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Articles

Sugar

August 16, 2022 By Recipe Renegade Leave a Comment

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Is Sugar Really the Enemy?

When you hear the word “sugar,” what comes to mind? For many, it’s a red flag—something to avoid at all costs. But is sugar truly the villain it’s made out to be? Let’s take a closer look.

 

Not All Sugars Are the Same

The word “sugar” is used broadly, but it actually includes many different types:

  • Sucrose (table sugar)
  • Fructose (fruit sugar)
  • Lactose (milk sugar)

Each type has different effects on the body. Can we really label all of them as “bad” with one sweeping statement? Probably not.

Natural vs. Processed: What Matters More?

Nature gave us sugarcane—but modern agriculture complicates the picture. Most conventional sugarcane is treated with glyphosate (RoundUp) before harvesting. If the label says, “sugar,” it’s likely from sugar beets. Beet sugar in the U.S. comes from genetically modified (GMO) sugar beets, which raises additional concerns. And then there’s high fructose corn syrup, widely linked to health issues like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, even in young people. So is it sugar itself, how we process and use it, or the quantity eaten that poses the real risk?

But What About Sugar in Fruit and Milk?

Fruits contain fructose, yes—but they also provide fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Many cancer recovery protocols even include fruit. Lactose, the sugar in breast milk, is essential for infant development. Can it really be harmful if it’s nature’s first food?

Sugar and Disease: What We’re Told vs. What We Know

You may have heard: “Sugar feeds cancer, Lyme, and parasites.” While this idea is repeated often, actual studies showing sugar directly “feeds” Lyme, for example, are scarce.

There’s another side to the story. Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT) is a medical treatment where sugar (glucose) helps deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells—sparing healthy cells in the process. Patients on IPT often avoid hair loss and harsh side effects.

Even natural remedies, like crystallized ginger, have been credited anecdotally with helping support healing. So, is sugar always harmful—or can it sometimes help?

Natural vs. Artificial Sweeteners

The real danger might lie in artificial substitutes. For example:

  • Erythritol, often recommended for Lyme patients, has been linked in some studies to increased cancer risks.

This raises an important question: Are we replacing real, naturally occurring sugars with synthetic options that might be worse?

Kombucha and the Sugar Confusion

I often get asked: “Is the sugar in kombucha bad for us?” My kombucha  is made using organic cane sugar, but it’s not for you—it’s to feed the SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). During fermentation, most of that sugar gets consumed. What’s left is minimal. And using organic sugar means avoiding glyphosate residues. After all, fermenting toxic chemicals into your drink probably isn’t ideal.

Sugar and Lyme Disease

In Lyme communities, many warn against eating sugar. But the science isn’t clear. I’ve searched extensively and haven’t found reliable studies proving that sugar feeds Lyme. If this is true, wouldn’t it make sense to use sugar with a medicine that eradicates Lyme Disease? In fact, natural sugars played an important role in my own healing from chronic Lyme, a condition I battled for over a decade. That personal experience challenges the idea that all sugar is harmful—at least for everyone.

Could it be we’ve been misinformed about sugar to keep us sick?

Final Thoughts: Balance Is Key

Let’s be clear:
This is NOT a recommendation to eat more sugar—especially not for diabetics or those on sugar-restricted diets. Nor is it a recommendation to eat cookies and cakes, especially those made with processed ingredients! Anything in excess—even water—can be harmful. But perhaps the more important question is this:

Are we asking the right questions about sugar? Or have we been misled by a one-size-fits-all narrative?

Don’t take my word for it—do your own research, listen to your body, and decide what’s right for you.

Summary: What to Remember

  • Not all sugars are the same—context and source matter.
  • Natural sugars from fruit, milk, and even organic cane sugar have roles in health and healing.
  • Highly processed ( (like HFCS ) and artificial sugars (like some sugar alcohols) are more concerning.
  • Balance and quality are key—blanket statements about “all sugar” being bad may oversimplify the truth.

Have we been demonizing sugar unfairly? You decide.

This information is presented as entertainment, and should not be misconstrued as medical advice. Check with your health practitioner before making any dietary changes.

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Filed Under: Articles, Blog

Guaranteed Deep, Restful Sleep at the Flip of a Switch!

November 7, 2020 By Recipe Renegade Leave a Comment

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Guaranteed Deep, Restful Sleep at the Flip of a Switch!

I’m guessing you’ve never been guaranteed deep, restful sleep at the flip of a switch. The Rest Shield produces a subtle energy field known as “scalar energy” that is beneficial to all living organisms. Place this Rest Shield within 20 feet of you to feel more relaxed without feeling tired.

No medical claims are made or implied, but in testing and development, the Rest Shield has been found to:

  • Promote more restful, deep sleep, and a need for less sleep
  • Reduce harmful effects of electromagnetic pollution
  • Read more about this amazing device and other products at Fresh & Alive.com (I promise you’ll be impressed!)

 

Satisfaction Guarantee/Returns

Fresh and Alive has a wonderful guarantee:  “We value your business! If you’re not satisfied with a product or service you’ve received from Fresh and Alive!, contact us within 60 days of purchase for an exchange or full refund of your purchase price.”


 

Most links on this page and throughout this website are affiliate links. I may or may not make a small commission if you use these links. (You will never pay more because it’s an affiliate link.) None of these products, supplements, or services have been reviewed by the FDA. They are NOT intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Please check with your MD before using any of these supplements or devices. Information on this website is for education only and should not be construed as medical advice.

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Filed Under: Articles, Blog Tagged With: can't sleep?, g, need sleep

My Favorite Products and Supplements

January 17, 2018 By Recipe Renegade Leave a Comment

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Most links on this page and throughout this website are affiliate links. I may or may not make a small commission if you use these links. ( You will never pay more because it’s an affiliate link.) None of these products or supplements have been reviewed by the FDA. They are NOT intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Please check with your MD before using any of these supplements.

Use this link to purchase from my New Hampshire sales-tax-free dispensary:

Order supplements through my Fullscript store.

 

You’ll find many of your favorite brands at my Fullscript Store like Innate, Thorne, Ecological Formulas, Nutra Biogenesis, and Celtic Sea Salt  to name just a few.

Food Supplements (aka Whole-Food Supplements)

I’m a real-rood advocate and think we should avoid synthetic supplements whenever possible. 

My absolute number one, favorite supplement/food/superfood, is moringa oleifera! Unfortunately, Zija International was bought by Isagenix and they have completely  changed Supermix, so that I can’t drink it anymore. And this, after 13 years!!! Unfortunately, I’ve not found a company that uses all of the medicinal parts of the plant and doesn’t also add synthetics.

Moringa is available at my Fullscript Store.

 


Innate Vitamin C is one of my favorites and is available at my Fullscript store:

 

 


One of the most important electrolytes that I’ve found, and what helped me tremendously when I was sick is QuintEssential 0.9. I was surprised at how quickly this seemed to replenish my electrolytes.


Cream of Tartar

Cream of Tartar, a by-product of wine-making, is rich in potassium (there’s approximately 500 mg of potassium in 1 teaspoon). You can get this by clicking on my Amazon affiliate link:

 


Food Grade DE (Diatomaceous Earth)

 


Bee Gold (Bee Pollen)

This brand of bee pollen, is tested to ascertain it contains no chemical sprays. This might possibly be the finest bee pollen in the world.

 


 

 


Citramesia

Citramesia is also available at Emerson/Wellevate.


Dr. Axe has a great information about Black Walnuts in this article: Black Walnut Fights Parasites, Heart Disease, Fungi & More


EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation) Protection

How do you protect yourself from the radiation emitted from cell phones and towers, electrical plugs, wi-fi, etc., and even your hair dryer? Check out these reasonably-priced necklaces:

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Filed Under: Articles

Nourishing Traditions

May 25, 2016 By Recipe Renegade Leave a Comment

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Nourishing Traditions

                                                    by Sally Fallon with Mary G. Enig, Ph.D.

This book is one of my all-time favorites. Not only is it politically incorrect, it is full of information about how our ancestors ate. Most of us know we have become more and more sick with each generation and with each new “healthy” way we’re told to eat. This book cuts through the crap and tells it like it is. It’s not just a cookbook; you’ll find lots of great information about and recipes for healthy eating, including fermenting. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, you’ll likely learn new cooking tips. Click on “PREVIEW” under the book for a sneak peek!

 


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Filed Under: Articles, Blog Tagged With: My favorite cookbook, Nourishing traditions

My 17 Best Tick Defenses

May 3, 2016 By Recipe Renegade Leave a Comment

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It’s Tick Time! Ewww!

If you’re anything like me, you can’t stand a fleeting thought about those disgusting arachnids. Honestly, I don’t want to come in contact with any arachnid that needs to be killed with a hammer or rock. Living in New Hampshire, though, gives me no choice since the state has become a hot spot for ticks and the diseases they carry. In the last few years, my own county has come in first in the United States for Lyme disease. Uggghhh! Ticks not only carry Lyme Disease (the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria), they carry Bartonella, Babesia, Rickettsia (Rocky Mountain spotted fever), Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and more.

This CDC page shows maps of seven different ticks and where they can be found: Tick Maps

Due to El Niño, tick season has unfortunately been around continuously for me this year. The 2015/2016 exceptionally mild winter didn’t bring them deep underground. December and January brought ticks to my dog and in January, I had symptoms of being re-infected. Keep in mind that spiders, fleas, and mosquitos can also carry Lyme Disease.

FREE TICK TESTING:  As of today, 5/5/2016, Bay Area Lyme Foundation is currently accepting ticks for free testing. Please go to their website for more information.

Natural (and Toxic) Tick Repellents

Aside from spreading food-grade diatomaceus earth (DE) on my lawn in the areas we tend to walk most, I have an arsenal of tick repellents.  Three are sprays:

PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to use the insect sprays listed or any other insect spray, PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS, AND HEED ALL WARNINGS!

 

 1.  I use toxic, tick-killing spray that contains permethrin on my shoes (especially white sneakers – they love white) and spray on my pants from the knees down.  NEVER, NEVER PUT THIS ON YOUR SKIN!!! It is said that when ticks crawl over dried permethin on clothing, it will kill them. Most experts who tout using natural products, admit that the toxic products we are exposed to can NEVER compare to having Chronic Lyme Disease. Permethrin on clothing is said to withstand at least 6 washings, although I spray it more frequently. Those of us who have Chronic Lyme Disease know we need to protect ourselves and our families at any cost from this debilitating, financially crippling disease. I, unfortunately, get lax and usually bring out the sprays after the first bite of the year.

 

2.  As the weather warms and I switch from pants to shorts, I spray myself from the waist down with Buzz Away Extreme.  Its active ingredients are: castor oil, soybean oil, cedarwood oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil and lemongrass oil. Inert ingredients are: purified water, coconut oil, glycerin, lecithin, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, sodium benzoate, and wintergreen oil. This product‘s smell is too strong for me (strong not offensive) so I use yet another product from the waist up.

3.  I use Ticks Away Natural Spray from the waist up, since it has a milder smell than Buzz Away Extreme. It’s a New Hampshire product, sold by Cardigan Mountain Soap Works in Alexandria and I find it works well.  This company also has a “bugs away” soap that I use during tick season.  Ticks Away ingredients are: distilled water, pure essential oils, emulsifier, sorbitol.

4. Spreading Diatomaceus Earth (DE) on the lawn, especially in areas people tend to walk, can help. DE doesn’t feel sharp, but to small insects that have an exoskeleton, it can be deadly. Cutting their exoskeleton causes them to bleed out.

Trying Something New

I’ve seen a meme circulating Facebook touting that Lemongrass and Eucalyptus essential oils, mixed with water, will repel both ticks and fleas and is safe for both humans and dogs. I have Améo Lemongrass on hand, but today ordered Améo Eucalyptus Raidiata that will be in next week. I will try this mix as soon as it arrives and update my findings. Eucalyptus Radiata, by the way, is milder than Eucalyptus Globulas –figures–I had Globulas on hand. Spending quite a bit of time researching, I found Eucalyptus Radiata listed in a couple Essential Oil pet books as safe for pets. If you decide to try Améo’s clinical-grade essential oils, please contact me first so I can show you how to purchase them at the reduced, wholesale price.

My other thirteen defenses are:11 chickens
Yup. Chickens. Thirteen free-ranging, adult chickens. (Not all are pictured.) They do a great job of eating bugs, including ticks.

 

I’ve also been told by a friend, who also has Chronic Lyme Disease, that her doctor suggested she use Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin. I have not yet tried this and know nothing about it. If you’ve ever used it with success, or not, please let us know if it worked by leaving a comment below. And please–let us know your best tick defenses!

Question Mark

 

 

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Best defenses against ticks, best tick sprays, do chickens eat ticks?, how to avoid getting bit by ticks, how to get rid of ticks, sprays i can use for ticks, tick sprays

What Is Your Personal Cancer Risk?

April 10, 2016 By Recipe Renegade Leave a Comment

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In 42 seconds you’ll learn your personal cancer risk.

Cancer Risk Quiz

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Filed Under: Articles, Take a Quiz

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