Delicious Nutritious Beef Bone Broth

Back before my days of studying holistic nutrition, I was a closet fan of Martha Stewart and was always impressed by her homemade soup stocks. (I say closet because with a part-time job and 2 small children - I really can't be Martha Stewart, but it was fun to watch her create). Although I thought after watching and reading her bone broth recommendations that a good stock should be made from scratch and use soup bones, I never really made the time to try it. Recently I've been reading a lot about the awesome healing benefits of a good bone broth/soup stock and decided it was time to try it for myself. I'm 27 weeks pregnant now and trying to prepare myself and the baby for delivery in -my goodness- 13 more weeks. Amazingly, it really wasn't that difficult - like anything else it's a matter of having the right ingredients on hand and knowing what to do. Why take the extra time? Why not buy some soup stock from the grocery store?

Benefits of a properly made bone broth

• By adding vinegar to the cooking broth it releases calcium, magnesium phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and other trace minerals from the bones. Held in a broth form, these minerals are so easy for the body to absorb and provide quick nourishment and healing. These minerals are also the basic building blocks for healing whether from the flu, broken bone, or surgery. Drinking a good bone broth will speed healing time.
• Broth also contains the broken down material from cartilage and tendons, like chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine - no more expensive supplements to take!!
• Bone broth is rich in collagen and gelatin which aids digestion of milk, beans, meat, and the proteins in wheat, oats, and barley. (Adding whole grains and beans into your favorite soup makes even more sense now!)
• Bone broth can be helpful in easing the following conditions: food allergies, dairy allergies, colic, bean maldigestion, grain maldigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, malnutrition, weight loss, muscle wasting, cancer, osteoporosis, calcium deficiency and anemia.
• Bone broth contains amino acids in a readily absorbable form that helps the body detoxify.

How to make Beef Bone Broth

6-7 pounds of various beef bones, including marrow, knuckle, meaty rib, and neck bones (Remember the quality of your broth will depend on the quality of the ingredients. I recommend spending a little more for grass-fed beef or organic and avoiding beef tainted with antibiotics or hormones).

4 quarts of cold filtered water

1/2 cup vinegar

3 onions, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

3 celery sticks, chopped

Several sprigs of thyme or other favorite herbs

1 bunch of parsley

4 tablespoons tomato paste

1 cup of favorite red wine

Place the meaty bones on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven at 350 to 400 degrees until browned. Add bones, vegetables, vinegar, parsley, tomato paste, and red wine to pot and cover with water. Liquid should come no higher than within one inch of the rim of the pot, as the volume expands slightly during cooking.

Bring to a boil. A small amount of particulate matter may rise to the top and it is important to remove this with a spoon or small fine mesh sieve. Reduce heat and add thyme or other herbs.

Simmer the stock for at least 12 hours and as long as 72 hours.* Just before finishing, add the parsley and simmer another 10 minutes.

Strain the stock into a large bowl. Let cool in the refrigerator and remove the congealed fat that rises to the top. Transfer your delicious, nutritious broth into small glass jars and freeze for long term storage.

This broth can be used to make soups and stews; added to rice or other grains in place of water; freeze in small cubes and use when cooking vegetables; or just drink warm when feeling under the weather or in need of healing.

*Another idea is to make your stock on low in the crock pot. If you are like me and cannot be home for long periods of time and don't want to leave the stove-top on this works really well. Mine spent 2 days in the crock pot on my counter and turned out great. You may have to adjust the recipe depending on the size of your crock pot.

Stay tuned as I plan to experiment with Chicken Stock and for our vegan readers a delicious Vegetable Stock to make ahead, freeze, and have on hand when needed.

Karla

Natural Cough Remedies

My daughter was diagnosed with Croup last week and I got sick shortly after. I am now on day 5 of feeling pretty lousy and a suffering with a horrible congested cough. This sent me on the search for some natural cough remedies that my ease my discomfort.

Congested Coughs Causes
The obvious causes of coughing are colds, flu, bronchial infections, sinus congestion, smoking, and the need to rid the throat of foreign matter. But did you know that heartburn is one of the leading causes? For some unknown reason heartburn is the cause for about 10% of chronic coughers. See our Heartburn section for suggestions to relieve both the heartburn and coughing. Dust, pollen and chemicals are other sources of irritants. Also, some drugs, most notably ACE inhibitors used for high blood pressure, have coughing as a side effect in 21% of the people using them. Coughing is also a common symptom of asthma. The sound of your cough may indicate its cause. Below is a list of the cough sounds and what that may indicate:

A barking cough - bronchitis or croup

A high-pitched cough - your vocal cords are involved and the airways have become narrowed

A wheezing cough - asthma and/or bronchitis

A loud, gasping cough with difficulty getting air - whooping cough

Tips
• Breathe the steam from a vaporizer, hot shower, or pan of boiling water. The moist air will soothe the airways and loosen sinus congestion and phlegm in your throat and lungs. A few drops of the oil of eucalyptus will help this process.

• Elevate the head of your bed. This will allow your sinuses and nasal passages to drain better and not create that "tickle" in your throat.

• Stop smoking. Passive smoke or other irritants, such as chemicals, can be a cause. Household cleaners, new carpeting, paneling and mattresses are some of the many possible sources of chemical irritants.

• Drink at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water. This is especially important if your cough is due to an illness. Water is the best expectorant you can take and will help thin the mucus and loosen the cough.

• Do not use over-the-counter expectorant cough remedies as they just suppress the symptoms and do not address the underlying problem. If you have the kind of cough with mucus you want to get it out of your respiratory system, not suppress it. Try one of the natural expectorant remedies below.

• Try eating hot chili peppers, horseradish or other spicy foods. They will help loosen mucus.

• During the winter, if your house is dry, use a humidifier and a cool-mist vaporizer in your bedroom at night. This will help thin the mucus. Be sure to thoroughly clean the vaporizer, as it can harbor bacteria.

• Drink hot tea to break up the mucus and open and moisten the airways.

• Cough drops or hard candy will help stop the tickle if you have a dry cough and will moisten the throat.

• Avoid foods that increase the production of mucus, such as dairy products, meat and fried foods.

• Hot packs placed on your throat and chest are very soothing.

Supplements
Vitamins A, C and E are beneficial with conditions that cause coughs.

Aromatherapy
The use of inhaled steam can be very effective in liquefying mucus and reducing irritation. To control the steam, bend over the steaming water while holding a towel over your head. Try some of these aromatherapy oils. Inhaling essential oils can stimulate your lungs to expel phlegm.

Cypress Add three drops each of cypress and juniper oil and a drop of ginger.

Cedar Dilute 3 drops of oil of cedar in one teaspoon of carrier oil, such as olive, sweet almond or jojoba, and massage onto your chest several times a day.
Add 10-15 drops to a pot of steaming water and inhale the vapors

Eucalyptus Add a few drops of eucalyptus to a carrier oil and rub on your chest.
• Put 10-15 drops of oil in boiling water and inhale the steam. Eucalyptus is a good decongestant and expectorant. You can also add three drops of hyssop oil.

Jasmine Use the oil in a burner or put a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale the fumes.

Myrrh Add a few drops of myrrh to a carrier oil and rub on your chest. This will help reduce mucus.

Peppermint Dilute 3 drops of peppermint oil in one teaspoon of carrier oil, such as olive, sweet almond or jojoba, and massage onto your chest several times a day.
Add 10-15 drops to a pot of steaming water and inhale the vapors.

Pine Put some essential pine oil in a burner to soothe the throat. You can also place a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale the fumes.

Thyme Add 10-15 drops of this oil in a pan of boiling water and inhale the fumes, in an infuser, or place a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale.
• Massaging using oil of thyme may also be helpful in relieving your cough. Put 5 drops in 1/4 cup olive oil and massage your neck and upper body. Thyme is an excellent expectorant and has been used for centuries to heal respiratory conditions.

Reflexology
Rub the padded area below your big toe in various directions at the first sign of a cough. Also, hold back the toes and press on the raised area with your thumb. This will help relieve chest congestion.

Remedies

Folk

Aloe vera Mix equal parts of aloe juice and honey. This is very good for a scratchy cough.
Angelica Use a tincture of the root or leaf, or make a tea. Angelica is an expectorant. Do not use if you are pregnant.

Bee balm Native Americans used bee balm to alleviate colds and coughs. Steep two teaspoons of fresh (one, dried) bee balm leaves in a cup of hot water, covered, for four minutes. Sip a cup three times a day. Bee balm has antiseptic compounds that can help heal respiratory infections and clear nasal congestion.

Carrot juice Mix with honey and a little warm water. Take a tablespoonful several times a day.

Cayenne pepper Mix 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a glass of water and use as a gargle, swallowing afterward. You can also use 15-20 drops of Tabasco sauce in a glass of water or juice. Pepper helps clear congestion and draws blood to the throat to fight infection.

Chamomile tea will soothe the throat.

Garlic Grate one or two cloves of garlic and mix with a teaspoon of honey. Take as needed.

Ginger Make a tea using ginger and drink 6 oz several times a day, as needed.

Grape juice Mix a cup of grape juice with a teaspoon of honey.

Honey Mix honey with juice of a fresh lemon and take as needed. Not only does honey soothe the tickle, but it has antibacterial properties, too.

• Dr. D. C. Jarvis, in his classic book, Folk Medicine, described another honey remedy that worked very well: boil a whole lemon for 10 minutes; when cool enough to handle roll it back and forth on a hard surface, cut it in half and squeeze the juice into a pint of raw honey. Add a teaspoon of glycerin and take as often as needed.

Horehound cough drops have been used for generations to quell coughs. One of horehound's compounds, marrubiin, stimulates bronchial secretions and helps break up congestion.

Hyssop Steep two teaspoons of dried hyssop in one cup of boiling water, covered for ten minutes; strain and drink cool for an expectorant or hot to relieve congestion. The oils in hyssop are good for mild respiratory problems. Hyssop contains marrubiin, the same compound that makes horehound an excellent expectorant.

Lime juice Mix equal parts of lime juice and honey.

Mullein soothes and relaxes the lungs and bronchial tubes, which eases a cough. Use 25-30 drops of tincture in a small glass of boiling water three times a day.

Onion broth Make a broth by boiling an onion for 10-15 minutes; strain and drink the broth several times a day. The broth will reduce congestion.

Onion juice Make a syrup by combining 1 teaspoonful of raw onion juice with 1 teaspoonful of honey; let stand for 3-4 hours, and take in divided doses.

Sugar Suck on a cube of raw sugar.

Tea Tea made with peppermint or rosemary will help break up congestion.

Thyme Make a tea using two tablespoons of fresh (one tablespoon of dried) thyme in a cup of boiling water; steep, covered, for four minutes; strain and drink hot. Thyme relaxes the lungs and promotes expectoration of mucus. It contains a volatile oil, thymol, which has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

Looks like I have a lot to try!

- Shannan

Source: Health911

Cold and Flu Season

I saw on the news yesterday that the first doses of the swine flu vaccine were being given. I haven't gotten into the swine flu debate much up to this point for several reasons.

• For one thing, I really don't know and neither does anyone else whether this virus will really sweep the nation this fall and winter or if it will be a minor blip on the sickness radar. I work in a hospital so I know that last spring there were quite a few serious cases and some deaths attributed to the swine flu. However, there are many deaths yearly from the regular flu.


• Even if the swine flu does sweep the nation, I don't know for certain that a new, as yet untested vaccine will stop the progression. I also don't know what kind of harm the vaccination will cause. Or, is this vaccination really a life-saver? I really don't know the answer and really none of us will until after it's over.

I'm choosing to prepare for this flu season by improving my health and stocking up on a few of my favorite natural remedies. Here are a few suggestions.

• Eat a whole foods diet with 50 to 60% raw food. There is nothing like real food to strengthen your body and immune system to help it fight off bacterial or viral invaders. Search our recipes section for great ideas on whole foods or how to modify favorite foods to get more nutrition in.


• Juice! Raw juice is so full of nutrients and enzymes. Enzymes are important in helping digest your food, but did you know if they aren't used up in the digestion process they actually head over and join the immune system task force? Conversely, if you eat only cooked and processed food, your body must produce all the digestive enzymes and some of those are stolen from your immune system leaving you wide open for attack. Click here, here, and here for great posts with juicing info and ideas.
  
• Purchase some Colloidal Silver and take at the first sign of sickness. Colloidal silver is a broad spectrum product that will kill more than 650 disease producing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Read more about it in this post.


• My new favorite product is Oscillococcinum. This is a homeopathic that you take at the first signs of flu or when you get that run down feeling. It lessens the impact of the flu and shortens the duration of sickness. I can tell you that it works too! One of the kids brought something home from school the very first week and it spread to both kids and my husband. My daughter and husband only needed one dose of O and they were feeling better the next day. The little guy needed another round but was feeling much better soon after. I was impressed. For more interesting reading on other great homeopathics read these posts.


• Olive Leaf is another potent antiviral that I plan to keep around the house this winter. Mountain Rose sells it in capsule form or in leaf form. Of course the capsule form is sold out (everyone is stocking up), but the leaf form is available. You can add it to a tea, smoothie, or make a nice tincture of it to keep on hand.


• One last thing I would recommend is making sure you are getting enough Vitamin D. Although it's not in a published study, there has been some sort of link identified between low vitamin D levels and more severe cases of the flu. Low vitamin D levels can impact your health on many fronts though so it will benefit you to keep a healthy level, especially going into the winter season with less sun exposure. If you are like me and you don't really like to take supplements without knowing if you are deficient, ask your health provider at your next visit to test your vitamin D level. I was surprised to find this August that mine was low. I'm outside all summer and tan very well, but still mine was low. With the combination of pregnancy and winter on it's way, I'm taking extra vitamin D this winter.

These are just a few of my favorite ways to prevent and treat the flu. The natural remedy world is thankfully rich in ways we can protect and heal our bodies. Most every herb has some sort of anti-microbial properties in addition to healing properties. Feel free to share in the comments section if you have another favorite remedy for our readers to prepare for this cold and flu season.

Karla

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is a weak, nearly colorless acid that was discovered by Louis Jacques Thénard in 1818 (Wikipedia.com). It's basically made up of water and oxygen. Manufacturers have used this acid to bleach paper products, produce rocket fuel and propel submarines through the water. Hydrogen Peroxide is so versatile that it can also be used for many tasks in your home. (The strength you'll use at home is the 3% grade.)

Here are 10 awesome uses for Hydrogen Peroxide:

1. Whiten Your White Laundry

Pour in a cup of hydrogen peroxide into a washer load of white laundry instead of chlorine bleach and it will whiten your clothes. Don't pour it directly on your clothes. It can fade out the color just like bleach does!

2. Sanitize Your Kitchen Surfaces

Mix up a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and tap water and pour it into a spray bottle. Use it to sanitize your kitchen counter tops, clean appliances and help keep your kitchen germ-free. Note: Mix up only as much as you'll use at one time. If you don't store hydrogen peroxide in its brown bottle, light will break down its chemical makeup.

3. Sanitize Public Drinking Fountains

Did you know you can get contagious diseases like Trenchmouth from using public drinking fountains? Carry a small container of hydrogen peroxide with you so you can sanitize fountains before you drink from them. Just splash some peroxide on the spout and let it set for several seconds. Then turn the water on and let it run to the count of five before you drink from it.

4. Kill Fingernail and Toenail Fungus

Soak your fingernails or toenails in a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide every day and it will kill harmful fungus.

5. Make a Homemade Tooth Whitener

Swish a teaspoon full of 3% strength hydrogen peroxide in your mouth for five to ten minutes every day. It will kill harmful germs and bacteria. It will also act as a homemade tooth whitener!

6. Help Houseplants Grow Healthier

Mix up an ounce of hydrogen peroxide into a cup of water and spray your houseplants with this solution. It will help your houseplants grow greener and more lush.

7. Remove Harmful Pesticides From Fruits and Veggies

Pour a fourth of a cup of hydrogen peroxide into a sink of cold tap water. Place your fruits and veggies in the solution and wash them off well. Then, rinse each piece off with tap water and dry.

8. Clear Up Skin Acne

Use a clean cotton ball to generously dab straight hydrogen peroxide onto skin acne two or three time a day. The peroxide will dry the problem up in no time at all!

9. Remove Waxy Build Up From Your Ears

Tilt your head and use an eye dropper to put three or four drops of hydrogen peroxide into the ear that has the waxy build up. Let it set for several minutes. Then, use a syringe and flush your ear out carefully with warm water. Dry your ear with a soft, clean cloth.

10. Kill Germs in Your Bathroom

Mix together equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide and tap water and pour it into a spray bottle. Use this solution to kill germs in your bathroom and keep it smelling clean!

And here is one more use...my dentist recently recommended that I use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash. Here is how:

Using hydrogen peroxide as mouthwash is simple: just swish some 1% to 3% hydrogen peroxide (straight or diluted in 50% water as was recommended to me) around in your mouth, then spit it out. Like you'd do with any kind of mouthwash, right?

Why 1% to 3%? Some people feel that 3% is a bit strong to use as a mouthwash. You can try 3%, or water it down with some water. (Some 3% hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water added will give you 1.5% hydrogen peroxide.)

Hydrogen peroxide as mouthwash will kill bacteria and viruses in your mouth. However, it takes time for hydrogen peroxide to work, so this is not going to remove all the bacteria and viruses in your mouth – it will just lessen them.

Hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash can taste a bit weird. Also, any time hydrogen peroxide is killing germs, it will foam -- so there can be some foaming when you are using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash.

If you want to get at the bacteria in your gums, try it this way: brush your teeth, then floss between your teeth, and then swish with peroxide. This way any gunk is out of the way, and the peroxide can get in to the gums more easily. Swishing for a minute or longer will be more effective than a shorter swish.

I have to say from personal experience, rinsing with hydrogen peroxide gives you that smooth, clean, fresh-from-the-dentist feeling!

- Shannan

Sources: Using Hydrogen Peroxide, Associated Content

Homeopathics and Bach Flower Remedies to Keep on Hand for the Stomach Flu

Preschool ended last week for my kids, but not before they were exposed to one last bout of the stomach flu. One of the sweet little guy's in the class was sent home on Wednesday with the big D. I hoped maybe the kids would miss it, but sure enough Sunday morning L. woke up with a fever and complaining of a tummy ache. I kind of twirled for awhile wondering what to do for her and then I thought duh - I can use homeopathics and Bach flowers for her! By dinnertime Sunday night she was up laughing and playing with her brother; her fever was gone; and we had no vomiting or diarrhea. Yeah! I love natural medicine!

Here is a great list of homeopathics and Bach flowers to keep on hand to get you through the stomach flu.

Homeopathics: The basic principles of homeopathy are that the natural state of the human body is one of health and that we possess the natural ability to heal ourselves. What we describe as symptoms are actually the body's efforts to protect itself against disease. Therefore, to effect a cure, we should not suppress the symptoms, but seek to stimulate the body's own natural healing processes.

• Arsenicum Album - Person is restless, fearful, aching, and irritable. They are thirsty for sips of water and are better from warm drinks, worse from cold ones. They dislike the smell or even sight of food. They have burning pains here and there and usually feel worse after midnight.


• Bryonia - Person has a painful cough and pain in the throat and chest. They feel worse from even the slightest motion. They are irritable, quiet, and want to be left alone. They are usually very thirsty with dry mouth and lips.


• Euphatorium perfoliatum - Person experiences deep aching in the bones and even the eyeballs are sore. They may feel totally "wiped out," unable to exert the least effort. They are usually thirsty, especially as the chill begins to come on.


• Gelsemium - There is gradual onset of chilling, aching, lassitude, and fever. Person is not thirsty. They are persistently apathetic and indifferent to life. They lie quietly with eyelids drooping.


• Nux Vomica - This remedy is indicated when a cold has developed into influenza. The patient is irritable, chilly, sensitive to noises and odors, worse from cold or open air. They are better lying down and from warmth.


• Phosphorus - This remedy is for the person who doesn't even act sick. A child, for example, with a temperature of 104 degrees may play happily. Person may feel very weak. They are thirsty for refreshing ice-cold drinks, but may vomit as soon as the water is warm in the stomach.

That is an extensive list. We found Arsenicum Album and Nux Vomica helpful. If you are unfamiliar with homeopathics, look for them in your local health store or you can order them online at 1-800-homeopathy. For more information you can also check out the National Center for Homeopathy.

Bach Flower Remedies: Generally I think of using Bach Flower Remedies during times of stress or emotional problems, so I was surprised to find that they are also very helpful during the flu or other physical symptoms. This shouldn't be so surprising as we generally get "sick" after a period of mental, emotional, or physical stress.

Here is a list of the primary essences one should take as soon as the flu shows up.

• Clematis: This strengthens the resolve to stay healthy.


• Crab Apple: Promotes purification of the blood and helps divert the virus.


• Olive: Gives one reserves of strength.


• Walnut: Strengthens the immune system against pathogens

All of the above can be taken together or mixed in a bottle. Here is another list of complementary essences and you may choose up to two depending on your particular circumstances. (Only up to six essences should be mixed at a time).

• Chicory for a conspicuous craving for love or comfort.


• Elm for sudden exhaustion.


• Holly for groundless irritation.


• Mustard for an inexplicable bad mood.


• Water Violet to treat the need for quiet and the need to be left alone.


• Gentian in case of a prolonged illness or prolapse.

If you are unfamiliar with using Bach Flower Remedies, once again check your local health store as they usually sell them there. My local health store doesn't sell them, but I order them from Frontier. For more information you can also check out the Original Bach Flower Remedy site.

Hopefully this helps you the next time you or someone in your family is faced with the stomach flu! I know it was helpful here.

Karla

Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux

My husband and other members of his family have been long-time sufferers of acid reflux. And despite my best efforts to help him control his heartburn through some small diet changes, he continues to take a daily dose of medication against my better judgement. I am back on a kick again.

As I have done a bit of reading about natural remedies for acid reflux, it is clear that there are lots of thoughts on the subject and that no "one-size-fits-all" solution has yet to be identified. In fact, most experts say that you need to experiment and see what works for you. If one remedy doesn't seem to help try the next.

Below is a list of 10 home remedies you may want to try. Keep in mind that these are not medically proven solutions, but may be worth a shot.

1. Drink a glass of milk. Even though opinions differ on whether it should be whole or skim milk, this is an accepted and often recommended measure for immediate relief for heartburn and acid reflux.

2. Drink water. The water will dilute the stomach acid and wash down anything that might be planning on defying gravity, so a big glass ort wo of water after your meal might do the trick.

3. Chew almonds. A few almonds, taken in the morning and/or after meals, chewed very well, have been hailed as the new miracle treatment for acid reflux by some people.

4. Chamomile or fennel tea. The soothing effects of chamomile or fennel tea are also known to provide acid reflux relief. The tea should best be sipped, not gulped, and should be of a moderate temperature, not too hot or cold.

5. Eat an apple. Eating an apple after a meal has also been found to alleviate acid reflux. Choose organic apples and chew well.

6. Candied ginger. Chew a piece when you're feeling the acid reflux kick in. You can also put a piece of candied ginger in your tea and let it sit for a bit before drinking it if you don't like eating candied ginger.

7. Apple cider vinegar. Swallow two to three table spoons undiluted for an acute attack, or dissolve the same amount in warm water to drink to prevent acid reflux from recurring.
Note: Concerns with swallowing undiluted vinegar include the fact that it can start to eat away tooth enamel. Our recent post on fruit juice/honey apple cider vinegar by Body Ami recommends diluting a few teaspoons with 8 or more ounces of water.

8. Papaya enzyme. Available in the form of papaya enzyme pills, this enzyme has helped end acid reflux symptoms for some people.

9. Aloe. Despite its consistency which takes some getting used to, aloe juice also is some acid reflux patients favorite remedy.

10. Chew gum. After your meals, chew sugarless gum for 30 minutes. This stimulates saliva production which in turn like water that you drink dilutes the contents of your stomach and helps wash down anything from your esophagus into your stomach.

I also read that eating a piece of celery before and after a meal helped one person. Hey, why not try it!

I personally feel that diet is the key to controlling acid reflux and often press on this point when discussing this issue with my husband. It makes sense that a more alkalizing diet (mainly fruits and veggies) would at least help relieve this constant heartburn. Below is a table of foods that should be avoided as you try to get your acid reflux under control.

Foods To Avoid

Fruit • Orange juice • Lemon • Lemonade • Grapefruit juice • Cranberry juice• Tomato
Vegetables • Mashed potatoes • French fries • Onion, raw
Meat • Ground beef, chuck • Marbled sirloin • Chicken nuggets • Buffalo wings
Dairy • Sour cream • Milk shake • Ice cream • Cottage cheese, regular
Grains • Macaroni and cheese • Spaghetti with sauce
Beverages • Liquor • Wine • Coffee, decaffeinated or regular • Tea, decaffeinated or regular
Fats / Oils • Salad dressing, creamy • Salad dressing, oil & vinegar
Sweets / Desserts • Butter cookie, high-fat • Brownie • Chocolate • Doughnut

Processed Snacks • Corn chips • Potato chips, regular

Note: This is by no means a complete list, and in your personal situation, you may either find you can eat the foods from the "Avoid" group with no problem or have problems with foods not listed. It is a good idea to keep a Food Diary. For approximately two weeks, write down what you eat, when you eat and any symptoms you may experience. This will help you and your doctor plan your diet and decide on any change in eating habits you may need.

- Shannan

Sources: about.com, revolutionhealth

Body Ami: Apple Cider Vinegar on a Whole New Level

Recently, through the crazy medium of Twitter, I came into contact with Beverly Parenti of Body Ami. She has a some wonderful products that I really think you should all try. It's such a great idea...flavored apple cider vinegars.

Many swear by taking a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar a day for it's many health benefits. These include:

• better digestion and assimilation


• better elimination


• prevents infection and increases immune system


• helps remove toxins


• natural allergy relief


• quicker healing fom coughs and colds


• promotes pH balance


• rich in nutrients, minerals and enzymes


• and of course increased metabolism and greater success with weight loss.
  

Body Ami has more great health benefits and testimonials listed on their website. They even have a Facebook page where many have written in testimonials or sent video clips to watch. Cool!

The one really big dis-satisfier with apple cider vinegar seems to be the strong taste. Body Ami has found a wonderful solution to this problem. They blend their organic, unpasteurized, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with super fruit juices and honey. Some of the choices include acai berry, goji berry, currant, pomegranete, and mangosteen. Don't those sound delicious not to mention incredibly nutritious. This is a wonderful idea.

Beverly sent me a trial size sample of Body Ami. For the last week my husband and I have been enjoying Currant Honey Apple Cider Vinegar. I mix a few teaspoons with water in my stainless steel water bottle and sip on it throughout the day. I really love it and I feel so energized throughout the day. I love that my body is getting so many enzymes and minerals and detoxing in the process. I'm trying to decide which flavor I want to try next!

I had the opportunity to chat with Beverly on the phone last week and found her to be a wonderful, sweet person with a great story of how she came to create Body Ami. Her grandmother who lived to the ripe age of 98 gave her apple cider vinegar as a child for sore throats, to ease sunburn pain, and etc. As an adult, a friend re-introduced her to the healing benefits of apple cider vinegar but she found the taste difficult to overcome. When suggesting apple cider vinegar as a remedy to friends and family, again taste was always an obstacle. Beverly decided to experiment with adding super fruit juices to apple cider vinegar to improve flavor and nutrition, but not lose the efficacy of the product. Her apple cider vinegar is organic, unpasteurized, and unfiltered with the only the finest fruit juices and honey added and bottled in Napa Valley.

Do me a favor today...let's show Beverly some internet love! Here is your to do list.

1. Check out Body Ami's website and while you are there grab your free trial size Body Ami product.
2. Check out Body Ami on Twitter and follow her updates.
3. Have a wonderful day!

Karla

What's In Your Medicine Cabinet??

Tea Tree Oil

A really great natural remedy to keep on hand for home emergencies is a small bottle of Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil is a pale essential oil taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia which is native to the northeast cost of New South Wales, Australia. Tea tree oil undiluted has a very strong camphoraceous odor (or as my husband described it "like gasoline"). No really it's not that strong. This oil has several very helpful uses around the house.

• It's an antiseptic for wound disinfection, insect or spider bites;


• It's an anti fungal that can be used to treat athlete's foot and fungal nail infections;


• Shampoos with 5% tea tree oil effectively treat dandruff and even kill lice;


• It's a great treatment for acne and general skin care. Add it to your bottle of oil when doing the oil cleansing method for even greater results;


• It's a great topical anti-viral treatment, especially when used for the herpes virus, cold sores, chicken pox, shingles blisters, and warts; and


• tea tree oil can be used in mouth wash for dental and oral health; or as a gargle for colds, and sore throats. It's important to remember not to swallow the gargle as tea tree oil is harmful when swallowed;

Pick yourself up a bottle of this wonderful home remedy. You can add it to your shampoo; dilute with distilled water, or cold pressed vegetable oil to make a rinse or salve. You can add a teaspoon of tea tree oil to a cup of water or natural soap for a wonderful disinfectant spray or wash that will even kill mold or mildew around the house.

One word of caution, tea tree oil is harmful when swallowed. It has been reported to cause drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, coma, unsteadiness, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, blood cell abnormalities, and severe rashes. It should be kept away from pets and children.

Karla

What's in Your Medicine Cabinet??

I was reading through a variety of things on my desk this weekend (trying yet again to get organized) and thought I would share a few of the things I found. I don't know about you, but as holistic as the rest of my life is, when one of the kids get hurt or sick many times I'm tempted to reach back for the over the counter things I've used for years instead of trying holistic remedies that would be better for us. I thought it might be good to share some ideas of common home remedies and then start stocking our medicine cabinets with good things to prepare for those times when we need them.

• Did you know that grapes are one of the most effective home remedies for treatment of a cough? Grapes tone up the lungs and act as an expectorant. How easy is that. A cup of raw (not pasteurized) grape juice mixed with a teaspoon of honey is a great natural cough syrup.



• For burns (I have many kitchen accidents), run the affected area under cold water or ice for 15-30 minutes. then apply honey to the area. The honey will prevent infection and start the wound healing.



• As I've started to eat more raw fruits and veggies, and started juicing, my body has been detoxing, and it started to show up on my skin as acne. It's always nice to go back to those teenage years! Something I've found affective is to use lemon juice as an astringent and for healing.



• And how about this one...Carrot soup is an effective home remedy for diarrhea. Who knew? It supplies water to combat dehydration; replenishes sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, and magnesium; supplies pectin; and coats the intestine to allay inflammation. It also checks the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria and prevents vomiting. Wow!

So, on your next shopping trip you should include grapes, honey, lemons, and carrots and you will have the beginnings of a few fantastic remedies for those occasional times when we are not at our best! Amazing!

We will revisit this topic often, but in the meantime, what are your favorite home remedies?? Please share!

Karla

P.S. Make sure to check back tomorrow morning...Shannan and I have a great surprise for you!

Acupressure Techniques

I just finished another great book in my naturopathy courses. The book is called Acupressure Techniques and it's written by Julian Kenyon, M.D. It's a great do-it-yourself book to treat common ailments at home. The book gives some scientific backing on how acupressure can help a wide number of conditions and it then explains the treatment of approximately 30 common pain problems and thirty other minor conditions. After reading it, I am by no means an expert at acupressure massage, but the book did help me relieve some very pesky neck pain my husband was experiencing so I do think there is some value in reading this book and trying out acupressure at home. After reading this book I would love to have a professional acupressure massage and am even a little more open to the idea of acupuncture. Acupuncture has always freaked me out a little what with all the needles.

Acupressure centers around deep finger pressure over the traditional acupuncture points. Acupuncture is a very ancient treatment in Chinese medicine. The ancient Chinese considered that energy circulated in the body along specific channels, which they called meridians. This energy had to be able to circulate freely around the meridians and if there was a break in its circulation anywhere then illness or pain would result. If the energy got "stuck" somewhere then a needle inserted at the piont of discomfort whould encourage the flow to reestablish itself. In acupressure, instead of needles, one uses massage of the "stagnant energy" to reestablish the flow. Many think this all sounds a little hoky and don't understand how this can work. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has researched acupuncture and found it effective for several conditions including pain from knee osteoarthritis, post-traumatic stress disorder, improved rates of pregnancy in women following IVF, and pain from fibromyalgia. Check out their site for more details.

Deep pressure with the thumb is the best way of stimulating the points. If the initial pressure is not uncomfortable then it's not being done correctly. Either the pressure needs to be increased or the correct point has not been located. Acupressure can be carried out on yourself, but if is much more effective if you can get a friend or significant other to do it for you. I've included a few diagrams below to get you started. Try them out. Massage in the direction of the arrow on the diagram.

Karla

Neck Pain

Insomnia


Headache (Migraine) Temporal

Headache (Migraine) Frontal

Sinus Rinse

For the past two years it seems that everytime I get a cold it turns into a sinus infection. By my last visit to the doctor for yet another antibiotic, I asked what I could do to curb this cycle out of pure desperation. The doctor really didn't offer any solutions, but the nurse returned to the room a few minutes later and suggested using a sinus rinse/netty pot as she does.

I have to say I was a little grossed out by the thought of rinsing my nasal passages, but I was willing to give it a shot. So, I headed to my local Walgreens and found the NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit. The kit includes a special bottle and 50 premixed packets of nasal rinse made of USP Grade (99.9% pure) Sodium Chloride & Sodium Bicarbonate Mixture (pH Balanced, Isotonic & Preservative & Iodine Free). It also comes with directions which I read thoroughly before attempting the rinse. Once you have the bottle you can just purchase a 100 pack of the premixed packets.

The first couple times I tried this, I can't say I liked the feeling. It was basically like getting water up your nose when you are swimming. But, once I perfected my water temperature (you want it on the warm side, but not hot), I became addicted.

Now, I rinse everyday in the shower and have not had to go as far as getting an antibiotic since I started this ritual. This doesn't mean I have gone cold free, but I have been able to get over it on my own which I think is great!

Happy rinsing, Shannan