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Do you feel like your stomach is always on fire or bloating is an every day occurrence? Does it seem like no matter what you do, no amount of medicine or diet changes can make it go away? Dairy products may be the culprit. Let’s explore why dairy could be causing inflammation in your body, and how reducing consumption can help. 

Inflammation is a natural response from the body when something is wrong. It happens when the immune system senses something—a virus, bacteria, or allergen—that doesn’t belong in the body and launches an attack to get rid of it. The problem with inflammation is that it can become chronic if it goes unchecked for too long. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a variety of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and even cancer. 

One link between dairy products and inflammation comes down to a hormone called IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1). This hormone is found naturally in dairy products and research has linked increased levels of IGF-1 to increased levels of inflammation in the body. Another concern with dairy products is their high cholesterol content; consuming too much cholesterol can also lead to chronically elevated levels of inflammation throughout the body. 

 

The good news is that reducing your consumption of dairy products can help reduce inflammation in your body. Cutting back on dairy won’t just mean cutting out ice cream; even things like cheese, butter and yogurt should be avoided if possible - anything that is derived from cow's milk is dairy. If you focus on eating nutritious whole foods instead, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains, you will have taken a giant step towards reducing inflammatory triggers in your diet.  

Dairy products are one of many sources of inflammation in our diets; other sources include processed foods containing additives and preservatives as well as unhealthy fats like trans fats or saturated fats from animal sources. Reducing our intake of these foods can help reduce overall inflammation levels in our bodies. If you think that dairy may be contributing to your chronic inflammation issues, try cutting back on your consumption for 1-3 months to see if there’s any improvement in how you feel! Good luck!

If you have ever experienced inflammation, you know how uncomfortable it can be. But many of us carry inflammation and don't even know it.  It can be within our organs and tissues affecting many different functions of the body. It’s often hard to pinpoint the exact cause of inflammation, but one cause may be due to the consumption of animal products. Let’s take a closer look at meat and inflammation. 

First, let’s quickly define what inflammation is and why it occurs. Inflammation is your body’s response to an injury or infection. It’s a natural defense mechanism; when your body senses something needs healing, it sends out white blood cells to help fight off the invader and repair the damage. This process can cause swelling, pain, redness, and heat in the affected area—all signs of inflammation.  Although inflammation is a natural, needed response in our bodies, it can also cause harm when there's too much, too often, too long.  In this way, inflammation is an insidious enemy-- often hidden and silent, yet capable of wreaking havoc on our health if left unchecked. It rears its head as diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, and much more.  Understanding its dangers can serve as a potent defense against the development of chronic illness.

So how does meat fit into this picture? Meat can be linked to inflammation due to its high levels of saturated fats, cholesterol, and arachidonic acid which clog up our arteries and trigger heart disease and cancer. Many processed meats contain nitrites and nitrates which are known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Some studies have indicated that animal proteins may stimulate an inflammatory response in our bodies because they contain certain types of amino acids like arginine and cysteine which can act as pro-inflammatory molecules.   Also, meat stimulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) which promotes the growth, proliferation, and spread of cancer. (End of Dieting, Joel Fuhrman, MD.)

But if you do find yourself suffering from chronic inflammation or other health issues, reducing or eliminating meat from your diet might be one way to help reduce those symptoms. Additionally, incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants into your meals can also help reduce any underlying inflammation in your body. 

 

At the end of the day, everyone has unique dietary needs—but for those experiencing chronic inflammation or health issues related to their diet, considering reducing or eliminating meat from their diets could potentially make a difference in their overall health and wellbeing. Incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables can also help reduce underlying inflammation in the body while providing essential vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health. 

*I highly recommend finding a plant-based doctor who knows the science to guide you on your journey.  Too many doctors are uninformed when it comes to food and health.  

 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

Looking for ways to set goals as a family? Whether it’s planning activities to do together or working on long-term projects, there are a few key steps you can employ to make goal setting fun and rewarding. Here’s how you can get started with family goal setting today. 

When it comes to brainstorming ideas, the focus should be on being creative and having fun. Try not to criticize any of the ideas that come up; even if they seem far-fetched, let everyone have their say! This is also a great opportunity to introduce new skills or hobbies that your family may not have tried before. Write down all of your ideas on a whiteboard or piece of paper so everyone can see them, then move on to Step Two. 

After you have come up with some great ideas for things your family wants to accomplish this year, it’s time to prioritize those goals. Make sure everyone has a chance to voice their opinion about which goals are most important and why. This will help ensure that your plans align with everyone’s interests and expectations. Make sure that each goal is realistic and achievable within the timeframe you have planned for it. 

Once you have prioritized your goals, break each one down into smaller actionable steps so that the tasks don't feel too daunting or overwhelming. For example, if one of your goals is to go camping together as a family this summer, break it down into manageable tasks such as researching campsites in the area and purchasing essential camping gear (tent, sleeping bags, etc.). This will help keep everyone on track and motivated as they work towards achieving their goal!  

Family goal setting is an excellent way for families to bond while also staying focused on achieving their shared objectives. It’s important to remember that goal setting should be fun—not frustrating—so make sure everyone has an equal say in what goes onto the list of priorities for this year! With clear targets in mind and achievable action steps laid out ahead of time, you can ensure that your family accomplishes something great together this year!

 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8

 

As a parent, you want your high schooler to succeed in all aspects of life—from the classroom to extracurricular activities. Helping your teen set realistic goals is one important way you can support them in their academic journey. Setting smart goals gives teens an opportunity to set measurable and achievable objectives while also providing a clear framework to strive towards success. Read on to learn how to help your teen set smart goals and get ahead in high school. 

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. These five principles are the cornerstone of effective goal-setting and should be applied when helping your teen create their own objectives. Here’s what each principle means: 

•    Specific – Clear, detailed expectations that outline exactly what needs to be accomplished;   

•    Measurable – Objectives must have clear metrics so progress can be tracked;   

•    Achievable – Goals should be challenging but attainable;    

•    Relevant – Objectives should align with overall life goals;    

•    Timely – Deadlines provide focus and urgency for completing tasks. 

When helping your teen define SMART goals, encourage them to think specifically about their desired outcome as well as the steps they need to take along the way. For example, if your teen wants to get an A in their Math class this semester, they could create a goal like “I will study for math every day at 5pm for 30 minutes and complete my homework by Saturday evening each week." This type of goal is specific, measurable (grade), achievable (with enough effort), relevant (to getting an A in Math), and timely (completed before Saturday night). 

Once your teen has created their SMART goals, it’s time to establish an action plan! An action plan is simply a list of tasks or steps that need to be completed in order for your teen’s goals to be achieved. Encourage your teen to break down big projects into smaller tasks that are easier to manage—for example, “I will finish my math project by breaking it down into five separate parts that I can work on over five days." This type of action plan helps teens stay organized and on track while working towards their goals (and prevents procrastination). Furthermore, it allows them to measure their own progress throughout the process. 

Setting smart goals is one important way you can help motivate and empower your teenage children during high school. By using the SMART methodology—specifically outlining objectives that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely—you can give teens an opportunity to reach their highest potential while also providing them with structure along the way. Encourage them by teaching them how action plans help break down big projects into manageable tasks so they can measure progress towards success!

 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

It’s never too early to start teaching your children about setting and achieving goals. For elementary students, goal-setting can be a fun and engaging way to learn how to set SMART—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely—goals. Read on for some tips on how to help your little ones get started. 

The first step in setting a SMART goal is to work together with your child to define the goal. What do they want to achieve? Do they want to read more books in a month? Master a new skill? Start a hobby or club? Help them figure out what it is that they want to accomplish and make sure it’s something that’s both challenging yet achievable.  

Once you’ve agreed on what their goal should be, break it down into smaller steps. A daunting task like “read all of the Harry Potter books by next month” can be overwhelming for any child (or adult!). Instead, break it down into smaller tasks such as “read one chapter per day” or “read one book every week.” Breaking the goal down into smaller chunks makes it much easier for your child to stay focused and motivated. 

Create an Action Plan 

Creating an action plan is essential for keeping your little ones on track with their goals. Set aside some time each week or month where you can sit down together and map out their progress toward their goal. This will help them stay organized while also giving you a chance to celebrate their successes along the way!  

Finally, don’t forget to reward your child when they reach a milestone! Celebrating small wins will keep everyone motivated and excited about achieving bigger goals in future! Whether it's a night out at the movies or a treat at home - celebrating success cultivates positive reinforcement which encourages further success!  

Teaching children about setting SMART goals is an important life skill that will benefit them now and in the future. With these tips, you can ensure that your little ones are well-prepared for tackling any challenge that comes their way! By breaking down large tasks into manageable chunks, creating an action plan together, and rewarding them throughout the process - setting smart goals has never been easier or more fun! Happy goal-setting!