Second Opinions are SO Important

I just wanted to post a little something about second opinions. I know we all live very busy lives and expect instant gratification in almost all circumstances but sometimes we have to SLOW DOWN, especially when it comes to getting advice about our health. I am such a fan of getting second opinions, and in some cases, even third ones! I implement this in almost all situations out of my realm of expertise (certain health issues, car problems, etc.). I can't even tell you how many times this has saved me. I think sometimes people in mainstream health related fields see so many people that they just don't have time to really sit and look at all the facts. They don't know you and what you are personally experiencing so they may dismiss or just not see something big. A few months ago my son hit his front tooth and it was bleeding and was wiggly so I called a pediatric dentist, whom I had never seen before, and came in right away. They were all super nice and treated my son with such care. However, the dentist recommended pulling his front tooth out right away! I was so upset and being that he was 3 at the time couldn't imagine him missing a front tooth for years never mind the trauma for him to go thru the procedure. So I called my dentist and he offered to evaluate the situation. After examination he said there was no need to pull it. You can imagine my relief, but then the feelings of “what if” came out. I sat there and wondered how many other children had their teeth needlessly yanked out. I would like to think he just made a mistake but who knows now-a-days. Just to be on the safe side, since both recommendations were so different I sent the X-ray to another dentist. He confirmed what my dentist said. Crazy huh? This is just a tooth, I have heard of some doctors amputating wrong limbs!! Sometimes I think we forget the doctors are human too and everyone gets it wrong every now and again. So next time someone gives you advice you are not sure about, trust your gut and get a second opinion!

Raw Almonds

So I just recently purchased some "raw" almonds from Whole Foods. Well at least I thought they were raw and why shouldn't I have, the bin said RAW ALMONDS. Well, after my purchase I was informed that the stores, or at least the majority of the stores, can sell almonds claiming them to be raw but they are in fact pasteurized. Hmmm, that's slightly annoying. Apparently after the salmonella scare a while back they started pasteurizing the nuts to be on the safe side. That's all fine and dandy, but why still the raw label? Obviously raw means just that, raw. Not cooked in anyway. I see they are not roasted, but still all or most enzymes are dead when pasteurized. So I guess unless you know your nut farmer or your direct supplier, you are pretty much guaranteed to be getting non raw almonds. What next right ;o)

Larabar Food Bars

If you haven't already tried them, Larabar food bars are really good. I think the most amazing part is that a commercial food company is selling a product with only the ingredients it needs, not the other "fillers" and preservatives. They have 18 different flavors, Tropical is my favorite. Here is a list of what's in the Tropical bar... Dates, Pineapple, Unsweetened Coconut, Almonds, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Cashews, Orange Juice Concentrate and Orange Peel. Sounds yummy doesn't it! When I was doing my detox a few months ago (post more about that later) it was my go to snack in the afternoon. Oh and another bonus, my kids LOVE them! They also have a Jocolat line but I've only had the mint one and it was a bit strong in the mint department for my taste. Check out their website, they have a pretty neat story on how it all began http://www.larabar.com/
 

Dates Pineapple Unsweetened Coconut Almonds Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Cashews Orange Juice Concentrate