Healthy Eating in our Local Community

In the 12 years that I've been an Esthetician, not only have I learned to treat the skin better, but I've also learned in myself that proper diet and plant-based nutrition with lean proteins is also important to having great skin.

My spa is in my home, I rely on clients to refer their friends and family members to me and have been blessed with a growing and expanding home-base Spa biz.

That being said, it's only natural that I reach out to this amazing community I live in and form relationships with local Elmhurst business and business owners.

This not only creates another source of referrals, but I get to utilize all the other amazing businesses that Elmhurst has to offer and I get to personally know the business owners.  

Each business owner has their own unique story of how they got started and interestingly enough, they all had specific AHA moments where they realized that they needed to open up their own business.

Each month, Skin Deep will be partnering up with a local Elmhurst business and offering our clients a special discount or offering at the Biz of the Month.  

With January coming to a close, it is time to introduce our February Biz of the Month:

OMG! owner Mary Moy-Gregg is a long-time Elmhurst resident (over 35 years).  Her AHA moment came when she traveled to Canyon Ranch Spa in Arizona after the death of her true love, Richard, in 2011.  

During a time of personal reflection and self-discovery, it became clear to Mary that her new purpose in life was "To feed people right, to give jobs, and sell their wares".  

It took 5 years of planning but Mary decided to create an entire global menu of great tasting Unique breakfast and lunch dishes that are under 500 calories, while also being sensitive to the needs to certain dietary restrictions, such as Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Tree-Nut Free dishes.

Mary had no experience in the restaurant industry, so she set surrounded herself with the best people in the food industry.  This is who have helped her plan out and develop her vision.

After 5 years of planning, Mary opened OMG! Brunch & Boutique on the corner of Park Ave & York Rd. in Elmhurst.

All food at OMG! Brunch & Boutique come from Natural and Local sources.  Mary needed to find the right partnerships of local farmers and independent supplies to provide the high-quality, natural and local ingredients Mary had envisioned.

Mary also has paintings and art from local Elmhurst artists to sell and adds amazing decor to her restaurant.

OMG! is not your typical breakfast or lunch restaurant.  Chef Stuart McLuckie, who has an impressive career in multi-ethnic cuisines, created an exciting Global menu made with fresh daily ingredients to offer their clients a great meal under 500 calories. 

The food is so good, you don't even KNOW you're eating healthy!!  And that is the goal of OMG! I highly recommend that you try it for yourself.

And don't forget to mention Skin Deep!!  Introduce yourself to Mary who is always there greeting guests and making sure everything is running smoothly and her guests are always happy.

How Gluten affects our bodies

Most people now think of Gluten-Free as the newest fad, like Atkins or Fat-Free or even the Paleo diet.

Unfortunately, there's more to being Gluten-Free than just a diet fad.

Gluten is actually very harmful to us and research is starting to show more and more studies that are PROVING Gluten is the cause of many of the Auto-immune, Skin and most Health-related diseases.  

Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye.  Gluten is a good source of protein, but many people are either sensitive or completely intolerant to it.

For those that are either sensitive or intolerant, Gluten can create what's called, Leaky Gut.  In sensitive people, Gluten causes the gut cells to release a protein which breaks apart the tight junctions that hold your intestines together.

Once these tight junctions break apart, the gut becomes leaky, which allows microbes, toxins and undigested food particles to escape from the intestines and travel through your body through the blood stream.

Here's some Gluten facts:

* 99% of people who are Gluten intolerant or have Celiac disease are NEVER diagnosed!

* About 15% of the US population are Gluten intolerant

The following symptoms are linked to Gluten:

1) Gas, Bloating, Diarrhea and Constipation 

2) Hormonal imbalances, such as PCOS, PMS or even infertility

3) Inflammation, joint pain or swelling

4) Anxiety, Depression or Mood swings and even ADD

5) Migraines

6) Hashimoto'syndrome, Rhumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Eczema, Scleroderma or MS

7) Keratosis Pilaris (chicken skin on the backs of arms) or white bumps on the backs of arms

Now that we understand what Gluten intolerance or sensitivities cause in our bodies, how do we know if we are??

The best way is to implement an elimination diet.  This
means COMPLETELY eliminate Gluten for a minimum of 2-3 weeks!  

Gluten is a large protein, it may take more than 3 weeks for Gluten to completely be removed from your system.  If you can, try going longer than 3 weeks.

Here's the tricky part, even if you're not eating breads, pastas, or grains that contain gluten, sometimes there are still traces of Gluten hidden in these foods.  

When eating out, always ask for a Gluten-Free menu, because these items are NOT made with any gluten and if you tell the waiter you have a sensitivity, the chef will not contaminate the food.

Keep a food diary of not only the foods you're eating but also the way your body is feeling during this elimination period.

Once you've eliminated Gluten from your diet, slowly add in gluten.  For example on day 1, eat a small bowl of pasta for lunch.  See how you feel throughout the afternoon and evening. 

Again, keep notes in your food diary and note any changes or signs that you notice.  For example, do you feel better without eating Gluten??  More energy, no headaches, less fatigue, etc.

Or do you feel worse once re-introducing Gluten??  Bloated, gassy, stomach pains, headaches, fatigue, etc.

If you are still unsure, you can always have testing done from your doctor to see if you are sensitive or intolerant.

Any other questions, please feel free to email me: samanthaspagirl@yahoo.com