Honey, Sweet Nectar of the Gods

In Ancient Greece it was known as the food of Gods.

The first story of honey goes back over 8000 years ago, traced back to a cave painting of honey harvesting.  Archaeologists discovered honey combs in Egypt, buried with Pharaohs in tombs, still preserved and edible!  Honey is mentioned in the Bible, Koran, Talmud and scrolls from the Orient.  In Hinduism,  honey is viewed as one of the five elixirs of immortality.  The Romans used honey to heal their wounds after battle.

Honey is a blend of sugar, trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins and amino acids that has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and high in anti-oxidants. Because these of these properties, unprocessed raw honey helps in treating cuts, wounds and skin infections.

We should all know by now that a healthy and diverse gut biome is the key to a healthy happy life. Helping your gut breed healthy bacteria through the use of probiotics is the answer.  But those probiotics bacteria need prebiotics, (food for the good bacteria to kick the ass of the bad bacteria). The most common prebiotics are non-digestible oligosaccharides. Raw unpasteurized  honey is one of those.

Many other benefits include:

*Counters pollen allergies: raw honey contains Bee pollen, which is a natural antihistamine.

*Natural energy source: being 80% natural sugars,it provides an easily absorbed glycogen.

*Antioxidant powerhouse: boosting the immune system.

*Sleep promoter: by restocking the glycogen levels it prevents the brain searching for fuel, which can wake you up. Also it helps in releasing tryptophan which converts to serotonin and melatonin., helping in better sleep.

*Wound and Ulcer healer: Not only a natural antibacterial it reacts to the body's fluids to make hydrogen peroxide to create an inhospitable environment for bacterial growth.

*Diabetes aid: The combination of honey and cinnamon is beneficial for healthy blood sugar management, gingivitis and acne.

*Natural Cough Syrup: a half of tsp.to 2 tsp helps to control coughing and the healing properties of honey eliminate the causes.

Manuka  honey is made by bees that feed off the Manuka bush(a medicinal plant) which grows in New Zealand.  Clinical studies have found that this type of honey can eradicate more than 250 types of bacteria including MRSA. Thank you Mother Nature.

Try to purchase LOCAL raw honey as it will help with allergens that are common in your area.

Here is a great easy recipe for cough syrup:

     Honey Lemon Cough Syrup

Lemon helps promote health by quickly alkalinizing your body, and honey will kill most bacteria while soothing your throat. This is a perfect choice for a quick cough remedy.

• Put a pint of raw honey in a pan on the stove on VERY low heat (Do not boil honey as this changes its medicinal properties).
• Take a whole lemon and boil in some water in a separate pan for 2-3 minutes to both soften the lemon and kill any bacteria that may be on the lemon skin.
• Let the lemon cool enough to handle then cut it in slices and add it to the pint of honey on the stove.
• Let mixture cook on warm heat for about an hour.
• Then strain the lemon from the honey making sure all lemon seeds are removed.
• Let cool, then bottle in a jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator.

This syrup will keep for 2 months in the refrigerator. To soothe a cough, take 1/2 teaspoon for a 25 lb. child and 1 teaspoon for a 50 lb. child, about 4 times a day, or as often as needed. Adults can take 1-tablespoon doses.

Have great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Blueberries

Blueberries

Just the saying the word makes you want to have a handful of juicy, sweet berries.  I probably eat blueberries at least 5 times a week!  It's a great way to start the day, oatmeal with blueberries, raspberries, ground flax seed, chia gel, cinnamon, organic honey and a handful of walnuts or pumpkin seeds.

Did you know that blueberries are one of the few fruit native to North America?  Native Indians enjoyed fresh blueberries for hundreds of years before anyone else even knew they existed.  It is crazy that the United States cultivates and supplies over half of the world's blueberries on a global basis.  It is important when buying, always try to purchase organic.  When not in season it is best to buy organic frozen blueberries.

Here are five reasons to eat more:

*Blueberries protect against cancer, heart disease and diabetes. They are full of antioxidants

*Blueberries turn back aging. Being full of antioxidants they reduce oxidative stress which is huge contributor of decreased organ function.

*Blueberries lower your blood pressure. 

*Blueberries protect against cognitive decline. Increased consumption of berries help to increase the clearing of toxic proteins from the brain. Which helps with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

*Blueberries are good for your bowels and bladder. Containing plenty of soluble and insoluble fibers they are very useful in treating constipation and diarrhea.  They also contain Tannins which are astringents which helps to reduce the ability of e.coli to adhere to the bladder wall.

Nutritional Value: 

36% RDA of Vitamin K 

25% RDA of Manganese

24% RDA of Vitamin C

14% RDA of Fiber

Here is a easy way to enjoy some delicious  blueberries:

Blueberry Chia Pudding:

1/2 cup chia seeds.

1 1/2 cups of almond milk.

1 tsp. agave nectar or honey.

1 tsp. vanilla extract.

1 tsp. cinnamon.

1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries.

Add all together in glass or ceramic container.

Stir until well mixed.

Refrigerate overnight.

ENJOY!  

You can even grow your own blueberries at home, see: How to Grow Blueberries at Home

If you want to learn more of the benefits: Beautiful Boosting Blueberries

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Recommended Reading 05/06/18

It's recommended reading time again.  I hope you enjoy these posts as much as I do.

Last week I did not post anything as I was busy volunteering at the North Florida Spartan race.  The week before I volunteered to help build/setup the course, always a great time.  Last Sunday, only my grandson raced so I helped with the kid's race.  It was very rewarding seeing the determination and enjoyment those kids were having.  they were covered in sweat, plenty of mud and most had smiling faces.  This my grandson with a high five as he crossed the finish line.

So my first article is on how kids need to get:outdoors as often as possible.

So with getting outdoors and exercising: Are Sports Drinks Safe and effective? 

I have done a few posts on the importance of staying hydrated: Thirsty?, Drink Some Water

Most people don't have any idea how much food is wasted every year in the U.S., here is a way we can reduce that amount:10 multi-functional foods to reduce food waste.

Also on the environmental side, back in 2013 a young college dropout, came up with an idea on how to rid the oceans of plastic.  His idea The Ocean Cleanup,  is almost ready.  Five years in the making, its ready to set sail.  Here's another idea on cutting down on plastic bottles in our landfills.  This is the coolest idea ever, meet "Ooho"

The Vegan Junction just published a list of the Top 20 Plant-based Health Professionals to Follow

If you haven't heard of Gary Vaynerchuk, I encourage you to do so.  A hard-driving motivational, media giant he tells it like it is.  Check out a recent post from him: Cheering For Optimism and The Internet

Here's a great video recipe from Happy Pear: Creamy Vegan Casserole

I hope you enjoy the recommendations this month.

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day.

Everyday should be recognized as Earth Day.  We only have one.

We are rapidly destroying it and it is very disheartening.

There are many ways to help protect our beautiful planet. The single most effective way is to eat a plant-based diet.  Animal products and the needs for their production are monumentally resource intensive and contribute to massive amounts of pollution.  Eating a plant-based diet makes the most significant impact, far more than taking shorter showers(2400 gals of water to produce 1 lb of beef vs. 25 gals to produce 1 lb of wheat), driving electric vehicles and swapping out more efficient light bulbs. Granted these things do help, but we need to do more.

If you haven't watched Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret please do so.  It is available on Netflix, RedBox, etc.  There are many skeptics on Climate Change, but the facts are in: It's real and its getting worse everyday.  Here is a great article from Vox: 9 Questions About Climate Change.  For ways you can help the mission to save our planet see:1% For The Planet

Together, the people of the world can make the change.

We don't really have a choice, do we?

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Hummus with Roasted Red Peppers

Here's a recipe for a quick, delicious hummus:

2-15 oz. cans of organic garbanzo beans.

1-6 oz. jar of roasted red peppers.

1/4 cup tahini.

1 garlic clove.

1 teaspoon salt.

Put all ingredients in a Vitamix or high speed blender. 

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Hummus topping:

1-6 oz. jar of roasted red peppers.

A handful of fresh basil.

A pinch of garlic powder or a fresh fat clove.

A dash of salt and pepper.

A dash of sugar.

A drizzle of white wine vinegar.

Combine all into a food processor until smooth.

 Enjoy with fresh veggies or pita chips!

Have a great week. 

Be kind.

Judd

Eating In Season

Have you ever ate a huge red beefsteak tomato right off the vine?  There is no comparison between that and a half-ripe pale red tomato from the supermarket in the middle of winter. There is something about seasonal eating that seems natural and logical.  Most people would agree that a comforting stew full of root vegetables, like carrots, beets, sweet potatoes and onions goes better on a cold Winter or Fall evening than a big garden salad with tomatoes and cucumbers.  There is evidence that your body gets more out of certain fruits and vegetables at certain times of the year.  Your body needs more beta-carotene during the winter when there is a shorter amount of sunlight.  Carrots, sweet potatoes, etc help with this, all which are growing in this season.  Same goes for fruits like watermelon, berries, cucumbers,etc which are high in fluids, in which we need more during the hot summer months.  Nature has it together when it comes to knowing what we need with each season.  When foods are foods are picked at the peak of ripeness, when they are meant to be eaten, they taste different.  Seasonal eating brings the full flavor of fresh whole foods back to your diet.  We are blessed to have access to a couple of local farms in our area.  They have been producing excellent vegetables for over one hundred years!  Their produce is picked fresh and stays fresh until completely consumed. No waste!  What happens to your bagged greens mixed from the supermarket after only a few days?

Here's a few reasons for eating seasonal:

*Seasonal foods are often less expensive.  It takes a lot of energy and resources to manage, package and transport foods out of season.  Local framers markets are full of fresh fruits and vegetables and the cost is better.

*Seasonal eating is better for the environment.  Foods grown out of season take a tremendous amount of  resources, by recreating natural growing conditions or tremendous amount of fossil fuel in transporting foods from other in season areas around the world.

*Seasonal foods can be more nutritious. For foods to be grown out of season elsewhere in the world to be shipped to you, they must be picked green, before their peak ripeness and fully matured. Unless they are picked at ripeness and then frozen they lose most of their nutritional value. Frozen or Fresh? 

*Seasonal eating adds variety to your diet.  Variety is the foundation of a healthy diet.  By eating seasonally you can break the habit of eating the same food choices. Therefore, getting a more balanced nutritional meal.  The Seasonal Food Guide can help you find whats in season in your area.

Eat local. Eat what's in season. Eat organic.

For your viewing pleasure: How Not to Die 

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Recommended Reading 04/01/18

It's time for Spring's 1st recommended reading list!

Here's a follow up on last week's post about "Gut Bomb", A video from Dr. Michael Gregor: Microbiome: We are what they eat. 

On the environmental side of news;  

Hopefully you are aware of the Dept. of Interior's pressing issue of reducing our National Monuments.  Read Protect Public Lands first, then check out the truths behind the reduction: The Cleanest Line.

Then for a real sh**ty article check out: There's Human Poop in Glacier Waters.

Just when you thought you were getting old and had no motivation to get off the couch, check out this video:100 & 102 year old's break world running records. For more on these two champions: Running Wisdom.

Have you ever wondered the origin of  certain vegetables?  I find it fascinating. The History of Each Vegetable will give some answers.

here's some great tips on How to Save Money On a Plant-Based Diet by Julieanna Hever

You can hear more wisdom on nutrition from  Julieanna and Ray Cronise on Everything Plant-Based Nutrition.

Have a great week. 

Be kind.

Judd