Hot Dog Water? Talk About Snake Oil!

As unbelievable as this may sound, News of the Weird* published a recent story describing a health craze marketed in Canada. At a street festival on June 17th they were promoting Hot Dog Water. People were invited to pay $38 to try it and told it was gluten-free (true), Keto diet-compatible (true), and each bottle contained a hot dog (true).

I was not surprised to hear that people lined up to purchase bottles of Hot Dog Water and took this product seriously. Though guess what? It was a prank designed, "in response to the snake oil salesman of health marketing". The CEO of the company even added a disclaimer on the bottle:

"Hot Dog Water in its absurdity hopes to encourage critical thinking related to product marketing and the significant role it can play in our purchasing choices."

Whether or not people paid for the drink knowing it was a joke is neither here nor there. The story got me thinking. I have purchased ludicrous items like this in the past (gag gifts aside)...pills that supposedly burnt calories while I slept (they didn't), followed crash diets that promised results (they didn't feel good/weren't sustainable), and eaten many junk foods that, if I was honest with myself, knew they were horrible for my health. Foods like overly processed, gunk-filled hot dogs.

Many people say they don't want to know what is in a hot dog and only care that it tastes good...which is of course their prerogative, we are all adults and can eat what we want. Taking responsibility for those choices is the key. There are direct consequences to every food, beverage, or pill that we put into our body. When I ate poorly I steadily gained weight, rarely slept well, experienced constant skin problems, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and found myself with chronic conditions like thyroid disease and osteoarthritis. The lesson of buyer beware reminds me that I take full responsibility for my health knowing that my actions and behaviors impact how I feel. These days I choose to keep things simple and do my best to feel better.

Poor dietary choices increase my inflammation, cause my shingles to flare, my joints will ache more often, and I risk losing bone that is already declining with time. Ask yourself when you make a dietary choice/dietary purchase..."Do the major players in the food, supplement, and 'diet' industry truly have your best interest at heart?"

Be Well! ~Tiffany

* See excerpt and details: Salt Lake City Weekly, July 12, 2018, pg 47

SOURCE: thelogicalbro / YouTube

Earth Candy...Sweet Potatoes!

If you've been misled to believe that a sweet potato is bad for your diet, think again. This tuber is eaten in large quantities in countries like Japan, Peru, and New Guinea where obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates are much lower than here in the U.S. It's the toppings that we put on any potato that can clog arteries, add excess weight, and lead to poor health. Sweet potatoes are not yams and are diabetic friendly foods despite what you may hear in the media. Yams are originally from Africa, rarely sold in the United States, and can be up to seven feet long! Quiz yourself and know the difference between a yam and a sweet potato.

I typically eat three to seven large sweet potatoes every week in a variety of oil-free dishes or on their own as a snack. I like them roasted, mashed, baked, and boiled. To save time I typically roast my sweet potatoes in bulk, storing them in the fridge for a great grab and go  snack or to use as an ingredient for tacos, salads, soups, and more. Roasting a sweet potato caramelizes it and deepens the natural sweetness of the root...making it my earth candy! Sweet potatoes are low in calories (103 for a medium-sized), high in fiber, vitamin A, potassium, B vitamins, are very filling, and best of all...they are delicious! Here are a few of of my favorite recipes:

• Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet Potato Fries

• Black Bean Sweet Potato Hash

Be Well! ~Tiffany

Yams usually grow in tropical climates like Africa, South America, and the Caribbean.

Diabetes & Low Carb Diets - A Dangerous Combination

Throughout my career in health I got sucked into the diet craze for personal and professional interest. I wanted to maintain a healthy weight, feel better, avoid illness, and be a sound resource for clients and students. Low carb and high protein meal plans never provided me with consistent positive results. I kept gaining weight, the 'diets' were not sustainable, and I would get sick. Pre-diabetes was right around the corner for me, and thankfully, I dodged that bullet. Check out this brief 8-minute interview with Dr. Michael Greger, founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, explain why a low carb diet is an epic fail.

Be Well! ~Tiffany

Scar Care - Fade, soften, and minimize easily at home!

As a dual posterior hip replacement recipient, I have two surgical scars...they are lengthy and very deep scars. Scar tissue is very dense, fibrous, and tends to feel tight and itchy. A scar has no hair follicles and no sweat glands which is why they appear and feel so different than the skin they replace. The appearance and texture of scars can improve with simple self-care. In chapter 5 of my book, Butternut to Bionic, I describe a technique called "cross-fiber friction" and a scar care product that I have used for over 8 years. My scars are smooth and close in color to my natural skin tone. Learn more in this excerpt from page 90 of my book:

"Per my doctor's recommendation, I used a product called Bio-Oil, massaging it into my scar morning and night using a technique called cross-fiber friction. Basically, you massage against the grain of the muscle in a circular motion helping to loosen, soften, and gently stretch the tissue. If you're a cook who prepares meat for the grill, you may have rubbed salt and spices into a roast or steak. The goal is to tenderize the meat by softening and stretching the tissue. Massaging your surgical scar is much the same, this technique can minimize the puckering and dimpled appearance as well. Even an older scar can benefit from this care. Our skin is living, breathing tissue made up of cells that regenerate daily. Massage sloughs off dead skin, brings blood and nutrients to the surface, and improves the health of our skin."

Want more resources, tips, and advice? Visit Butternut to Bionic, my Anderson Therapeutics website, or my author page on Amazon.

Be Well! ~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES

Symptom not Disease: High Blood Pressure

Tribe members and website visitors have learned that I attribute much of my health success to Dr. John McDougall. Following a whole food plant based diet is a lifestyle that has eliminated nearly all of my medication - included blood pressure meds - and provide me with an energetic and lean body. If you or someone you love has high blood pressure, check out this short video...your heart deserves a listen!

Be Well! ~ Tiffany

Dr. John McDougall discusses high blood pressure - a symptom we've come to treat as a disease, instead of as a warning symptom of an unhealthy system. Watch more videos at http://drmcdougall.com

Mineral Pools for Pain Management...

In an excerpt from my book, Butternut to Bionic, I discuss several ways that I managed pain before, during, and after hip replacement surgery. One of the methods I enjoy as often as possible are therapeutic soaks in natural mineral pools....my favorite soaking place is Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

In Chapter 4 of my book I write, "The Arthritis Foundation recommends soaking in mineral pools to ease pain, loosen joints, and manage musculoskeletal conditions. Soaking in these pools is a good place for physical therapy--the  buoyancy takes pressure off the joints and water is a perfect partner for gentle forms of exercise. All of the exercises you learn during physical therapy are usually much easier in the pool. When you practice your fitness routine in a mineral pool, it's like exercise on steroids. You receive twice the benefit!"

Be Well! ~Tiffany

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool - the world's largest hot spring pool with 15 minerals to re-energize and renew tired muscles.

Lemon Water Benefits...

Starting your day with a cup of warm water and fresh lemon juice offers significant health benefits. Lemons contain vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B-6, and minerals such as zinc, calcium, and potassium. Lemon water is hydrating, energizing, and supports digestion. Other benefits include:

Liver health: Our liver is very active while we sleep. The liver helps to restore and detoxify our body. Lemon juice supports liver health, activates digestive enzymes, and improves bile production.

Anti-inflammatory: Lemons are natural diuretics, helping to remove waste, alkalize our body and balance pH levels. improves digestion, and can relieve rheumatism pain. Lemon water also increases metabolism and is a natural appetite suppressant - you may even lose a bit of weight!

Be Well! ~Tiffany