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Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary

5/22/2017

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Growing up, I used to drink milk on a regular basis; in the morning with breakfast, at school during lunch, and in the evening before bed. Cheese was another staple in my diet.  I put cheese on everything; provolone in my sandwich, parmesan on top of my pasta, and let’s not forget the cheddar sprinkled all over my tacos! Little did I know, this dairy addiction was affecting me in a big way.  

I have never labeled myself as “athletic.” In fact, I’ve always felt quite the opposite… unfit. P.E. was my least favorite class and often times, I had a note from a parent requesting that I sit out because of stomach aches. If I did participate, I used an inhaler prior to the class because of my “sports asthma.” I dreaded the two times of the year that we had to run the horrific mile. I would make myself sick with worry, knowing I didn’t have the stamina for it. I was ashamed as I took breaks to walk, while my fellow classmates lapped me on the track. Luckily, P.E. was not required beyond freshman year of high school, so I was able to quickly escape the embarrassment.

It wasn’t until my college years that I started taking a look at my diet. I had quickly put on the freshman 15 (or 20) and my energy levels had become so low that I remember having to take naps on a regular basis and still never feeling alert. Brain fog was a constant companion, alongside its best friend, upset stomach. I knew something wasn’t right, and made an appointment with a integrative health practitioner to try and get some answers. I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease and discovered I had several food allergies. This was the turning point in my life when I started taking action and putting my health first.

Ever since, I have had a love affair with health and wellness. I cleaned up my diet by removing processed foods and adding more fruits and veggies. Eventually, I became vegetarian, and finally gave up dairy. I switched my organic 2% milk to almond milk. It is not a difficult switch! I loved the creamy, nutty flavor of the almond milk. I stopped buying cheese and switched over from milk chocolate to dairy-free, dark chocolate.

With these changes, my seasonal allergies had gone away and I no longer needed an inhaler. I went on to challenge myself physically by training for a 10k. I became obsessed with working out. From personal training, to taking spin and yoga classes, I was on an exercise high. It was such an incredible shift from thinking, “there’s NO way I can run around this block,” to “sure, I’ll try rock climbing this afternoon!” The reason I was able to make such a drastic switch, was because of my diet, and most importantly, eliminating dairy.   

Dairy has been linked to all kinds of health problems. Almost 75% of the world’s population is unable to properly digest dairy. Think about it like this- cow’s milk is created to help fuel and grow baby calves, not humans. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, 1 glass of milk can spike your insulin levels by 300%. Sugar causes acne, meaning, the insulin in dairy is also a big culprit in breakouts. Additionally, dairy is very acidic. Diseases love acidic environments. Dairy, also, causes mucus and inflammation. (Gross!) A couple nights ago, I was at a spa night and the hostess had a very tempting cheese plate sitting out. I figured, “why not?” By the end of the night, I was so congested that people started to notice my sniffles. Lesson learned- cheese is good, but not THAT good. Besides, there are so many delicious alternatives to dairy that once you eliminate it, you won’t even miss it!

Below is a list of some of my favorite dairy alternative products:

  • Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (Or you could make your own!)
  • Kite Hill Chive Cream Cheese Style Spread
  • Bragg Nutritional Yeast (This is a great alternative to parmesan cheese.)
  • SO Delicious Coconut Yogurt
  • SO Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Ice Cream
  • Theo Fair Trade Organic Chocolate Bare, 70% Dark, Coconut
  • Endangered Species Dark Chocolate w/ Sea Salt & Almonds, 72% Cocoa

Ref:  http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/06/24/dairy-6-reasons-you-should-avoid-it-at-all-costs-2/ 

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Lessons Learned in Bali

5/7/2017

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  1. LIVING IN THE MOMENT IS KEY-  Like most people, I tend to live my week based on a set schedule. Wake up at 6, shower by 7, and out the door at 8. Work consumes the majority of my life Monday through Friday; leaving the weekends often jam packed with activities. However, while in Bali, I let go of schedules and lived in the moment. Doing so allowed my mind to be rid of the need to constantly be “doing” and allowed myself to start “being.” It was hard at first, but once I finally was free of this control, all worries seemed to disappear. It was such a liberating feeling, creating a lot of fun in the moment.
  2. BE CURIOUS-  If I could find one word to sum up our trip, it would be “curiosity.” From asking questions, to trying new cuisines, or stumbling upon some out of this world hidden spots, the experience of newness was everywhere. When you live life with a sense of curiosity, your eyes and mind are suddenly opened to things you wouldn’t normally notice in a rushed environment. Slowing down and taking it all in allows a greater sense of awareness. I hope to carry the same curiosity with me when I return.
  3. LIFE IS BETTER WITH A SMILE-  One can instantly identify a local in Bali by the ear-to-ear grin across their face. From the housekeepers at the hotel to the taxi driver on the street, everyone had this trait! When commenting to our driver about our observation, he told us, “the Balinese love to smile. Everyone is a friend in Bali.” Two drivers waiting for a pick-up will strike up a conversation, or the owner of a small shop will beam at you as you pass by. I loved this about Bali. I plan to take after the Balinese and spend more time smiling and less time with a furrowed brow.
  4. YOGA IS EVERYTHING-  Although many locals do not partake in yoga, people from around the world travel to Bali to deepen their yoga practice. Ubud is a known spot for yogis, and we happened to stay right beside the world-famous “Yoga Barn!” After practicing yoga here, I can see why everyone loves it so much. The classes take place in the most beautiful, open-air, wooden studios with panoramic views of the rice-paddies and the forest below. You can hear birds chirping, frogs croaking, and cicadas buzzing, all while breathing in fresh air from a downward dog position. The experience is phenomenal. This was another moment in which I realized how important it is to slow down and breathe.
  5. DO NOT ASK FOR A MARGARITA- I happened to be in Bali over Cinco De Mayo, and in honor of the holiday decided to grab a margarita by the pool. However, after two failed attempts I quickly realized margaritas are not the drink of Bali. Instead, order a fresh juice or smoothie. I had the most amazing smoothie one morning in a small cafe (Sweet Orange Warung) hidden amongst a rice field. I cannot wait to make it again on a hot summer’s day!  ​
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Bali Inspired Smoothie:
  • 1 Cup Frozen Dragon Fruit
  • 1 Large Banana Frozen & Cut in Chunks
  • 1 Cup Frozen Mango
  • Juice of ½ Lime
Blend & Enjoy!
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    Kyla Schrad

    Lover of life, fashion and wellness.

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