Soy Alert

I faced the facts about soy when I learned that my 3 week old baby was intolerant to milk and soy protein. Trying to eliminate soy from my diet while nursing was a arduous task. Dairy is fairly easy to pick out, but soy seems to be the hidden ingredient in almost everything. I had to read all those words at the end of a list of ingredients that I skim through because I can't pronounce them. Often, they are soy products. 

Recently more and more article have been written about the dangers of soy. Studies are starting to show that soy is not the healthy food it was once believed to be. It is possible that most Americans are unknowingly consuming more soy than they are even aware. Soy is an excellent source of protein, fiber, and B vitamins. Women in their late forties have often been encouraged to consume more soy products or take soy supplements to help reduce the symptoms of menopause. Infant formulas have been based on soy and some are completely made out of soy in order to accommodate the babies with milk allergies and digestive problems. People struggling with lactose intolerance have switched to using soy milk as a dairy alternative. Athletes have drunk soy based protein powders and energy bars for years. Vegetarians have heavily relied on soy as a meat alternative. Orientals use soy sauce and tofu as a regular part of their diet. So what is the big deal? It is obviously edible and nutritious.

What most people don't realize is that soy is used in the United States in most commercially prepared products. Soy has become overused and too much of a good thing has become a bad thing. Soy flour or soy protein is used in most commercially made breads, crackers, and cereals. Parts of soy can be found in canned goods, candy, and frozen foods. Soy is found in deli meats, cake mixes, and margarine. Soy is used in the making of food coloring used in cola and Pepsi products. Most man-made or man-processed foods contain soy. By far, we Americans consume more soy in a day than the Chinese do in a week. We have over-consumed soy.

So, what is so bad about soy?

1. Intolerance and Allergies: As we have seen an increase in lactose intolerance, soy intolerance is becoming just as common. According to research soy is in the top eight foods that cause allergies in adults and top five for children. It give rashes, gas, breathing problems, and intestinal problems. A lot of bowel trouble could be eliminated with the elimination of soy.


2. Alzheimer: The term Alzheimer sends a chill down my back. To most Americans, Alzheimer disease is more dreaded than cancer. There have been multiple studies showing in increased loss of brain function to people who consume large amounts of soy. Men are particularly affected by soy created Alzheimer disease. Soy contained an enzyme that prevents zinc from being absorbed into the body. Zinc is vital in brain function-men especially need more zinc than women. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art14830.asp


3. Hormone Imbalance: There is are plant chemicals in soy that copy the human hormones we know as estrogen and progesterone. These compound can actually alter a woman's natural hormones causing hormonal imbalances and thyroid 

problems. One article I read even stated that "Some studies in animals show that this chemical can alter sexual development. And in fact, 2 glasses of soy milk/day, over the course of one month, contain enough of the chemical to change the timing of a woman’s menstrual cycle." (http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/soy.htm) A woman needs balanced hormones to reproduce, maintain emotional balance, and for girls, grow and develop correctly. An imbalance of hormones can be disastrous in many ways for a woman. Soy has been shown to directly affect a woman's thyroid where here hormones are balanced, causing thyroid problems.



4. Infant Formula: There are various types of soy based infant formula on the market. For a time I used a soy based product for my daughter. "Particularly worrisome is the presence of phytoestrogens in soy-based infant formulas (isoflavones are a category of phytoestrogen). Critics point out that the level of phytoestrogens in soy-based formula is over 20,000 times that found in breast milk" (http://chinesefood.about.com/od/healthconcerns/a/soy.htm) The concern is obviously the affect of soy based infant formula on the thyroid. 

Overall, research is still in progress as to the effects of soy. The Mayo Clinic that not enough research has been performed to make it necessary to take soy and soy based products off the market. It is really up to the consumer to be aware of the soy products available and make wise purchasing decisions. It is almost impossible to eliminate soy from a person't diet in our country, however it is possible to guard from in-taking too much.




Further research:
http://soy.mercola.com/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/soy/NS_patient-soy
http://hiddensoy.com/

Little Cynthia

With only three more months to go, my husband and I are awaiting the arrival of our little girl, Cynthia Joy. After having one perfectly healthy baby, I took it for granted that there would be no problems with our second child. I was stunned to hear that there was a spot on her heart and one kidney was enlarged. For ten weeks I have been seeing a specialist concerning Cynthia. Most recently, her weight has dropped below the acceptable percentile for her age. All of the health concerns we have for her could be separately occuring issues, or be signs of genetic problems. As long as she is in the comforts of my womb, there is little doctor's can do or know. For me as her mother, my grace is found only in resting and trusting completely in the Lord for her health and well being. There is nothing can or cannot eat, there is no exercise I can do, there are no vitamins or medicine I can take to help her form correctly. It is a time to wait, pray, and above all, rest in the Lord.


I have shed many tears for my little one. What is mostly frustrating is that I am completely unable to help. I am disapointed that despite my greatest hopes, her condition does not improve from week to week. Despite my inner struggles, the Lord has continued to give me His sustaining peace. I am thankful that He knows and has planned my child's life and health before I even knew about her life.

Psalm 139:13-16

For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

And in Your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me,

When as yet there was not one of them.

Strawberry Season

In most parts of the country strawberries are just starting, in the middle, or ending their season. It is a great time to find deals at local supermarkets and farmers markets. I snatched up 4 quarts this week and will probably pick up some more before the season ends.

Strawberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which is beneficial to the immune system. Many women may also be interested to know that there is some research that shows the ellagic acid found in strawberries may also help to slow down the skin from wrinkling with age. For those watching their cholesterol, strawberries have flaviniods in them that can reduce the bad cholesterol in blood. For women who are pregnant or wanting to be pregnant, strawberries are a good food to increase in the diet because of the high amount of folic acid in them. Overall, as long as a person has no apparent allergies to sweet and tart red fruit. Strawberries are a good source of natural sweeteness and fiber to be enjoying.


Freezing StrawberriesThe keys too good frozen produce are freshness and cleanliness.

I like to freeze produce the same day I purchase it to ensure the least nutrients are lost and the best flavor is preserved.

1. Rinse strawberries in cold water (do not let them set or soak in the water or they will loose flavor)
2. Pick or cut off stems
3. Lay fruit out to dry completely
4. Slice if desired or freeze whole by placing the strawberries on cookie sheets separately, then bagging together
5. Label containers or freezer bags with current date


Grape Juice Sweetened Strawberry Jam

6 (12oz) cans frozen white grape juice concentrate (no sugar added)
6 cups (48oz) fresh or frozen whole strawberries
2 T. Lemon Juice
3 oz Pectin-(can be made by boiling sour apples or lemons)-or purchased at a local supermarket-it is a natural element from fruit that causes jams and jellies to firm up

1. Crush the strawberries, pectin, and lemon juice in another pan. 
2. Bring mixture to a boil
3. Boil the fruit down to half the amount you started
4. Heat grape juice in a microwave or on the stove to boiling
5. Add grape juice to the boiling strawberry mixture
6. Pour into clean canning or jelly jars
7. Steam bath to seal jar lids-label and store