Quinoa and Feta Salad

Enjoy this healthy recipe of quinoa and feta salad that serves 4 as a main course.

1 cup quinoa
2 cups chicken Broth
½ cup raw cashews
2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
2 stalks celery, finely sliced
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
½ cup crumbled goat feta
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 lime, juiced
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Bring chicken broth to a boil and add quinoa. Simmer for 12-15 minutes until the grains are tender and the broth is absorbed. Set aside and cool. Can be cooled faster by spreading out on a cookie sheet or pan.

In a dry, heavy frying pan, toast the cashews over moderate to low heat, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown. Cool, then chop roughly.

In a large bowl, combine dried quinoa, nuts, herbs celery, grapes and feta. Squeeze lime juice over all; add olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste and leave the salad to stand for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutritional information per serving: 349 Calories, 19 grams fat (4g saturated), 10g protein, 37 g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 162 mg sodium.

This recipe is from CD Kitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com

By Mila McManus MD|2014-07-31T10:50:35-05:00March 13th, 2014|General, Recipes|

Silver Biotics: Immune System Boosters

Silver Biotics should be in every medicine cabinet. It is completely non-toxic, has no drug interactions and can be used in or on all parts of the body. This antimicrobial liquid can be used for treating everything from eye infections and sinus infections to a nutrition supplement for travelers’ diarrhea.

Silver Biotics can be used daily to help prevent infections, can be used as needed to treat infections or help prevent an infection when you’ve been exposed to an illness or when you’re first sensing the onset of a cold or flu. Yes, Silver Biotics really are great to have on hand.

Historically, colloidal silvers have been around for centuries and were used by ancient civilizations as a means to fight infections. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, doctors commonly used silver products as immune system boosters.

Not every silver product is the same. This patented metallic nano-silver particle with a thin multi-valent Ag4O4 silver oxide coating creates a very stable and bioavailable product. Safe for children and adults, Silver Biotics® contain no artificial ingredients, preservatives or additives. It is also gluten free, scientifically tested and recommended by medical professionals.

Order your Silver Biotics today online at https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/supplements.html or contact us for more information about colloidal silvers.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-08-02T09:12:03-05:00February 14th, 2014|Articles, General|

Melissa’s Easy Fermented Salsa

From our Friend, Melissa Humphries, The Primitive Diva.

You will need the following ingredients:

•6-8 Fresh tomatoes
•2- 3 green onions, chopped
•1 large size chopped jalapeno(seeded)
•6-8 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped or pressed
•1 bunch cilantro
•juice of 1-2 limes
•2 T. sea salt
•1/4 c. filtered water with tsp of salt (This is the brine)

Pulse in food processor until it reaches a consistency that you enjoy. Some prefer a chunkier salsa. Place in a quart-sized, wide-mouth mason jar. Press down lightly until the juices rise up; if there is not enough liquid to cover the vegetables, add a little brine water. The top of the vegetables/liquid should be about an inch below the top of the jar. Cover with a loose jar lid OR a towel, place jar in a bowl to catch any expansion overflow and keep at room temperature in a dark and undisturbed area for about 5 days before sealing and transferring to the fridge.

A note about timing: that “5 days” is a very subjective figure. It depends on a number of factors. The temperature of your kitchen is also a factor. I like the flavor that develops at 5 days; however, you may let it ferment for up to several weeks.

How do you know when it’s done? Taste it every single day. Open it up, press the vegetables down, and give them a taste. When it tastes really good (slightly effervescent), it’s done. You’ll know it’s done when it starts to taste less salty.

I don’t know that I’d let this one go TOO long… probably better slightly fermented than sauerkraut-level fermented.

There are MANY variations with salsa, so you can experiment with a few of your favorites. Add a variety of fresh peppers, fruits, carrots, etc… You could, for example, make a Salsa Verde with substituting the tomatoes with tomatillos and addition of cucumber.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-02-14T11:53:44-05:00February 14th, 2014|General|

Immune Boosting Foods To Keep You Well

by Nancy Mehlert, MS

Supplementation is often a necessary step to ensuring our body is getting all of the vitamins, minerals and micronutrients necessary for optimal healthy living. Many of our food sources are contaminated, and we don’t always choose the right variety and quality of food necessary to stay well. But that does not mean we should not make every effort to eat well and make wise food choices. We know that Zinc, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Probioticsare all critical players in the ability of the immune system to fend off disease and germs. To help you make wise food choices that will arm your immune system with all the right weaponry, we have provided a list of the best food sources for each of these key immune boosting foods.

Zinc is found in highest levels in oysters, though they can also be ocean polluted with chemicals and metals so are not recommended as a daily food choice. Better daily sources include grass fed beef, lamb, pork, liver, herring, egg yolks, pecans, Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, ginger root, mustard, chili powder, and black pepper.

Vitamin D is difficult to obtain from food and the body’s ideal source is to manufacture it from cholesterol in our skin from the ultra violet rays of the sun. With busy indoor lives, northern climates, cholesterol-lowering medications, clothes covering our skin and concerns about skin cancer, we are getting less sunshine, so Vitamin D deficiency is very common. We recommend supplementation of Vitamin D with regular monitoring for optimal levels by your healthcare professional. However, modest amounts of naturally occurring vitamin D are provided in egg yolks, butter, liver, mackerel, salmon, sardines, herring, mushrooms and dark leafy greens.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that our bodies cannot manufacture and is only available in plant foods. It is also not very stable, so is most potent and available in very fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables. Fresh vegetable juicing and eating fresh, whole fruits are two very effective ways to get Vitamin C. All fruits and vegetables are very good sources but the very highest levels are found in the citrus fruits, cantaloupe, strawberries, red and green bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, asparagus, avocado, parsley, dark leafy greens, and cabbage.

Probiotics are the amazing bacteria that form the military force that protects your body from invasions of every kind. Also called favorable or “friendly” bacteria, they serve to help in the production of some B vitamins and vitamin K, breakdown our food, and inhibiting the growth of pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. This is especially true of invading germs that arrive in, and on, our food. While we recommend probiotic supplementation, fermented and cultured foods are the ideal choice due to the very high population or concentration of living friendly bacteria. Unfortunately, food processing has killed the living aspects of most of our foods so few foods exist today in typical grocery stores that are truly living and full of favorable live bacteria. Whole Foods stores carry several brands of fermented sauerkraut and a high quality organic, living yogurt. (Most live cultures in typical store bought yogurts are inconsequential in number, damaged by pasteurization and combined with a great deal of sugar.) Additionally, fermented vegetables can also be purchased online at Immunitrition.com. Additional resources to learn more about fermenting foods can be found on the Internet at many websites, one such example is www.culturesforhealth.com.

Eat Well, Stay Well!

By Mila McManus MD|2014-03-03T11:01:43-05:00February 14th, 2014|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Ulcerative Colitis

by Heather B.
In May of 2012 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. My first flare, I was told, was worse than my doctors had seen and I was unable to control it with oral medication so I wound up in the hospital for 19 days, after which I was still in the midst of a flare but it was more or less under control and I was sent home with a variety of medications. In the meantime, my husband, mother, and I began researching more natural ways to help heal my body from this ravaging disease that I was told was incurable. Throughout this whole ordeal I was covered by the prayers of many family members and friends and was praying myself for wisdom, guidance and direction from the Lord. Over time I became aware of the GAPS diet; however, I found that navigating my way through the GAPS diet was difficult and I began to experience flare-ups as I tapered down on my medication. As a result, my husband and I felt that the guidance of a qualified practitioner was greatly needed. Thankfully, I found The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness in June of 2013 and called to inquire about their services. My husband and I were treated like royalty by the staff from the very first moment.
I could tell that the staff and Dr. McManus herself cared deeply for their patients and desired to help them in any way they could. I was impressed and took great comfort in the fact that she addressed my disease, which had scared other practitioners away from me in the past, with such confidence. She analyzed my nutritional status and overall health by having blood and other tests run and worked up a detailed protocol for me that has worked wonders for my health! Under her care I was able to transition from the GAPS diet to a hybrid between the yeast-free diet and the GAPS diet and find that the meals I am having are very satisfying and quite delicious! I am also so grateful in that she was the first doctor to wisely recommend having a bone density test done because one side effect of the medication that I was on was bone loss. I was shocked to find out that I had osteoporosis and she quickly began to address that issue as well with supplements and hormone therapy and in just a matter of months my bone density improved. Her practice is truly holistic in that they also address things like anxiety and stress that contribute to poor health. I find that the staff at TWIHW is very knowledgeable and caring, two qualities that are essential in good medical practitioners. I have learned so much and have felt better overall than I have in years! In fact, I can’t remember when I had such energy and enthusiasm for life! In short, I feel so blessed to have been introduced to Dr. McManus and her staff. They are without a doubt God’s provision for me and it is such a comfort to know that I am in good Hands!

By Mila McManus MD|2016-03-02T18:05:49-05:00February 14th, 2014|General, Testimonials|

Healthy Tips on How NOT to Catch The Crud

We all hope it won’t happen to us, but somehow as late winter and early spring roll around, the bad germs and blooming plants abound and, before you know it, it seems like everyone around you has the flu or a cold or that mysterious thing that hangs on forever, lovingly called “The Crud”. Especially prevalent where people gather in larger numbers, office workers and school attendees are especially susceptible. If you have been fortunate to avoid it so far this year, or you want to make sure you don’t get hit again, there are many things you can do wherever you are to minimize your risk of getting sick this time of year. Here is a list of proactive things you can do to protect yourself:

Vitamin Vigilance – Now is an especially important time to be diligent about taking your vitamins. We know that a multi-vitamin, probiotics, vitamin D, vitamin C, and Zinc are effective in supporting healthy living and boosting the immune system.

Allergy Awareness – If you know you struggle with environmental or food allergies, do your best to minimize exposure where possible and seek quality treatment for your allergies. Left to fester, the relentless attack on the immune system and the resulting inflammation often leads to infection and illness. Today, there are numerous effective treatments to minimize the effects of seasonal allergies and promote healthy living and immune function. Call our office to speak to a wellness consultant about sublingual allergy drops!

Hand Hygiene – Our hands are useful and relentlessly busy, and this means they touch many surfaces and people throughout the day. Unfortunately, we also eat with them, touch our noses and lips, and cough into them. As a result, they are a major carrier of germs to and from other people and high-traffic surfaces. Here are some easy health tips: Keep hands clean using soap and warm water or citric acid/essential oil-based anti-bacterial hand sanitizer. Keep your hands away from your nose and mouth and never eat food with your bare hands without washing them well first.

Germ Gatherings – So where do these pesky little microbes tend to hang out together? Most of us fear public toilet seats, but you may be surprised to know that studies have shown they are one of the cleaner surfaces found in public areas because restrooms are generally cleaned on a daily basis. Do you work in a healthy workplace? The greatest populations of viruses and bacteria are found on surfaces that are used often, but not cleaned regularly. The germiest include desktops, office break room tables, restaurant tables (the rags to wipe them are usually not sanitized after each wipe), phones, computer mice and keyboards, grocery cart handles, and escalator rails. Cleaning your personal workspace daily, washing your hands after using others’ workspaces and encouraging others to do the same, are ways to minimize your exposure. It is a good idea to carry an antibacterial hand sanitizer to use after coming in contact with grocery carts, escalator rails, and other heavily handled surfaces.

Sugar, Stress, and Sleep Shortages – These little devils seem to hang out together when life gets busy and deadlines are looming. We become overly stressed, we have less time for a good night’s sleep or some exercise to relax us so we reach for a sugary treat to comfort our frustration. Unfortunately, we have created the perfect storm for a bacteria or virus to jump on board and do a happy dance on us. During this germy season, it is the very best time and reason to make wise snack choices, get a quick walk in during the lunch hour and get to bed on time. Avoid reaching for the bowl of candy at the office or resorting to the donut in the break room. Sugar can suppress your immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease. Instead, keep pre-packaged single serving nuts, small mandarin oranges, low sugar KIND bars, and herbal teas at your desk (or in the office bowl of treats) to provide good nutrition and comfort. Take a few minutes every hour or so to stretch, stand up, and take a deep breath to reduce stress and move the body. Use 15 minutes of your lunch break to walk up a couple flights of stairs and back or around the building outside. Then when you get home, be sure to get a good night’s sleep.

Sit and Stay! –If you are sick, stay home. If you are a manager, encourage your team members to do the same thing. If you are a parent, keep your sick children home. There are no heroics in bringing germs to the office or schoolroom to share with everyone else. Rest will also allow the body to heal more rapidly.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-02-18T21:52:59-05:00February 14th, 2014|Articles, General|

Christmas came early

Christmas came early for me … November 21st, to be precise. That was the day I walked through the doors of The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness and met Dr. Mila McManus and her staff. After struggling for many years with chronic illness, I was at the end of hope. I had sought out both conventional and alternative medical doctors – none of whom seemed to get to the root issues, thus leaving me in a web of frustration; exhausted by illness and desperation. A friend mentioned Dr. McManus and I decided to dive in one more time. Well, although it has only been 9 weeks, things have already started to turn around. The issues and symptoms are too vast to mention here, but Dr. McManus left no stone unturned – she and her staff looked at past records, did a most-thorough interview and took bloodwork. I left her office that first day with an integral protocol – one like I have not seen before. The expertise, passion and availability of both Dr. McManus and her staff are impressive. I am happy to say I am having much success and am so very excited about my future of health!

Beth P.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-01-20T09:42:13-05:00January 20th, 2014|Testimonials|

Once a skeptic

I cannot say enough good things about the Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness [TWIHW]. I became a patient in the latter part of 2013 because conventional medicine had failed me. I was skeptical to say the least – the myriad of doctors I’d already seen hadn’t been able to help so what was going to be different at TWIHW, other than this time I was paying for it out of pocket?

I presented with chronic migraines, back and neck pain, thyroid issues, adrenal fatigue, and intestinal problems. Following the yeast free diet plan and the specially formulated vitamin regime I noticed a huge improvement in my symptoms. The only lingering issue I am dealing with is continuing migraines, but even they have decreased in both frequency and severity!

If I had only known about how much more successful I was going to be with purely a change in diet and the addition of vitamins and nutrients my body was lacking in, I would have gone to TWIHW several years ago. Instead I went from one doctor to the next, blindly trusting that they knew what they were doing.

If you are like me and feel that you are at your wit’s end, riddled with pain and frustration, I thoroughly recommend you give TWIHW an opportunity to address your issues. You will not be disappointed.

Yours very truly,
Claire M.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-01-17T00:17:23-05:00January 15th, 2014|Testimonials|

Nutrition for Lovers

by Nancy Mehlert, MS

February has a way of inspiring us in romantic ways to celebrate those we love most or perhaps try to reignite a dying ember back into a fiery flame. Sadly, the low fat, high carbohydrate diet we have been taught to eat not only wreaks havoc with your health, it also wreaks havoc with your sex life! Sex is directly impacted by your blood chemistry, hormonal health, and what’s going on in your brain, says Dr. David Perlmutter, a neurologist and author of the book Grain Brain (2013). He notes the dramatic impact a low cholesterol diet and cholesterol lowering statin drugs (e.g. Lipitor) have had on our brain function and hormonal health. The brain is 60% cholesterol and testosterone is made from cholesterol. Is it any wonder after several decades of a low fat, low cholesterol diet that we struggle today with brain fog, depression, imbalanced hormones, low testosterone, low sex drive and Alzheimer’s disease?

While you are preparing our special Valentines Day Libido-Boosting Menu for the love of your life, which includes many of the love promoting foods we recommend, why not get a jump start at preparing your body to be ready for what your heart and mind want to do? There are many foods that help your body produce hormones and new brain cells, ward off depression, and help you put a groove into your moves. In fact, here are choices that can support a healthy sex life for life! Choose alfalfa sprouts on a salad, enjoy guacamole or plain avocado, eat plenty of pastured eggs, use olive oil and grass fed butter wherever you can and top off everything with nuts and seeds, especially pumpkin seeds. Include blueberries a couple of times this week to relax blood vessels and increase blood circulation and toss in a little dark chocolate along the way. Include the wine on that special night but stick to one or two glasses to help with relaxation and inhibitions, but more than that can put the fire out fast, so use good sense here. All of this should set the tone for an amorous night or better yet, the whole year! After all, part of a healthy lifestyle includes a good sex life.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-04-14T15:59:05-05:00January 15th, 2014|Articles, General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

DIM or Diindolylmethane for Hormone Balance & Fight Against Breast Cancer

Are you looking for a natural way to balance your hormones? Perhaps you’re feeling sluggish, struggling with weight gain or have been struggling with medical issues that traditional medicine just doesn’t seem to address. Consider talking to our experts about diindolylmethane (DIM), a naturally occurring metabolite that’s found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Studies have shown that it promotes healthy estrogen metabolism in both men and women. Yes, both men and women need the right balance of estrogen.

BioDIM is a patented, bioavailability-enhanced form of DIM that provides substantially greater absorption than ordinary DIM and can be helpful in the balancing and regulation of hormones, especially in clearing excess estrogen from the body.

In men, this supplement is used to improve testosterone and estrogen balance. In women, it is used as an adjunct treatment for estrogen dominance, as well as a supplement to help protect against breast cancer.

BioDIM is available at our office and can be ordered online at https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/supplements.html. We encourage you to complete our online assessment at https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/test-yourself/estrogen-dominance-progesterone-deficiency.html that will help you think through the symptoms you may be having and narrow the causes. Then, we recommend you contact us for an appointment with one of our specialists. We’re ready to help you feel your best.

By Mila McManus MD|2014-02-24T16:37:05-05:00January 15th, 2014|Articles, General|

About Mila McManus MD