Some common seasonings have surprising benefits

 Good article for those of us interested in living a healthier lifestyle.  Enjoy.

Mary E. Robbins
Robbins Run Ranch
307.788.0202

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Cumberland Times-News

January 31, 2011

Herbal remedies can have numerous uses

Some common seasonings have surprising benefits

Emily Newman
Cumberland Times-News
— CUMBERLAND — Black cohosh, witch hazel, ginseng and slippery elm have been in use as herbal remedies for hundreds of years. But the most widely used remedy is not something only herbalists and natural healers prescribe.

“Garlic is the most-used medicinal herb in the world,” said Mimi Hernandez, the coordinator for the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies at Frostburg State University.

Hernandez, also a clinical herbalist with the Council of American Herbalists Guild, named numerous benefits to the commonly used member of the Alliaceae family, which also includes other pungent root vegetables like onions, shallots and chives.

Eating garlic as a first response for colds is something that Hernandez does herself.

“Garlic fumes kill germs,” said Hernandez, adding that in addition to the detoxifying qualities of fumigation of the lungs, it also boosts the immune system.

Hernandez said that garlic is good for pin worms, which commonly affect children, and soaking garlic cloves in honey for a few weeks, then draining it off, provides a tasty treat for kids.

Both Hernandez and Rosie Cupler, owner of the Herb Barn in Grantsville and certified licensed practical nurse, agree that garlic is a good cure for earaches.

Cupler recommends dripping a few drops of a garlic oil and tea tree oil combination, while Hernandez pairs her garlic with mullein flower and olive oil for a similar effect.

“I think this is a phenomenal remedy because it is so effective,” said Hernandez.

Cupler said that another common spice for alleviating common cold symptoms is capsicum, or cayenne pepper. Cupler recommends mixing cayenne pepper with tomato juice to alleviate a sore throat immediately and to help with the onset of cold itself.

Hernandez agrees.

“I always say, spice it up to clear it up,” said Hernandez, who also recommends cayenne pepper for cold symptoms.

Hernandez said that cayenne pepper works so well because it  has antiseptic qualities, stimulates secretions, washes microbes away and helps to stimulate the blood flow for healing.

“An eighth of a teaspoon on the tongue,” recommends Hernandez, also saying that if you can handle more, take it.

Sunshine Brosi, an ethnobotany professor at FSU, has a doctorate in the study of the relationships between people and plants and has learned how it relates to the Appalachian Mountains.

“(I’ve) really focused on the Appalachian region,” said Brosi.

One of the herbs that Brosi says is popular for this region is black cohosh. The root is known to help menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and mood swings. Brosi also said that it is growing in popularity as an alternative to hormone therapy.

On Hernandez’s website, she lists black cohosh as helping with headaches, joint pain and water retention, and also lowering blood pressure.

Brosi also said that witch hazel is often sought out in the Appalachias for its astringent qualities and is good for treating acne and hemorrhoids.

Keyser, W.Va., resident Dorothy Malkie has been a supporter of alternative medicine since she started nursing school in 1943.

“It’s very complicated, and you have to know your own body,” said Malkie.

Malkie grows herbs that she mainly uses for cooking, but does make peppermint tea, which she said helps her to relax and soothe stomachaches. Another antidote that Malkie praises is a homemade cough syrup of onions and honey, which is something she learned from her mother and frequently uses for her husband’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“I’m not against home remedies. They work very well for me, but I do have a background,” said Malkie, adding that her nurse’s training from 1943 to 1945 taught her much about it.

She says that back then, even to give a cup of peppermint tea to a patient, they had to have the doctor’s approval.

One spice that both Hernandez and Cupler recommend cooking with is tumeric. Both said that it helps with arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory qualities. Hernandez said that it can help in the prevention of heart disease and with hayfever.

Hernandez recommends that for a tasty remedy, mix tumeric with “your favorite nut butter to help with arthritis.”

Another popular regional mainstay of alternative medicine is also a member of the onion and garlic family.

“One harvested pretty often is ramps,” said Brosi, adding that they are good for high blood pressure and heart disease.

Emily Newman can be contacted at enewman@times-news.com.


Herbal remedies can have numerous uses » Local News » Cumberland Times-News

For healthy eating, swallow a rainbow

I came across this great article on healthy eating this morning  For Healthy Eating, Swallow a Rainbow, and wanted to share it with you. As it turns out the author of the article, Patty James, has a book as well.

I liked the way she broke out the various properties the veggies have that our bodies need to be healthy.

Enjoy.

Life is a journey, enjoy the trip!
Mary E. Robbins
Robbins Run Ranch


By Patty James

Why is it important to eat lots of different colored fruits and vegetables? Because each colored vegetable and fruit has unique properties and there is strong evidence of interactions between the colors that are beneficial to your health. Eating by the Rainbow is vitally important to your well-being.
Here are the colors:
Red foods contain lycopene that helps rid the body of damaging free radicals and protects against prostate cancer, as well as heart and lung disease. The red foods are loaded with antioxidants thought to protect against heart disease by preventing blood clots, and may also delay the aging of cells in the body.

• Tomatoes
• Beets
• Radishes
• Red cabbage
• Cherries
• Cranberries
• Pink grapefruit
• Red grapes
• Red peppers
• Pomegranates
• Red potatoes
• Watermelon
• Raspberries
• Red apples
• Rhubarb
• Strawberries

Orange and Yellow foods contain alpha carotene, which protects against cancer, but also contain beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, protecting the skin against free-radical damage. Beta-carotene is also good for night vision.

• Yams and sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Yellow apples
• Apricots
• Butternut squash
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Grapefruit
• Lemons
• Mangoes
• Nectarines
• Oranges and Tangerines
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Yellow peppers
• Persimmons
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• Yellow summer or winter squash
• Sweet corn
• Yellow tomatoes

Green foods contain the chemicals that help ward off cancer by inhibiting carcinogens. Chlorophyll is the component that makes plants green, and it is purifying in the body. Many green foods also contain calcium and minerals.

• Kale, spinach, and other leafy greens
• Green apples
• Artichokes
• Sea vegetables
• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Green cabbage
• Cucumbers
• Green grapes
• Kiwi
• Lettuce
• Limes
• Green onions
• Peas
• Zucchini

Blue, Indigo, and Violet foods contain the compound anthocyanins that not only give food their color but also have been shown to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and increasing heart health.

• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Purple grapes
• Figs
• Raisins
• Plums, fresh and dried
• Eggplant

White foods, though not part of the color of the rainbow, contain properties that have anti-tumor qualities, such as allicin in onions as well as other health-improving antioxidants such as the flavanoids. The white foods, like bananas and potatoes, contain potassium as well.

• Bananas
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Jicama
• Mushrooms
• Potatoes
• Parsnips
• Turnips

So how do you incorporate these fruits and vegetables into your daily eating habits?
Here are some sample menus to get you started:
Breakfast:

• An orange. Sauté 1/2 red pepper, ½ onion, 2 shitake mushrooms, and 2 cloves garlic. Add 3 cups leafy greens (spinach leaves are fine) and 3 eggs. Cook until eggs are done and serve.
• Strawberries. Oatmeal made with cubed butternut squash or pureed pumpkin, topped with raw walnut pieces and raw pumpkin seeds.

Lunch:

• Turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with sprouts, lettuce, tomato slices, avocado, and grated carrots. Serve with a 2-cup salad made with romaine lettuce and raw cauliflower, broccoli, and garbanzo beans.
• Spinach salad topped with black olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, and cauliflower. Add beans or chicken if you like. Toss with fresh lemon juice and either olive oil or flax oil or a combination of the two. Sprinkle fresh parsley, chopped, on top.

Dinner:

• Grilled fish or chicken breast or black beans and brown rice (protein). Coleslaw made with green and red cabbage with red onions and grated carrots. Baked yam.
• Pasta primavera made with spinach fettuccini, sautéed red peppers, onions, garlic, zucchini, carrots, and whatever else is in season.

Snack:

• 1 cup blueberries and cantaloupe
• Jicama slices with salsa and celery with hummus or peanut or almond butter
• Pineapple chunks and banana slices
• Raw veggies with your favorite dip. Hummus is a good choice.
• Tangerine slices with herb tea

Remember that you need 5–9 cups of vegetables and fruits a day for good health. Make sure at least half of your veggies are raw. Don't forget that juicing can incorporate many colored fruits and veggies easily and may be a good choice for those who may not be able to chew raw fruits and veggies.
Patty James is a Certified Natural Chef with a Master's degree in Holistic Nutrition and was founder and director of the Patty James Cooking School and Nutrition Center, the first certified organic cooking school and nutrition center in the country. She created the Patty James Health Guide, a guide to life-long healthy eating and lifestyle. Patty is a frequent guest speaker in public and private schools around the US, the Clinton Foundation in New York, as well as to health practitioners and organizations. Patty runs Shine the Light on America's Kids, an organization whose mission is to shine the light on all aspects of kids' health in America. She is the author of More Vegetables, Please! Website: PattyJames.com and ShineTheLightOnKids.org

The Heart-Healthy Pantry: making healthy choices one step at a time

Certainly, reducing the amount of fat, cholesterol and sodium in the foods you eat can help reduce your risk of heart disease. But that’s just part of it. Eating great-tasting foods that promote heart health is just as important — and a whole lot more fun!
Basics of Heart-Healthy Eating

A heart-healthy diet is actually pretty easy to follow. Basically, heart-healthy eating means less fat, less sodium, fewer calories and more fiber. Read the nutrition labels on foods and use the following guidelines:

* Select foods that are low in saturated and trans fats. Focus on lean meat, seafood and dairy products.
* Keep total fat low — between 20% and 35% of your total calories — and get most of the fat in your diet from heart-healthy oils, such as olive oil.
* Foods from plant sources — vegetables, fruits, grains and some oils — do not contain cholesterol. The bulk of your diet should come from these foods.
* Eat foods high in heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, nuts and flaxseed.
* Eat foods low in sodium. That includes most fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or non-fat dairy products and moderate amounts of lean meat.

The Heart-Healthy Pantry / Refrigerator

Stock up on these foods and you’ll find it much easier to stick to your heart-healthy eating plan:
Heart-Healthy Oils

Instead of saturated fats like butter that are solid at room temperature, use monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil; and polyunsaturated fats that come from nuts, seeds and nut oils. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can help reduce your total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind). Olive oil and nut oils, such as walnut oil, also provide great flavor.

Grocery list:

* Olive oil
* Nut oils
* Sesame seeds
* Unsalted nuts

Whole Grains

Whole Grains Pastas and breads made with whole grains are high in nutrients that promote heart health and help regulate blood pressure. They’re also high in fiber, and studies show that increasing the amount of fiber in your diet may also reduce heart-disease risk.

Grocery list:

* Oatmeal
* 100% whole-wheat bread
* Brown rice
* Unsalted nuts
* Baked whole-grain crackers
* High-fiber, low-sugar cold cereal
* Barley
* Popcorn
* Wild rice

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain fiber and phytochemicals — valuable plant-based nutrients — that may lower cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Plan to stock up on a variety of fresh, frozen and canned fruit and veggies. Select low-sodium canned vegetables and canned fruits packed in juice. Keep bowls of fresh fruit such as apples, bananas, pears and oranges on the counter. Stock up on frozen berries and cut up raw veggies for snacks.

Grocery list:

* A variety of fresh, frozen and canned fruit and vegetables

Legumes: Beans, Peas and Lentils

Legumes are great high-fiber sources of lean protein that are cholesterol-free and low in fat. Studies have shown that soybeans in particular seem to be especially beneficial to the heart.

Grocery list:

* Edamame
* Tofu
* Dried or canned lentils
* Peas
* Black beans
* Pinto beans
* Chili beans
* Garbanzos

Red Wine / Grape Juice / Grapes

The heart-healthy benefits of red wine include reducing the risk of blood clots, reducing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and maintaining healthy blood pressure – but many researchers believe grapes and grape juice offer the same health benefits.

Grocery list:

* Red wine
* Purple grapes
* Purple grape juice

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts contain heart-healthy oils that experts believe may reduce the risk of blood clots and lower LDL cholesterol as well as improve the health of arteries. Nuts also provide Omega 3 fatty acids — healthy fatty acids that seem to prevent abnormal heart rhythms that may lead to a heart attack. Just be sure to eat plain, unsalted nuts. Flaxseeds are also a good source of Omega-3s.

Grocery list:

* Flaxseed
* Roasted, unsalted walnuts
* Pecans
* Almonds
* Other nuts

Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring and sardines are also excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce cholesterol and inflammation that can lead to heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of fish a week.

Grocery list:

* Salmon
* Herring
* Sardines
* Tuna
* Sardines

There are plenty of wonderful foods to enjoy, whether you are trying to reduce your risk of heart disease or just want to eat a healthier diet in general. You don’t have to sacrifice flavor and variety to experience the wonderful benefits of heart-healthy foods!


The above article was reposted from: Walmart.com, Healthy Eating - The Heart-Healthy Pantry
Excellent info.

I know in my own quest for a healthier body/lifestyle there was a time when I thought I had to shop only at specialty stores to be healthy. This left me wondering just how I was going to accomplish this feat.

Where I live there are not so many "specialty stores"; plus the additional expense of products purchased in this manner was prohibitive.

Happily I was wrong. You can shop at Walmart, your local grocery stores, and so on and still live a healthy lifestyle.

The biggest part of it is informing yourself. Read read read! Take it one step at a time. Making small changes. Read the labels, learn what those ingredients actually are. Which is toxic and which is not.

Then just do the best you can with the information you have, and the dollars you have. One day one step at a time. Consistently adding knowledge as you go along.

Gradually making more and more healthy choices, your body will thank you for it. Remember it's one step at a time, gradually making changes.... not all at once. One day, one step at a time.

Life is a journey, enjoy the richness of new discoveries...
Mary E. Robbins
Robbins Run Ranch: In Wild Wonderful Wyoming

Independent Beachbody Coach: Helping people help themselves
307.788.0202