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Author: Dr. Debra Muth

New Book “the Dark Side of Injury” Exposes the Corruption Behind Worker’s Compensation

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New Book “the Dark Side of Injury” Exposes the Corruption Behind Worker’s Compensation, Health Insurance, and the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry

PALMYRA, WI–(Marketwired – February 18, 2015) – Dr. Debra Muth has worked in the medical industry for over twenty years and yet her husband became the victim of medical abuse. Dr. Muth feels “it is important to have tools to protect you and your family.”

There are roughly 3 million injured workers who reported injuries in 2013 and about 40% of those injured workers never claim benefits at all. OSHA states that worker injuries have direct costs of 1 Billon dollars a week, this does not include indirect costs for these workers.

Many people these days have stories to tell about the insults and injuries they have incurred from the medical and legal community. How many people have you heard talk about others getting rich from suing their doctors? Well it really isn’t that easy! Innocent people have had their lives changed forever because of work related injuries, medical malpractice and legal malpractice. It is important to learn how to navigate these systems to protect you and your family.

Americans are in an unusual situation these days; they are caught between being injured and trying to financially stay a float. Many are accusing them of being free loaders! They should support themselves accept their injuries by returning to work; their own doctors and our legal system have left them broke, injured and alone. How do you support yourself? How do you pay for medical expenses? How to stay functional in the world?

‘The Dark Side of Injury’, tells the tale of an injured worker in America, how the deception starts and ends. How their doctor, the legal system and their own family can cause injury and heartache. Dr. Muth feels it is important for you to know how to navigate these systems but more important is that “something good comes of a bad situation.” She shares how to stay financially and emotionally viable during these trying times.

You can purchase “The Dark Side of Injury” at Amazon.com, Serenity Health Care Center, and Henschel Publishing.com for $16.95.

About the Author
Dr. Debra Muth, ND, WHNP, APNP, BAAHP, MSNH, is a doctor who has literally healed herself. During her twenties, serious health problems began to interfere with her career she sought a new way of practicing medicine. In this book, she reveals what its like to be a medical practitioner unable to protect her husband from medical/legal injury when he was seriously injured on the job.

For more information about The Dark Side of Injury, please visit this page.

3 Ways to Guard Against Heart Disease

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Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. While genetics and age can raise your risk for heart disease, the choices you make in your daily life can make a big difference in your heart health. Here are some tips to help you learn more about this disease so you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

Protecting Yourself Against Heart Disease
Protecting Yourself Against Heart Disease

Know your numbers associated with heart disease

People who are aware of their numbers typically make better lifestyle choices. Plus, keeping an eye on these numbers lets you take action when one inches toward the danger zone.

  • Blood pressure: Normal pressure is below 120/80.
  • Cholesterol: Your lipid profile consists of HDL, LDL and triglycerides. Your total cholesterol should be 200 mg/dL or lower.
  • Dr. Muth’s recent article, “Heart Disease: An Aging Problem,” points out tests needed for an accurate picture of total heart health.
  • Fasting blood sugar level: You’re in the healthy range when your fasting blood sugar level is below 100.

Choose a healthy living lifestyle

  • Making a few changes in your daily life can help protect your heart. Strive to make good habits part of your daily routine. A healthy lifestyle should include:
  •  Exercise: Play sports, go walking, join a gym—get moving enough to get your heart rate up.
  • Nutrition: Eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grain fiber and lean proteins. Eliminate or limit foods that are high in fats, sodium and added sugars.
  • The Simple 7: Developed by the American Heart Association, Simple 7 leads you toward developing a heart healthy lifestyle.

Assess your habits for American Heart Month

  • Many people are aware that excessive alcohol and smoking can lead to a heart disease or heart attack. But, other habits can wreak havoc on your heart too.
  •  Stop smoking
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Reduce stress
  • Give the weekend warrior a break

Heart Disease: An Aging Problem

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Heart Disease: An Aging Problem

Cardiac disease is a growing concern in our aging population 17.3 million people die a year from cardiac disease. By 2030 >23.6 million people will die from heart disease. People are developing heart disease at a younger age partially due to our poor quality food and lack of exercise. Decline in mitochondrial activity is also largely responsible for cardiovascular and neurological disorders as well as obesity and type II diabetes.

Heart Disease Health Facts

  • 50% of heart attack patients HAVE NORMAL LDL-C
  • SUDDEN DEATH is the first sign of cardiovascular disease in up to 50%
  • 10-24% of the world’s population has nonalcoholic fatty LIVER DISEASE
  • Metabolic Syndrome confers a twofold
increase in cardiovascular events and a 1.5X RISK OF DEATH

Loss of mitochondrial function in muscle tissue also leads to the familiar “flabby” body composition that causes muscle atrophy and increased body fat. Studies show that supplementation with carnitine can restore mitochondrial function to near-youthful levels. Total carnitine levels decline with aging and are roughly 20 % lower than in youth, leaving the mitochondria vulnerable to damage.

Heart muscles use fat as its primary form of energy source. This is why a no-fat diet is not recommended in Serenity’s heart health program. Carnitine is a fat-transporting compound that is absolutely essential for normal heart function. Carnitine increases nitric oxide that helps endothelial cells relax and increase blood flow, which can help lower blood pressure.

People with heart muscle damage from heart attacks or heart failure have especially low carnitine levels. Fortunately, carnitine supplementation has proven to be remarkable effective in fighting and even reversing the heart-weakening effects from that drop in carnitine levels. L-Carnitine supplementation prevents the progression of heart muscle damage in people with CHF and improves exercise with exertion.

Heart Disease Financial Facts

  • Yearly heart disease healthcare expenditure per individual $5693
  • Yearly fatty liver disease healthcare expenditure per individual $2600
  • Yearly metabolic syndrome healthcare expenditure per individual $2000

Do you want to save on your healthcare costs and better yet save your health? You must see the practitioners at Serenity Health Care Center to help you with your Cardiac Health. We can help you decipher your genetic information and create a plan for you that is as unique as you are.

If you have completed a lipid panel this is a great place to start but it is a basic group of tests to determine the risk for cardiovascular and related diseases. This test should always be combined with advanced testing to unveil a more accurate picture of total health. This will give specific information about your lipid profile so you will know if you should be worried about the abnormal lipid panel.

Lipoprotein particle size/number and Apolipoprotein concentrations reveal levels of good and bad cholesterol particles. Inflammatory processes are independent predictors of risk. Testing reveals the level of inflammation of blood vessels that may lead to plaque rupture, ultimately resulting in a heart attack or stroke. Advanced tests detect strain or other damage to the heart muscle. Metabolic markers can lead to early detection of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which may reduce or eliminate a patient’s need for insulin. A Fatty Acid Profile is a potent indicator of the nutrients in a patient’s diet that can improve cardiovascular health.

Call today for an appointment to discuss Serenity Health Care Centers Cardiac Program 262-522-8640.

REFERENCES:

Noland RC, Koves TR, Seiler SE, et.al. Carnitine insufficiency caused by aging and overstimulation compromises mitochondrial performance and metabolic control. J Biol Chem. 2009 Aug 21;284 (34):22840-52

Terman A, Kurz T, Navratil M, Arriaga Ea, Brunk UT, Mitochondrial turnover and aging of long-lived postmitotic cells; the mitochondrial-lysosomal axis theory of aging. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2010 Apr;12(4):503-35

Chakrabarti S, Munshi S, Banerjee K, Thakurta IG, Sinha M, Bagh MB. Mitochondrial dysfunction during brain aging: role of oxidative stress and modulation by antioxidant supplementation. Aging Dis. 2011 Jun:2(3):242-56

Wang CH, Wang CC, Wei YH. Mitochondrial dysfunction in insulin insensitivity: implication of mitochondrial role in thyep 2 diabetes. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2010 Jul;1201:157-65

Pesce V. Fracasso F, Cassano P, Lezza AM, CAntatore P, Gadaleta MN. Acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation to old rats partially reverts the age-related mitochondrial decay of soleus muscle by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-I-alpha-dependent mitochondrial biogenesis. Rejuvenation Res. 2010 Apr-Jun 13(2-3):148-51

Chao HH, Chen CH, Liu JC, Lin JW, Wong KL, Cheng TH. L-Carnitine attenuates angiotensin II-induced proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts: role of NADPH oxidase inhibition and decreased sphingosine-1-phosphate generation. J Nutr Biochem. 2010 Jul:21(7):580-8

Gomez LA, Heath SH, Hagen TM. Acetyl-L-Carntine supplementation reverses the age-related decline in carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) activity in interfibrillar mitochondria without changing the L-carnitine content in the rat heart. Mech Ageing Dev. 2012 Feb-Marl 133 (2-3):99-106

Kobayashi A, Masumura Y, Yamazaki N. L-carnitine treatment for congestive heart failure-experimental and clinical study. Jpn Circ J. 1992 Jan;56(1) 86-94.

Bartels GL, Remme WJ, den Hartog FR, Wielenga RP, Kruijssen DA. Additional antischemic effects of long-term L-propionylcarnitine in angina patients treated with conventional antianginal therapy. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1995 Dec;9(6):749-53

Molyneux R, Seymour AM, Bhandari S. Value of carnitine therapy in kidney dialysis patients and effects on cardiac function from human and animal studies. Curr Drug Targets. 2012 Feb; 13(2):285-93

Davinia P, Biagalli A, Lamanna F, Boem A. controlled study on L-carnitine therapeutic efficacy in post-infarction. Drugs Exp Clin Res.1992; 18(8):355-65

Stasi MA, Sciloi MG, Arcuri G, et al. Propionyl-L-Carnitine improves postishemic blood flow recovery and arteriogenetic revascularization and reduces endothelial NADPH-oxidase 4-mediated superoxide production. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2010 Mar;30(3);426-35

Lapi D, Sabatino L, Altobelli GG, Mondola P, Cimini V, Colantuonl A. Effects of propionyl-L-carnitine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in hamster cheek pouch microcirculation. Front Physiol 2010;1:132.

Gomez-Amores L, Mate A, Miguel-Carrasco JL., et al. L-carnitine attenuates oxidative stress in hypertension rats. J Nutr Biochem. 2007 Aug;18(8):553-40

Alvarez de Sotomayor M, Bueno R, Perez-Guerrero C, Herrera MD. Effect of L-carnitine and propionyl-L-Carnitine on endothelial function of small mesenteric arteries rom SHR. J Vasc Res. 2007;44(5):354-64

De Sotomayor MA, Mingorance C, Rodriguez-Rodriguez R, Marheunda E, Herrera MD. L-carnitine and its propionate; improvement of endothelia function in SHR through superoxide dismutase dependent mechanisms. Free Radical Res. 2007 Aug;41(8);884-91

Volek SR, Judelson DA, Silvestre R, et al. Effects of carnitine supplementation on flow-mediated dilation and vascular inflammatory responses to a high-fat meal in healthy young adults. Am J Cardiol. 2008 Nov 15;102(10):1413-7

Loffredo L. Pignatelli P, Cangemi R, et al. Imbalance between nitric oxide generation and oxidative stress in patients with peripheral arterial disease effect of an antioxidant treatment. J Vasc Surg, 2006 Sep;44(3):525-30

Mingorance C, Duluc L, Chalopin M, et al. Propionyl-L-Carnitine corrects metabolic and cardiovascular alterations in diet-induced obese mice and improves liver respiratory chain activity. PloS One. 2012;7(3);e34268

Amin KA, Nagy MA. Effect of Carnitine and herbal mixture extract on obesity induced by high fat diet in rats. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2009;1(1):17.

Mangou A. Grammatikopoulou MG, Mirkopoulou D, Sailer N, Kotzamanidis C, Tsigga M. Associations between diet quality, health status and diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes and comorbid obesity. Endocrinol Nutr. 2012 Feb;59(2):109-16

Ringseis R, Keller J, Eder K. Role of carnitine in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity: evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies with carnitine supplementation and carnitine deficiency. Eur J Nutr 2012 Feb;51(1):1-18

Kang JS, Lee WK, yoon WK, et al. a combination of grape extract , green tea extract and L-carnitine improves high fat diet induced obesity, hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. Phytother Res. 2011 Dec;25 (12):1789-95

Malaguarnera M, Cammalleri L, Gargante MP, Vacante M, Colonna V Motta M. L-carnitine treatment reduces severity of physical and mental fatigue and increases cognitive function in centenarians: a randomized and controlled clinical trial. AM J Clin Nutr. 2007 Dec;86(6):1738-44.

Xia Y, Li Q, Zhong W, Donj J, Wang Z, Wang C. L-Carnitine ameliorated fatty liver in high calorie diet/STZ-induced type 2 diabetic mice by improving mitochondrial function. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2011;3:31.

The Dark Side Of Injury

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Navigating the “Dark Side” of the Worker’s Compensation Industry

A medical provider shares her experience on how you can protect yourself and family!

An Interview with Dr. Debra Muth
February 4, 2015

THE DARK SIDE OF INJURY

Americans are in an unusual situation these days, they are caught between being injured and trying to financially stay a float. Many are accused of being free loaders! How many people have you heard talk about these free loaders and their lawyers who are getting rich from suing doctors and taking advantage of the personal injury and worker compensation systems?

Well according to Dr. Debra Muth it really isn’t that easy!

“Innocent people have had their lives changed forever because of work related injuries, medical malpractice and legal malpractice.”

In her new book, “The Dark Side of Injury,” Dr. Muth shares her experiences and offers information on how to navigate these systems to protect you and your family.

The key question Dr. Muth proposes is how can individuals be expected to support themselves when their injuries prohibit them to return-to work?

“The doctors and legal system have left them broke, injured and alone,” says Dr. Muth. “How do you support yourself, how do you pay for medical expenses and how do you stay functional in the world.” Dr. Muth asks.

During the last eight years Dr. Muth’s family has endured misery, injury, abuse from the medical and legal community. She has many horror stories about her family’s struggle with the worker’s compensation industry but decided it was important to have something good come of a bad situation and began writing a book to help the injured navigate our complex medical-legal disability system.

”I decided to write “The Dark Side of Injury”, to expose the medical world, the broken worker’s compensation industry and how the legal system does not necessarily work on your behalf when you suffer medical malpractice,” says Dr. Muth.

In her book Dr. Muth exposes the corruption behind the worker’s compensation industry, the medical community and how attorneys make money off your injury and get more money out of a deal than you, the injured.

Dr. Muth’s personal and insightful book provides the reader with information on how to protect yourself if you are injured, how to find a competent doctor and lawyer if needed.

“The Dark Side of Injury”, provides you with tools to navigate these systems in a way to protect you! You can purchase “The Dark Side of Injury” at Amazon.com, Serenity Health Care Center, and Henschel Publishing.com for $16.95.

TO PURCHASE YOUR COPY ON AMAZON

To read more articles, visit our blog. Click here.

Dr. Debra Muth’s


About the Author
Dr. Debra Muth, ND, WHNP, APNP, BAAHP, is a doctor who has literally healed herself.
During her twenties, serious health problems began to interfere with her career. In this book, she reveals what it means to be a medical practitioner who is virtually helpless to assist her husband when he was seriously injured on the job.

For media interviews, please call: (262) 522-8640

GMO Health Risks

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GMO Health Risks: Genetically Engineered Organisms are found in our current food source and affect everyone of us who do not eat organic. There have been several serious health risks associated with genetically modified (GM) food, including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. In 2009 The AAEM American Academy of Environmental Medicine has asked physicians to advise all patients to avoid GM foods.

“Starting in 1996, Americans have been eating genetically modified (GM) ingredients in most processed foods. Why isn’t the FDA protecting us?” (Jeffery Smith)

In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration claimed they had no information showing that GM foods were substantially different from conventionally grown foods. Therefore they are safe to eat, and absolutely no safety studies were required to detect GMO health risks. There is proof that FDA scientists had repeatedly warned that GM foods can create unpredictable, hard-to-detect side effects, including allergies, toxins, new diseases, and nutritional problems. They urged long-term safety studies, but were ignored.

Today, the same biotech companies who have been found guilty of hiding toxic effects of their chemical products are in charge of determining whether their GM foods are safe.

GM plants, such as soybean, corn, cottonseed, and canola, have had foreign genes forced into their DNA. The inserted genes come from species, such as bacteria and viruses, which have never been in the human food supply. There are GMO health risks.

These foods are especially important to make sure these foods are consumed from organic sources. The other thing I would recommend is take environmental action against GMO Health Risks. Fight to remove GMO foods from our food source. Protect our children and grandchildren from the toxic exposures and medical conditions that occur because of this process.

Information adapted from http://www.responsibletechnology.org/health-risks, explore their website to learn more.

Do Hormones Really Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease?

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Most of us are aware of what Alzheimer’s disease is and we are afraid of getting it. This is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80% of the dementia-affecting people. This is not just a disease of the elderly about 5% of 40-50 year olds are affected as well. There is not a current cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

Many menopausal women present with concerns of memory loss and are fearful that they are developing Alzheimer’s disease. There are things that people can do to beef up their memory and prevent dementia along the way. First and foremost start early with your prevention including following an organic diet, stimulate your mind with mental exercise, and stay physically active your entire life.

When it comes to using hormone therapy it is important to establish teenage levels of estrogen. Some researches suggest that only estriol should be used and not estradiol, I think it is important to use a ratio of both estriol and estradiol but this research is strong which makes me believe we should be changing our formulations to a higher strength of estriol compared to estradiol. It is important to make sure the body is not converting estrogen to estrone and that the hormone receptors are not stimulated into the wrong pathway. To prevent that in the past we would use DIM or IC3 but new evidence shows that a Chinese herb called Myomin is more effective in preventing this conversion to alpha estrogen receptor.

Testosterone is also known to be helpful in reducing the secretion of beta amyloid this same research indicates when progesterone is given daily it can interfere with estrogens ability to reduce the beta amyloid levels. When it is given in a cyclic fashion for 10 days of the month estrogen can do its work. The only concern with this is that we may not be able to protect the lining of the uterus from thickening, which can cause endometrial cancer. Each case should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Some women feel better with progesterone given daily if that is the case I think using small doses for 10 days and larger doses for 10 day to mimic a natural cycle.

Neprilysin is an enzyme that is reduced in Alzheimer’s that actually degrades beta amyloid and is increased with the use of estradiol and testosterone.

Hormones are not the only beneficial means for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Diet is key not only organic but choosing the proper foods based on genetics. Measure APOe genes to see if you carry the gene for Alzheimer’s disease. If you do the testing it is important to follow a specific diet to assist in reducing the inflammation in your body to prevent disease. This test can be ordered by anyone but having a knowledgeable provider assist you with your diet plan is key.

Talk to your provider today about how you can adjust your hormone program to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Dealing with high PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) levels

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The PSA blood test is commonly used to check for signs of prostate cancer or other prostate problems. When a PSA level comes back high, the next step is usually recommended is a biopsy. But recent information suggests another possible option could be to repeat the PSA test a month or so later to monitor. This recommendation comes because PSA levels can fluctuate up and down — so a man with a high PSA level may not actually have any prostate problems at all. In fact, studies researching nearly 1,000 men, found that about half of those whose PSA levels were initially high had a normal result in a subsequent test according to James Eastham, MD, FACS, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. There are three possible reasons for a high PSA; cancer, inflammation or infection of the prostate or lab error.

According to Eastham a man should not undergo a biopsy of the prostate based on one high PSA level. I would agree with this and recommend trying to evaluate other possibilities for a high level and monitor. I would go further to recommend various supplements to assist in lowering the PSA level. Here is a list of supplements and their doses that have been researched and can assist in lowering the PSA level. A word of caution that if you use these supplements and the PSA doesn’t go down you should seek medical care.

For Psa levels higher than 1.0 add boron at 6-15mg a day, consider adding prescription Avodart to reduce levels quickly. ECGc (green tea) can be dosed at 1300 mg a day. Lycopene 10 mg a day has been shown to reduce cancer by 30%. Adding DIM or IC3 has been helpful to lower estrogen levels but a newer Chinese herb called Myomin can be more beneficial because it lowers estrogen futher up the pathway. Curcumin can be helpful for inflammation using 300-600 mg a day has been studied. Vitamin D levels should be measured and dosed appropriately.

If you suffer from a high PSA level get assistance and evaluation for this condition and be monitored closely.

Iced Coffee Latte (no dairy, sugar free)

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Sugar & Dairy Free Iced Coffee Latte

2 servings

  • 1 (14 oz) can pure, unsweetened coconut milk or real milk
  • 1/2 cup very strong brewed decaf coffee or decaf espresso
  • 5 drops liquid stevia extract (more or less to taste)*

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients well, pour into a tall glass filled with ice cubes if you like, and serve with a straw.

*Omit the stevia if you prefer your drink unsweetened.

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Orange Dream Pops

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Gluten & Dairy Free Orange Dream Pops

Remember sherbet pops? Now you can make them at home without artificial colors, flavors and fillers. For easy preparation, pour the creamy orange mixture into Popsicle molds and freeze. For a fluffy texture, churn mixture in an ice cream maker, as instructed.

MAKES 8

  • ⅓ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin or ¾ teaspoon agar agar powder (not flakes)
  • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar, more to taste
⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
  • 3 cups unsweetened coconut milk (not lite)
  • Zest of 1 medium orange, finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon natural orange flavoring or orange extract, optional
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons orange liqueur, optional

Instructions

  1. Place ⅓ cup juice in a small saucepan. Slowly sprinkle with gelatin or agar powder. Let stand for 2 minutes until gelatin softens and dry spots disappear. Warm over medium-low heat without stirring until dissolved. Scrape the mixture into a food processor and blend until smooth.
  2. Add honey or agave and salt. Blend. Add orange juice concentrate and coconut milk. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape sides with a spatula. Add orange zest and orange flavoring, if desired. For a sweeter taste, add additional honey, 1 tablespoon at a time, to taste.
  3. Pour mixture into wide-mouth jars. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours before churning or cool more  quickly using an ice bath.
  4. Scrape the chilled custard into the canister of an ice cream maker. Add optional orange liqueur. Churn according to manufacturer’s instructions. Serve immediately or spoon into several freezer- safe containers. Cover and freeze for 3 hours or more. Soften solidly frozen dessert by placing it in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes or on the counter for 15 to 30 minutes before serving.

TIP For lower sugar content, use ¼ cup honey or agave nectar with ¼ to ½ teaspoon pure stevia extract powder or ½ to 1 teaspoon clear stevia liquid.

GF Apple Cranberry Strudel

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Gluten Free Cranberry Strudel

Here’s a perfect winter dessert that also makes a special breakfast treat on cold mornings.

SERVES 6 TO 8

  • ½ recipe Filo Pastry
  • 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced into
  • ½ cup apple juice concentrate
  • ¼ cup apricot spread (100 percent fruit)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, cherries or blueberries
  • ¼-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Grape seed oil or walnut oil
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium nonstick skillet, combine apples, apple juice, apricot spread, lemon juice and dried cranberries. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until liquid is absorbed and apples are tender.
  3. Remove from heat.
  4. If walnuts are used, place them in a small food processor and pulse until finely ground. Reserve.
  5. Mix together sugar and cinnamon until blended. Reserve.
  6. Roll out the filo pastry between two sheets of plastic wrap until it forms a thin rectangle about 1/8-inch thick. Remove the top sheet. Turn the dough so the short end faces you. Spritz or brush the dough with oil. Sprinkle nuts, if used, over surface. Spread apple filling over the short end of the pastry closest to you, leaving a 2-inch border at the bottom and a 1-inch border on the sides. Fold the bottom border over the filling and roll up the pastry like a jelly roll.
  7. Place strudel, seam down, on prepared baking sheet. Spritz or brush with oil and top with cinnamon mixture.
  8. Bake strudel in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 15 minutes or until nicely browned.
  9. Remove from oven and cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Dust lightly with powdered sugar and serve.

Filo Pastry

ENOUGH FOR 2 STRUDELS

  • 1¼ cups super-fine white rice flour
  • ¼ cup sweet rice flour
  • ¼ cup sorghum flour
  • 4 teaspoons xanthan gum
  • 1 teaspoon agar powder or gelatin
  • 1 egg
  • ¼-½ cup warm milk of choice (rice, hemp, soy), divided
  • 1 stick unsalted butter or margarine or dairy-free replacement, melted
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

  1. Mix rice flour, sweet rice flour, sorghum flour, xanthan gum and agar together. In a separate bowl, combine egg, milk, butter and honey. Meister flour can be used as a blend instead of mixing your own.
  2. Make a well in the dry mixture and add the liquids. Mix together using a fork, gradually incorporating the dry ingredients into the wet. The dough should be soft but not sticky. If dough is too dry, add more milk.
  3. Gather dough into a flat cake. Wrap in plastic wrap until ready to use. Dough may be refrigerated for later use but should return to room temperature before it is rolled out.