Cory's Healing Tips!

A bit of plant-based support for my readers.

When I first became certified in Plant-Based Nutrition through Cornell University some 8 years ago, I started doing 1 hr. plant-based diet consultations with an emphasis in healing chronic symptoms. Especially symptoms that were not being helped with modern medicine. Then, when I started up my Personal Training business I let the consulting go. Today I am going to gift you a very general sharing of some plant-based tips. This is really only the tip of the iceberg, but it’s a palatable way I can share with a larger audience. If at the end of reading this you feel a consultation with me would be of benefit to you in order to individualize your pathway, feel free to reach out.

So. Let me share what I personally do in my life.

On waking: 16 or more oz. of Lemon Water. This is known to be a highly beneficial “flush” for the liver which does much of its filtering actions while we are sleeping.

Then after I drink my lemon juice, I make myself a tall glass of celery juice. Any green juice is amazing for you but I got hooked on celery juice a long time ago. Celery juice is especially great if you are trying to heal acid reflux (which is how I got interested in it many years ago. ) It’s also awesome for overall digestion and gut health. I use this juicer. (OMG. At the time I published this it’s 1/2 off! You’re stoked!)

Then, I do this smoothie. I believe this was integral in helping to heal my vagus nerve inflammation which I can say after 3 months, is basically healed. Based on what I know about myself and my symptoms (and fueled by the research I’ve done over the years) I diagnosed myself with heavy metals in my system. My belief is many of us have them. They are everywhere. (In the news just yesterday it was screaming all over the place that there are heavy metals are in tampons. Even organic ones. Great!)

For my meals I would say my main thing (in the warmer months) is lots of BIG rainbow salads. (Rainbow = using veggies of all colors so you get lots of different nutrients.) I make the salad BIG and do dressings like this one which incorporates healthy fats and proteins. I might also add pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, lentils, black beans or other plant-based foods along those lines. One could also add a small bit of chicken or fish if they do not fully abstain from meat.

BTW: All food has protein, even salad greens. Protein deficiency is not really possible unless you stop eating. I lift weights 5 days/week and yet my diet is considered “low-protein” by American standards. I have eaten this way for the better part of 8 years. I still build muscle and have energy, healthy skin and hair, etc…. Heavy protein has -in many studies -been linked to a higher incidence of cancer as well as other diseases. I’m sure you could also dig up other studies that say the opposite. I know, I know. Personally, because I have no interest in debating health-related things (like, at all), I will share that I simply find my body feels better, heals better and responds better overall on a low-protein, gluten free, plant-based diet. Rather than tell someone how to eat, I ask them to look at their symptoms. If they have none, then I say Hey- good on ya! No reason to mess with perfection!

Other things I am known to build meals from are: oats, lentils, potatoes (try in the air fryer!) black beans, grain free tortillas (Siete is a good brand for grain-free tortillas and also I found that my Trader Joes now carries almond-flour tortillas!) For warmer foods -as an example- I will make a bowl of say…steamed veggies, quinoa and dal. Or a homemade veggie burger on a lettuce wrap! I will incorporate black beans into a salad and add guacamole, salsa and Siete chips for a Mexican feel. I eat tons of fruit as well. Now that it is Summer I am known to eat a whole watermelon in a day. : ) During warmer months if I am hungry in between meals and don’t have a ton of time, I’ll make a smoothie. The other day I did frozen cherries, dates, bananas and homemade almond milk. It was amazing. BTW: I wish I had this vitamix blender. So cool you can add a food processor to it as well (sold separately.) Looks like it’s on sale too at the time of this publication. I consider this The. Best. Blender. I use a Ninja temporarily since my Vitamix broke down finally a few years ago. Please don’t ever buy a Ninja. They suck. : (

Important note on eating plant-based. You can really make almost any meal plant based if you just google it. Just for fun I googled gluten-free plant-based lasagna and came up with this. (I’ve made a similar one before, it’s really good.)

Like ice cream? Try this.

Now. for supplements. here are just a few “starter supplements” that I can comfortably suggest not knowing anything else about you. (That said, please check with your health care practitioner before trying any of these if you have any pre-existing health issues or are not sure if these are right for you.) I have added specific links because not all supplements are equal. I am not an affiliate with the supplement companies I recommend. I just like clean products. The supplement industry is NOT REGULATED and many supplements are scams which have little if no benefit to your body. Some can be harmful if the additives are cheap and toxic. The companies I suggest are the best on the market in my opinion and the opinion of many others who are serious about healing.

Vitamin C powder. A little of this powder goes a long way and I definitely notice the difference when I take it everyday. I believe it was integral to help healing my nervous system. Vitamin C is said to be anti-inflammatory, help to increase our blood’s white count by strengthening our “fighter cells” and generally boost the immune system against viruses, bacteria, yeast, mold, and other unwanted fungus. It helps to cleanse the liver, blood and lymph, strengthen the adrenal glands, repair damaged neurotransmitters, and restore the central nervous system. Also it helps repair scar tissue.

Magnesium Glycinate. For me personally, Magnesium definitely improves my sleep and overall sense of calmness and definitely helped my nerves heal. It’s highly beneficial for the nervous system. I read all the time that it’s good for so many things and some people call it a “miracle healer.” It’s one of my mainstays for sure. I depend on it.

If you take Magnesium Glycinate and Feverfew together it can kick out an oncoming headache. (I haven’t taken Advil for a tension headache in YEARS.) And, side note: one of my kids had a mild concussion earlier this year and the concussion clinic suggested Feverfew as a healing supplement. I was STUNNED and overjoyed that Western medical was suggesting this herb. The combo of the magnesium and feverfew has been very powerful for me. (When using herbs I find being plant-based is helpful. Herbs generally work better if one’s system is clean.)

B-12 Liquid- if you are plant-based and not eating any or much meat, B-12 is important since we cannot make it ourselves and there’s not much of it in our soil anymore. But regardless of your diet, liquid B-12 is awesome for nerve health and natural energy. It also helps keep your body's blood healthy and helps make DNA. Many other benefits as well that you can google.

There are many more options for supplementing that I could suggest but only based on the individual and their symptoms. I hope all this is helpful to you and answers some of the questions I got from my last post. Here’s to your health! Love, C