Showing posts with label in. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2015
Lupus Rash Symptoms in Men Women and Children Treatment Drugs and Diet
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease in which our immune system starts to harm our own body. Its symptoms are difficult to diagnose and treat. Lupus may start due to some infection, or reaction from some drugs or sunlight.
No two people suffering from Lupus have the same symptoms. All men, women and children facing this problem might face some of the following symptoms:
Its treatment is based on the symptoms that you are showing. Doctor might change the dosage time to time depending on the effect of treatment on your body. Sometimes the diet prescribed by the doctor can also help a lot.
Following medication might be prescribed by your doctor according to your symptoms.
Lupus Symptoms
No two people suffering from Lupus have the same symptoms. All men, women and children facing this problem might face some of the following symptoms:
- Joint Pain
- Swelling and Stiffness
- Fatigue and Fever
- Rashes of the shape of a butterfly
- Dry eye
- Skin lesions that can get worse with sun exposure
- Chest Pain
- During Low temperature Fingers and Toes might turn blue
- Headache and memory loss
Lupus Treatment
Its treatment is based on the symptoms that you are showing. Doctor might change the dosage time to time depending on the effect of treatment on your body. Sometimes the diet prescribed by the doctor can also help a lot.
Lupus Drugs
Following medication might be prescribed by your doctor according to your symptoms.
- Antimalarial drugs
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Immune suppressants
Lupus Diet and Lifestyle
- Try to remain away from sun as ultraviolet radiation might trigger Lupus.
- Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Don’t Smoke.
- Exercise Regularly
- Get plenty of sleep
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Heat Stroke Symptoms in Babies Toddlers Infants Children
Heat Stroke is a serious medical problem, which is life threatening in babies and infants. In medical terms Heat Stroke is known as Hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is exactly opposite of Hypothermia. If you are a keen watcher of Discovery channel then you must be aware of Hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs due to intense cooling of body, while Hyperthermia occurs due to overheating of body.
Heat Stroke can occur if you are exposed to sunlight during summer or some other intense heated environment. It affects infants and babies more often than adult beings because temperature regulatory mechanism of babies is not as much efficient as adults. Heat Stroke starts when body is overheated and temperature regulatory system shut-down due to overheating of body. When body temperature rises over 104 F, several metabolic activities starts to shutdown, and temperature regulatory system is one of them.
Babies cant express their feelings and symptoms when they face Heat Stroke, so parents need to be extremely careful during summer. They should be kept away from direct sun-light during daytime. It can also start after continuous high temperature for few days or a sun burn. Primary indication of Heatstroke includes high temperature of body and no sweating. In this article betterhealthfacts.com will discuss some common symptoms of Heat Stroke.
Heat Stroke can occur if you are exposed to sunlight during summer or some other intense heated environment. It affects infants and babies more often than adult beings because temperature regulatory mechanism of babies is not as much efficient as adults. Heat Stroke starts when body is overheated and temperature regulatory system shut-down due to overheating of body. When body temperature rises over 104 F, several metabolic activities starts to shutdown, and temperature regulatory system is one of them.
Babies cant express their feelings and symptoms when they face Heat Stroke, so parents need to be extremely careful during summer. They should be kept away from direct sun-light during daytime. It can also start after continuous high temperature for few days or a sun burn. Primary indication of Heatstroke includes high temperature of body and no sweating. In this article betterhealthfacts.com will discuss some common symptoms of Heat Stroke.
Heat Stroke Symptoms in Babies / Toddlers / Infants / Children
Early Symptoms of Heat Stroke:
- Young child may start showing signs of crankiness or fussiness.
- Prickly Heat: A red cluster of pimples around the neck or upper chest.
- Heat cramps on arms or legs.
- Repetitive Behaviour: Repeatedly standing and sitting.
Serious Symptoms of Heat Stroke:
- High Pulse Rate
- Intense Thirst
- Headache
- Deep Yellow/ Orange Urine
- Dizziness / Fainting
- Pale colour skin
- Vomiting
- Temperature above 103 F (39.4 C) but no sweating
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Lethargy
- Unconsciousness
Never leave your children inside a parked car, as it get heated up much faster. It is one of the most severe reasons of heatstroke.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Yoga Padmasana Benefits Lotus Pose in Detail
Yoga Padmasana
Yoga Padmasana can be practiced any time. You may do it while watching TV or while having food. Its the basic pose to perform any of the meditations or sitting in any mudra. Details about the sirring posture of Padmasana is described below. For those people who cant sit in Padmasana, they can perform ardha-padmasana (Half Lotus Pose), which is a bit easier than Padmasana.
Yoga Padmasana Pose in Detail
Correct siting position has great importance while performing yoga. As Padmasana is a basic yoga pose, so it should be practiced correctly. You may follow the steps provided below to sit in Padmasana.
- Sit on a tough surface.
- Put your right foot on your left thigh such that flat portion of your feet is facing upwards and ankle is touching your abdomen.
- Now put your left foot on your right thigh in the same way.
- You may use your hands to put your feet on your thighs.
- If you are having difficulty in sitting in this posture then you may do ardha-padmasana. In this you dont need to put your left feet on right thigh. Instead you may keep it under the thigh, which is a bit relaxing.
- There is no time limit for doing Padmasana. You may do it till you find it easy to do in your daily life, but never go over the limits. Release from the pose when you find it uncomfortable.
- Every time you do Padmasana, start it with alternate legs. If this time you have started your pose with right leg, then next time start it with left leg.
Who should avoid doing Padmasana
- If you recently have a knee injury or an ankle injury then you should avoid Padmasana until you are fully recovered.
- If you have a sprain in your leg then avoid Padmasana.
- If you have lower or Upper back pain then avoid Padmasana.
Benefits of Padmasana
There are uncountable benefits of Padmasana. It is the basic pose for most of the meditation mudras. Here we are listing some of the major and worldwide accepted benefits of Padmasana.
- It increases our concentration power.
- It strengthens our spine.
- It improves of thigh, ankle and calf muscles.
- It destroys diseases and awakens kundalini.
- It relieves sciatica pain and improves body posture.
- It improves blood circulation and digestion.
- It makes our joints and ligaments flexible.
- It restores the energy level of our body.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Role of insulin and carbohydrates in weight gain
Digestion of carbohydrates
What will happen when we eat a food containing carbohydrates, eg starch? Firstly, during chewing, a portion of the starch is hydrolyzed (digested, cut into small pieces) with amylase enzyme in saliva. Then the food reaches the stomach. It is gradually pushed into the intestine through the pylorus (closure of the stomach). In the small intestine, enzymes continue to attack carbohydrates to leave only single molecules, monosaccharides. The glucose is released and absorbed into the blood.
Glucose and insulin
Following the ingestion of carbohydrate food, such as after a meal or snack, the blood glucose (blood sugar) increases. At time T we can burn this glucose to a relatively intense effort to think (the brain consumes a lot of glucose), or to rebuild glycogen stores in the liver and muscles (storage form of glucose). High blood sugar is toxic to the body, that is why intervenes insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. This hormone is hypoglycemic, that is to say, it lowers blood sugar for a return to homeostasis (physiological balance). Then, any excess of glucose is converted to fat necessarily, in adipocytes (fat cells) and liver [1].
Roles of insulin
Insulin is a hormone that promotes anabolism, both carbohydrates, but also proteins and lipids. This storage is a hormone. Insulin is the primary regulator of fat [2]. It is important to note that insulin metabolism leads to burning rather than to sugars that of fats.
Lipogenesis and lipolysis
Increasing insulin promotes lipogenesis, that is to say the formation of fatty tissue, thanks to the activation of lipoprotein lipase or LPL (enzyme enabling the formation of triglycerides from three fatty acids and glycerol). Conversely, the decrease in insulin promotes lipolysis and elimination of fat, thanks to the activation of homono-sensitive lipase or LHS (enzyme to "break" and triglycerides and free fatty acids so they can be burned). Lipogenesis and lipolysis are two processes always running hand in hand. The amount of insulin sets the trend.
High glycemic load and the role of insulin in weight gain: a vicious circle
Following an excessive intake of carbohydrates or foods with a high glycemic index, insulin acts to lower blood sugar. But what happens often is the appearance of a hypoglycemic reaction. Too low blood sugar and increases hunger and compulsions sweet. The new person eats and carbohydrates causes an increase in insulin and so on, each with a storage as fat. As seen above, as the high insulin metabolism is directed to the combustion of non-sugars and fat, a continuous vicious circle.
Why worry about insulin?
While insulin is not the only hormone involved in fat storage, but this is the main. In addition we can have a direct effect on its secretion by our food choices!
How secrete less insulin to lose weight?
Simply by reducing the total amount of ingested carbohydrates (see list of foods and their carb). This means avoid sugary products superfluous, who are also a source of "empty calories". But also reduce the consumption of carbohydrates, which is often excessive. Starchy foods should be eaten with the level of physical activity (a lot for a top athlete and very little for a sedentary).
Is also choosing foods based on their glycemic index (GI). IG is the potential of the feed hyperglycaemic. It replaces the old notion of carbohydrates and sugars, which is very often wrong. (See list of foods and their glycemic index database in English).
Fruits and vegetables should make the majority of carbohydrates in order to ensure that the diet is not too rich in carbohydrates and the glycemic index are not high.
conclusion
The first thing to do when we want to lose weight is to control blood glucose (to avoid peak) to reduce insulin secretion and thus promote the release of fat.
How to Make Soap In Your CrockPot
Day 336.
Soap! In the crockpot! woo-hoo!
The kids and I made soap yesterday with some glycerin soap-making stuff I bought at Michaels. I didnt have anything on hand, so ended up buying a 4-in-1 mold, fragrance, color, and the glycerin cubes.
I spent $25.21, and we ended up with 12 bars of soap. I have enough of the color and scent to last for quite a while, and the mold will supposedly last forever. Each new set of glycerin cubes costs $9.99.
We really enjoyed making this soap. The kids had fun picking out the colors, and are excited to use their creations. I pushed a holiday-themed foam sticker (minus the backing) into the soap while it was setting for some extra oomph.
The Ingredients.
--glycerin blocks (I used Life of the Party brand)
--fragrance (I did try peppermint extract and almond extract also, and so far they have a scent)
--coloring
--soap mold (I think silicone cupcake holders will work well, too)
--crockpot
--oven-safe dish(es) to put in the crockpot (ramekins)
--a few wooden skewers for stirring
The Directions.
Do not put the soap mold into your crockpot and add the glycerin cubes, and turn it on. The mold will melt. And you will be annoyed when your husband says something along the lines of "I thought that might happen."
What you should do instead is put an oven-safe dish (or 2) into your crockpot and add the blocks. Youre going to have to use a big knife to separate the blocks.Cover and cook on high for about an hour, or until the glycerin is all liquidy.
Using oven mitts (trust me), carefully pour the liquid glycerin into each mold. Add fragrance and color. A bit of fragrance goes a long way, but you do need quite a few drops of color. Stir with a skewer.After the top of the soap starts to set, you can insert the foamie or other object into the soap. The foamie floats, so I held it in place with the skewer a minute or so until the soap set around it.
Let the soap cure for about an hour before removing from the form. If you wait until its fully cool, it pops out of the mold MUCH easier than if you try to rush it (trust me again on this one).
Repeat steps until you run out of glycerin.
The Verdict.
I had more fun making these than I thought I would, and now that I know the steps, Im excited to try again. Id like to pick up some silicone molds after the holidays when they are deeply discounted and try to make larger soaps in fun shapes.
The kids are quite impressed by me. It only took 336 days.
updated 12/06: Glycerin soap sweats. It surprised me, but evidently this is normal. Wrap your homemade soap in cellophane bags for gift-giving, not tissue paper. :-)
Benefits of Running in the Morning before Breakfast
Running in the morning before breakfast is considered as one of the physical activities. So what makes it best. Here we will tell you some interesting facts about running in morning. Those who are conscious about their health should read it and decide it themselves if they want to start running or not. Running is not just to improve your stamina or leg muscles, its works on several aspects of your health.
All of the above benefits increases the work productivity as you remain healthy with a good working brain.
Running not only saves us from various diseases but also improves our metabolism and immunity. It makes you able to live a long and healthy life. Most of us dont run due to our lazy attitude towards our health. Everybody should make a habit to get up early in the morning and then go for running after answering the nature calls. In the beginning you might run a lesser distance. In that case you can follow Run-Walk-run method. In a few weeks you will be able to run a longer distance.
If you are suffering from High Blood Pressure / Heart Problem or any other major disease then consult your doctor before starting running on a regular basis.
Its better if you start running regularly from 20s or 30s. It will not only save you from aging factor and diseases but also increase your work productivity.
Benefits of Running in the Morning before Breakfast
- It improves the working of your lungs. If you run on regular basis then you will notice that you wont feel out of breath while climbing stairs.
- Running improves the hearing capacity by supplying more blood and nutrients to our ear while we are running.
- Running helps in getting relief from Migraine pain. Those who run regularly are less prone to Migraine.
- Running prevents age related muscle loss and generates new muscles.
- You are less prone to Depression if you run regularly. Running is a natural Antidepressant.
- It boosts your blood flow for a few minutes and supplies blood to some important parts of brain, which increases your brain power.
- Running starts nerve cell production in brain and also creates new blood vessels. It increases our thinking and analysis capacity.
- It makes your knees healthy and help them remain fit till an elderly age. Running increases cartilage production, which saves your joints from arthritis.
- Running increases bone density and make them stronger. Thus you are less likely to get a fracture.
- Your immune system become strong if you run regularly in the morning. If your immune system is strong then you are less likely to fall ill.
- During morning air is more oxygenated and less polluted. So its more beneficial rather than evening.
- Running in the morning before breakfast reduces the extra fat in your body. So morning time is a good running time for you if you want to lose fat.
All of the above benefits increases the work productivity as you remain healthy with a good working brain.
Running not only saves us from various diseases but also improves our metabolism and immunity. It makes you able to live a long and healthy life. Most of us dont run due to our lazy attitude towards our health. Everybody should make a habit to get up early in the morning and then go for running after answering the nature calls. In the beginning you might run a lesser distance. In that case you can follow Run-Walk-run method. In a few weeks you will be able to run a longer distance.
If you are suffering from High Blood Pressure / Heart Problem or any other major disease then consult your doctor before starting running on a regular basis.
Its better if you start running regularly from 20s or 30s. It will not only save you from aging factor and diseases but also increase your work productivity.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Signs of a Heart Attack in Women Female Heart Failure Symptoms
Heart Attack kills more women than men every year. There are some reasons behind that. Before that we should understand whats heart Attack. Heart Attack means blockage of blood supply to some heart muscles due to some blockage in arteries. If this blockage remains for a long time then the heart muscles facing the deficiency of blood supply may die. Such permanent failure of some heart muscles can be avoided if we understand the signs of heart attack on time and visit a doctor.
We often think that Heart Attack and Heart Failure are same. You can know the difference from the following Article.
Heart Attack is different from Heart Failure.
Heart Attack may lead to Heart Failure if some heart muscles die permanently due to lack of blood supply.
as i told you earlier that heart attack kills more women than men every year. Similarly Heart Failure is reported more in Women. The main reason behind more heart attacks in women is that signs of heart attack is not more visible in women and they often take it as something else.
Women feel less or negligible pain in chest during heart attack, which is just opposite for men. Women might feel more pain in neck and arm than chest.
Heart Failure is inability to pump blood properly. Its not a life threatening condition but should be treated as soon as possible if you want to save a few years of your life. Chances of Hear Failure increases with age. Women face heart failure at a later stage than men. There may be several causes responsible for heart failure in women such a high blood pressure for long period or going through depression for a long time. Depression is common problem among women and a number of times its found associated with heart failure. But the good news is that women survive longer than men with heart failure. Swelling around ankles is more common in women than men.
We often think that Heart Attack and Heart Failure are same. You can know the difference from the following Article.
Heart Attack is different from Heart Failure.
Heart Attack may lead to Heart Failure if some heart muscles die permanently due to lack of blood supply.
Women feel less or negligible pain in chest during heart attack, which is just opposite for men. Women might feel more pain in neck and arm than chest.
Signs of a Heart Attack in Women
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain in arm(s), back, neck, or jaw
- Fatigue
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Sweating
Heart Failure in Women
Heart Failure is inability to pump blood properly. Its not a life threatening condition but should be treated as soon as possible if you want to save a few years of your life. Chances of Hear Failure increases with age. Women face heart failure at a later stage than men. There may be several causes responsible for heart failure in women such a high blood pressure for long period or going through depression for a long time. Depression is common problem among women and a number of times its found associated with heart failure. But the good news is that women survive longer than men with heart failure. Swelling around ankles is more common in women than men.
Female Heart Failure Symptoms
Some common symptoms visible in females going through heart failure are given below.
- Breathlessness
- Tiredness
- Swollen Ankles
Is Isopropyl Alcohol Rubbing Alcohol Its Uses in daily Life
Is Isopropyl Alcohol Rubbing Alcohol ?
Rubbing alcohol, USP/ Surgical soul, B.P. is a fluid arranged and utilized principally for topical application. It is readied from an unique denatured alcohol arrangement and contains more or less 70 percent by volume of concentrated ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or isopropyl alcohol (propan-2-ol).
Uses of Rubbing Alcohol
As an Antiseptic
Isopropyl alcohol is often used as an antiseptic, and most of the doctors use it to disinfect your skin before injections to kill surface bacteria.
As an Astringent
It can shrink or tighten your body tissues, like the pores in your skin, when they are applied topically. It helps to give your skin a smoother look and make pores less visible. Astringents also help to stop bleeding in minor cuts and scrapes by tightening up the capillaries that are losing blood.
It can shrink or tighten your body tissues, like the pores in your skin, when they are applied topically. It helps to give your skin a smoother look and make pores less visible. Astringents also help to stop bleeding in minor cuts and scrapes by tightening up the capillaries that are losing blood.
As Pain Killer for Muscle Aches
It can be rubbed over the surface of aching muscles or painful joints to help reduce pain and swelling. Alcohol is an effective Pain Killer because it acts as a minor irritant to the skin increasing circulation and blood flow to the area. This increased circulation helps to ease pain and inflammation.
Expel hair splash from mirrors
When you are spritzing your head with hair splash, some of it inescapably winds up on the mirror. A fast wipe with rubbing alcohol will whisk away that sticky buildup and leave your mirror shimmering clean.
Clean venetian blinds
Rubbing alcohol makes a marvelous showing of cleaning the supports of venetian blinds. To make brisk work of the occupation, wrap a level device — a spatula or perhaps a 6-inch (15-centimeter) drywall blade — in fabric and secure with an elastic band. Plunge in alcohol and go to work.
Keep windows shining and frost free
Do your windows ice up in the wintertime? Wash them with a mixture of 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and1 liter water to stop ice freezing on the glass. Clean the windows with daily paper after you wash them to make them sparkle.
Anticipate ring around the neckline
To keep your neck from recoloring your shirt neckline, wipe your neck with rubbing alcohol every morning before you dress. Feels great as well.
Clean your telephone
Is your telephone getting a bit dingy? Wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Itll uproot the grime and sterilize the telephone in the meantime.
Uproot ink stains
Did you get ink on your most loved shirt or dress? Soak the spot in rubbing alcohol for a couple of minutes before putting the piece of clothing in the clothes washer.
Erase permanent markers
Rubbing Alcohol can remove the marks the permanent marker very easily. Just put some rubbing alcohol on the mark for a few seconds and then wipe it. Do it twice or thrice will completely remove it from most of the surfaces like plastic laminates and tiles.
Uproot puppy ticks
Ticks detest the taste of rubbing alcohol as much as they cherish the taste of your puppy. Before you pull a tick off Fido, touch the critter with rubbing alcohol to make it slacken its grasp. At that point get the tick as near to the puppys skin as you can and haul it straight out. Spot again with alcohol to sanitize the injury. This chips away at individuals as well.
Get rid of fruit flies
Fruit flies dont like the smell of rubbing alcohol. If you spray the rubbing alcohol using an empty perfume bottle, then it will do the work. However its less effective compared to some insecticide but its safer, as rubbing alcohol is not as poisonous as insecticide.
Make a shapeable ice pack
The issue with ice packs is they wont adjust to the state of the harmed body part. Make a slushy, comparable pack by blending 1 section rubbing alcohol with 3 sections water in a closing toward oneself plastic sack. Whenever that sore knee misbehaves, wrap the sack of slush in a fabric and apply it to the zone.
Clean washroom installations
Simply venture into the prescription bureau whenever you have to clean chrome lavatory installations. Pour some rubbing alcohol straight from the container onto a delicate, spongy fabric and the apparatuses. No compelling reason to wash — the alcohol simply vanishes. It makes an awesome showing of making chrome shimmer, in addition to it will murder any germs in it.
It can be rubbed over the surface of aching muscles or painful joints to help reduce pain and swelling. Alcohol is an effective Pain Killer because it acts as a minor irritant to the skin increasing circulation and blood flow to the area. This increased circulation helps to ease pain and inflammation.
Expel hair splash from mirrors
When you are spritzing your head with hair splash, some of it inescapably winds up on the mirror. A fast wipe with rubbing alcohol will whisk away that sticky buildup and leave your mirror shimmering clean.
Clean venetian blinds
Rubbing alcohol makes a marvelous showing of cleaning the supports of venetian blinds. To make brisk work of the occupation, wrap a level device — a spatula or perhaps a 6-inch (15-centimeter) drywall blade — in fabric and secure with an elastic band. Plunge in alcohol and go to work.
Keep windows shining and frost free
Do your windows ice up in the wintertime? Wash them with a mixture of 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and1 liter water to stop ice freezing on the glass. Clean the windows with daily paper after you wash them to make them sparkle.
Anticipate ring around the neckline
To keep your neck from recoloring your shirt neckline, wipe your neck with rubbing alcohol every morning before you dress. Feels great as well.
Clean your telephone
Is your telephone getting a bit dingy? Wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Itll uproot the grime and sterilize the telephone in the meantime.
Uproot ink stains
Did you get ink on your most loved shirt or dress? Soak the spot in rubbing alcohol for a couple of minutes before putting the piece of clothing in the clothes washer.
Erase permanent markers
Rubbing Alcohol can remove the marks the permanent marker very easily. Just put some rubbing alcohol on the mark for a few seconds and then wipe it. Do it twice or thrice will completely remove it from most of the surfaces like plastic laminates and tiles.
Uproot puppy ticks
Ticks detest the taste of rubbing alcohol as much as they cherish the taste of your puppy. Before you pull a tick off Fido, touch the critter with rubbing alcohol to make it slacken its grasp. At that point get the tick as near to the puppys skin as you can and haul it straight out. Spot again with alcohol to sanitize the injury. This chips away at individuals as well.
Get rid of fruit flies
Fruit flies dont like the smell of rubbing alcohol. If you spray the rubbing alcohol using an empty perfume bottle, then it will do the work. However its less effective compared to some insecticide but its safer, as rubbing alcohol is not as poisonous as insecticide.
Make a shapeable ice pack
The issue with ice packs is they wont adjust to the state of the harmed body part. Make a slushy, comparable pack by blending 1 section rubbing alcohol with 3 sections water in a closing toward oneself plastic sack. Whenever that sore knee misbehaves, wrap the sack of slush in a fabric and apply it to the zone.
Clean washroom installations
Simply venture into the prescription bureau whenever you have to clean chrome lavatory installations. Pour some rubbing alcohol straight from the container onto a delicate, spongy fabric and the apparatuses. No compelling reason to wash — the alcohol simply vanishes. It makes an awesome showing of making chrome shimmer, in addition to it will murder any germs in it.
Natures Prozac Hot Chocolate In The Raw
Oh baby, its cold outside. Didnt break 20 degrees here today. And with the wind chill factored in, well, lets not even go there.
Cutest thing I heard this week: Aimee (aka A Bitt of Raw) said it was so cold in Seattle, she turned on her self-cleaning oven to warm up the house. Thats one way for a raw foodist to make use of her oven! Usually, the only time it gets turned on is when making dog biscuits. Her poor pooches gathered round, thinking they were getting homemade treats. No such luck.
My fur kid and I went hiking in this frigid weather today. Crazy? Yes, but youll recall that I have a Siberian husky and shes over the moon when the temperature drops like this. Me, not so much. Once home, I threw another log on the fire and immediately set to work on warming my innards.
Hot Chocolate In The Raw
A raw cacao bean contains over 300 identifiable chemical compounds, making it one of the most complex food substances on Earth. Heres just a small sampling of the goodies:
Cutest thing I heard this week: Aimee (aka A Bitt of Raw) said it was so cold in Seattle, she turned on her self-cleaning oven to warm up the house. Thats one way for a raw foodist to make use of her oven! Usually, the only time it gets turned on is when making dog biscuits. Her poor pooches gathered round, thinking they were getting homemade treats. No such luck.
My fur kid and I went hiking in this frigid weather today. Crazy? Yes, but youll recall that I have a Siberian husky and shes over the moon when the temperature drops like this. Me, not so much. Once home, I threw another log on the fire and immediately set to work on warming my innards.
Hot Chocolate In The Raw
A raw cacao bean contains over 300 identifiable chemical compounds, making it one of the most complex food substances on Earth. Heres just a small sampling of the goodies:
- Anandamide, a neurotransmitter known as "the bliss chemical"
- Arginine, natures aphrodisiac
- Magnesium for healthy heart function
- Serotonin, anti-stress neurotransmitter
- Tryptophan, anti-depressant amino acid
- Phenylethylamine, controls the ability to focus attention and stay alert
- Polyphenols, antioxidants
4 C almond milk*
4 ounces raw cacao beans
1/2 C raw honey
1 vanilla bean, scraped
1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
1/4 tsp nutmeg
*Instructables: How to Milk an Almond
Blend ingredients on high speed until smooth and creamy. If you have a high-powered blender, you can continue blending until the mixture begins to heat up. Or, you can warm your hot chocolate using one of the methods I mentioned here — either using a double boiler or a mason jar submerged in hot water.
Pour into your favorite (pre-warmed) mug and enjoy! Wanna really warm your tum-tum? Make like a Mayan and sprinkle in a wee bit of cayenne pepper before serving. Fire down below!
How bout a little somethin somethin to go with your hot chocolate? You might sample my Holiday Sugar Plums or nosh on these beauties.
Thumbprint Cookies
Yields two dozen cookies
Dough:
1 medium zucchini, peeled and chopped
2 C almond meal
1/4 C raw honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 C raw nuts, finely chopped
Filling:
1/2 C raspberries (thawed, frozen raspberries can be used)
1/4 C raw honey
To make the dough: In a food processor, blend zucchini until pureed. Add almond meal and pulse until mixed. Transfer into a large bowl, add the honey, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest, salt and mix well by hand. Chill dough in freezer for 20-30 minutes.
Shape into small balls by rolling between the palms of your hands. Roll each ball in chopped nuts and place on a dehydrator tray lined with a ParaFlexx sheet. Using your thumb, make an indentation into the center of each ball.
Dehydrate at 105 degrees for about 4 hours. Remove the ParaFlexx sheet. Dehydrate another 2-3 hours. Climate, temperature and humidity all affect dehydrating time. The cookies should be crispy on the outside and still moist inside.
To make the filling: Blend together raspberries and honey to make a jam. Fill the center of each cookie as it comes out of the dehydrator.
What do you have planned for this winter weekend? Snuggle up to someone you love and stay warm!
Easter Dinner in the Slow Cooker
Happy almost-Easter! I have rounded up some of our favorite Easter Dinner favorites to help with your meal planning. We arent hosting this year, but I am going to make a leg of lamb and take it along to my moms. Thank goodness for the locking-lid on the slow cooker!
Read more »
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| Leg of Lamb with Rosemary and Lemon. |
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| Mint Glazed Leg of Lamb |
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| Honey and Thyme Glazed Ham |
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| Maple Ham |
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| Baked Sweet Potatoes with Chili, Cumin, and Lime |
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| The Best Brussels Sprouts, EVER! |
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| Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese and Sour Cream |
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| Scalloped Apples |
Have a wonderful Easter! Happy Slow Cooking!
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Way Down Yonder In The Pawpaw Patch
When its not cold and wet, boy oh boy, do I love autumn. We had a picture-perfect day yesterday: the bluest of blue skies and the leaves turning gorgeous shades of red, orange and gold. I just couldnt be indoors.As often happens when Im out hiking, I end up coming home with wild edibles Ive foraged. I recently wrote about the blackberries and Concord grapes I found. Perhaps more accurately, I should say they found me. Really, thats usually how it happens. A pleasant, and always welcome, surprise.
But yesterdays find, well, that was like discovering a rare and precious buried treasure. Only this treasure wasnt buried — it was hanging from a tree. Pawpaws!
What the heck is a Pawpaw?
The pawpaw is actually the largest berry fruit in the States. And, I mean large. Like, the size of a small cantaloupe or a ripe grapefruit (only, theyre shaped more like a kidney).
To discover that I have a "tropical" fruit growing within miles of my home, makes me squeal with delight. Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio are the top leaders in pawpaw production. Who knew?
Okay, so I gave the tree a little shake, and down they came. I scooped up a good 20 pounds worth into my pack and left a few remaining on the ground for my four-legged friends, the deer.
I had to try one as soon as I got home. The yellow flesh tastes like a cross between a mango, banana and pineapple, with just a hint of nutmeg thrown into the mix. Amazing.
Whats even more amazing is that as Im grieving the end of my backyard store, putting my garden to bed for its long winters nap, this delectable fruit is just now ripe and ready to harvest in early autumn. Thanks, Mother Nature! Nicely planned.
Alright, so Ive already started playing in
Pawpaw Smoothie1 ripe pawpaw, peeled & seeded
2 C fresh-squeezed orange juice
2 Tbsp mint leaves, chopped
juice of half a lime
Blend until smooth. Grab a straw and enjoy!
Pawpaw Tarts
Carob Chip Crust
1 C almond meal
1/2 C sunflower seeds
1/2 ripe banana
5 medjool dates, pitted
1/4 C raw cacao nibs
2 Tbsp local raw honey
1 tsp cinnamon
Blend together for a nice chunky consistency. Avoid over-processing to allow for texture and crunch. Press mixture into tartlet tins and refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm.
Pawpaw Filling
1 ripe pawpaw, peeled & seeded
Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a bit of lemon juice to keep the mixture from browning. Scoop into tart crust. Chill if you prefer a firmer filling, or serve fresh.
♫ The Paw Paw Patch (traditional folk song) ♫
Where, oh where is pretty little Susie?
Where, oh where is pretty little Susie?
Where, oh where is pretty little Susie?
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.
Come on, boys, lets go find her,
Come on, boys, lets go find her,
Come on, boys, lets go find her,
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.
Pickin up paw-paws, puttin em in her pockets,
Pickin up paw-paws, puttin em in her pockets,
Pickin up paw-paws, puttin em in her pockets,
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.
Where, oh where is pretty little Susie?
Where, oh where is pretty little Susie?
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.
Come on, boys, lets go find her,
Come on, boys, lets go find her,
Come on, boys, lets go find her,
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.
Pickin up paw-paws, puttin em in her pockets,
Pickin up paw-paws, puttin em in her pockets,
Pickin up paw-paws, puttin em in her pockets,
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Disease Genes in the Gut Microbiota
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| Species of Gut Microbiota |
Summary: Doctors take medical histories and enquire about family diseases. It seems like they think there are human genes behind human diseases, but when we say, “It runs in the family,” what we actually mean is our gut bacteria, microbiota, are shared with relatives along with our eating habits. Diseases result from problems with gut bacteria and not from problems with our genes.
Genetic Diseases are Rare
Not too many years ago, the technology for massive projects to thoroughly identify the genes behind the most prevalent human diseases became available. The results were clear and shocking. Genes were not a major contributor (less than 10%) to disease. And yet, the families studied clearly had a major predisposition to each of the diseases studied. Something was causing the disease in those families, but it just wasn’t any of the 23,000 genes identified in the human genome project. People all have essentially the same physiology determined by very similar genes. Health differences are predominantly due to gut bacteria.
A Decade Later, Genetic Map Yields Few New Cures
Genes are not Destiny
Commercial analysis of personal gene sequences was recently prohibited as a method of determining risk of disease, because the link between gene sequences and risk could not be substantiated. The reality is that, aside from a few obvious molecular diseases, most genetic variations in gene sequences do not matter in an otherwise healthy person. There aren’t Alzheimer’s or obesity or heart disease genes. Diet, gut microbiota, sleep and exercise are far more (>90%) important. Most genetic risk factors can be overcome by an Anti-Inflammatory Diet with fermented vegetables, and a robust gut microbiota protected from medicine/antibiotics.
Gut Bacteria are Family
So if it is not human genes that run in families to make relatives share similar diseases, what is making them sick? Relatives share their eating habits and gut bacteria. This makes sense. Diet and gut microbiota are the major determinants of disease and relatives pass their bacteria around the table with their food. There are eating habits and particular patterns of gut microbiota that lead to common diseases. Unbeknownst to us, most of the diseases of modern life, e.g. heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disease, mental illness, are transmissible by gut bacteria.
The Hygiene Hypothesis is Right and Wrong
For decades it has been obvious that early exposure to a farm environment, meaning an abundance of microbes, a diverse microbiota, eliminates allergies and many autoimmunities. The Hygiene Hypothesis explained how early exposure to abundant microorganisms could eliminate allergies, as an early exposure to antigens that trained the immune system. Early training of the immune system was later discounted, but the Hygiene Hypothesis then morphed into the current explanation, that early development of a diverse gut microbiota is needed to produce a healthy immune system.
Fix Your Diet, Fix Your Gut Microbiota and Fix Your Diseases
The good news is that all of the chronic diseases that threaten your future can be cured by just fixing your diet and repairing the complex bacterial communities in your gut. Your immune system is critical to your health and damage to your immune system is the typical beginning to most diseases. Damage to the immune system starts in the gut, where the aggressive and suppressive halves of the immune system develop in response to particular species of bacteria. Those essential bacteria grow on the food in your diet that is not digested in the stomach and absorbed as nutrients in the small intestines, i.e. prebiotic fiber. Thus, you eat to feed yourself and your gut bacteria. Without the gut bacteria, you would be deficient in vitamins, your immune system would cease to function and you would be constipated. Fixing your diet and gut microbiota will cure your diseases.
Posts that discuss repair of gut microbiota
Saturday, March 14, 2015
What I learned in Mexico…
I’ve just returned from what I hope will continue to be an annual Dailey Method health and happiness retreat in Sayulita, Mexico, produced by my Pediatrician Lindy Woodard, and her knowledgeable, generous team. The four days incorporate a variety of Dailey Method classes and workshops in addition to different discussions on subjects pertaining to how to deepen our happiness and health as we navigate forward in our lives. We are given guidance in introspection and then have conversations with wise women to help learn from their experiences. It’s incredibly helpful in furthering my insight into where I would like to expand or shift in my life - (which is exciting!) but notably the hardest part is taking the information back home and letting it integrate into everyday life.
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Here are three things that were strong takeaways for me from this years retreat:
Selfishness, there tends to be a negative connotation around this word but when you take time for yourself, be it four days in Mexico or even an afternoon reading and writing in bed, it’s really about self care. I actually (lovingly) got called out for using that word because I do have some fear about being selfish, especially when it comes to my family or my business. I am going to try and reframe that word when it pops into mind because there is no doubt that when I take care of myself I am better able to serve and care for others. It’s also important to remember to do it on a regular basis - we shouldn’t wait until we’re completely depleted to carve out the time for self! A little here and there strategically can go a long way.
Acknowledgement was a big theme over the week. I know how important it is to acknowledge the people in my life on a regular basis. Showing someone that you’ve truly seen what they do, that you appreciate it and are grateful, can go a long way in creating stronger relationships or just to make someone else a little happier, more confident or feel needed. I know that I am pretty good about sincerely acknowledging most people in my life but there are a few that I either assume know how much I love and need them or that for whatever reason it’s harder to express it to them. One of my intentions for practicing this skill is acknowledging my kids and thanking them when they do their chores instead of only scolding them when they don’t. I’m sure the latter will kick in regularly (daily) but I’m confident if the acknowledgement can stay consistent it will trend to create change in both my own frustration level and their willingness to be more proactive.
Expanding my own and my family’s diet is something I continually strive for and both retreat years I’ve gotten a wealth of ideas, insight and knowledge about food choices and preparations that have me highly inspired to cook! Lindy and Genie (our food team) do not believe that one diet is right for everyone but that we need to listen to our own bodies to learn what is right for us as individuals. They prescribe the food we eat be (when ever possible) organic, non-gmo, fresh, heavy in plants, lots of variety and colors and sustainable. They look at food as medicine but without sacrificing flavor. A theory I love to prescribe to: eat what best serves your health but still thoroughly enjoy the process.
I came back this year with the goal of stocking condiments and toppings and using them liberally for more flavorful, satisfying and nutrient rich meals. I am going to experiment with creating more bowls as meals and layering on different levels of flavors or textures. It’s easy to start with a base (rice, beans, veggies, fruit) and let your family tailor it to their specific tastes. Offering multiple toppings so that hopefully they will have variety and also learn to experiment with foods and flavors.
Besides just offering fresh cut vegetables or herbs as additions, Lindy and Genie defined 5 layers of flavor to consider. Below I gave you an example of two or three of my favorites of each category.
Crunchy- chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts
Creamy- coconut oil, aioli and greek yoghurt
Spicy- red pepper flakes and any hot sauce. This is a big one for me- I pretty much love it if it’s spicy!
Salty- olives and gomasio - Lindy and Genie use this a lot and I think my kids will love it. It’s a nutritious salt alternative!
Sour- lemon, pickles and sauerkraut
Adios mis amigos,
-- Jill
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