Tired of feeling sick and tired in Lafayette LA?

What about that extra 10 pounds hanging around your mid-section - wondering how and why no matter how much you stay active - it doesn't seem to melt away? What about your skin - have more acne or wrinkles than you'd like? What about depression - do you find yourself "staying-in" more than enjoying time out-and-about with friends just because you "don't feel like it"?

What if I told you - what you are putting in your body has a TREMENDOUS effect on, not only your physical appearance, but your overall energy in Lafayette LA? (This is where my patients respond, "well, of COURSE it does!") But what if there's more to living healthfully than you have opened to your mind to? What if I told you there are things hiding in the foods you love to eat that are "sneakily" creating: loss of energy, extra weight, poor skin quality or depression?

We currently live in such an interesting time … Where most people grab a sandwich at Subway on their lunch break, because it's healthier than fast food - BUT - most people don't know that in the United States, Subway puts a chemical called, "azodicarbonomide" into their breads for preservation. This chemical is a derivative of plastic and can be found in yoga mats and tennis shoes and leads to none other than all kinds of respiratory problems, allergies and asthma. Subway is an international food chain, but every other country besides the USA bans the use of azodicarbonomide in the use of food. Isn't their slogan "Eat Fresh"? Maybe in Europe or Asia, but in the United States, evidently NOT.

So what's a person to do? Plan ahead - grocery shop accordingly - and eat as much "home-prepared" food as possible. I realize I make it sound simple, but in all honesty, that's because it REALLY, truly is. I know, because in my house, we do this every week to avoid eating-out as much as possible. This not only saves me money, but allows me to control every single ingredient that goes into my body and family's bodies.

Well, why would consciously controlling the ingredients in your meals be important? (You may be asking.) The reason why I bring all this to your attention this week is because in this community, and across the country, we are consuming foods that are just plain making us LESS than who we are MEANT to be. (And this doesn't just pertain to plastic bread! Haha!) We don't necessarily need to experience a "gut-wrenching" reaction to food in a violent manner such as hives, vomiting, diarrhea, etc., to be "sensitive" towards it. And the longer I lecture on this topic and the more seminars I go to, the stronger the patterns become of: loss of energy, inability to lose weight, poor skin quality, depression, etc. The problem is that modern day medicine will treat all symptoms and never really correct the cause. I know because as a 7-year-old child I was in-and-out of the hospital and on every medication imaginable before anyone ever recommended that a closer look be taken at my diet.

What I'm about to share with you - will ultimately change your life - IF you commit to the process.

I'm challenging you to eliminate what I call the "Ferocious-Five" from your diet for 14 days. The Ferocious Five - are a series of ingredients currently linked to: Auto-immune diseases (such as Celiac, Lupus, Poly- Myalgia, to name a few), Chronic respiratory problems, Headaches/Migraines, Wrinkles, Allergies, Fatigue, Acne, Depression /Anxiety, Sleeplessness, Constipation, etc. (and the list goes on from here! Do you see where I'm going with this?)

So what are these Ferocious little ingredients? Drum-roll, please…
Gluten | Dairy | Sugar | Corn | Eggs

We've discussed over and over and will continue to ALWAYS discuss the importance of a health gut! 60 % of your immune system lies within your gut, so it's EXTREMELY important that you put good foods, the right food, For Yourself into your body. So, how do I know if I'm affected by the Ferocious Five? JJ Virgin, author of the "The Virgin Diet" came up with a Food Intolerance Test with a grading scale. Take the test below and You Be the Judge.

Answer each question with; never (0), seldom (1), sometimes (2), or often (3).

1. I need a cup of coffee or other pick-me-up to jump start the middle of my morning or afternoon. ______
2. I crave baked goods, pasta, and other carbohydrates. _________
3. I have difficulty falling asleep, or I awake during the night feeling anxious and struggle to get back to sleep. _____
4. My bowel movements occur infrequently (less than one a day), which can sometimes be painful and involve straining. ___
5. My mood can change swiftly, and I take out my crankiness and irritation on coworkers and family. _____
6. I want to lay my head down on my desk mid-morning or afternoon because I have little motivation to remain productive.__
7. During meetings or conversations I zone out, and I struggle to concentrate for long periods of time with my work. _____
8. Even though I eat a big meal, I find myself hungry and craving more of what I ate several hours later. _____
9. Doing routine and important tasks takes all the energy and initiative I have. _____
10. Even as an adult, I struggle with acne, rashes, or blotchy skin even though I use expensive skin cream. _____
11. I head to the bathroom or step outside after a meal because of gassiness, bloating, or other uncomfortable gut issues. ____
12. The smell of a scented candles, perfume, and detergents bothers me. ________
13. Walking or moving around can create cramping, achiness, or joint pain. _________
14. I develop headaches that prevent me from enjoying the moment and leave me scrambling for a pain reliever. _____
15. I eat all the right foods in moderation, exercise religiously, and yet every pound seems a maddening struggle to lose. ____
16. Even though I don't have other cold/flu symptoms, I suffer a scratchy throat or sinus trouble. _____

Total Score: ________

Read below to see what your score means…

21 or above

You most likely struggle with food intolerances that create numerous unpleasant symptoms and stall fast fat loss. By removing the "Ferocious Five" for just two weeks, you'll see these symptoms disappear and the scales will start moving again.

10 - 20

You display some of the symptoms that food intolerances can trigger. You would greatly benefit from removing these five foods for just two weeks to eliminate those symptoms and lose those last few pounds.

Below 10

While you suffer few of the symptoms brought about by food intolerances, you could still benefit from removing these five foods for just fourteen days. Even the healthiest person can take their game up a notch and ditch those last few stubborn pounds, right?

Who's up for a challenge? What if feeling energized and weight loss were just added bonuses to eliminating these foods for just 2 weeks? Are you ready to start? Here's a full day's worth of meals and snacks to get you started!

This week's recipe:

Breakfast Chocolate "Mock-shake"

(All ingredients ORGANIC when possible)…

• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
• 1 tablespoon oat bran
• 1 tablespoon cacao powder
• 6 ounces unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 ounces water
• 1 handful baby kale
• 1 handful baby spinach
• 1 cup frozen blueberries, peaches or strawberries
• 1 teaspoon honey

Place the all ingredients into a blender and completely blend until smooth!

Lunch: Roasted Veggie Bowl

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 8 asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Sea salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• Optional: 8 ounces, cooked chicken, shrimp, salmon or scallops

Start your quinoa or brown rice on the stove top. Next, toss all the vegetables with oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Let them stand for 30 minutes & preheat the oven to 400⁰F. Grease a large baking sheet with safflower oil and lay the vegetables on the sheets. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Toss the roasted vegetables with the cooked quinoa, rice and/or meat or fish.

Dinner: Spicy Turkey, Beans & Greens

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 pound organic turkey, ground
• 1 cup turkey or chicken stock
• 1 can organic white - Cannellini/Northern beans
• 2-3 cups kale
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Heat some olive oil in a large skillet and sauté the onion until translucent. Add a little salt and pepper and add garlic and stir for a few minutes. Add the turkey, stir and break it up into pieces with a spoon. Brown the turkey until it is no longer pink. Add a cup of turkey or chicken stock to "de-glaze" the pan, add salt & pepper to your taste bring to a boil, simmer for a few minutes and add the beans and the kale. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes to your taste and cook until the sauce has thickened and the greens are wilted.

And finally, a few snacks that are "Ferocious Five" Free:

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Empty 1 bag of Brussels sprouts onto a cutting board and cut into halves. In a bowl combine 2 tablespoons of organic safflower oil and whatever spices you like (we use "Slap Ya Mama" because it's an MSG-FREE combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper & I also add 3 tablespoons of Bragg's Nutritional Yeast because we like our snacks to have a "cheesy" dairy free flavor.) Spread out brussel sprouts evenly, cut side-up onto a cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

Avocado with lemon, salt, and pepper

It's got healthy fat and keeps you satisfied without making you sick and bloated. To make, all you do is slice the avocado in half. Sprinkle it with fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper. (If you're on the go, leave the pit in.)

Roasted chickpeas

If you love salty snacks, this is a winner. It uses chickpeas, a great source of protein! Rinse a can of organic chickpeas and drain. In a separate bowl combine 1 tablespoon of organic safflower oil and whatever dried spices you like (again, we LOVE Slap Ya Mama & Bragg's Nutritional Yeast.) Toss drained chickpeas in your oil- seasoning mix and spread evenly onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

By Francesca Marino D.C.