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Mary Carter

Are you hurting?

By | Kids, Newsletter | 4 Comments

Like many of you I couldn’t sleep last night worrying about this storm and friends and family in it’s path.  Every time my head hit the pillow I would dream about being near the Jersey shore (one of my favorite places) and trying to escape this storm.   You can tell I watched a little bit too much news these past few days.  

This horrible natural disaster reminds us that the storms of life will hit us all.  Everyone will experience pain, loss, or disaster sometime in their life.  It’s what we do with that loss that makes us or breaks us. 

You may be someone that just lost their home, lost a child, lost a job, or has had a marriage end.  Your heart may be full of pain, anger, hurt, resentment, frustration, and sadness.   It may feel unbearable and like a deep abyss.  But I am here to tell you, encourage you, and remind you that there is a Redeemer that will bring all that you lost back to you 100 fold.  There is a Healer that can heal your broken heart, broken body and broken spirit.  There is a Savior who will make all things new again, and bring peace where hate once lived. 

I have seen hundreds of people RENEWED in the grace of Jesus Christ.  I have witnessed bodies healed, hearts mended, relationships restored, $10,000 of thousands of dollars come out of nowhere to families.  I have seen miracles.

Today I want to encourage you  to give up your hurt to Him. To let go and God take care of the pain.  Ask Him to come into your heart and give you the peace that passes all understanding.  Because if you do….. YOU WILL BE SHOCKED at what lies ahead of you. 

Last year my husband and I lost 2 babies. On Christmas day 2011 I lay in a hospital bed waiting for the surgeons to remove Baby Jesse from me.   I asked God to take this pain, hurt, and heartache from me and what happened next was like nothing you could imagine.  I immediately felt the heaviness leave my body and this incredible peace fall upon me.   The nervousness and anxiety of surgery and being exposed to powerful drugs was gone.  Honestly even before they gave me any medications it felt like I was on a sedative.  After surgery the pain they said I would experience simply wasn’t there.  That peace is still in my heart and although I still mourn for the children I lost I am renewed. 

Tomorrow I will be 19 weeks pregnant.  God has renewed me, restored what I have lost, and healed me and He can do the same for you.  So pray for Jesus Christ to come into your heart. Pray for your miracle.  Pray for the Peace that passes all understanding.  

I love you and pray for your healing too!

Mary Starr Carter

The Total Wellness Doc and Mom 

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.

Gluten Intolerance & Pain : Could there be a connection?

By | Fibromyalgia, Gluten Intolerance, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 25 Comments

Gluten Intolerance & Pain : Could there be a connection?

By Mari Ann Lisenbe

 

July 10th, 2002. That's the date I received my diagnosis:  "Severe gluten sensitivity, leaky-gut syndrome & candida overgrowth". 

 

How could this be? In my quest to feel better, I'd even become a vegan. I was eating lots of fresh fruits, veggies and healthy, whole grains. I had become regular health-food nut!

 

Becoming a vegan, I'd lost a ton of weight. But also, I was losing bone mass. And the pain was getting worse.

 

"OK. Where's the truck?" 

 

That's the question I'd wake up asking every morning. 

 

Surely that's what happened. If I hadn't been hit by a truck, why did I hurt so badly?

 

Groggy Head. 

 

Draw a very hot bath, and soak at least 30 minutes so I could face the world. 

 

And, the crazy body aches was just one part of it. 

 

I had excruciating bouts with cramping. And constipation.  It had even gotten to the point where I was regularly performing soap-suds enemas just to get rid of the bloating. 

 

So, here I was again. Back in another doctor's office on my never ending quest to try to find out why I felt so miserable. 

 

And she tells me I need to get off wheat? AND all those other "healthy" whole grains I'd been filling my body with?

 

How could it be so simple? I'd spent the last 20 years going to doctors in attempts to find out why I hurt. Gastroenterologists. Neurologists. Orthopedics. Gynecologists. Allergists. Pain management clinics. 

 

How could they have missed something so basic? So simple. 

 

But I was desperate, so I decided to listen to this new doctor's recommendations and eliminate all grains from my diet. Not just wheat, but all grains (including corn).

 

And, within 3 weeks, I felt as though I'd been given my life back. 

 

I've spent the last 10 years learning about gluten and it's devastating effects on the body.

 

For one thing, you do not have to have "celiac disease" to experience problems with gluten. I didn't, and that is why the gastroenterologists missed it. They were looking for signs of celiac.

 

Gluten sensitivity causes inflammation in your body. And, the inflammation does not just manifest in your gut. It can manifest in pain all over your body. In my case, it caused excruciating leg pain, swelling, bloating and carpal tunnel syndrome. 

 

Gluten is also linked to neurological disorders. This is one reason why "brain fog" goes away when you eliminate gluten from your diet.

 

Now, "gluten free" has become the new buzz-word. In a way this is good because people are becoming aware of problems with gluten.

 

However, many of the so-called "gluten free" products you see everywhere now, are not really gluten free!  They are only "wheat-gluten" free.  

 

And, that is why many people go on a "gluten-free" diet, but don't see all their symptoms go away. 

 

You see, every grain (including rice) contains it's own form of gluten. Even corn. ESPECIALLY corn! 

 

In fact, corn gluten is often one of the biggest offenders, and it is added to many products in the form of "malto-dextrin". 

 

So, even if you're reading labels, you may miss some of the hidden forms of gluten lurking in your foods. You have to learn all the hidden things to look for.

 

Why is this? Why are people suddenly becoming gluten sensitive when grains have been consumed for thousands of years? 

 

It's quite possibly because of the hybridization of grains. Genetic selection and sometimes actual genetic modification produces grains that are vastly different than they were 200 years ago. Genetic modification of corn has become so prominent that unless the corn you buy specifically says "USDA Certified Organic", you can safely assume that it is GMO corn!

 

If you experience Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Crones, IBS, Carpal Tunnel, or neurological problems, let me encourage you to try going gluten free for at least 3 weeks. 

 

– No grains (not even rice). This means no flour, or products made from flour, too. Eliminate breads, pastas, rice, corn, corn chips, tortillas, etc. You really can get by with out this things for 3 weeks!  

 

– Read labels. If the product contains malto-dextrin, MSG, monosodium glutamate, "natural flavors", or any obvious form of grain…put it back!

 

– At the end of 3 weeks, begin adding back 1 grain at a time. 

 

Begin with quinoa since this is usually the least offensive grain. Then, try brown rice, corn, oats…waiting at least 4 days between the time you add a new grain. If you notice any of your old symptoms returning, eliminate that grain. 

 

Being gluten free does not necessarily mean remaining bread free. Many people who are gluten sensitive can tolerate sprouted grains. The most commonly known sprouted grain products are by "Food for Life", the makers of Ezekiel Bread. However, there are many others. Just look for the words "made with sprouted grains".

 

There are also many truly gluten free recipes for products made with almond meal and or coconut flour. With many of these, you'd never guess that the muffin you're eating doesn't contain even an ounce of grain! 

 

For overall good health, you should continue to be fanatical about reading labels. 

 

This new way of eating may take a little getting used to, but feeling good again is worth the effort.  You can do it!

 

 

About the Writer:

Mari Ann Lisenbe is the creator and CEO of The MARI Method where they teach “Mindful Actions for Radical Improvement!”. Her faith-based approach to weight loss is helping people, many who’ve struggled with weight their whole lives, finally lose weight and keep it off… without feeling deprived. One reason for Mari Ann’s success with her clients is her belief that “weight loss begins in your mind”. So, she sets out to help clients change the way they think about food and exercise. Married to her childhood sweetheart, musician Steve Lisenbe, they have 2 grown sons and one beautiful daughter-in-law. Mari Ann & Steve are active in their local church and live on a hobby farm near Houston, TX. At 56 years old, Mari Ann is living proof that you can continue living a strong active life when you learn to honor and respect the body God gave you. You can find her at www.marimethod.com. While you are there, grab her free online training called 8 Secrets to Transform Your Body in Record Time.

 

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 We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Do you have Food Coma?

By | Newsletter | 2 Comments

 
 
I am writing this Blog a little groggy still from my nap. It is St Patrick's day and I made Corned Beef Potatoes, Cabbage and Carrots with Rye bread. We don't do a lot of starches during the week and about 30 minutes after I ate I started to feel a little tired. It overcame me and I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer I was asleep on the couch within 10 minutes. I knew this would be the consequences of eating that meal and splurging on three pieces of bread. This rapid sleepiness after a meal is what I called "Food Coma".

What is "food coma"? I guess the correct term is postprandial somnolence (post eating sleepiness). My grandfather has had this condition ever since I can remember. After having dinner every night he goes in the living room and is asleep in his chair within 15 minutes.
 
What causes "food coma"?  When we eat the digestive process turns up our parasympathetic nervous system and turn down our sympathetic nervous system.
A simple way to understand these two systems :
-Parasympathetic let's you relax and digest your food
-Sympathetic also called fight or flight let's you move quick and deal with stress.
 
"Food coma" also happens when the body spikes it's blood sugar or insulin levels and results in a bunch of brain hormones like melatonin also called the sleepy hormone and serotonin the happy hormone to be made. This brain chemistry change may be responsible for some food addictions which we will address in another article.
 
 
How to avoid Food Coma?
 
  1. Eat smaller portions . The larger the amount of food we eat at one time the stronger the parasympathetic response. This is why holiday meals where we usually over eat leaves us sleepy. Also if you are someone who only eats one meal a day and then falls asleep in front of the TV … that is FOOD COMA too. It can lead to some bad health problems down the road.                                             
  2. Eat regularly (every 3-4 hrs) from your morning meal to your evening meal. This pattern will help maintain even insulin levels and has been proven to help release weight especially around the middle.    
     
  3. Eat protein or full fats instead of refined carbs, breads and sugars. No more donuts or bagels for meals. Choices like a seeds, a delicious protein shake like Pure Protein would be a better choice for a meal. This maintains your energy until your next meal or snack.
           
  4. Use NingXia Red as a snack to keep blood sugar even. A fruit juice that naturally has protein and minerals in it . This drink can help decrease your cravings for the sweet or carbohydrate snacks. In fact Sally Sims says, “NingXia Red helped me release 70 lbs. I would drink 1 oz 3 times a day instead of my snacks.” To hear more of Sally's story go to this tele-class her story is at the end.
     
  5. Use Carbozyme . If you are going to eat breads, pizza, refined carbs, sugars use the digestive enzyme Carbozyme. It is not a carb blocker but rather a digestive enzyme that helps your body deal with the harshness of those foods.  Clients love to have Carbozyme with them when eating out at Buffet or Family Style restaurants like Maggiano's.  "I don't feel so stuffed and in pain if I overeat at my favorite restaurants" Jay Carter
 
 
So now you know a little bit more about what I call "Food Coma" and why you might get tired after a meal or snack. I encourage you to take some action to stop it because continuous spiking of blood sugars and the resulting hormone havoc not only lead to diabetes but also gaining weight around the middle.
 
If you would like some help with getting on track with your health visit our Wellness Coaching page to see how we can help you. We are hear to support you. Best of luck on your journey to wellness.
 
We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

 

Understanding Fibromyalgia

By | Newsletter | 9 Comments

I remember when I saw Fibromyalgia for the first time. I mean really saw it. It was 1999  I was still in Chiropractic school and a class mates wife had been diagnosed. I remember how exhausted he looked everyday. He would share, “my wife had a good night last night” or “my wife had a bad night last night.” I remember that they had to move where they lived because she was losing the ability to do stairs, and was extremely sensitive to mold and mildew. He ended up failing several classes and I am not sure he even got his degree. This was the first time I realized the impact Fibromyalgia had on the entire family.

About a year later I met Mary Moeller the author of Fibromyalgia Cookbook; A Daily Guide to Becoming Healthy Again and other articles and books of overcoming Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue.   This two hour lecture would change my life.  

For weeks I talked to anyone who would listen about what I had learned. Through her training I learned about  yeast and Candida and the effects on our health. I reported some of this information in an essay I wrote for one of our nutrition classes but sadly it would be about another 5 years before the professor would come into agreement with this information. This was the first lesson that even in Alternative, Nutritional and Holistic Health Care practitioners can be years behind scientific and clinical research.

In 2001 I began training with a pioneer in natural health and the nutrition field and would soon find that most of what I would learn would take even the Holistic Practitioners about 2-4 years to begin using these things. It was at these cutting edge trainings where I would begin to meet more and more individuals healed from Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia.  

From 2003- 2006 I began to see a large number of cases of Fibromyalgia at our Wellness Center.  We utilized some of the cutting edge therapies and treatments I had learned about.  The results were promising but disappointing. Clients would get 30-60% improvement in their symptoms, but if they stopped coming many times we would have to start all over. I didn't know then that I was missing a piece of the puzzle.

I worked harder and harder giving my patients everything I had until my health started to be affected  Not unlike many practitioners I was not caring for my body as I needed to. But this lessons would  give me an understanding how ones health could deteriorate without you really noticing.  

In 2007 my eyes became open to a missing piece of the puzzle.  It was a HUGE piece that I thought I had before but didn't. I began to incorporate this missing piece of the puzzle in 2008 and WOW did I start seeing healing after healing after healing. My practice soon evolved and I started working with clients from all over the world through phone consultation. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndrome clients have been the majority of my clients for the past 5 years.     

In 2010 I had a God appointed health challenge that would again give me great compassion for my clients and lead me to find another missing piece of the puzzle for them and me.  

I know that I know that I know there are answers for those suffering. Here is a message I would like to share with you from a woman who has recovered from the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Lupus and much more. It is my gift to you that you too may learn some missing pieces of the puzzle for your health.
 

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Eating peanut M&M’s after a colon cleanse

By | Fibromyalgia, Sugar Addiction, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 3 Comments

Eating peanut M&M's after a liquid fast
3 lessons about Cleansing
By: Dr. Mary Starr Carter

Several years ago I had done it ! I had made it 10 days on the Master Cleanse (a strict mono-liquid colon cleansing diet with lemons that cleanses the body).
I was so excited that I had accomplished all 10 days. I even traveled to Los Angeles for 4 days during my cleanse but I persevered and proved I could do this. I felt light, clean, and refreshed, until….
 
The day after my cleanse I went to the movies with my husband and decided I was going to eat peanut M&M's…. WHAT WAS I THINKING…
 
I wasn't thinking. I just thought the cleanse was over and I could eat what I wanted to. NOT. After a few hand fulls I started to feel some rumbling in my tummy and then my face got red, and my body started to bloat. In just a few hours I gained 2lbs. This was not the last time I would make this mistake after a cleanse. Five more times I learned my lessons the hard way that cleansing is a process longer than the days you are on it.





Lesson #1 Cleansing gets you clean
 
It's like adding more mess to a messy room… no one notices. But when you have a nice clean room and you put something dirty in it really sticks out. The same thing is happening in your digestive system. After cleansing your gut becomes more aware of what is not good for you. Peanut M&Ms not so good after a cleanse.

Lesson #2 Cleansing is about breaking bad behavior

If we don't change our behavior after cleansing we can lose a lot of work we just went through. You can use cleansing to break sugar addictions, eliminate waste, and rest the digestive system. First the physical addiction is lost and then the mind can be re-programmed for healthy choices. I recommend using www.marimethod.com Brain Training series to reprogram the mind for healthy choices.

Lesson #3 Re-introduce foods slowly
 
Think of it like feeding an infant when they just start to eat foods. You introduce new foods slowly, individually, and then carefully monitor their body's reactions. Do the same things after you cleanse. Start with just a bland organic vegetable broth. Then slowly introduce over the next few days more veggies and then fruits , organic meats, whole grains, and if you must introduce dairy. If you are going to go back to eating sugar or breads be sure to do that last or you may feel like I did with the Peanut M&M's.


So learn from my lessons when coming off a colon cleanse and your body will thank you!

Keep us posted of your progress and challenges by posting on your Face Book page at Mary Starr Parmley Carter. We are here to support you visit us at www.thetotalwellnessdoc.com

    Dr. Mary Starr is known as the “Total Wellness Doc” because she helps the entire family get healthy. She assist over 2000 families in the United States, Canada and Europe. Dr. Starr consults and teaches simple and safe ways to get and stay healthy. For over 16 years she has assisted all types of clients and conditions from grandpa's back pain to the family pet's skin issue. She is a non-traditional Chiropractor who focuses on teaching nutrition and wellness. Read more about Dr. Starr at www.thetotalwellnessdoc.com


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Where is the Total Wellness Doc?
Dr. Mary Starr will be teaching in Los Angeles, California Thursday January 27th at 5:30 – 7pm. Learn more at www.totalwellnessdoc.com 
or call our office at 1888-351-6850
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Here is a special gift for you. 2011 tips for Releasing Weight, Elevating your mood, increasing your energy, and raising your libido
This is a 40 minute recorded teleclass
To listen to the replay, click this link:
http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=16908789

What others are saying about 2011 tips for Releasing Weight, Elevating your mood, increasing your energy, and raising your libido

Great info! M Wynholds
Excellent tips that are simple enough for everyone to do. J Cooper
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We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.