Creamy Coleslaw
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Creamy Coleslaw

General, Recipes

Creamy Coleslaw

Courtesy www. from pasta to paleo .com

Serves 4-6

Salad

4 cups cabbage (purple, green or a mix) shredded

2 carrots, peeled and shredded

2 green onions, root end removed, and sliced thin

Coleslaw Dressing

1 cup avocado mayo

2 tablespoons grainy mustard

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon celery seed

½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, grainy mustard, apple cider vinegar, celery seed, black pepper and salt.
2. Add shredded coleslaw, carrot and green onion. Using tongs, mix the cabbage with the dressing, until evenly coated.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes to an hour to allow flavors to develop and salad to chill.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-07-07T09:56:23-06:00July 8th, 2020|General, Recipes|

Voted Best of 2020!

By Mila McManus MD|2020-07-07T09:53:53-06:00July 8th, 2020|General|

GX Sciences Pro 7 Nutrigenomic Testing

$100 Off now thru June 30, 2020

GX Sciences* is proud to introduce the most comprehensive nutrigenomics test available to validate your specific nutritional supplement needs. The scientific study of individualized genetics and nutrition is known as nutritional genomics or “nutrigenomics”. Nutrigenomic testing accurately identifies each patient’s genetic protein variations to identify sites of metabolic weakness. These key proteins are involved in enzyme conversion, nutritional delivery and signaling pathways in the cell. Our expert physicians have designed a genetic panel that evaluates 55 of the most common, research backed, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that can affect a patient’s ability to regain and maintain their metabolic functionality. Abnormalities in specific polymorphisms can negatively affect many physiological and metabolic processes. Overcoming these metabolic weaknesses with the right supplements allows each patient to overcome their genetic weaknesses (SNPs) and maintain optimal health.

“As a practicing physician, the ability to test your individual, unique genetic footprint takes a lot of the guesswork out with regard to customizing a treatment regimen that gets you the best results”, says Mila McManus, MD. “We all have some minor genetic variants, mutations called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and 75% of all people have significant variations in the most important nutritional metabolism pathways that affect how we function.” For instance, MTHFR mutation affects how our bodies activate and utilize B vitamins. This in turn affects how well a person detoxifies, makes and clears hormones and neurotransmitters. This means a person would be more likely to have mood disorders, insomnia, cancer, heart disease, etc. Two other common SNPs are the GAD and COMT. These can cause lifelong anxiety. The good news, and the reason to want to know, is that there are work-arounds for a variety of SNPs.

GX Sciences differs from 23&me in that it tests for many more relevant mutations and offers recommendations to address them.

You can pick up a saliva kit at our office, or we can ship a kit to you. Price for the comprehensive panel is regularly $499; however, GX Sciences is offering $100 discount through June 2020! Turnaround time for results is typically 3 weeks.

*Gx Sciences maintains your genetic information privately. They never have and never will sell, give away, trade or use personal information in any way other than to ship your package, call you about a shipment or offer you special discounting. No e-mail addresses are sold, traded, etc.! This has been a long standing company policy that will remain unchanged.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-06-03T10:27:45-06:00June 5th, 2020|Articles, General|

L-Theanine, Magnesium, and Lithium Orotate

The good news about doing a genomic test and finding out what SNPs you have is that, in most cases, there are a number of supplements that can support and help the body work around those mutations. Magnesium, Lithium Orotate, and L-theanine are three good examples.

For those who discover they have SNPs (mutations) on the GAD gene, two options for alleviating related symptoms (e.g., anxiety, insomnia) would be to use L-theanine and/or magnesium. You should consult your medical provider for the best supplementation options for your genetic SNPs. Click on the links below to read more about L-theanine and magnesium.

https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/l-theanine.html/

https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/supplement-month-magnesium.html/

Another common mutation that is found in people with anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and/or insomnia is on the COMT gene. Lithium orotate is one of several supplements which can support and assist the body to work around this mutation. Click here to learn more about Lithium Orotate.

https://woodlandswellnessmd.com/supplement-of-the-month-lithium-orotate.html/

We recommend nutrigenomic testing to determine your genetic profile, and consultation with your medical provider to discuss the best supplementation options for you. For testing and consultation, contact our office today at 281-298-6742.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-06-05T06:39:40-06:00June 5th, 2020|Articles, General|

Technical or Adaptive?

Nancy Mehlert, MS

Having trouble getting a new lifestyle habit established?

A technical challenge has a straightforward solution. Need the remote control to work? Read the instructions and do what it says and the problem is solved. But this approach does not work for lifestyle challenges. In fact, you can’t address adaptive challenges with a technical solution, though we often try!

Lifestyle changes are adaptive challenges and can only be met by transforming our mindset and changing our behavior.

Adaptive challenges require a change of mind – a change in how we think.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-06-03T10:17:47-06:00June 5th, 2020|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Compound Butter

Keeps in the refrigerator 2-3 days

Ingredients:

1 stick (1/2 cup) Grass fed Organic Butter or Ghee

¼ cup hazelnuts

1 clove garlic, minced

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

½ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Place the clarified butter or ghee in a small bowl and leave on the counter until it reaches room temperature.
2. Heat a dry pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the hazelnuts and cook, shaking the pan often to prevent burning, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, allow to cool, then chop.
3. Gently fold the chopped hazelnuts, garlic, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper into the softened butter or ghee.
4. Place a large piece of wax or parchment paper on a flat surface. Put the butter mixture in the center. Form into a rough log, about 1½ inches in diameter. Roll and wrap it in the paper shaping into a tight form and refrigerate for 2 hours. Another option is to place it in a ramekin.

Other Options for Flavoring:

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes

¼ cup black olives, pitted

2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary

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1 minced garlic clove

2 teaspoons each, minced Rosemary, oregano, and chives

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¼ cup minced fresh parsley

¼ cup toasted pine nuts

1 tablespoon lemon juice

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¼ cup dried apricots

¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

2 teaspoons fresh minced basil

By Mila McManus MD|2020-06-03T10:13:19-06:00June 5th, 2020|General, Recipes|

I really can’t say enough good things…

by D.W.

Dr. McManus and staff are excellent! She listens and works on finding the root cause of your issues instead of treating the symptoms. She also educates you as to how to properly care for your body at the place you are currently at. There is a nutritionist on staff that is equally eager to educate patients as well with the goal of total body wellness. Great office! It doesn’t matter where I live, I will always visit this office for my health care. I really can’t say enough good things.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-06-03T15:07:02-06:00June 5th, 2020|General, Testimonials|

COMT, MAO, and GAD, Oh MY!
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COMT, MAO, and GAD, Oh MY!

Articles, General

COMT, MAO, and GAD, Oh MY!

By Brad Mullens, SNP Specialist

You’re lying in bed and it’s after midnight. Your brain will not shut off and you’re anxious about not getting a good night’s sleep again or worried about what tomorrow may bring. You have taken your melatonin, gotten plenty of exercise that day, and are eating healthy. You ask yourself, what am I doing wrong? Is this a hormone related issue? Did I have too much caffeine? Questions and thoughts pepper you brain and you are so tired of feeling the anxiety, sleep deprivation and the worry about what else may be going on.

Genetic testing of key genes can give your doctor the clues to help you create a workaround for genetic mutations otherwise known as SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms). A SNP is a small mutation of a gene that creates weaknesses in the structure and function of proteins or enzymes, which, in turn, causes them to not work properly at the cellular level.

When you understand the “why” behind the annoying symptoms above that typically involve several genes like the MAO-A&B, COMT, and GAD1, you will be empowered with knowledge that you are not alone and that there are solutions to the problems. These SNPs affect the turnover of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin which can lead to difficulty regulating mood, behavior, stress level, focus, and sleep patterns. These mutations also lead to buildup of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter, and lower levels of GABA, which is inhibitory (think ‘calming’), and this leads to imbalances with several systems in the body. When specially trained healthcare providers can see your genetic makeup, treatment plans can be more precise and more personalized. By recommending natural ingredients that bind to specific receptors on certain cells, amazing improvements with mood, sleep, energy levels, and focus can result.

If you’re a patient at The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness, talk to your provider there about genomic testing. If you are not yet a patient there and don’t have a healthcare provider who offers this test, you can visit www.snpspecialist.com for more information on how to get tested.

In good health!

Brad Mullens

By Mila McManus MD|2020-07-07T09:51:13-06:00June 5th, 2020|Articles, General|

Going Forward

Nancy Mehlert, MS

Ready to leave the COVID 19 Pandemic behind you? It seems like a lot of people are ready for the quarantined life to be over.

I’ve been thinking about what happens to our nutrition at times like these, and I think it has been different, for different people. I know many who have stayed the course, gotten more exercise and smoothly sailed through, in terms of nutrition at least. And others, who have found the stresses dragging them back to old habits, comfort food, and drinks. We are all different. We struggle in different ways.

It is common for major life changes to get in the way of our best laid nutritional plans.

May I encourage you to be kind to yourself? There is no use in beating yourself up or drowning in guilt. These times have been, and continue to be, difficult. It is hard to find anyone who thinks this is an easy time. The complexities of caring for the elderly, schooling children, staying employed, and all working under the same roof 24-7 – none of this is easy stuff, individually or collectively.

But as we see some possible light at the end of this tunnel, now is a good time to take stock and organize your thoughts in a positive, GO FORWARD mind set. It is a good time to figure out how to GO FORWARD in confidence and make some corrections to course where needed. Here are some productive and healthy things to do in the next couple of weeks as we hopefully emerge from this quarantine:

If you feel like your nutritional wheels totally fell off the wagon, have you discovered something valuable from the experience? We learn from our mistakes. What’s yours? What would you do differently next time as a key learning point? Then, forgive yourself, and GO FORWARD.

What have you done well? Look hard. Find at least one thing. There is something good to be discovered. Give yourself credit for that one thing. GO FORWARD with that good thing.

Talk to friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Ask them how they have coped nutritionally during this strange time and learn from their successes and mistakes. Take a new idea, a new recipe, a new habit, and GO FORWARD with it tucked into your steps.

Start now to pull your nutritional boundaries back into place, one thing at a time. Start with just one thing and do it (or stop it). Then choose the next thing. GO FORWARD in positive and affirming ways that will help you transition smoothly into the next season of life.

Reach out if you need help with course correction. Perhaps a detoxification program would be in order, or a nutrition consultation to revitalize your menu plans with a few easy recipes. Or maybe some ONDAMED sessions and/or IR Saunas to reinvigorate your energy pathways and detoxify.

Resolve to take one new good habit into the future with you. I’ve started to use Stasher® Bags for food storage and Swedish dishcloths (shop@threebluebirds.com) , both of which make me happier and less wasteful in the kitchen. Take a look at our revised and updated Highway to Health and Health Reset Protocol Cookbook where you will find helpful reminders and plenty of ideas for healthy eating. Let’s GO FORWARD TOGETHER!

By Mila McManus MD|2020-04-30T14:31:35-06:00May 1st, 2020|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Grilled Peach Steak Salad

Edited from Ashely McCrary, www.healthylittlepeach.com

As May and June approach, our delicious Texas Peaches will start showing up in road stands and grocery stores. Here’s a wonderful outdoor grilling treat that includes the sweet and beautiful peach in a creative way. This recipe is Whole30 and Paleo compliant.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Salad

1 pound Flank Steak (ideally antibiotic free and/or 100% grass fed)

2 peaches, sliced

2-3 slices of pre-cooked bacon (uncured)

1 large red onion, peeled and sliced

3-4 tablespoons pecans

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, sliced

½ cup coconut or Bragg aminos

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

4 cups spinach/arugula mix or field green mix

Peach Vinaigrette dressing

1 large peach

2 garlic cloves, peeled

¼ cup olive or avocado oil

4 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard

1 tablespoon coconut or Bragg aminos

Instructions:

1. Place the steak in a silicone bag or shallow dish. In a small bowl, add ½ cup coconut or Bragg aminos, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix together and pour over the flank steak. Seal the bag or cover the dish and place in the refrigerator to marinate, ideally overnight.
2. Prepare the grill. Ideal temperature is 425°
3. Take the flank steak out of the refrigerator about 10-15 minutes prior grilling.
4. Prep salad ingredients. Slice the peaches, onions, and avocados and set aside. Fruit works better on the grill if firm and cut into larger, thicker pieces. Set out the pecans and lettuces.
5. Make the dressing. Place all the dressing ingredients into the food processor or blender, including the 3rd peach, with the pit removed, 2 garlic cloves, olive or avocado oil, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, and coconut or Bragg aminos. Blend until creamy.
6. Take the flank steak, the peaches and the bacon to the grill. Place the steak on the grill. Spray the grill with non-stick spray or douse a paper towel in oil to run over the grate just prior to adding the peaches. Try not to move the peaches until they are striped well, then turn. You could also skewer the peaches if you prefer. Place the pre-cooked bacon on the grill last, reheating for just about 30-45 seconds on each side.
7. Remove the steak, peaches, and bacon from the grill. Thinly slice the flank steak into strips.
8. Arrange lettuces among 4 bowls or plates, top with onion, pecans, avocado, crumbled bacon, then grilled peaches and slices of flank steak. Top with dressing and serve.

By Mila McManus MD|2020-04-30T14:56:24-06:00May 1st, 2020|General, Recipes|