Banana Apple Gluten Free Muffins

Since I made my first attempt at muffins last week I have been on a tear.  Ideally I want to be known as "The Elk Man", but until that times comes I don't mind being known as "The Muffin Man".  Again, these Banana Apple Gluten Free Muffins are Grain Free, Gluten Free, and Low Carbs.  To the recipe already!

Banana Apple Gluten Free Muffins fresh out of the oven!

Banana Apple Gluten Free Muffins
1 1/2 cup Almond Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Banana
1 Organic Fuji Apple, shredded
1 tbs Raw Honey
1 Egg, beaten
2 tbs Raw Butter, melted
3 tbs Coconut Oil
1/3 cup Raw Sunflower Seeds

Preheat the oven to 350.  In a bowl mix the almond flour, baking soda, and salt.  In a separate bowl mash the banana and mix in the honey, egg, and melted butter.  Pour the banana mixture into the flour and stir together.  Add in the shredded apple, coconut oil, and sunflower seeds and mix together.  Spoon the batter into paper lined muffin pan cups, two thirds full for each cup.

Bake for 17 minutes or until tops turn golden brown.  Place on a cooling rack and enjoy!

I have been experimenting with using coconut oil in the muffins and I like using the combination of Raw Butter and Coconut Oil as the muffins are moist and they have a wonderful flavor.  I also reduced the bananas to one as to limit the carbohydrate intake, and you don't notice the difference one bit.

For more information feel free to check-out our "Healthy Blog" on our website at www.rejuvenate-you.org

Eat Healthy and Be Well!

What is a Myers Cocktail?

Today's blog post is going to educate our readers about a "Myers Cocktail".

Q. What is a Myers Cocktail?

A. Myers Coctail is an alternative therapy that was invented over a half century by John Myers.  A Myers Cocktail is typically a combination of Vitamins C, B Complex, B5, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Calcium and Magnesium (blended with sterile water or saline).  The specific amounts of nutrients can vary depending on the patient and the condition being treated.

Q. How is a Myers Cocktail administered?

Dr. Bino Rucker at RejuvenateYou getting a Myers Cocktail

A. It can be infused directly into the circulatory system, generally over 15-25 minutes by gentle “push” or 40-60 minutes by “drip” (i.e. Myers Cocktail is used as an add-on with a Vitamin C IV Therapy).

Q. What are the benefits of a Myers Cocktail?

A. Having the mixture added directly to the blood has better absorption rates.  By going directly into the bloodstream the Myers Cocktail avoids the digestive system, where most nutrients are poorly absorbed and mostly eliminated.  For most of the general population, over 50% of the vitamins and minerals taken by mouth are lost through urine and stool.

Q. Who can benefit from a Myers Cocktail?

A. Pretty much anyone wanting to improve and maintain their overall health.  Rucker Integrative Medicine has treated athletes, individuals under chronic stress, students, those with compromised immune status, seniors, etc.  Some of the symptoms a Myers Cocktail can help relieve (but not limited to):

• Fatigue and Low energy
• Seasonal Allergies, Asthma, Sinusitis
• Eczema, Acne and other skin conditions
• Migraines
• Hormonal imbalance
• Poor memory and concentration
• Stress, Anxiety and Depression
• Muscle spasm and pain, Muscle recovery and endurance
• Arthritis and Chronic Pain
• Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue syndrome

Q. How often does one get a Myers Cocktail?

A. Myers Cocktails may be used weekly over 3-5 weeks (or more). This will usually be tapered down as symptoms improvement is monitored.  Myers Cocktails may also be used monthly for chronic conditions (migraines, allergies, etc), general health maintenance and to help support immune function.

Q. Are there any side effects?

A. Myers Cocktails are a very safe, proven and effective therapy with minimal risks. The most common side effect is occasional redness or irritation at the site of injection, and this resolves shortly after the treatment. Some patients may experience low blood pressure or light-headedness during or after injection, but these typically only last for 5 to 10 minutes. Having a mild taste of B vitamins in the back of the throat is not uncommon, but this diminishes shortly after treatment.  Some of our patients have noted a feeling of warmth and relaxation coming over their body due to the magnesium (muscle relaxant)

Q. What is the cost?

A. Currently we charge $95 Cash.  Insurance does not reimburse for Myers Cocktail Therapy.

For more information about any of our alternative medical services feel free to call our Bradenton Office (941) 448-1199.  You can also send us an email at info@ruckerozonedoc.com

Vegan Frozen Ice Cream

This recipe was submitted by our own Michelle Stewart.  She is definitely quite the cook.  She brought in some "turkey jerky" the other day and it was fantastic.  But today we are going to showcase her ice cream which is ideal for anyone wanting to avoid gluten, dairy, and processed sugars.

Vegan Frozen Ice Cream

5 ripe bananas (1 per person)
1 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries

When the bananas are ripe place them in the freezer for at least 6-8 hours.  Cut in segments and the skin will come right off.  Put in blender and combine with any fruit of your choice.  In this recipe strawberries and bananas were used, but you can certainly use mangoes, oranges, or any fruit that appeals to you.  Blend on high until it has the consistency of frozen yogurt.

One thing to note is if you place it back in the freezer the ice cream will harden, and it will have to be re-whipped in the blender.

I haven't tried this yet but I will certainly try this very soon.  What's not to like about healthy, natural ice cream, with no preservatives?!

I will be hounding her on the "turkey jerky" recipe for a future blog post.  Thank you for sharing Michelle and I will definitely be enjoying this....and often!

Eat Healthy and Be Well!

RejuvenateYou is an Alternative Healthcare Practice, and we are experts in the field of getting our patients healthy and transforming their lives.  RejuvenateYou Anti-Aging and Weight Loss Center has offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, and the Tampa area.  For more information about any of our alternative medical services feel free to call our Bradenton Office (941) 448-1199 or Tampa Office (813) 832-1199.  You can also reach us on our website at www.rejuvenate-you.org

Confetti Brussels Sprouts

It has been a while since I have posted a food dish, but decided to take some pictures after enjoying the great weather and firing up the grill.  This dish has such wonderful colors that we decided to call it "Confetti Brussels Sprouts".

Confetti Brussels Sprouts:

2 Cups sliced brussels sprouts
1/4 Cup finely sliced red cabbage
1 Cup shredded carrots
3 Cloves garlic diced
1 Teaspoon minced ginger
1 Teaspoon grapeseed oil
1 Wedge of lemon squeezed

Heat pan on medium heat, combine all the ingredients all at once.  Stir over medium heat.  Cook thoroughly for ten minutes until all the vegetables are al dente.  One thing to note is you should cook this dish without the cover.  If you cook the vegetables with the cover everything gets too mushy and loses a lot of its nutrient value.

I used the Confetti Brussels Sprouts as a side dish with my grilled salmon and side salad.  I highly recommend the Cedar Planks from William Sonoma for anyone grilling fish.  Has a wonderful smoky flavor that really infuses well into the fish.  I always bought cedar planks from anywhere as I assumed they are all the same.  I can say I was definitely wrong with my thinking!  I bought Wild Atlantic Salmon from Fresh Market and it was the best fish I have made.  Another benefit of using a cedar plank that has been well soaked is the fish does not get overcooked.  It was cooked to perfection.  I cooked the salmon for 15 minutes on the cedar plank and kept the temperature at around 400 degrees on my grill.

 Great dish and meal for anyone wanting to cut the complex carbohydrates from their diet and eat more protein and vegetables.

Eat Healthy and Be Well!

RejuvenateYou is an Alternative Healthcare Practice, and we are experts in the field of getting our patients healthy and transforming their lives.  RejuvenateYou Anti-Aging and Weight Loss Center has offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, and the Tampa area.  For more information about any of our alternative health services feel free to call our Bradenton Office (941) 448-1199 or Tampa Office (813) 832-1199.  You can also reach us on our website at www.rejuvenate-you.org

Berry Beta Coconut Smoothie

Been a busy week at RejuvenateYou and I haven't had a chance to post any updates, so I will be catching up next week.  I created this smoothie after having success with my Spinach Smoothie Delight.  I wanted to incorporate strawberries and carrots into something.  I figured if you aren't sure just throw it in a blender and see what happens.  So....voila!

Ingredients:
1 Carrot (peeled and chopped)
1 Banana
1/4 cup Strawberries
1/2 cup Coconut Milk
1 scoop Jay Robb Vanilla Protein Powder 
1/4 cup Water
7-8 Ice Cubes
1 tbsp Chia Seed

Put all the ingredients in together and blend it on high until it's smooth.

One thing you noticed is the rich color because of the combination of strawberries and carrots.  Strawberries have wonderful health properties (antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and heavy dose of vitamin c) as do carrots (improved vision, cancer prevention, anti-aging).

Drink this smoothie up and enjoy as it tastes good and it will make you look good!

Eat Healthy and Be Well!

RejuvenateYou is an Alternative Healthcare Practice, and we are experts in the field of getting our patients healthy and transforming their lives.  RejuvenateYou Anti-Aging and Weight Loss Center has offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, and the Tampa area.  For more information about any of our alternative health services feel free to call our Bradenton Office (941) 448-1199 or Tampa Office (813) 832-1199.  You can also reach us on our website at www.rejuvenate-you.org

Spinach Coconut Smoothie Delight

This smoothie was inspired with the help of my good friend Shelley Stuart Butler in Charlotte, NC.  Shelley and I worked together and have known each other for almost 20 years now.  I was talking to her about the smoothies I have made and she told me about a smoothie she makes regularly utilizing spinach as an ingredient.  I hadn't added any raw vegetables to any of my smoothies.  I always assumed it wouldn't work well with the fruits I was using....boy was I wrong!!!  I followed her lead and came up with my "Spinach Coconut Smoothie Delight".

Ingredients:
4 oz. of Spinach (Handful will suffice)
1 Banana
1/4 cup Blueberries
1/2 cup Coconut Milk
1 scoop Jay Robb Protein Powder (I used the Strawberry for this one, any flavor you like)
1/4 cup Water
7-8 Ice Cubes
1 tbsp Chia Seed

Put all the ingredients in together and blend it on high until it's smooth.

We use the Vitamix Blender and it blends everything very smooth.  I used to use Garden of Life Raw Protein in my smoothies, and still will in some cases.  But adding spinach to this smoothie blows it out of the water.  Without a doubt one of the best smoothies I have ever made and tasted.  In the future I might add some carrots to this smoothie to see how it goes.  I drank this after the gym and it was incredibly refreshing.  Could have this everyday in the morning or as a post-workout drink.

I am going to call it either a "Spinach Coconut Smoothie Delight" or "The Shelley" in honor of my friend.  Thank you for the inspiration Shelley!

Eat Healthy and Be Well!

RejuvenateYou is an Alternative Healthcare Practice, and we are experts in the field of getting our patients healthy and transforming their lives.  RejuvenateYou Anti-Aging and Weight Loss Center has offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, and the Tampa area.  For more information about any of our alternative health services feel free to call our Bradenton Office (941) 448-1199 or Tampa Office (813) 832-1199.  You can also reach us on our website at www.rejuvenate-you.org

Vitamin C Intravenous Therapy

Vitamin C has been available to the public for many years.  It became even more famous when the Nobel prize-winning chemist, Linus Pauling, began promoting it as a sort of universal cure-all. 

Dr. Rucker getting a Vitamin C IV and Myers Cocktail

One common question asked is, "What is the benefit of taking Vitamin C Intravenously when I can take it orally"?  High does of Vitamin C given orally causes upset stomach and diarrhea (usually anything over 5 g/day causes problems).  If you take large doses of Vitamin C orally not much is absorbed, most is excreted.  Infusions of 10-20 g are given often, with doses of 100 g being administered with no side effects.

Some of the more common conditions we have treated are the following:

Cold and Flu - Shortens both severity and duration of illness

Wound healing - Useful for post-cosmetic surgery cases

Depression - Vitamin C helps raise neurotransmitter levels

Fatigue - Revitalizes, boosts energy

Allergies - Vitamin C has antihistamine properties

Certain neurological conditions 

We often combine Vitamin C Infusion with Myers Cocktail and Ozone intravenously.  We have successfully been using this combination with the every day person to the professional athlete gearing up for the long haul of their respective seasons.

RejuvenateYou is an Alternative Healthcare Practice, and we are experts in the field of getting our patients healthy and transforming their lives.  RejuvenateYou Anti-Aging and Weight Loss Center has offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, and the Tampa area.  For more information about any of our alternative health services feel free to call our Bradenton Office (941) 448-1199 or Tampa Office (813) 832-1199.  You can also reach us on our website at www.rejuvenate-you.org

Paleo Banana Pudding

This is a recipe I saw one of my friends post and just had to take a stab at making it, because I love banana pudding and have missed enjoying it since I switched to a Paleo Diet.  How did it measure up to "traditional banana pudding"?  After I served the banana pudding it was GONE within 5 minutes....so it was a big hit.  So on to the good stuff!

• 3-4 bananas (ripe)
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 2 large organic egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (add to taste)
• 2 tablespoon of coconut oil 

1. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat whisk together the coconut milk, egg yolks, and vanilla until the mixture is hot and starts to thicken like a custard.  Set aside once it has thickened
2. Mash the bananas in a small bowl and set aside
3. In a small skillet, heat the coconut oil. Add the bananas and the cinnamon and mix together as the mashed banana fries in the oil. Cook until the banana caramelizes.
4. Add the caramelized banana mixture and oil into the thickened coconut milk mixture and then whisk together to make the pudding. 
5. Pour the warm pudding into a bowl or pie dish and cover with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap all the way to the top of the pudding surface to remove any air bubbles. This will ensure that as the pudding cools it does not form a filmy layer on top.
6. Let cool for several hours. Top with bananas and walnuts.

For the bananas you mash make sure they are ripe and not too firm.  One other step I didn't do is during step 4 you can put the pudding in a food processor or blender if you want to make it smoother.  I personally like having the clumps in my banana pudding.

I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor and texture and didn't miss the "unhealthy" banana pudding I used to eat.  I will definitely be making this again!

Take care for now.  Eat Healthy and Be Well!

RejuvenateYou is an Alternative Healthcare Practice, and we are experts in the field of getting our patients healthy and transforming their lives.  RejuvenateYou Anti-Aging and Weight Loss Center has offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, and the Tampa area.  For more information about any of our alternative health services feel free to call our Bradenton Office (941) 448-1199 or Tampa Office (813) 832-1199.  You can also reach us on our website at www.rejuvenate-you.org