attractive and inviting for sleep but also free of allergens that might affect you and objects that might cause you to slip or fall if you have to get up.

Sleeping Issues As We Age

When sleep pattern gets disrupted take positive steps to restore sound sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to Alzheimer’s. When older adults experience sleep changes restore balance by following the guidelines above. Avoid daytime napping, watching TV past 8 pm, exercising in the evening and check your prescriptions for ones that may disrupt sleep like, antidepressants, beta-blockers, and cardiovascular pharmaceuticals.

What’s a good night’s sleep worth to you? Sweet Dreams!!!

Herbal Cannabis Can Help With Sleep And Pain

I’m an Octavia Wellness consultant assisting people with these kinds of issues with herbals. Call me at 415-409-9264 for the personal suggestions for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSp_xZuKo8k

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Cannabis~Sublingual, Transdermal, Edible

Non-Smoking Alternatives

Smoking cannabis creates harmful carcinogens through destructive pyrolysis of numerous plant compounds due to the heat of the flame and can also cause irritation to the lung tissue. Even vaporizers can be drying to the throat. 

Seniors are the biggest consumers of cannabis eatables using them to microdose throughout the day. Eating cannabis requires a significant period of time before the onset of effects, and the uptake through the gastrointestinal tract is uneven and incomplete. Given that most seniors have a compromised digestive system it could be even less absorption than usual.

Direct sublingual application of cannabis, however, provides accurate, rapid administration with no negative health effects.

Cannabinoid Absorption

It’s all about absorption. The bioavailability of CBD or of THC varies greatly by delivery method.

• Smoking typically delivers cannabinoids at an average bioavailability rate of 30%.
• Edibles typically deliver cannabinoids at an average bioavailability rate of only 5%.
• Tinctures deliver cannabinoids at an average bioavailability rate of 18% higher than edibles.

Roughly 30% of cannabinoids are absorbed via smoking, compared to only a 5% rate via edible ingestion. Smoking can be a serious health hazard that many people find objectionable. Studies provide clear scientific evidence of the advantages of tinctures compared with edibles. Tinctures give us more rapid and consistent THC absorption.

Sublingual

Benefits of direct sublingual application

• Immediate relief – no waiting for digestive tract absorption.
• No negative health effects that come with smoking or vaporizing.
• Accuracy as nothing is lost in extraction or administration.
• Access and choice by making pharmaceutical grade solutions at home with your own cannabis.
• Safer and more reliable than edibles and extracts.
• More cost-effective solution as patients use less.
• Discretion, being less obvious.
  

Sublingual applications are geared towards oral uptake through the saliva. Oral uptake can affect a patient almost immediately and tend to wear off within two to three hours. Edibles that you hold in your mouth for an extended period of time like suckers, lozenges, and tinctures fall into this category.

Some items, such as infused drinks and chocolate bars fall into a hybrid category because they are designed to be absorbed in both the mouth and the stomach. These type of edibles are a middle ground between oral and intestinal absorption, offering fast-acting relief usually feeling the effects within a half hour and the effects can last for four hours or more.

Tinctures are essentially a topical application that is administered through the mouth, and they are immediately absorbed into the bloodstream, unlike edibles or drinks. Tinctures provide a liquid cannabis extract used for dosage control and fast-acting effects without the health risks associated with smoking.

Most commonly, alcohol is used as the solvent, but other fat-soluble liquids can be used as well, such as vinegar, glycerol coconut oil, olive, and MCT oil. Dr. Dustin Sulak offers a short free program providing cannabis education about tinctures.

Dosing~Generally, one to four drops of the tincture is placed under the tongue, where it’s absorbed into the body versus swallowed and digested. When ingested, tinctures are immediately absorbed on an empty stomach but require time to process through the liver, reducing dosage control.

Transdermal

Transdermal is the application of a medicine or drug through the skin so that it is absorbed slowly into the body. Gels, emulsion creams, sprays and lip balm stick applicators are easy to use and are effective in getting medicine into the bloodstream quickly.

Traditional methods of administering medicine such as tablets or capsules get watered down and become much less effective due to stomach acids and digestive enzymes before they eventually get into the bloodstream. Bypassing the stomach and liver means a much greater percentage of the active ingredient goes straight into the bloodstream where it’s needed. In many cases, transdermal methods are used to help avoid potential side effects such as stomach upset or drowsiness.

Regarding the location of the skin application, areas with the thinnest epidermal layers, and areas rich in sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and hair follicles, prove to be the best areas of transdermal absorption. These locations include face, neck, scalp, and wrist. Absorption rates are highest on the forehead 4.2, Ear Canal 5.4, Scrotal 11.8.

Transdermal is a good fit for anyone that has a sensitive digestive system.

Edibles

Cannabis consumed orally enters the bloodstream after being digested or broken down in the stomach and is absorbed in the intestines. Eating infused products is a healthier alternative to inhaling cannabis smoke because there is no exposure to carbon, tar, carcinogens, and so on.

Patients start with a low dose of 5, 10 to 15 mg active cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.). It’s going to be a learning process through trial and error to find the correct dose for you. Keep a journal and record your experiences with different products, dosages, and try to distinguish what ratio of cannabinoids in what dosage yields the maximum therapeutic effect for your specific health issue.

Edibles are geared towards gastrointestinal uptake via the digested through the stomach. Edibles often take two hours to kick in and can last up to eight hours. Start with the smallest dose of 5 mg and wait to feel the effects before taking more.

Dosing~Start with the smallest dose of 5 mg and wait to feel the effects before taking more.

Shopping For Your Medicine

THC~CBD Tinctures 

Watch for companies that source the highest grade, organic and sun-grown Sativa or Indica cannabis. Using top shelf flowers rather than trim or leftovers. Using organic olive oil infusion/extractions or MCT oil infusions. Products like Treatwell and, Moxie Med’s are a 100% organic.

Edibles

When focusing on edibles look for sun grown organic Sativa or Indica ~ 70% or more dark chocolate for low sugar/glycemic, with no flour. Something like the Bhang Dark Chocolate Bar 120 mg or 180 mg. Staying with the dark chocolate limits sugar and avoids flavorings and additives. The Kiva chocolate bar has sugar listed as the first ingredient.

CO2 Extractions

Sublingual sprays produced through CO2 extraction. CO2 is considered a green solvent, unlike petroleum-derived solvents like butane. CO2 is used to produce carbonated soft drinks, in the removal of caffeine from coffee beans in order to make decaffeinated coffee, as an environmentally friendly solvent for dry cleaning, and as an extraction solvent when producing essential oils. Supercritical CO2 is also common when pesticides and metals are extracted from agricultural crops.

When buying a sublingual spray focus on cannabis infused with MCT oil or Olive oil (which has a shorter self-life). Watch for organic, pesticide free, solvent free, no fillers and tested.

Get Legal

Getting the Medical Doctor’s recommendation online is effortless, here is one spot to do so.

What’s the local law In California? How much can you grow or have on hand?

Helpful link to understand strains.

At The Dispensary

Any CBD product can stop an overdose of THC. Great to have on hand in spray form. Remember to ask for the senior discount!

Wellness Consultant

As a Wellness Consultant with Octavia Wellness, I provide customized cannabis care along with the safe and legal purchase of cannabis. Introducing holistic practitioners, seniors, palliative care and the wellness community to Octavia Wellness products for a healthier lifestyle.

Call 415-409-9264

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Marijuana Withdrawal Support

Have you decided to stop marijuana? Here is support for that journey. It may be easier than you think and it may be harder than you think but it will be well worth it. Your journey begins with you making a choice for you well being. On the other side, you will have more mental clarity, less anxiety, less depression and be able to remember your dreams. Providing a healthy environment for of your heart, lungs, and body. Can’t go wrong with this clear decision. Welcome!

Source information is provided via the links to each section.

Symptoms Of Withdrawal

A  person with a mild dependence on marijuana may experience minor physical and psychological discomfort, such as headaches or restlessness. Those with severe forms of marijuana addiction may endure more intense withdrawal symptoms, including sweating, fever, chills and hallucinations. Symptoms generally last two to three weeks and dissipate over time.

The most common marijuana withdrawal symptoms include:

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Marijuana Health Risk

In today’s world with medical marijuana legal in California, we may lose sight of the risk of using marijuana as well. What follow’s are the adverse health effects of marijuana. Each section includes a link to the information being provided.

Smoking And High Cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol, you might not realize that this combination can be especially dangerous to your heart. If you smoke and have high cholesterol, you have a much greater risk for heart attack and stroke than if you have only one of these risk factors.

Smoking damages the body’s arteries and blood vessels, increasing the risk for plaque buildup. It also reduces the amount of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) — the “good” cholesterol — in your blood. This is a problem because HDLs absorb cholesterol and carry it back to the liver, where it is flushed from the body. High levels of HDLs in the blood protect against heart disease.

Even light or occasional smoking can lead to heightened cholesterol problems, further, raising the risk for heart problems. The good news is that quitting smoking completely can significantly improve your levels of HDL cholesterol, which helps protect your heart.

The combination of smoking and having high cholesterol dramatically increases the risk of heart attack. One-third of all deaths from cardiovascular disease are caused by smoking.

“The risk is already significant for smokers who don’t have high cholesterol, and it increases significantly if they have a high lipid [cholesterol and triglycerides] profile, they smoke, are male, or have diabetes,” says Dr. Damle. “When you combine these factors, the risk increases exponentially.”

“Smoking creates an environment in the bloodstream that leads to a destructive breakdown [of cholesterol], making LDL even more toxic to blood vessels, increasing deposits of plaque in the arteries, and increasing inflammation,” Dr. Newby says. Stopping smoking yields immediate and long-term benefits for your cholesterol levels, and lowers your risk for having a heart attack.

High Cholesterol, HDL, LDL & Triglycerides

Although triglycerides may not receive as much attention as HDL and LDL cholesterol, these blood fats can greatly increase your risk of heart disease when elevated. Triglyceride levels vary throughout the day, increasing after a meal and after foods containing simple sugar and excessive carbohydrates. Because smoking raises triglycerides, the American Heart Association recommends smoking cessation as one tool — along with dietary and other lifestyle modifications — for keeping triglycerides in check.

Cancer

Chronic exposure to cannabis smoke has also been associated with the development of pre-cancerous changes in bronchial and epithelium cells in similar rates to tobacco smokers.

Adverse Effects of Marijuana

• Heart Rate

Marijuana increases heart rate and mildly increases in blood pressure, which combines to force the heart to work more strenuously. Compared with non-users, those who smoked marijuana weekly had a 2.5 fold greater likelihood of heart attack, and those who smoked more than one time per week had a 4.2 fold increased risk.

• Anxiety

Marijuana is well known to cause fluctuations in mood and anxiety, but the extent to which these fluctuations persist beyond the period of marijuana use is unclear (de Graaf, Radovanovic et al.). Studies show an increase in anxiety and depressive disorders among frequent marijuana users. (Bovasso 2001). In other words, we cannot yet determine whether marijuana causes an increase in depression and anxiety, or whether individuals who suffer from depression and anxiety tend to use more marijuana (Degenhardt, Hall et al. 2003). However, heavier marijuana use has been shown to increase the association with anxiety and depression and weekly or more frequent cannabis use in teenagers predicts an approximately twofold increase in risk for later depression and anxiety (Degenhardt, Hall et al. 2001; Patton, Coffey et al. 2002)

• Psychosis

In sufficient doses, marijuana can cause psychosis (Moore, Zammit et al. 2007), a state of mind characterized by the inability to distinguish between what is real and what is not. Psychosis is concerning for three reasons: First, the loss of connection to reality can be an emotionally terrifying experience. Second, psychosis can stimulate unsafe behavior when the lack of connection to reality inhibits the ability to determine what is safe and what is not. Third, there is mounting evidence that psychosis itself is harmful to the brain, and may actually predispose the brain to psychotic disorders (Perkins, Gu et al. 2005).

In addition to causing psychosis, marijuana may also contribute to the development of lifelong psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia (Degenhardt, Hall et al. 2003). Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by deterioration in thinking, disturbances in perception, and impairments in social function. Marijuana can unmask symptoms among individuals who have a pre-existing vulnerability (such as a family history) to schizophrenia (Arseneault, Cannon et al. 2004).

• Social Interaction

A relationship between marijuana and poor educational attainment has been repeatedly demonstrated across many studies (Hall, Degenhardt et al. 2001). The relationship appears to hold even when confounding variables are statistically controlled Fergusson, Horwood et al. 2003). School performance is a function of many factors, but it is likely that the short-term effects of marijuana intoxication exacerbate existing school difficulties, and push poor performance into school failure. On the other hand, analysis of behavioral, socioeconomic, and health outcomes at age 29 all reveal that abstainers consistently have the most favorable outcomes, whereas early high users consistently have the least favorable outcomes (Ellickson, Martino et al. 2004).

Many users would say they use marijuana to be more social and to avoid anxiety. Research shows the opposite result in the long run.

Signs of Marijuana Abuse

Common signs that may indicate abuse of marijuana include:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Increased appetite
• Lack of motivation
• Weight gain
• Nervous or paranoid behavior
• Impaired coordination
• Slowed reaction time

Prolonged Use:

• Paranoia
• Panic Attacks
• Overeating
• Elevated Heart Rate
• Impaired Cognition
• Impaired Motor Function
• Mood Swings
• Lung Infections
• Reduced Ability To Learn
• Inhibited Mental Development
• Memory Loss

Marijuana Withdrawal Support

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Minimize Toxins In The Diet

Have you every wondered where a carrot stores its toxins? It’s stored in the fat end of the carrot connected to the green. Always remove one inch or more from the top of your carrot to avoid eating these toxins.

Once I learned this tip I was curious as to how other vegetables stored their toxins. Learning where and how toxins are stored in vegetables, fruits and meat can be life changing. Here I share some notes on the current research done on toxins in our food.

Learn how toxins are stored in vegetables and how to avoid them in your diet. Each link will take you to the source of information being shared.

Leafs

Leafy Greens or Toxic Food? The Other Side of Eating Vegetables

Three main reasons to rethink your vegetable intake.

1. Fiber is a major component of vegetables, coming in the form of cellulose. Cellulose is a polysaccharide (long carbohydrate molecule that the body cannot take apart) and is the structural component of the primary cell wall in green plants. Cellulose is also known as indigestible fiber — they used to call it roughage back in the day. Humans cannot digest cellulose.
2. Goitrogens are substances that suppress the function of the thyroid by inhibiting the formation of the thyroid hormone. Goitrogens are found in all cruciferous vegetables, including but not limited to soybeans, broccoli, cauliflower, green leafy, bok choy, cabbage, cress, and Brussel sprouts. Eating a lot of raw cruciferous veggies can suppress your thyroid, leading to a slower metabolism and increased metabolic hormone disturbance.
3. Particular leafy or “above-ground” vegetables will have a variety of defensive naturally-produced chemicals, all with specific functions to deter animals from consuming them. The leaves, stems, and seeds are susceptible to attack by insects, birds, and grazing animals. To protect themselves, these plants contain mild toxins. These plants toxins include phenols, tannins, lectins/agglutinins, and trypsin inhibitors. In addition, above-ground vegetables (including the leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables) contain unsaturated fats, which, as I talked about in my polyunsaturated fat blog, can be extremely anti-metabolic. Unsaturated fats themselves are important plant defenses — they inhibit trypsin and other proteolytic enzymes, preventing the assimilation of the proteins that are present in seeds and leafy green vegetables. Unsaturated fats also disrupt all biological processes that depend on protein breakdown, such as the formation of thyroid hormone. There is more to a food than just nutrients.

Vegetables And Digestive Issues

For those with digestive issues, including IBS, constipation, diarrhea and acid reflux: eat fewer vegetables.

Vegetables are often high in insoluble fiber. While soluble fiber can be soothing for the gut, consuming large amounts of insoluble fiber when your gut is inflamed is a little bit like rubbing a wire brush against an open wound. Ouch. If you eat them, always eat them with other foods and remove stems and peels. Dice, mash, chop, grate or blend high insoluble fiber foods to make them easier to break down.

Insoluble fiber foods are best eaten well-cooked: steamed thoroughly, boiled in soup, braised, etc; avoid consuming them in stir-fries.

Vegetables that are high in insoluble fiber include Limit/serve a small amount under the protein.

• Greens (spinach, lettuce, kale, mesclun, collards, arugula, watercress, etc.)
• Whole peas, snow peas, snap peas, pea pods
• Green beans
• Kernel corn
• Bell peppers
• Eggplant
• Celery
• Onions, shallots, leeks, scallions, garlic
• Cabbage, bok choy, Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower-contains caffeine/avoid at night

The vegetables that are high in soluble fiber, but lower in insoluble fiber (and thus tend to be safer for those with gut issues) include:

Enjoy Cooked Roots & Squashes~

• Carrots
• Winter squash
• Summer squash (especially peeled)
• Starchy tubers (yams, sweet potatoes)
• Turnips
• Rutabagas
• Parsnips
• Beets
• Plantains
• Taro
• Yuca

Since root vegetables grow underground, they have a lower toxicity level, no PUFA, and no cellulose. They don’t need the protective chemicals to protect themselves from insects, birds, and grazing animals. These vegetables still have a high starch content, so they should be cooked thoroughly (except the carrot), and eaten with a saturated fat, such as butter/ghee or coconut oil. This will enable easier digestion and a slower release into the blood system. It will also increase your body’s absorption of the fat-soluble nutrients in the veggies.

Fruit-vegetables. Squash, cucumbers, zucchini, and pumpkin. These are actually all considered fruits, as the seeds are inside. They have no cellulose, little starch, and a low PUFA content. Once again, these should be well cooked and eaten with a saturated fat.

Another helpful tip is to reduce the variety of vegetables you eat at any given meal. Instead of stir-fries with 6 different veggies, have a single steamed or roasted vegetable as a side dish. This works better for most people with gut issues.

Toxic Metals In Tea

You may be surprised to find out that many teas actually contain toxic metals. For example, lead can be absorbed by the tea’s leaves. You may be wondering how lead ever got into the tea in the first place. Well, industrial areas and active roadways can create environments with high-lead that gets absorbed by the tea plant.

To limit this exposure to toxic metals, use tea in bags to help filter out toxic metals. Drop the tea bag into the water first before adding hot water, steep for 2 min. To limit exposure to toxic metals in tea the filter bag and the short steep will help to minimize the the exposure to metals.

Limit Or Avoid Cruciferous Vegetables~Due To Toxins & Thyroid Suppression

Eat Boiled Or Steamed/Chopped, Mashed, Pureed. Eat Small Amounts With Other Foods. Cooked for 30 minutes. Steamed.

• Arugula~Blanched
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Broccolini
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Canola
• Cauliflower
• Chinese Broccoli
• Chinese cabbage
• Choy sum
• Collard greens
• Horseradish
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Mizuna
• Mustard Greens
• Mustard Seeds
• Radishes
• Rapini
• Rutabagas
• Turnips
• Wasabi
• Watercress

Avoid Stems~Insoluble Fiber Can’t Be Digested

Examples: Asparagus, celery, broccoli.When you do eat these foods, cook the celery, steam the broccoli well and peel stems if you use them and when you cook asparagus peel it first. This way you will remove the toxins.

FRUITS ARE DESIGNED TO BE EATEN

Tropical fruits are lower in fiber and a good source of fruit sugar, vitamins, and minerals.

Cooked Fruits

Higher in fiber: peeled and cooked apples and pears. Cherries. When you cook these fruits, your body will have an easier time to digest the foods.

Fruit Juices

Pulp-free juices are your best sources of nutrients without the fibrous pulp. Orange, grape, cherry and pineapple juices are all acceptable.

Remember, none of these foods should ever be eaten alone, you should always eat all vegetables and fruits with a protein and fat to slow the blood sugar response. All vegetables and fruits eaten individually will throw your blood sugar out of whack.

Fruits Lowest In Sugars~15-20 grams daily

Berries, Prunes, Peeled Apples & Pears, Cherries, Sour Citrus (Lemon, Lime & Grapefruit), Guava, Cranberries, Apricots.

• If you need help avoiding toxins in your diet, contact your personal Nutritional Therapist Ema Drouillard at 415-409-9266.

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