December 2013 Newsletter - Happy Holidays

This time of the year is always special with all the Holidays.  It brings on the full spectrum of emotions that we can experience - from joy to sadness.  Joy to be with our loved ones and friends, while at the same time some sadness for those who are no longer with us to celebrate the Holidays. 

At Thanksgiving we reflect on what we are thankful for in our lives.  For those celebrating Hanukkah we rejoice in the miracle of the oil burning for eight days and nights and the freedom for the Jewish people.  Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  And then we roll into the New Year, making our life changing resolutions.

I know many of you enjoy my monthly newsletter and I often tell people it is one of my biggest challenges each month.  As the self-imposed deadline approaches I’m never quite sure of what to write about and then something happens and it all flows from there.

This year it was the receipt of one of the nicest “thank you”/testimonial that I have received during all my years of practice.  What made it special was it was not from what I would consider a client, but rather from someone who attended a single workshop last year.  Meet Paula Goetz.  She writes about what happened to her in the last year since the workshop.  To read the letter you can click here or below. http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanks-for-wonderful-thank-you.html

I submit this letter not to boast, but in all humbleness.   At the end of the year like everyone else I will be looking at the past year and thinking about the next year.  This letter addresses the very essence of why I do what I do – why I left the corporate world for nutrition consulting.  The truth is this job is not easy.  It is very challenging to get people to change their long standing eating habits even when they know it is not good for them.   Not everyone is willing to make the commitment needed.  It brings to me great joy knowing I can make a difference in someone’s life.  

I am thankful for the opportunity to educate others on how to live a healthier life and enjoy the miracle of life and the body’s ability to heal itself. 

The Stuff Really Works

Sometimes I use a different word than “stuff” but the message is the same.  Eating healthy really works to bring us back to our natural state of health.  The power of Paula’s experience is that she did it with just food.  Yes, I am still a believer in the supplements, but as I say to all my clients, “I can give you all the supplements in the world, but you still need to eat healthier.”  Paula’s experience proves the point.

Here’s what she had to say, “Dear Dr. Rosen, I've been wanting to write you for some time now. I want to share my health changes since attending your "Calories Are Bull$@%*" workshop at Field of Yoga on December 1, 2012. Since it's the one year anniversary of my healthy eating journey, I thought I should just get this letter done.  To read the full letter, click here http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanks-for-wonderful-thank-you.html

For other testimonials, click here: http://www.brwellness.com/testimonials.htm

Speaking of New Year’s Resolutions

As the New Year approaches I can think of no better way to clean up one’s act than the Standard Process Purification Program.  Many of you are familiar with the 21 day program, but now there are two new 10 day programs – Blood Sugar Control and Female Vitality.  While I remain a big believer in the full 21 day cleanse, these shorter programs may be just the right solution for many of you.  The 10 day programs are still a significant commitment, but a much more manageable one.  

To read more about the Blood Sugar Control program click here:  http://www.purificationsupport.com/bloodsugar

To read more about the Female Vitality program click here: http://www.purificationsupport.com/femalevitality

For more information please give me a call or send me an e-mail.

Weston A Price Foundation Local Chapter Meeting

We are planning our second introductory Weston A Price chapter meeting.  It will be Tuesday, December 3 at the Logemann Center (6100 W. Mequon Road) in Mequon at 7:00 PM. This meeting will serve as an introduction to Dr. Price and his teachings.  For those of you who attended our first meeting we will go into more depth on his teachings.  For those of you who weren't able to attend our previous meeting this will still be an introduction to his teachings and what our chapter is all about.     We had a great turnout at our last meeting and unfortunately we had to turn people away. Our new meeting is in a bigger location, so I hope that is not an issue!   This will be a great place to connect with other like minded people who care about their families' health, gather information about diet and nutrition, find resources and learn how to prepare these foods for you and your family.   Space is limited.  Please PSVP to wapfozwash@gmail.com   Questions? Please email wapfozwash@gmail.com

Happy New Year!

I wish all of you Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year.

All my best,

Bernie

Thanks for the Wonderful Thank You

At Thanksgiving I like to pause and take time to reflect on what I am thankful for.  While there is the obvious of good health and family, there was more this year.  On Thanksgiving I received  one of the nicest “thank you”/testimonials that I have ever received during all my years of practice.  What made it special was it was not from what I would consider a client, but rather from someone who attended a single workshop last year.  Meet Paula G.  She writes about what happened to her in the last year since the workshop.  I am thankful I am able to help people like here and I submit this letter not to boast, but in all humbleness.

Here it is:

11-28-13

Dear Dr. Rosen,

I've been wanting to write you for some time now. I want to share my health changes since attending your "Calories Are Bull$@%*"  workshop at Field of Yoga on December 1, 2012. Since it's the one year anniversary of my healthy eating journey, I thought I should just get this letter done.

I came to that workshop looking for ways to change my eating so I could lose weight and feel better. I was twenty pounds overweight and was taking cholesterol and blood pressure meds. I was exercising 6-8 hours a week and not losing weight. As a matter of fact, my waistline was continuing to expand. I felt bloated all the time, my knees hurt, I lived with constant muscle and joint pain, was tired most of the time and just didn't feel good. Your workshop started with a description of my symptoms and the negative effects of statin drugs. Light bulbs were going on and bells were ringing. I knew I was in for an education that would totally change how I look at food and medication.

I made the commitment to change my eating and get off medications. I called my doctor and told her what I was doing and that I was going off my cholesterol meds immediately. This was strongly discouraged but I did it anyway, agreeing to come in at the end of three months to see how I was doing. Within three days I was eating non-processed, whole foods. No more cereal, hello protein shakes for breakfast. No more reduced fat diet food. Instead of focusing on what I couldn't eat, I focused on what I could eat. I let myself have unlimited protein, fruits, and vegetables. I severely restricted carbs and sugars. I started reading nutrition and health books, including The Great Cholesterol Myth, Wheat Belly, Sugar Nation, The Omnivore's Dilemma, Grain Brain, and Salt Sugar Fat. I continued with my 6-8 hours of weekly exercise, adding the 5 Tibetans I learned at your workshop.

Many of my symptoms listed above were significantly improved within days. I was amazed at how fast the bloated feeling and knee pain went away. I started feeling better in general and the inches seemed to melt away. The weight came off slower at about two to four pounds a month but I felt so much better it didn't matter. Other health changes I noticed include a clearer complexion, fewer headaches, no more joint pain and more energy than I have felt in years.

There were a few missteps with my medication and other health issues. At about week seven of healthy eating I developed diarrhea that lasted three months. I worked with a gastroenterologist who could find no reason for the on-going diarrhea. I was a day away from an exploratory scope when I was in for a cholesterol check with my regular doctor and I complained of low blood pressure.  She agreed to stopping my blood pressure meds and I cancelled the scope for the next day. My digestive tract was completely normal within days. One med done! After 3 months of no simvastatin, my cholesterol numbers were terrible and I reluctantly agreed to go back on cholesterol meds. This time it was Crestor but only twice a week. My previous symptoms returned almost immediately. By this time I had lost 20 pounds and had been eating clean for six months. After a month on the Crestor my doctor agreed to another three month trial with no cholesterol meds. This time my numbers came back in very normal ranges.

So, where am I one year after starting this journey? I am down 20 pounds, no blood pressure or cholesterol meds, no knee, joint or muscle pain, only the occasional headache, my energy levels are good and my skin looks better than it has in years. I went from a size 12 to a size 6. And while I have not missed a single day of doing The 5 Tibetans, I still have gray hair. I love the way I eat now and plan to maintain it as a lifestyle.

I am so appreciative of the Calories Are Bull$%&* workshop. Your presentation changed my life. I am also very appreciative of Mary McInnis Meyer at Field of Yoga for her commitment to improving the lives of people in our community. You both are super stars!

Happy and Healthy,

Paula G

    

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Mequon, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.

 

November 2013 Newsletter - Meet Your "Horror-mones"

Meet Your Hormones – Learn About the Endocrine System

This month I begin my series of articles about hormones, or as one of my favorite clients refers to them as her “horror-mones.”  The basic biology is the endocrine system is composed of glands that produce hormones.  These biological agents pretty much control everything about us!  I’ll leave it at that for now and encourage you to read the articles as I roll them out over the next few months!

On a local note I’d like to thank everyone who attended our introductory meeting for our local chapter of the Weston Price Foundation.  The room at Slow Pokes was packed and unfortunately we were not able to accommodate everyone who expressed interest!  Therefore, we have decided to have another introductory meeting later this month.  I will send out an e-mail to announce that meeting.

Also on a local note my two part series called “From Head to Toe: What Your Body is Telling You” starts this Wednesday at the Mequon Rec Center.  It is one of my favorite talks to give.  There is still room to sign up and the event is free.  For more information click here: 

http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2013/03/rosen-wellness-2013-events.html

Meet Your Hormones – The Endocrine System – Part 1

Many experts would argue that among your body’s functional systems the most important is the endocrine system.  It is composed of glands (the endocrine glands) that produce hormones that control everything that is happening in our body. So, it’s time to meet your hormones.  Or, as one of my favorite clients called them: her “horror-mones!”

Hormones are very powerful biological chemicals that are produced in very small amounts by our endocrine glands.  They are released into the blood stream and carried to specific cells where they initiate specific activities.  They regulate, control, and coordinate all body functions.  Many hormones are made at additional tissue sites as well as their “parent” gland.  You can think of this as your body’s own inherent back-up system.  They are powerful in very tiny amounts so their levels are precisely and carefully monitored and controlled by the body.

For the rest of the story click here: http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2013/11/meet-your-hormones-endocrine-system.html

Nutrition Turkeys

With Thanksgiving approaching, perhaps I can be among the first to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.  If you’ve been reading the last few newsletters I’ve been talking about Weston Price and other early nutrition pioneers and linking to articles about them.  I also have an article on two of the early “turkeys” of nutrition – yes the inventors of the Graham Cracker and Kellogg’s Cereal.   

To read about these two nutrition “turkeys” click here: http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2010/02/nutrition-bad-guys-graham-and-kellogg.html

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Mequon, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.