Non-Stick Pans

When I bought my high end non-stick cookware, I thought I had hit the jackpot.  That was many years ago.  Then one day someone that knew I was studying Naturopathy asked if I knew of the dangers of non-stick pans....

As pans coated with non-stick surfaces are heated chemicals are released both into the air and into your food.  I have been told that if you were to hang a bird cage with a bird near your stove and you heated a non-stick pan, the fumes released would kill the bird.  One of the links in recommended reading goes into detail about this statement.  I do know that the fumes / chemicals released are toxic. 

Among the compounds released were a witches' brew of environmentally suspect chemicals. Besides trifluoroacetate they included:

• Polyfluorocarboxylic and polyfluorocarboxylic acids, a family of chemicals that includes one being phased out of Scotchguard and other products because it accumulates in the human body.
• Ozone-destroying CFCs.
• Fluorocarbons, which contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere.
• Trifluoroacetate, or TFA, is known to be mildly toxic to some plants. Because it takes decades or centuries to break down, some scientists have speculated that it could accumulate and cause harm in certain locations, such as wetlands.

And here you can read of the EPA's warnings that are now required on Teflon cookware: http://missvickie.com/resources/cookware/1teflon.html

Recommended reading: http://missvickie.com/resources/cookware/1teflon.html
Recommended reading: http://www.naturalnews.com/026678_Teflon_iron_cookware.html

So, be very careful in choosing your new cookware.  It is better to use stainless steel or cast iron pans.

Blessings - E

Migraines and AGED Cheeses

I am always searching for triggers for my migraines and found this article particularly interesting.  I am lactose intolerant and the only cheeses I can eat with minimal reaction are hard cheeses - this is because the lactase has been broken down already with the aging process of the cheese.  But I have found over the years, that I eat less and less cheese and my migraines have lessened as well.

Aged cheeses (Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Provolone, Bleu, Brie, and Gorgonzola) contain a compound called tyramine, which is formed during the aging process - this many doctors believe is the culprit for migraines. 

To test for this sensitivity, remove all cheeses from your diet for a period of time and see if your migraines decrease.  And remember it is AGED cheese that is the issue not HARD cheeses.

"The Finer Side of Fennel"

Fennel has never been a part of the menu for my family.  Why?  I have no idea.  I have never had any good recipes to test out with it... so when I found an article and a recipe in Environmental Nutrition's February 2011 paper (http://www.environmentalnutrition.com/) I thought I would give it a shot. 

So a little history of fennel.  Fennel is a native plant of the middle east / Mediterranean.  In Greek history it has been used to increase courage before a battle, ward off evil spirits, stave off hunger, cure bad breath, and help cure digestive ailments.  It is said to have been a gift from the gods to bring knowledge to man.

Fennel is in the same family as dill, parsley, and cumin.  All parts of the Fennel plant can be used - seed, root, stalk, and leaves (dill-like).  You have a fresh stalk if the stalk and bulb are white and firm, it carries a light licorice scent, and it shows no sign of flowering.  Fennel (1 cup) has 11% of the DV for dietary fiber, 10% for potassium, 8% for manganese, and 6% for folate (B9). It is also high in Vitamin C and antioxidants.  The bulb is primarily used for salads and sandwiches.  When cooked the bulb is usually paired with seafood, fish, or veal.  The stalk and leaves are added soups and stews. 

Radicchio, Pear and Fennel Salad with Anise Orange Dressing
Serves 6

DRESSING
1/2 C fresh squeezed orange juice
2/3 C clear honey
1 tsp fennel seeds, coarsely ground
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/2 C extra virgin olive oil
SALAD
1 fennel bulb with fronds (1 1/4lbs) quartered lengthwise
2 organic d'anjou pears
1 3/4 lbs radicchio (2 medium heads), thinly sliced

Dressing: whisk together all dressing ingredients until well combined.

Salad: tear enough fennel fronds into small sprigs to measure 1/2 cup.  Trim fennel stalks flush with bulb and discard stalks.  Cut out and discard core of bulb.  Then cut bulb lengthwise into think strips.  Core pears, then julienne into 3" long matchsticks.  Combine fennel strips and fronds with the pears, radicchio, and dressing.  Toss well. 

Nutritional information per serving: 140 calories, 1g protein, 14g carbohydrates, 9g fat, 27mg sodium, 4g dietary fiber.

Enjoy!!  E

"An Itchy Mystery - Solved"

In the April, 2011 edition of Readers Digest, I found a very interesting article.  I wanted to get your feed back on it... As you know, I have horrid allergies... I think, actually, it is more a "sensitivity" than allergies.  Since I don't use medicines or chemicals - I am HYPER sensitive to their effects.  This is why this article caught my eye.

The article is written by Beth Dremer and in it she suggests that if you are allergic to certain types of spring things, you may also be sensitive to certain fruits.  Clifford W. Basset, MD, medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York states, "The immune system sees a similarity between proteins in pollen and in these foods, and that riggers a reaction."

So, my question to you is this - do you have these sensitivities?  I don't, and I am curious if the general populous does or doesn't.

If you're allergic to grass, you might react to peaches, celery, tomatoes, melons, and oranges.  If you are allergic to birch pollen, you might react to kiwi, apples, pears, peaches, plums, coriander, fennel, parsley, celery, cherries, carrots, hazelnuts, and almonds. If you are allergic to ragweed, you may react to bananas, melons, and tomatoes.

Let me know... Blessings - E

One a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

No, I am not talking about an apple... there is a much better fruit that you should eat first thing in the morning before you eat anything else.... This is another one from my grandmother... Thanks Grams!

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose.  Combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, imp rove your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises , thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine,"eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Blessings - E

Onions... a Cure or a Poison?

Grams is great for sending me material for the blog... I received a message about onions and thought I should pass along the information. 

 In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people, there was a Doctor who visited many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu.  Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it, and many died. The doctor came upon one farmer, and to his surprise, everyone in the household was very healthy.  When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different, the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home (probably only two rooms back then).  The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope.  She gave him one, and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion.  It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy. 

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in AZ. She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop.  To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work... (And no, she is not in the onion business.)

The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home.  If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens.  We did it last year, and we never got the flu.

Now there is a P.S. to this, for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues.  She replied with this most interesting experience about onions: 

Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story...but I do now that I contracted pneumonia, and needless to say I was very ill... I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion.  Put one end on a fork, and then place the forked end into an empty jar... placing the jar next to the sick patient at night.  It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs.  Sure enough, it happened just like that...the onion was a mess, and I began to feel better. 

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago.  They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties. 

This is the other note:

LEFTOVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS!

I have used an onion which has been left in the fridge.  Sometimes I don't use a whole one at one time, so I save the other half for later.  Now with this info, I have changed my mind. I will buy smaller onions in the future.  I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, makers of mayonnaise. Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters in the Mullins family.  My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO.

Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist. The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed.  He's one of the brothers.  Ed is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce formula.  He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's.

Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz.  During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise.  People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil.  Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe.

"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated.  There is no harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary."  He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment.  He then talked about the quintessential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?).  Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors.  It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions.  You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion.  He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator.

It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!)

Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put it on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble.  Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

So, how's that for news?  Take it for what you will.  I am going to be very careful about my onions from now on.  For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.

So... there are several things to discuss when dissecting this email.  First, while commercial mayonnaise has lots and lots of preservatives it still contains eggs and I would never eat it beyond its expiration date or after it has set out for long periods of time. 

Second, does a cut onion sitting out help cure viruses?  Well, EATING onions does help fight disease and cure viruses in the body.  But I find no evidence that substantiates that breathing in the onion will help heal.  Which leads to the third point.

Third, does a cut onion absorb bacteria and viruses?  Again, I find no evidence to support this.  I am not saying that it does or doesn't.  Just that I have yet to find anything on any of my normal sites relating to onions and bacteria.

So, while it sounds intriguing... the benefit of onions with the sick is in the consumption of onions.  Blessings - E

Honey & Vinegar

The more I read on both honey and vinegar the more convinced I am that everyone needs to take 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey in warm water three times a day before meals... EVERY DAY. 

The combination helps you maintain a healthy weight, cure allergies, cure any bronchial ailments,  absorb proper amounts of calcium for strong bones, maintain normal blood sugar levels, sleep better, prevent colds / flu, have better focus and energy, and a host of other benefits.

Honey is the purest of sugars - it has already been processed in the stomachs of bees so is absorbed easier into the bloodstream - it causes less stress to the pancreas - and helps create new blood cells.   It also helps your body absorb vital minerals from foods.

Apple Cider Vinegar has a wealth of benefits - aiding in digestion, fighting cancers, curing nausea, helps maintain normal blood pressure, maintain normal cholesterol levels, keep you heart healthy, maintain the proper acidic/alkalinity balance, fight diabetes, and improves memory.