March 6, 2012

Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard  is a leafy green vegetable often used in Mediterranean cooking. While the leaves are always green, chard stalks vary in color. Swiss Chard has been bred to have highly nutritious leaves at the expense of the root (which is not as nutritious as the leaves). Swiss Chard is, in fact, considered to be one of the healthiest vegetables available and a valuable addition to a healthy diet. Swiss Chard has been around for centuries, however because of its similarity to beets is difficult to determine the exact evolution of the different varieties of chard.   Swiss chard is high in vitamins A, K and C, with a 175g serving containing 214%, 716%, and 53%, respectively, of the recommended daily value. It is also rich in minerals, dietary fiber and protein.    Swiss Chard can be cooked liked Spinach, but do not over cook.  Most vegetables only require enough heat to cook them "to the bite".  Realistically it is ideal to eat fruits and vegetables in the raw state.  eating fruits and vegetables in the raw state provides fiber and nutritional aspects that are good for the body and aid in cleaning the colon walls.  The next time you buy beets remember to keep the green leafy part and prepare the leaf like you would any other vegetable.  Here is a good recipe you may want to try:

1 Pound of Swiss Chard

1 - 2 teaspoons of olive oil

1 pinch of Kosher Salt

1 Small Onion

1 - 2 cloves of Garlic

Lightly saute the Swiss Chard in the Olive oil. Add the other ingredients as soon as the Swiss Chard starts to wilt.  Remove from the stove and serve.  

March 5, 2012

Dandelion Greens

Suppose your doctor tells you, on your next visit, that he has just discovered a miracle drug which, when eaten as a part of   your daily diet or taken as a beverage, could, depending on the peculiarities of your body chemistry: prevent or cure liver diseases, such as hepatitis or jaundice; act as a tonic and gentle diuretic to purify your blood, cleanse your system, dissolve kidney stones, and otherwise improve gastro-intestinal health; assist in weight reduction; cleanse your skin and eliminate acne; improve your bowel function, working equally well to relieve both constipation and diarrhea; prevent or lower high blood pressure; prevent or cure anemia; lower your serum cholesterol by as much as half; eliminate or drastically reduce acid indigestion and gas buildup by cutting the heaviness of fatty foods; prevent or cure various forms of cancer; prevent or control diabetes mellitus; and, at the same time, have no negative side effects and selectively act on only what ails you. If he gave you a prescription for this miracle medicine, would you use it religiously at first to solve whatever the problem is and then consistently for preventative body maintenance?  According to the USDA Bulletin #8, "Composition of Foods" (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Minnich, in "Gardening for Better Nutrition" ranks them, out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds and greens, as tied for 9th best. According to these data, dandelions are nature's richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They also are particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a good source of protein. The next time you are in a whole food store grab a bunch of Dandelion Greens and see the benefits unfold.

March 4, 2012

ALOE VERA

Aloe Vera is an essential green herb that can be used for burns and stomach disorders.  Who would expect the dry desert lands of Africa to produce a plant like Aloe Vera? Even though the plant can withstand dry conditions and high temperatures, it is made up of rich moisturizing gel that soothes and heals. Aloe Vera is one of the most widely used herbal remedies and is especially suited for use on burns and bruises.  The healing properties of Aloe Vera have been documented by many ancient civilizations including the Egyptians and Greeks. It was often used to cleanse the stomach and loosen the bowels.

Aloe Vera, a bitter herb, promotes bile flow, relieves chronic constipation, heals wounds, soothes burns, helps expel worms, moisturizes, and can act as a sedative. It is useful in the treatment of dry skin and is safe to use on sensitive skin around the eyes. It is also used in the treatment of ringworm.  Aloe Vera contains enzymes that open pores and slough off dead skin cells. Regular use can greatly improve a sallow complexion. Aloe Vera is often used in cosmetics, lip balms, soaps, and energy drinks. Aloe Vera contains enzymes that are responsible for new cell growth, healing, and pain relief. The plant gel is great for minor burns, bruises, scrapes, skin ulcers, insect bites, rashes, acne, psoriasis, frostbite, eczema, scabies, radiation burns, sunburn, and reducing scar tissue. When the soft, pulpy leaves are cut or broken, the clear juice flows freely and should be applied to the affected area as soon as possible. As the gel dries, it provides a protective covering, relief from inflammation, and speedy healing.

Aloe Vera juice is sometimes used for various digestive problems. It can soothe colon problems, pancreas problems, and liver diseases. It is also occasionally used in the treatment of arthritis. Aloe Vera helps increase the body’s uptake of oxygen. It is even used in the treatment of skin cancer, HIV, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins.

Do not use Aloe Vera internally during any stage of pregnancy. Do not apply Aloe Vera to surgical incisions or deep wounds. High doses of Aloe Vera taken internally can cause severe cramps and vomiting. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy.

March 3, 2012

Chickweed

Chickweeds have established themselves all over the world, possibly carried on the clothes and shoes of explorers. They are as numerous in species as they are in region. Most are succulent and have white flowers, and all with practically the same edible and medicinal values. They all exhibit a very interesting trait, (they sleep) termed the 'Sleep of Plants,' every night the leaves fold over the tender buds and the new shoots.

 Properties

Chickweeds are Medicinal and edible, they are very nutritious, high in vitamins and minerals, can be added to salads or cooked as a pot herb, tasting somewhat like spinach. The major plant constituents in Chickweed are Ascorbic-acid, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Coumarins, Genistein, Gamma-linolenic-acid, Flavonoids, Hentriacontanol, Magnesium, Niacin, Oleic-acid, Potassium, Riboflavin, Rutin, Selenium, Triterpenoid saponins, Thiamin, and Zinc. The whole plant is used in alternative medicine as an astringent, carminative, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, refrigerant, vulnerary. A decoction of the whole plant is taken internally as a post-partum depurative, emmenagogue, galactogogue and circulatory tonic. It is also used to relieve constipation, an infusion of the dried herb is used in coughs and hoarseness, and is beneficial in the treatment of kidney complaints. as an astringent, carminative, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, refrigerant, vulnerary. A decoction of the whole plant is taken internally as a post-partum depurative, emmenagogue, galactogogue and circulatory tonic. It is also used to relieve constipation, an infusion of the dried herb is used in coughs and hoarseness, and is beneficial in the treatment of kidney complaints. New research indicates it's use as an effective antihistamine. The decoction is also used externally to treat rheumatic pains, wounds and ulcers. It can be applied as a medicinal poultice and will relieve any kind of roseola and is effective wherever there are fragile superficial veins or itching skin conditions.

FolkloreChickweed water is an old wives' remedy for obesity.

Recipes
Medicinal tea: To 1 tbls. dried herb, 2 if fresh, add 1 cup boiling water steep for 10 min. Take in ½ cup doses 2 to 4 times daily, during a cold or flu.

March 2, 2012

Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is one of those natural wonders that are beneficial for the body, but no one tells us about it too often.  Chlorophyll is the molecule that absorbs sunlight and uses its energy to synthesise carbohydrates from CO₂ and water. This process is known as photosynthesis and is the basis for sustaining the life processes of all plants. Since animals and humans obtain their food supply by eating plants, photosynthesis can be said to be the source of our life also.  All of the green vegetables in the World's Healthiest Foods - asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green cabbage, celery, collard greens, green beans, green peas, kale, leeks, green olives, parsley, romaine lettuce, sea vegetables, spinach, Swiss chard, and turnip greens are concentrated sources of chlorophyll.  Research on the health benefits of chlorophyll has focused on the area of cancer (including treatment and prevention). This research got underway when damage to genes (or more precisely, to the genes' DNA) by carcinogenic substances called aflatoxins (or more precisely aflatoxin B1, or AFB1), was found to be prevented by chlorophyllin. Chlorophyllin is a derivative of chlorophyll in which the magnesium in its center is removed (usually by placing it in an acid bath in a science lab) and replaced with copper.

Research studies in humans have found that damage to DNA by aflatoxin can be decreased as much as 55% through supplementation with chlorophyllin at 100 milligrams, three times a day, for four months. This amount of chlorophyllin, 300 milligrams per day, is the same amount of chlorophyll found in one weighted ounce of spinach (a little over 1/2 cup of chopped raw spinach). Although research is still in the early stage, prevention and treatment of liver cancer, skin cancer, and colon cancer are all being investigated in relationship to intake of chlorophyll-containing vegetables and supplementation with chlorophyllin.

March 1, 2012

Go Green Month

Last month we focused on herbs and other things associated with love.  The month we will go green and discuss things that are associated with green or going green.  Let's start by getting back on track.

It has been some time since we did a weigh in.  Remember the challenge at the beginning of the new year?  We were all given a challenge to have a better body in 365 days.  I know you slipped and guess what I did too.  I will confess that I enjoyed the couple pieces of chocolate that I did consume for Valentine's Day.  However, it is time to get back on track and finish what we started.  The challenge this month is to loose the weight you may have gained last month, "the month of love".  Please leave a comment in the blog to let me know ho well you do with the weight loss.  You may want to start with an herbal cleanse or some type of detoxification program.  If you have any candy or chocolates left over from Valentine's Day now is the time to toss it.  Here is one of my favorite remedies to make for detoxing:

1 cup hot water that has been boiled

1- 2 teaspoons of chickweed powder

1/2 teaspoon of honey

Chickweed can be purchased at your local health food store.   Boil the water like you would for making tea.  Steep the Chickweed in the hot water until the water changes to a murky green color.  Leave the tea to steep longer, add honey and sip slowly.  Be prepared to make many trips to the bathroom after drinking the tea.  You can continue for as many days as you need too detox.  you may notice a change in the appearance of the skin because Chickweed is also good for skin eruptions.  Have fun and happy detoxing.

February 29, 2012

Jasmine

We are not talking about your "boo" or your neighbor down the street.  Jasmine is a shrub that is a part of the olive family.  It gives off a fragrance when it's oils are used in perfumes.  The flowers are typically around 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in diameter. They are white or yellow in color, though in rare instances they can be slightly reddish.  Widely cultivated for its flowers, jasmine is enjoyed in the garden, as a house plant, and as cut flowers. The flowers are worn by women in their hair in southern and southeast Asia. The delicate jasmine flower opens only at night and may be plucked in the morning when the tiny petals are tightly closed, then stored in a cool place until night. The petals begin to open between six and eight in the evening, as the temperature lowers.  Jasmine can come in the form of tea, perfume, oil, or as a landscaping plant.  This will conclude the month of love.  Maybe there is piece of information or an herb that you will try.

Remember to consult your health care physician or medical personnel when starting any new diet or exercise plan.  Even when it comes to love.