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This winter, the flu or something like it has really taken a toll on people. The latest is the Australian Norovirus that debilitates its victims with stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting. This is nothing really new, every winter, it is called “flu season”. Doesn’t it make sense to ask why this occurs rather than what is the latest magic bullet to combat the symptoms?

Because we live in the Northwest, we have some special conditions that contribute to the problem. In my experience and opinion, the likely cause is just a few things. When handled, the flu virus has no place to attack if you are a host of a healthy immune system. When a body is primarily healthy, illness may show up briefly only to be fully handled by a functional immune system.

One of our resources for quality information, Nancy Appleton, created a list of the 141 reasons why sugar ruins your health.  There are two of these reasons that apply directly:

1. Sugar can suppress your immune system.
2. Sugar reduces the body’s ability to defend against bacterial infection.

The first line of defense against pathogens is to keep the immune system healthy and responsive. It should be common knowledge that we live in an ever-increasing level of toxicity in our complex society. The more industrialized we become the more toxins that impinge on our immune systems. Herein lies the challenge.  We must have healthier immune systems.

“How do we do insure a healthy immune system?”

The answer is not as difficult as it sounds. Here are nine simple things to work on to improve your immune health (including special tips for Northwesterners):

1. Immediately decrease consumption of fast food.
2. Stop eating sugar or anything that turns easily to sugar.
3. Stop consuming carbonated beverages of any type.
4. Decrease the consumption of processed foods (bagged, boxed, salted, etc.).
5. Increase your water intake (filtered spring water is best).
6. Increase your consumption of green vegetables (romaine, chard, kale, etc.)
7. Exercise 40 minutes every day.
8. Turn off the TV and the computer and get 8 hours of rest every day.
9. Get a full nutritional evaluation at Robust Life Center to determine what your body needs to supplement in order to maintain Sustainable Vibrant Health.

For those in the Northwest, we must increase our Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) levels because we experience, on average, only about 60 days of sunshine annually and make none between November and March.

Our mission is to improve the health of our community to ultimately sustain a human race on the planet. We must address the issues for this generation and especially the children who will inherit the habits and behaviors we create for them. It’s not too late to create healthy habits for yourself and your family!

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Get Heart Healthy!
Wednesday, February 20th
6:30pm – 7:30pm – RSVP TODAY

“Heart disease is a major problem. Every year, about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack. About 600,000 people die from heart disease in the United States each year—that’s 1 out of every 4 deaths. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.”*

Since February is American Heart Awareness Month and we are honoring this with our class on helping you get heart healthy. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men & women! And women are commonly under diagnosed. Find out what signs and symptoms you should be looking for and how to help this very important organ stay healthy.

Classes are hosted at Robust Life Center and are free but you must RSVP and we encourage you to bring a friend or family member by calling (206) 365-1030 or emailing: info@robustlifecenter.com

*Go AS, Mozaffarian D, Roger VL, Benjamin EJ, Berry JD, Borden WB, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2013 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2013;127(1):e6-e245.

• ½ cup creamy almond butter
• ¼ cup agave or honey (I used maple agave this time)
• 1 TBSP vanilla extract
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 cup toasted macadamia nuts
• 1 100% cacao bar
• Vanilla cream stevia to taste

1. Combine almond butter and agave in a medium saucepan over low heat
2. Stir in vanilla and salt, then add macadamia nuts
3. Allow mixture to cool a few minutes
4. Drop mixture by the tablespoonful onto a parchment paper lined dish
5. Place dish in freezer for 10 minutes
6. Melt chocolate in a medium saucepan over lowest heat possible, stirring continuously to avoid scorching. Remove from heat and add vanilla cream stevia to taste.
7. Remove dish from freezer and drop chocolate over each caramel cluster, spreading gently to coat
8. Store macadamia caramel clusters in freezer
9. Remove from freezer just before serving (if left out for long they become quite messy)

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First and foremost, our foods and dietary intake should supply the nutrition we require. This is fact based and was true about 100 years ago when farming was organic and the plants were not modified genetically. There is good evidence that primitive peoples who consumed local indigenous foods generally enjoyed good health and physical development.

In the 1930’s, Dr. Weston A Price, a mid-Western dentist, undertook to study the dietary habits of indigenous populations throughout the world. His study, although largely ignored, provided conclusive evidence of the advantages of whole food indigenous diets and the challenges of introducing the processed foods of the Western diet. In the course of his work, he created some dietary and lifestyle guidelines that are even more relevant today.

Here are the 20 principles that can improve your health:

1. Eat whole, natural foods.
2. Eat only foods that will spoil; eat them before they do.
3. Eat naturally-raised meat including fish, seafood, poultry, beef, lamb, game, organ meats and eggs.
4. Eat whole, naturally-produced milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw and fermented, such as yogurt, cultured butter, whole cheeses and fresh and sour cream.
5. Use only traditional fats and oils including butter and other animal fats, extra virgin olive oil, expeller pressed sesame and flax oil and the tropical oils – coconut and palm.
6. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, in salads and soups or lightly steamed.
7. Use whole grains and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting, or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid and other anti-nutrients.
8. Include enzyme-enhanced lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis.
9. Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb or fish and use liberally in soups and sauces.
10. Use herb teas and coffee substitutes in moderation.
11. Use filtered water for cooking and drinking.
12. Use unrefined Celtic sea salt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
13. Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and expeller pressed flax oil.
14. Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, dehydrated cane sugar juice and stevia powder.
15. Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals.
16. Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass or good quality enamel.
17. Use only natural supplements.
18. Get plenty of sleep, exercise and minimize stress.
19. Think positive thoughts and minimize stress.
20. Practice forgiveness.

This is good wisdom for current times. The more these guidelines are practiced, the faster our bodies can heal, regain full strength and enjoy a long life of “Vibrant Health”. The way to shift one’s lifestyle to embrace all of these guidelines is to start with a few at a time. Our typical fashion is to try to do everything at once. This is a set-up for failure and disappointment for many. I recommend setting a priority to fully integrate four to five of these points for 21 days, then, choose four to five more and so on. Practice each one until it becomes a “way of life” before integrating more. Success happens over time in every endeavor. Stay the course and create a life of “Amazing Success”.

For more information on Weston Price, go to www.WestonAPrice.org