Name: Jane Chitty
Posts by Jane Chitty:
Understanding the HPV virus
February 9th, 2012
The problem is that often the HPV remains invisible which means that although the virus has altered the DNA structure of the affected skin cell, there is no visible sign on the skin itself and so no warts. As a result, people are unaware that they have HPV but they pass on the virus to others through skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact or intercourse.
The good news is that firstly, the majority of women who contact the HPV virus will have it naturally eliminated by their immune system and secondly, they can be safely tested for a possible HPV infection by a PAP test where the doctor takes cells from the cervix. A positive test can then result in the necessary treatment.
It is obviously very important to treat any visible warts anywhere on your body immediately for your health’s sake. It is also thought that this makes it less likely that you will pass on the HPV virus to others.
It has also been found that a nutrient – folic acid – destroys HPV when given to women with dysplasia (abnormal cells that are pre-cancerous). A prescribed mega-dose treatment comprising b-vitamin folic acid 20 milligrams (NOT micrograms) twice daily along with a nutritional program can be successful in leading to normal PAP smears. Some people have a genetic condition preventing the body from utilizing folate/folic acid and they need prescription treatment with either intramuscular or very high dose oral folinic acid. Methyl-folate is the natural form of folic acid.
According to Heidi Fagley, she writes in her article on HPV and folic acid that:
Folic acid has been found to reduce the severity of the infection and aid the cells in stopping viral replication. All women can support their own systems in preventing cervical dysplasia by simply adding adequate amounts of folate in the diet. If you choose to use a supplemental form of folic acid, please check with a holistic practitioner to find the dose that is safe for your specific situation. Foods rich in folic acid can help support the immune system. Some of nature’s most popular fruits and vegetables that are high in this B vitamin include oranges, cantaloupe, asparagus, avocados, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, brussels sprouts, papaya, cabbage, bananas, peaches, peanut butter, and nuts (soaking and sprouting nuts and seeds enhances digestibility and allows greater absorption of nutritional content).
The raw version of these foods contains higher amounts of folic acid. Cooking can destroy most of this beneficial vitamin, so consuming fruit and veggies in their raw form as much as possible will help increase the amount the body absorbs.
http://www.naturalnews.com/028711_folic_acid_HPV.html#ixzz1lsZPBmRe
You can also reduce your vulnerability to contracting HPV by living a healthy lifestyle and being aware that you put yourself at higher risk for getting HPV:
- When you start to be sexually active at a young age
- When you don’t know the status of your sexual partner or when you have multiple sexual partners
- When you abuse alcohol and nicotine
- When you suffer from other viruses such as HIV or herpes
- When you suffer from stress related illnesses
- When you have a weakened immune system
- When you don’t follow a healthy and nutritious diet
While the much publicized vaccines have recently come on the market, these are highly controversial with evidence of deaths and serious side effects in many young girls who have had the shots. Many experts will advise that you should never have a vaccine that has not been on the market and tested for at least 10 years. It is just too risky to your health and wellbeing. And once you or your daughter has had the vaccine and suffered side effects, there is no turning back the clock.
6 homemade cleaning solutions for a safer home
February 8th, 2012
Tired of buying and using chemical-laden commercial cleaning products or paying out extra for more natural ones? Then here are some formulas for you that can easily be made at home and, as well as helping to cause less damage to your environment, they save you money too.
1. Washing machine laundry soap – use just 1 tablespoon per light load or 2 tbs for an extra heavy load and, for the average family, this amount will last approximately 9 months and can be used in HE washers too. It will have a mild scent but you can add a few drops of essential oil if you want something more fragrant but please avoid artificial fragrances.
Ingredients:
1 x 4lb 12oz box Borax
1 x 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
1 x 3lb 7oz box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz
3 x bars of Fels-naptha soap (or you can use Ivory soap or Zote soap)
Optional 2 x small containers of oxyclean or store brand oxyclean (total 3.5lbs)
Method – grate all the soap – you can even use a food processor and put with the rest of the ingredients in a 5 gallon bucket lined with a garbage bag. Mix it all up and store in a large container along with a tablespoon size scoop to make it easier to use when adding to your washer’s dispenser. In the case of a HE washer, add to the barrel instead of the dispenser.
2. Natural fabric softener – use 1/3 cup of white vinegar which you can pop into the softener dispenser of your washer. Once the clothes are dry, there is absolutely no smell of vinegar.
3. Dishwasher detergent
Ingredients:
1 x 4lbs 12oz box Borax
1 x 3lbs 7oz box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
24 small packets of unsweetened lemonade drink mix, like kool-aid – (the lemonade will stain soap dispenser yellow so an alternative option is to use ½ to ¾ cup of citric acid instead which you can usually find along with canning supplies at your local store)
3 x cups Epsom salts
1 x Lemi Shine rinse aid – sprinkle a tablespoon in the bottom of the dishwasher
Method
Mix Borax, washing soda, salt and lemonade together in a very large bowl and put into a container large enough to hold whole batch if required. A pouring spout will make life easier and you just need 1 tablespoon per wash cycle.
These three recipes come from www.beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com while Shayla Groves of www.designfinch.com has the following suggestions;
4. All-purpose Cleaner
Ingredients:
¼ cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons baking soda
¼ gallon hot water
a few drops of essential oil (optional)
Method – combine ingredients in a bucket, stir and let the mixture cool before pouring into a suitable spray bottle.
5. Glass Cleaner
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/4 gallon water
Few drops of lemon essential oil (optional)
Method – combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake. Wipe the glass surfaces with crumpled newspaper.
6. Furniture Polish
Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Method – combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before use. Remember to store extra in the refrigerator to prevent lemon juice from souring.
Safer for the environment but also easier for sensitive skins, eyes and noses.
Are you up for joining the Urban Farming trend?
February 8th, 2012
One of the biggest green trends for the coming year is urban farming and even those who have never lived or worked on a farm are taking to the concept of raising their own food – at least partially. Urban farms are becoming so popular all over America and elsewhere too. Often there are extra challenges as, with less space to work with, projects must be scaled down and efficiency becomes crucial ensuring that every inch of space is used.
In fact, many academics, scientists, environmentalists and even the man in the street believe urban farming could be the green solution to future food shortages instead of relying on the worrying and downright dangerous GMOs as a way to resolve such shortages. It is all about trying to become more self sufficient and less reliant on others to provide for you. It is also about eating a more health-promoting and organic diet and even caring for a few chickens who will reward your devotion with a regular supply of free range eggs. Urban farming could be the answer to so many modern problems.
Only last year, there was a huge outcry on the internet when Julie Bass of Oak Park, Michigan was facing 93 days in jail after being charged with a misdemeanor. Her crime was planting a vegetable garden in the front yard. Julie explained that she planted the garden after her front yard was torn up for some sewer repairs. Rather than wasting the opportunity to start with a clean slate by planting a lawn, she decided to really put the area to use, and plant a vegetable garden. Her garden consists of 5 raised beds, where she grows a mix of squashes, corn, tomatoes, flowers, and other veggies. She was threatened and persecuted by her local council but in the face of such opposition, the council soon backed down. In her own small way, Julie was instrumental in sowing the seed (pun intended) whereby people were encouraged to start their own vegetable gardens or fruit orchards in place of water guzzling and labour intensive lawns.
Urban farming is generally practised for income-earning or food-producing activities, though in many communities the main impetus is recreation and relaxation. In the UK, town and village allotments have been popular for decades. An area of land is divided up into small plots and rented to interested people to grow veggies and fruit. Such urban farming can contribute to food security and safety in two ways: firstly, it increases the amount of food available to people living in cities and secondly, it allows fresh vegetables fruits, eggs and even meat products to be made available to urban consumers.
While there many urban farming schemes, you can also benefit from growing your own city vegetable garden. All you need is a window, balcony, patio, deck or roof that receives six or more hours of sun together with a few containers. These can produce an adequate supple of produce for you without the need for a large garden plot. With containers, you can grow anything from lettuce and tomatoes to beans and peppers. You can even grow potatoes and vine crops, such as squash and cucumbers. As long as there is adequate drainage, nearly anything can be used to grow vegetables.
Just remember that:
1. Smaller containers are used for more shallow-rooted crops like carrots, lettuce, and radishes. Vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and beans will benefit from using containers that are big enough to accommodate their larger root systems. In fact, the use of five-gallon buckets is not uncommon. To make use of all available space, consider growing vegetable plants in hanging baskets too.
2. In order to help improve drainage and airflow, it may be a good idea to raise your containers about an inch or two off the ground with blocks. Place vegetables in a sunny area that is well protected from wind, which can dry out plants. Container plants usually require daily watering particularly when it is dry, hot and sunny.
I live in a mostly warm and sunny climate but only have a small city courtyard garden. In spite of this, we manage to have a successful urban mini farm! We have 4 blueberry bushes in containers, raspberry and gooseberry canes, a prolific lemon tree plus newly planted grapefruit and tangerine trees. We have a container garden for herbs plus two large deep containers for growing spinach, carrots, shallots, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers and cabbages. The tomato plants have their own 5 gallon pots. Everything is organic including compost (we make our own in 2 compost bins) and fertilizer. It is great fun and very satisfying. The image for this post is our very own first cucumber! The image for the front page of the blog shows the wonderful veggie garden of my friend in Maine.
If you plan on starting your own city vegetable garden, you will find so much help and advice on the internet. There are even specialist web sites and magazines devoted to the urban farmer so there is no excuse not to get going.
Active Manuka Honey – the most royal of all honey
February 6th, 2012
New Zealand’s active manuka honey is used as a natural healing product both internally, and topically on the skin, and the honey’s unique health properties are gaining recognition worldwide. Beekeepers in New Zealand set up their hives in wild uncultivated areas in which Manuka bushes grow. The bees gather nectar from the flowers of the Manuka bush, which is indigenous only to this country, plus the honey making process is enriched by the pollution free environment of New Zealand. Even if you cannot get hold of enough active manuka honey for daily use, everyone should have a least one jar in their medicine cupboard for emergencies! Be warned that the honey is so delicious that you might be tempted to eat it rather than keeping it safely in that cupboard.
Only honey actually bottled, tested and authenticated in New Zealand can use the UMF label (standing for “unique manuka factor”) and an 8 oz jar or bottle will probably cost you about $37 in a US health store. So genuine UMF New Zealand honey can be rather expensive. There is an American alternative available that is still from New Zealand but bottled in the US but for the very best results, Manuka honey should have at very least a 12+ UMF/”Active” rating but preferably 15+ or higher.
This important UMF rating will only be known if the honey has been tested. If a producer has gone to the expense of testing, they will definitely display it on the container. The testing is expensive and accounts for a reasonable amount of the cost of tested honey.
I know you have been waiting to read about these healing properties and here they are:
1. Use as a natural antibiotic for nasty infections, such as in the chest, by taking a couple of mouthfuls of the honey several times a day, between meals.
2. Use as a natural cough treatment by taking ¾ teaspoon of the honey every time you start to cough. It should resolve in about 24 hours.
3. This raw honey can be used effectively in the treatment of abrasions, acne, bacterial infections (including MRSA), eczema, leg ulcers, puncture wounds, psoriasis, septic wounds and surgical wounds. Manuka honey will kill h-Pylori bacteria that is known to cause ulcers.
4. For abscesses or deep wounds that have been cleaned, the honey can be packed into the cavity before applying an adhesive dressing. According to an article recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, honey provides a moist healing environment, deodorizes, rapidly clears infection while reducing inflammation, edema and any oozing.
5. Apply to the face for a few minutes (or as long as you can take it) before showering, to soften and condition the skin.
6. Use when troubled with mouth sores by swishing a teaspoon of the honey in your mouth for several minutes 3 times a day until the sores are gone (usually within a day).
7. Very effective when used in the treatment of burns. According to Professor Keith Scott-Mumbly “Many clinical studies have demonstrated honey’s effectiveness in treating burns. An article in the British Journal of Surgery compared the topical use of honey with silver sulfadiazine (SSD)— one of the most widely-used, common treatments for burns—in 104 cases of superficial burn injuries. In the honey-treated group of 52 patients, 91% of the burns were infection free within 7 days, compared to only 7% of the 52 patients in the SSD group. Pain was also significantly reduced.”
The more recent emergence of dangerous antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria has sounded a wake up call to many in the medical community to consider natural substances with proven medical uses as a means to fighting such strains.
Active manuka honey is one such natural substance and of course it lasts forever.
Your bedroom should be environmentally friendly to avoid insomnia
February 5th, 2012
We spend, or should spend, at least a third of our lives in bed asleep so it makes good sense to ensure that your bed and your bedroom is comfortable and environmentally friendly so that the sleep you enjoy is restful and of good quality.
Dr Deepak Chopra has his insomnia protocol which I thought was well worth passing on to anyone who suffers from insomnia – however infrequently. His protocol tips are in bold. I have added my comments afterwards:
The natural human biorhythm is to sleep between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. For many this means the unusual fact of being in bed with the lights out by 10 pim. So many people are sleep deprived because they go to bed too late but still have to get up early the next morning for work. So they never catch up though they may try to do so at weekends which is when they then put the biorhythm even more out of sync.
Decrease your mental activity after dinner. This means not too much TV or computer activity but perhaps a little light reading just before turning out the light.
Make preparations for the next day. To avoid the early morning rush the next day, get things ready the night before such as laying the breakfast table, putting out clothes to be worn, packing lunches and popping in the refrigerator and more. If you keep a diary, you can make a note of what you hope to accomplish the next day whether at home or at work. You will rest more easy if you know that everything is ready for the morning.
Take a hot bath for up to an hour with calming fragrances. Use a drop or two of natural essential oils in your bath water and use the soaking time to let go of any daily stress. Healing Natural Oils can provide the natural aid you need to help with sleeping problems. H-Insomnia is a product that is perfect for a safe way to enjoy a full night’s sleep. This should be your goal.
Use your bed for sleep and sex only.
Turn all lights off. Make sure you are comfortable – not too hot and not too cold – relax and concentrate on your breathing while you start to relax.
Try reciting a mantra for five minutes. If you are religious, this could be the time for a prayer or if not, make this the opportunity to listen to soothing music like the sound of oceans waves breaking on the shore.
Something warm, like a hot water bottle, may help soothe your anxieties. It will also keep you warm in cold weather and soothe any painful areas of the body.
If you wake during the night, try repeating some of the techniques above or massaging your head or feet.
If you find it difficult to sleep in your bed, pick another area of the house to sleep in. And get to the root of the problem that might be causing the difficulty such a partner who snores, a room that is too hot or cold, a room that is too light, or the presences of electro-magnetic fields. All cell phones, cordless phones, laptops and other superfluous appliances should be put into another room at night along with their chargers etc.
In addition to Dr Chopra’s tips, remember:
1. When you wake up in the morning, strip back your bed to air it the old fashioned way while you are getting ready for the day. At the same time, open the windows wide (it is best to have windows open at least slightly at night anyway) to keep the air supply fresh and full of oxygen. Once you are ready, come back and make your bed. I am afraid that dust mites love it when you make you bed the minute your jump out of it so that they stay warm and snug!
2. Change your bed linen at least every 5 to 7 days and wash on a high temperature, using a natural laundry detergent and softener. It is a good idea to hang your duvet or blankets together with the pillows out in the sun for at least 3 hours on a regular basis. This helps to to get rid of dust mites, mould and mildew.
3. When changing your sheets, leave the new set off for a while and let your mattress air. Run the vacuum over it to get rid of dust mites and a good tip is to spritz with eucalyptus oil.
4. Keep the bedroom as minimalistic as possible to provide a clean and dust-free environment in which to relax and sleep. Always use natural and non toxic materials to clean and care for your bedroom area.
5. Melatonin is vital to ensure good sleeping habits and this is only produced during darkness so make sure your room is darkened when it is time to sleep. During the day, light stimulates that part of the brain that tells the pineal gland to decrease the melatonin level when it is daytime and light, and to increase it when it is night time and dark. The brighter the light, the bigger the decrease and the darker the dark, the bigger the increase of melatonin. If you find it difficult to sleep without some light, reduce any light source gradually to improve both the quality of your sleep and the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep.
When your bedroom is environmentally friendly, you will awake refreshed and energized so that your day will go so much better and your health and immune system will benefit.
10 more lemon tips for a healthier you
February 4th, 2012
Image via Wikipedia
Fortunately, lemons are easy to get hold of all year round, even if you do not have your own lemon tree. Lemons have so many health and other benefits that they should always be part of your diet and especially in the winter months. And don’t forget that it is not just the flesh and juice of the lemon – try to use the pith and the zest too.
1. Always start your day with a lemon as a glass of water with a slice of lemon will rehydrate your body after a long night’s sleep while supporting the kidneys and the digestive system. If you can drink more of the same during the day or add fresh lemon to your cup of black tea, even better. Then end your day with a glass of warm water with lemon before bed to help the body cleanse whilst you sleep.
2. Use lemon to detox and cleanse that very hard working organ, the liver. Alcohol and sugar can really exact a heavy toll on the liver so give it a break by kicking the sugar habit, taking a rest from alcohol and including plenty of lemons (or grapefruit) in your diet to help to cleanse the liver while preventing toxins from spreading to other parts of the body.
3. The bitter taste of lemon helps the pumping motion in the bowels to spring into action for improved and regular bowel movements. So that lemon juice in warm water first thing has another benefit.
4. Of course everyone knows about lemon and vitamin C which together with flavonoids work to prevent infection. In addition, lemons contain citric acid, B-complex vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and fiber.
5. The vitamin C found in lemons helps to neutralize those free radicals that have been linked to aging and most types of disease. In addition, Vitamin C helps to boost the immune system while also assisting in the production of collagen which fights wrinkles by keeping the skin firm. This incredible vitamin helps the body absorb calcium and iron and has also been shown to reduce acne flare-ups.
6. Not only anti-infection, lemons have anti-viral properties too and can be very effective against all types of viruses including viral colds and flu.
7. Although lemons are acidic, strangely enough they interact with our body’s metabolism to have an alkalizing effect on the body’s fluids. This helps to restore the body’s PH.
8. A very important benefit is the presence of 22 anti-cancer compounds (including limonene which studies have shown slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors in animals while flavonol glycosides prevents cell division in cancer cells.
9. Rutin is found in lemons and its presence has been shown to improve the symptoms of eye disorders, including retinopathy in those who have diabetes. Another plus for diabetics is that lemons contain hesperetin which lowers blood sugar levels.
10. That citric acid found in lemon juice helps with kidney health by dissolving gallstones, calcium deposits and painful kidney stones.
So stock up a supply of lemons when you do your grocery shop every week and ensure a continuous supply of health benefits from this powerhouse of goodness.
7 natural ways to combat cellulite
February 2nd, 2012
Many women start to notice that telltale dimpled skin and orange peel effect of cellulite from quite a young age and very few escape altogether because some 95% of all women will suffer from this skin condition to some extent.
Easy to spot with its orange peel, puckered appearance of the skin, cellulite is usually found on those areas where fat gathers – namely the thighs, buttocks and abdomen. For some it is in the genes and then they follow the kind of lifestyle that aggravates the condition. While you cannot help the genetics factor, you do have a choice with other causes such as lifestyle, diet, exercise and stress levels.
These are the main reasons for cellulite:
• Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or liver problems.
• Constant stress, that leads to tension in the neck muscles, problems with the vertebrae and inflamed tissue, which is thought to cause cellulite at the back of the neck. Prolonged stress and the associated surge of adrenaline can also lead to increased fat storage in the stomach, hips, buttocks and thighs.
• Cellulite in the upper arms and legs is common in older women and this is thought to be partly caused by impaired vein systems in the arms and legs while surprisingly too much leg exercise can lead to cellulite appearing on the front of the thighs. Aging plays a big role in cellulite formation.
• There is a septae structure under the female skin which is very fibrous and mesh-like making it prone to trap fat cells.
• The female hormones estrogen and progesterone – while the former encourages fat cells to develop and grow around the breasts, thighs and buttocks, the latter can lead to fluid retention, weak veins and weight gain.
• Pregnancy is a time of drastic change in the body including fluid retention and a surge of hormones while the growing uterus can also affect circulation and lymph drainage. Plus any cellulite problems will usually worsen with each successive pregnancy although the good news is that breastfeeding is very beneficial in reducing cellulite.
• A sedentary lifestyle means little or no muscle contractions and a strong possibility of weight gain. If you are overweight or obese, you will be more prone to cellulite plus any fat accumulation will also push the existing cellulite upwards so that it is more noticeable. Please take note that crash diets are particularly harmful because they lead to the body wanting to store fat.
• Cigarette smoke is damaging to vein and capillary walls causing inflammation and leaking, while nicotine itself can affect your circulation.
• Highly processed foods, artificial sweeteners and other additives build up toxins in the body and ultimately, cellulite.
So here are 7 natural ways to combat cellulite:
1. Make a warm drink to take each morning on an empty stomach by mixing 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of warm water. Add a small amount of honey as a sweetener.
2. Coffee scrub is made by simply mixing a handful of ground coffee granules with some olive oil and then massaging the affected areas of cellulite with it.
3. A gentle apple cider massage treatment could help to reduce the appearance of cellulite when you mix 3 parts apple cider vinegar with one part of your favourite massage oil. Then gently knead this solution onto affected skin areas twice daily.
4. H-Cellulite from Healing Natural Oils fades and reduces the appearance of cellulite through improving the texture and tone of the skin, moisturizing the skin and then sealing in that moisture. Specially formulated with essential oils, the product is safe and gentle to use.
5. Physical exercise like walking or swimming, and even yoga, are all effective ways to control stress and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Exercise for 20 minutes a day, 5 times a week. This returns your body chemistry to a balanced state in which cellulite is less likely to develop. When you take up yoga, it whips your leg muscles into shape but it can help smooth spongy thighs too. Cellulite is a symptom of reduced lymph circulation, and yoga helps lymph flow more freely through fatty areas, flushing toxins and reducing cellulite.
6. Think about using a mini trampolene to make you fit, tone your body, assist with weight loss, boost your lymphatic system, detox your body, boost your immune system and help get rid of cellulite. A gentle bounce is used to warm up and end your session. Your feet remain flat on the mat, your hands either on your hips, by your side or holding onto a support bar and you bounce very gently while you breathe consciously and steadily. Your “zone” is a bounce you slip into without even thinking about it. Remember to slow right down at the end of a session, first to a gentle bounce and then a standstill before stepping off. Then have plenty of water to flush out all the toxins and to rehydrate your body. An extra special tip for cellulite is to tap or slap the affected areas as you breathe and bounce.
7. Finally, include these fresh foods in your new healthier way of eating because they are particularly good for combating cellulite: asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, pears and cucumber.
Have you thought about adding sauerkraut to the menu?
January 31st, 2012
We all need friendly digestive flora as health-promoting probiotic, and fermented foods have been used by different civilizations for hundreds of years for this purpose. Today sauerkraut is one of the most popular probiotic foods, happily consumed by many different peoples around the world. The French eat choucroute, the Germans of course sauerkraut and the Koreans kimchi.
If you would like to make your own sauerkraut, here is the recipe from a friend. She is a mine of information for all those good and healthy recipes we should all be using but so often don’t have the time or the inclination.
You will need:
1 half gallon glass jar for storage
1 medium sized cabbage shredded (preferably in your food processor)
Optional extras: half a daikon raddish, shredded carrots, juniper berries plus a tiny amount of red pepper flakes.
half cup of pure filtered water with 1 tablespoon of natural sea salt dissolved
1 cup water kefir as a starter (although not absolutely necessary, this will help to speed up the process). Incidentally, water Kefir is a lacto-fermented beverage made from sugar water, juice or coconut water. Here is a link to how to make your own http://www.culturesforhealth.com/water-kefir
Method
Pack all the cabbage and optional extra ingredients into the jar as tightly as possible using 2 or 3 cups at a time. Between each addition, use a potato masher to compact the cabbage even further before adding more and compacting again. Carry on until the jar is completely full.
Mix the salt water and water kefir and slowly pour over the cabbage mixture, giving it time to soak all the way through until the top of the cabbage is completely covered. Cap the jar with a plastic lid so that it is not quite air tight and place it in a pan (because the jar will leak) and cover with cloth to block out the light. Leave it on the kitchen counter for 3 days but check daily and add more water as necessary to ensure the cabbage is covered. After 3 days in the summer or 4 to 5 days in the winter, place in the refrigerator for another week or two. You can start to eat it as soon as it is in the refrigerator but if left a bit longer, the flavor develops more.
Don’t be put off by the fact that naturally occurring bacteria on the surface of the cabbage leaves thrive in this environment, chemically changing the cabbage and increasing its B vitamin content. We all know how long fresh cabbage can last in the refrigerator. Fermented cabbage lasts much longer than that – for weeks if not months.
The ideal way to serve sauerkraut is as an accompaniment to cold beef or sausage or as a side dish to pork chops or a pork roast. Another way is to brown pork chops in a pan and place on top of the sauerkraut in a casserole dish before baking at 320 degrees until the meat is tender.
Healthy sauerkraut is tasty, very low in calories, with no fat and no cholesterol but with plenty of fiber. Serve it at least once a week and you will get all sorts of nutrients – vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate, iron, potassium, copper and manganese.
And if you want to get hold of ready made sauerkraut, you need to look for unpasteurized fermented cabbage. It is harder to find but you may be lucky at a health food store or you can order online.
Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis – avoiding the spread
January 29th, 2012
Most of us have had experience of pink eye or conjunctivits and know how highly contagious it can be. It is alarming for parents the first time they see this condition on a young child because it may make the eyes extremely red and even spread rapidly. The good news is that it usually causes no long term damage either to the vision or the eyes themselves.
Some types of pink eye go away on their own while other require treatment.
The symptoms of pink eye are:
- Redness or swelling of the white of the eye or inside the eyelid
- Increased amount of tears
- White, yellow or green eye discharge
- Itchy eyes
- Burning eyes
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Gritty feeling in the eye
- Crusting of eyelids or lashes
Pink eye can be caused by:
- The bacteria and viruses that are responsible for colds and other infections such as ear, sinus or throat infections.
- The same bacteria that can lead to sexually transmitted diseases – known as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Allergies – although this is more likely when a child has other allergic reactions such as hay fever.
- Irritants in the environment such as chemicals in chlorine or soaps or air pollutants such as smoke or fumes.
Chlorine in higher concentrations such as in public swimming kpools can be the culprit if your child experiences frequent bouts of conjunctivitis. The chlorine can break down the protective layers of lubrication that cover the eyes so that they become more vulnerable to getting infected if they are rubbed. Triggers of this type of allergic conjunctivitis include grass, ragweed pollen, animal dander and dust mites.
Fortunately, most cases of conjunctivitis resolve on their own within a week or so but when the pink eye produces a green or yellow discharge, using an over-the-counter antibiotic eye drop can be very helpful. Even if the pink eye appears in just one eye, it is safer to put one drop in each eye because it is so easy for the conjunctivitis to spread. Continue the treatment daily for at least two days after all signs of the redness have gone.
6 ways to become a better consumer and help the environment at the same time
January 29th, 2012
Image via Wikipedia
Popular opinion has always carried a lot of weight and when combined with the fact that money talks, it should not be impossible for consumers to convince both themselves and their main food suppliers that a healthier diet is needed by everyone. A growing rate of a 70% overweight and obese population in the US just cannot continue – it is unsustainable. To become a healthier person while putting less strain on the environment can and should be the goal of us all.
Here are 6 ways in which you can help
1. By cutting your meat consumption. At present, US meat eaters swallow 4 times as much meat as the rest of the world does. If you can cut your consumption in half, you can then easily afford to buy healthy grass fed organic beef or free range chicken and you will be cutting any damage to the environment by at least 50%. Factory farmed meat is very damaging both to the environment and to our health with 90% of meat currently coming from CAFOS and factory farms. Move away from all factory farmed meat, eggs and dairy and create a new demand for grass fed beef and free range chicken and eggs along with raw or at the very least organic milk, butter and other dairy products and farmers will change from dangerous, unhealthy industrial agriculture practices to sustainable organic techniques with more local production.
2. By avoiding so much waste in our food supply from start to finish in the food chain. More than a third of all food in the US gets thrown away. This is a terrible indictment on us all when others in the word are starving.
3. By ditching all the processed and refined foodstuffs too. That means white bread, white flour pastas, corn, processed salts instead of healthy natural salt, sugar, sodas and artificial sweeteners. With the US diet comprising more than than 80% processed, junk and fake foods, a natural, wholefood diet would vastly improve both our heath and our negative impact on the environment.
4. By supporting and buying local and seasonal produce wherever and whenever we can. Food supply transport equals 20% of food-based greenhouse gas emissions so consumers can greatly reduce the CO2 emissions they are responsible for by purchasing their food from local organic growers. Local food from a farmers’ market or a veggie box scheme travels a much shorter distance than supermarket food from all over the world. Remember that even when supermarkets display “local” food, it has often travelled further than you might think because it still gets packaged centrally. Genuine local food often has a lot less packaging and if it’s from a market, it can often go straight into your bag.
5. By showing concern about the number of bees that have been dying off around the world for a decade now from a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD. A third of the US food supply depends on the honeybee. The collapse of bee colonies is probably multifactorial rather than a response to one type of toxic assault but one major factor is the toxicity of systemic pesticides such as Clothianidin (made by Bayer). Do your bit to raise awareness of this worrying trend.
6. By learning to cook from scratch instead of relying on convenience ready-to-eat meals or take outs. Remember that the more ingredients in a meal, the higher the emissions from processing the food. This means it is better to cook your meals from scratch – something everyone would have done automatically in the past. This is where eating local food really wins out as most processed and ready-to-eat meals have ingredients that come from all over the world. If we want to be sure of eating local food, we need to cook more from scratch. We should also consider including more raw food in our diet – I try to have at east one raw meal per day.
Support the organic food and farming movement and at the same time drastically reduce your carbon foot print by changing the way you shop and eat with these 6 tips. Become part of a mass consumer demand for farm products that are organic, locally or regionally-produced and of course also climate friendly.
