IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME AND DIET

With our recent celebration of Mother's Day, I thought I would focus on a condition many moms and women of any age can battle, even men for that matter - it's called irritable bowel syndrome.

Having been diagnosed with this condition many years ago, I know for sure that it can be greatly managed and helped through diet and lifestyle. And over the years, through my experience and those of others, I have learned there are certain triggers -- eating wheat, dairy and yeast or anything refined -- that are usually the biggest culprits. I simply avoid them as it is just not worth feeling so lousy afterwards. (I have found that eating bread can constipate me for up to 3 days after I have eaten it.)

What I have found to be helpful and I have them in my purse ALL the time is a probiotic like AIM Florafood. This is my favorite of all favorites - I call it white gold! I also recommend a digestive enzyme like AIM's Prepzymes. I use a digestive enzyme when I am eating a plate of food that is not at least 60 percent raw, is incorrectly combined, or when I eat red meat. (What a digestive enzyme does is help to liquefy the food within 2 -3 hours so that the food can be properly digested. I love this product too!)

Irritable bowel syndrome can also be called a spastic colon. This term is used to describe intermittent diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain or indigestion. There are many reasons why these symptoms may be present. The medical profession has told us that it can be as a result of food allergies, stress, infection and toxic overload. It is very important to see your health care practitioner in case there is a more serious underlying condition.

It is beneficial to follow a diet that is simple. Lightly cooked vegetables, fish, non-gluten grains (rice, millet, corn, quinoa), lentils and beans (although some people may be sensitive to these) and ground seeds for essential fatty acids. It may also be beneficial to support your liver by watching intake of bad fats, caffeine and alcohol. Other problem foods could be eggs and citrus fruits -- especially oranges.

It may be a good idea for these foods to be avoided or greatly reduced

Suspect allergens, including refined wheat and dairy products (cow's milk)
Coffee and caffeine
Alcohol
Spicy food
Refined sugars and flour
Saturated fats
Yeast in excess

It may be a good idea for these foods to be included in the diet.

Wheat alternatives (gluten free) products
Lentil, organic corn, rice and potato based pastas
Try coconut, almond, cashew and sesame seed milk
Brown rice, potatoes, fish, lean poultry, fresh fruit and vegetables
Grains like quinoa and amaranth
Freshly extracted apple juice, pear and pineapple juice

A excellent book on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Diverticulitis:

http://www.amazon.com/Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome-Diverticulosis-Self-Help/dp/1573244996/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306767181&sr=1-5

Green Refresher Smoothie

I threw these things together and came up with the most delicious, refreshing green smoothie. Hope you enjoy it too!

1 cup water

1 thick slice of fresh pineapple (1/2 cup)

1-2 fresh mint leaves

1 thin slice of fresh lime

½ cup of packet organic spinach or 1 heaped teaspoon of AIM Barley Life or Leaf Greens Powder

6-8 drops of "Lemon Drop" flavored Stevia drops

1 - ½ cups of ice.

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth.

Special note: Coconut water may be used instead of filtered water (this is especially good for someone on a juice fast or someone that is recovering from a stomach bug). Coconut water has more potassium in than a banana and is bursting with electrolytes.

1 Tablespoon of ground chia seeds may be added too.

Quinoa and Avocado salad with dried fruit, almonds and lemon-cumin vinaigrette

Yields 5 cups: serves 4

3 tbsp raisins

2 tbsp dried apricots

1 cup red or white quinoa

1 large lemon

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVVO)

¼ tsp ground coriander

¼ tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp sweet paprika

2 medium firm-ripe avocados, pitted, peeled and cut into ½ inch chunks

2 medium scallions (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced

2 to 3 tbsp coarsely chopped toasted almonds

Freshly ground black pepper

In a medium bowl, soak the raisins and the apricots in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a 2-quart saucepan, bring 2 cups of water or low-sodium, msg free vegetable broth, the quinoa and ½ tsp salt to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is translucent and tender, 10 - 15 minutes. Immediately fluff the quinoa with a fork and turn it out onto a baking sheet to cool to room temperature.

Finely grate the zest from the lemon and then squeeze 1 tbsp juice

In a small bowl, whisk lemon zest and juice with the olive oil (EVVO), coriander, cumin, paprika, and ¼ tsp salt. In a large bowl, toss the vinaigrette with the quinoa, raisins, apricots, avocado, scallions, and almonds. Season to taste and serve over a bed of greens if desired.

AIM Flora Food - One way to help maintain digestive health is to be aware of and take care of our intestinal flora - the trillions of bacteria that make the digestive tract their home. AIM FloraFood contains a special blend of three powerful friendly bacteria - L. gasseri, B. bifidum, and B. longum. Friendly bacteria promote the production of B vitamins, break down and rebuild hormones, protect us from environmental toxins, and help to maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. AIM's special formula requires no refrigeration.

Maintains digestive and intestinal health
Stimulates/enhances immune system
Maintains healthy cholesterol level
Alleviates gas

AIM PrepZymes provides a range of digestive enzymes specially forumlated to help you digest the modern, high-fat, high-sugar diet. Papaya fruit aids in protein digestion and has a soothing effect on the stomach, while alpine wild garlic contributes to antioxidant activity. This unique forumla also contains 8 active digestive enzymes to replace the natural enzymes lost in overly processed foods. PrepZymes remains an excellent way to thoroughly digest food while also promoting detoxification.

Improves assimilation and utilization of food
Allows for more thorough digestion of food
Increases energy
Specially designed for high-sugar, high-fat, "industrialized" diets

AIM Herbal Fiberblend® is a unique and powerful combination of cleansing herbs and psyllium to sweep the digestive system clean of toxins and food debris. Available in traditional and raspberry flavors and vegetarian capsules.

Helps maintain regular bowel movements
Detoxifies-removes toxins from the body
Helps maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels
Fiber may reduce incidences of diverticulosis, colon cancer and appendicitis

AIM Composure® helps to maintain your neuro health, especially in regard to dealing efficiently with stress. The Composure formula is made up of four herbal extracts and four whole herbs - alfalfa, marshmallow root, oatstraw, irish moss, passionflower, shavegrass, slippery elm bark, and yucca. Many of these herbs contain flavonoids that are beneficial to overall health. Composure may be taken during the day to help with stressful situations or during the evening to help relax. Composure is 100 percent natural. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Increases relaxation, reduces stress
Helps maintain neuro health
Calming effect improves sleep
Whole-herb and herbal extract ingredients

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE PRODUCTS GO TO:http://myaimstore.com/lererobinson/

Word from Lere

I trust the Lord will bless you with a wonderful summer.

My family and I are leaving on a 7-week furlough to South Africa. This will be the first time in 4 years we will be seeing many of our family and friends back home and as you can imagine, we are filled with excitement and anticipation! We begin our journey at the end of June and will be back in South Carolina by mid-August. Thank you to all my clients who have enriched my life this year. I hope to return from South Africa rejuvenated and refreshed so that I may bless those the Lord would have me connect with.

Please watch out for our next newsletter "Is Sun Tanning Safe? And other Sun Facts." We will have a combined newsletter for June and July! Also watch out for new website changes and other fun stuff, as well as a special announcement of a new and exciting program that I will be launching in August! I hope that this will be a blessing to many!

Yours in healthy living

Lere