Rhubarb - A True Sign of Spring
When I see the Rhubarb stick its head above the ground - I know Spring is just around the corner. Last year my Rhubarb plants were small and spindly - so during the winter I put some “hot” manure on the plants. They are now fabulous!
Rhubarb is one of my favorite Spring plants. It makes a great sauce, mixes well with other fruits for a tangy flavor, and my daughter likes to eat it raw. Rhubarb contains high amounts of Oxalic Acid - so it needs to be consumed in small amounts especially by people that have mineral deficiencies because of its laxative nature. However it is great for people that are living in high pollution areas for the same reason. Oxalic acid helps to remove toxins from the body.
Rhubarb is good for you and it will help you too -and it tastes good. My favorite sauce recipe is:
- Chunked Rhubarb stems - amount to your liking - do not peal
- Agave Nectar - to taste
- Cinnamon to taste
Cook over low heat stirring occasionally until the Rhubarb breaks down. Add Agave Nectar and Cinnamon to taste. Eat either warm or refrigerated. My favorite way is warm over Vanilla ice cream. 
One more thing about Rhubarb - When it puts up a seed pod the best thing to do it pick it off. If it is left on the plant then the Rhubarb Stems will become pithy and not as tasty.
Here are some other Rhubarb recipes from the blogoshpere
What do you do with rhubarb? - This year I finally made a rhubarb jam that they can’t get enough of — DH even said not to bother making other types while DS indicated he really liked it, too, but doesn’t want us to forgo making grape jelly since he prefers that with …
Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble - I’ve never baked with rhubarb. But I spotted some at the grocery store and I felt inspired. Why not try something new? And what better way to eat rhubarb as accompanied by ripe strawberries and baked with a delicious crumbly topping? …
Is rhubarb good for you? - The distinguished history of rhubarb was one of the topics discussed on clever quiz show QI last week. As well as discussing Yorkshire’s rhubarb triangle, it turns out that rhubarb was very popular for its health-giving properties in …
Almost good for you: Rhubarb and Apple Crisp - I feel it unfair that anything like an apple crisp has been labeled a “dessert”. After all, apples are good for you, right? And when you add a vegetable, you really can’t call it a dessert. Can you? OK, I’ll admit that crisps are …
Enjoy the Spring Dotty
I am several weeks into blending fruits and vegetables. I have settled on 2-3 fruits and 4-5 vegetables per smoothie. This ratio will give the smoothie enough natural sugars to make it very tasty and satisfying. Make sure at least 2 or 3 of the vegetables are leafy greens - this is a food category that is missing in most of our diets but is greatly needed. So far I have seen improvement in my:
- digestion
- acid reflux
- insomnia
- frequency of urination at night
- Condition of my hair
I have noticed that my appetite is better and my sugar cravings have decreased. I have not written down any of my favorite drinks - I suppose I should. I do include 1 banana, and either blue berries or huckleberries in each drink. I also like celery in each drink. Here is an example of a typical drink:
- 2 cups of purified water
- 1 stalk of celery
- 1 banana
- Quarter cup of huckleberries
- 3 Radishes
- 3 leaves of Red Leaf Lettuce
- 3 leaves of Kale
Blend until smooth and enjoy!
Here are 2 more articles on Blending Fruits and Vegetables
Apr 5, Juicing Vegetables, Blending, Dehydrating, Sprouting - Quick and easy instructions for juicing vegetables, dehydrating foods, sprouting grains, germinating nuts and blending fruits..
This just in: fruits and vegetables are GOOD for you. - Blending up fruits and making lots of salads like Montel told me to, and speed-walking around an imaginary track. All of this should make for riveting conversation on my date tomorrow, obviously. What have you been doing lately?
Here’s to your health!
Dotty - Aspiring Blending Expert
Green For Life – My Personal Journey
I have recently read a book called Green for Life
Green for Life by Victoria Boutenko. This book is absolutely fascinating. Victoria has done research on nutrition and how different foods affect our bodies. Her findings are simple to understand and really make sense. The book shows the value of blending leafy green vegetables.
Since reading the book I have started to drink 2 or 3 glasses a day of blended vegetables. Although I am not severely unhealthy, I do have issues that need to be changed or fixed. Some of the challenges I have are:
- Always Tired
- Excess Mucus Production
- Weak Fingernails and Dull Hair
- Indigestion
- Acid Reflux
- Low Blood Sugar
- Poor Circulation
- Dry Skin
- Muscle Pain
- No Ambition
- Sugar Cravings
- Weight Gain
- Pre Menopausal Symptoms
Although none of these things are considered a major health issue –I would like them to go away. My experiment is to make green smoothies at least twice a day and at the same time eat healthier. I started this journey 2 weeks ago and so far I have seen some improvement. I have far less acid reflux and I do not need to take a nap in the afternoon. I will be posting my progress here each week. My challenge is for other people to try blending and post their progress as well.
To Your Health
Dotty
Bone Density – Is it all its cracked up to be?
I had an interesting conversation with my local Chiropractor about bone density and diet this past week. I was under the impression that as us women age our hormone production decreases and this causes our bone density to decrease. Hence the prescribing of hormone replacement therapy as we reach menopause. I thought that making better food choices would keep me from loosing bone density. I found out that this is only a small part of the solution.
The main part of the solution is load bearing weight. As we get older and become less active, we loose bone density because our bones are no longer bearing the weight of our activities. Therefore our body “thinks” that it does not need to use the available calcium in our bodies to build bone. Without doing load bearing exercises taking calcium is just about worthless. If our bodies do not have the need to use the available calcium it simply won’t. No matter how much is available.
So the solution is a multi part solution – load bearing exercise getting enough fruits and vegetables, and supplementing with vitamins and minerals. I personally will not be taking hormone replacement therapy.
Here are some other articles on Bone Density
Getting Fit Over 40 - It’s Easier Than You Think - Another important benefit of muscle building is its effect on bone density. Women in particular are at risk for developing osteoporosis as they age. Imagine having the ability to prevent your bone density from decreasing over time. …
Treating Osteoporosis Naturally - The bone density loss can occur long before the advanced symptoms and you may not even realize you?ve got it until a simple fall or accident causes a fracture. Natural osteoporosis supplements are well worth taking to avoid such pain in …
Cola: Bad to the Bones - Experts believe that drinking soda, especially cola, affects bone density in several ways. People who drink colas are less likely to get enough calcium and vitamin D in their diets, because the soda is replacing more nutritious …
Maintain Proper Bone Density With Calcium And More - Bone consists predominantly of collagen and calcium phosphate. (…)
Here’s to your health
Dotty,
I have come across a great tasting Omega Complex product. It does not taste like fish and it is still a high quality, filtered product. It is called Omega Sufficiency By Innate Choice.
Here are some thoughts on Fish Oils from the sphere.
Q&A: Are fish oil and omega-3s the same thing?
- Fish oil is an especially rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are also found in flaxseed, walnuts, and dark leafy greens. Research has shown that certain omega-3s reduce the risk of a second heart attack and lower heart-attack …
Fish Oil Benefits ? Prevent Disease and Increase Overall Health
- Naturally, one may eat the fish (salmon, sardines, mackeral, etc) and get some benefits of fish oil, but modern pharmacology has learned to purify and concentrate (as well as deodorize) such oil, and makes the same available in …
Does Flaxseed Oil Work As Well As Fish Oil Does?
- Flaxseed oil and fish oil are both excellent sources of omega 3 essential fatty acids, however, the types of essential fatty acids they contain are different. Flaxseed oil contains ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) which is usually converted …
7 Things You Can Do Today to Double Your Energy
- Fish oil contains the Omega 3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are vital for healthy brain development and function. Putting physical health problems aside, those of us who have low …
Here’s to your health
Dotty
I was reading an article from Advance Magazine (Feb 12th 2007 issue) about Cholesterol and the true facts surrounding the controversy about high cholesterol. If you want to read the whole article called Ranking High Cholesterol then just give the title a click. Otherwise I will summarize the article here for you.
“To better understand the concept of “high cholesterol,” a basic understanding of what cholesterol really is, where it comes from and what it is used for—it’s purpose—is needed. Simply put, cholesterol is a type of sterol (steroid alcohol) that is found within all cell membranes. In other words, cholesterol is a vital component of all tissues of the human body.” If cholesterol is a vital part of our body - it cannot be the evil molecule that it has been reported as being. Cholesterol is the basic building block of all our hormones - which we need to survive. Cholesterol has several rolls in our body:
- It acts as cellular “glue”
- Serves as a precursor to all steroid hormones
- Building block for manufacturing of certain vitamins
- Metabolizing fatty acids
Without cholesterol our bodies would not be able to make:
- Pregnenolone
- DHEA
- Estrogen
- Testosterone
- Cortisone
- other vital hormones
The bottom line is Cholesterol is needed in our bodies.
“Simply put, there is just cholesterol, not “good cholesterol” or “bad cholesterol”—because both “types” of cholesterol are needed. However, because the correlation of total cholesterol with heart disease—and with other diseases—was highly questionable, many years ago a stronger correlation was sought.
It is important to realize that both LDL and HDL are lipoproteins—fats that are combined with proteins. Cholesterol needs to combine with fats and proteins to be carried through our watery bloodstream, since fat and our watery blood do not mix very well. However, LDL and HDL are forms of lipoproteins—they are not just forms of cholesterol.”
LDL is often called “bad cholesterol” because is carries cholesterol from the liver to the blood stream - seemingly raising blood cholesterol levels. HDL - “good cholesterol” carries cholesterol from the blood stream back to the liver - seemingly lowering levels.
Cholesterol is not a mistake of nature - it is a necessary part of our physiology.
Cholesterol becomes a problem when it becomes “oxidized” it can irritate and inflame the tissues in which it is lodged. If this inflammatory process is allow to continue on a chronic basis scar tissue is formed and that is called plaque - which causes hardening of the arteries. Therefore it would make more since to treat the cause of oxidation not treat the levels of cholesterol. Depriving our bodies of an essential building block for creating various life yielding substances is causing more problems in our overall health than simply taking antioxidants would.
I would encourage you to read the whole article - it certainly puts a different light on the whole cholesterol myth.
Also if you are looking for a quality antioxidant do your research on this product called Ambrotose AO.
More articles on Cholesterol from the sphere:
The Saturated Fat & Cholesterol Myth Destroyed!! - This is obviously healthy and raises good cholesterol and therefore lowers risk of heart disease. Hmm, not much wrong there, is there? The result of consumption of this acid is either nil or even beneficial to your health. …
Lower Bad Cholesterol - Discover How To Lower Bad Cholesterol - Trans fats have been found to be detrimental to the cardiovascular system in general, and have also been linked to actually lowering the good cholesterol found in the blood stream. free tea leave reading. Exercise. vitamin wall chart. …
Blueberries and Cholesterol- Studies Show Promise for Natural … - HDL cholesterol is good because high levels of HDL tend to protect against heart attacks. In fact, low levels of HDL (40 mg/dL or less) increase the risk of heart disease. Although HDL is better than LDL, foods with cholesterol must be …
What You Should Know About Cholesterol Triglycerides? - To get more tips on maintaining good cholesterol levels go to: http://www.cholesterol-diet.for–you.com Also, check out his free weekly newsletter and get his no-nonsense report on constipation cure …
Here’s to your health
Dotty
I always get dry skin in the fall and winter months. I have tried many different skin creams and skin care systems to combat this problem, and although one comes close to helping all the others have either made the problem worse and did nothing at all. The one that has helped some is the Optimal Skin System.
What I have done for the past 2 years has had the best results. I started to supplement my diet with Omega Complex oil. For me the actual oil not the capsules work best. I started taking the oil 4 days ago again because my facial skin was starting to break out and itch. I had tried many things to stop the rash - and then I remembered that last winter I used the Omega oil and got back onto it. 4 days later my skin rash is gone!!!
You need to be sure the Omega oils you choose (there are many different kinds and brands) are Cold Pressed and filtered for heavy metals. Most of the cheaper brands are not filtered for the heavy metal and you would be wise to not use them. Our bodies get enough heavy metal poisoning from our environment, we do NOT need to be supplementing that.
Adding this daily to my diet has greatly improved my complexion.
Dotty
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite jams. I made this recipe in different ways - one with sugar and one without sugar. Here are the goods:
Huckleberry Peach Jam
- 4 Cups Crushed Huckleberries (if Huckleberries are not available you can use Blue Berries)
- 4 Cups Crushed Peaches
- 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice (use a real lemon not the bottled juice)
- 9.5 Cups Sugar OR 1.5 large containers of Agave Nectar. (The large container is 23.5 oz)
- Either 2 Packages of Fruit Pectin for Sugar OR 3 Packages of Fruit Pectin for No Sugar Recipes.
Combine fruit, lemon juice and pectin. Bring to a boil. Add the sweetener and bring to a rolling boil. For the sugar version boil for 4 minutes and for the Agave version boil for 2 minutes. Be sure to use a stock pot large enough to accommodate the “growth” during a rolling boil. Skim off foam and ladle into your hot, sanitized jars.
Let me know what you think of this recipe if you try it.
Dotty
PS If you make the Agave version this jam will not have an insulin reaction for people that are conscious of their blood sugars. Also the Agave version will have a “soft” set.
Are you looking for a GREAT TASTING sugar free jam receipe? I made one this past weekend. Here it is:
- Apricot Pineapple Jam
- 5 Cups crushed Apricots (pits removed, unpealed)
- 1 20oz can of crushed Pineapple
- 1/4 cup squeezed lemon juice
- sugar free pectin
- 1 large container of Agave Nector
Put the Apricots, Pineapple, and lemon juice together in a large pot. Add the sugar free pectin (if sugar free pectin is not available use the regular pectin but use 1 and a half packages). Bring to a boil. Add the Agave Nector and bring to a rolling boil - time for four min. Pour into prepared jars.
This makes a very tart deliteful tasting jam.
You will have to let me know how you like your when you make it.
By using Agave Nector instead of sugar this is a jam that is safe for diabetic people to consume in moderation. The Agave has no insulin reaction in the blood so blood sugar levels will not rise.
Enjoy
Dotty
I have now been using this new skin care system for 2 months. I have found my skin has been healing quite well. It holds moisture better now and my acne has totally healed. I am starting to see a difference in fine lines as well. I am very happy with the results so far. The skin care line is created Mannatech and is called Optimal Skin Care. It is fragrance free, colorant free, and preservative free. For more information go to www.AgelessVibrantSkin.com
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