Natural Food Diet Prevents Inflammation

Natural Food Diet Is Your Best Medicine

Hippocrates said that ‘Food is Your Best Medicine.’ When Hippocrates said that now- famous line, he had no idea that today’s food would be manufactured to the point of almost not being food any more. ‘Natural food is your best medicine’ is the best way to say it in the 21st century. Over the years, it has become apparent that certain foods have properties that can aid in our bodies’ healing abilities.

Fight Arthritis With Diet Solutions

Over 28 million Americans have some form of arthritis. With more and more side effects being associated with anti-inflammatory drugs, maybe it is time to get back to the “new” Hippocrates’ expression, ‘Natural Food Is Your Best Medicine.’ It is possible that we can avoid becoming part of that growing statistic by consuming a diet rich in properties that assist our joints in doing their job. Incorporating the following foods into our diets will assist our joints in maintaining good health. If you already have arthritis, these same whole foods have proven to be powerful anti-inflammatory solutions. These foods reduce swelling in your joints and promote joint health.

Anti-Inflammatory – Good For Your Joints Foods

• Ginger
• Garlic
• Turmeric
• Cauliflower
• Legumes (specifically adzuki beans)
• Onions
• Cabbage
• Pineapple
• Cherries
• Broccoli
• Walnuts
• Olive oil
• Salmon

Joint Healthy Soup

This soup is a quick anti-inflammatory joint-healthy dinner. Just throw it together, no measuring. Quantities depend on how many people you want to feed and how hungry you are.

1. In a medium sauce pot heat some water to a boil.
2. In a large skillet or sauce pan, heat some olive oil.
3. Add onions and sauté until translucent.
4. Add peeled and slivered garlic, sliced cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower florets.
5. Pour boiling water over veggies to cover. Return to a boil.
6. Add fresh grated ginger, turmeric and washed and drained (canned) adzuki beans.
7. Add salmon filets to the top of the veggies-water mixture.
8. Simmer on low for about 10 minutes or until salmon is done.
9. Serve topped with a sprinkle of walnuts.
10. Serve with a side dish of fresh cubed pineapple and cherries.

Yes, you are right, I just made it up….
I know it will be delicious. Not only is it anti-inflammatory, it is also low-calorie and yummy too. These foods can easily be incorporated into your everyday life because, as Hippocrates and Deb Bixler always said: “Natural Food Is Your Best Medicine.”

The Wow! You Are Really Lucky… natural diet program includes many fun, fast and healthy recipes that your family will love, are easy to prepare and have medicinal properties. Check out what others have said about the program. Wow! Happy Customers

Natural Garden Pest Control Solutions

Control Bugs the Natural Way

Birds, toads, and other bugs are the best way to control bugs or pests in your garden. Unfortunately, many things we do in our garden actually sabotage nature’s ability to do what she does best – keep a balance. Pesticides, poisons and extreme measures actually kill the very predators that will do the job the best. Here are two homemade plant sprays that will keep pests off your garden favorites without the use of environmentally unsafe products. You can “cook” these up in your own kitchen in minutes.

All Purpose Bug Spray

This is the one I use the most. It works on almost all pests, including slugs and beetles.

1. Chop or dice 1 garlic bulb & 1 small onion.
2. Place in a pot with 1 quart of water and 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper.
3. Steep one hour.
4. Strain through fine sieve or cheesecloth.
5. Add one tablespoon environmentally-friendly dishwashing liquid.
6. Put in spray bottle.
7. Spray on plant leaves.
8. Store the extra in tightly sealed jar.

I use this one for most of my vegetable garden plants, including tomatoes. Some plants are sensitive to leaf burn, so test new plants on one leaf before spraying the whole plant.

Hot Pepper Spray

This is what I spray on the ground or on the mulch to keep the neighborhood cats out of my yard. I also use it on my plants when I run out of the above mixture.

1. Place ½ cup diced hot peppers and 2 cups of water in a blender.
2. Puree until smooth.
3. Strain and spray frequently to deter cats and dogs from your yard.

Deb Bixler presents environmental workshops to schools, churches, clubs and businesses. Learn more about Deb Speaks by clicking here

National Wildlife Federation Global Warming Ambassador
Certified Professional Recycler of Pennsylvania
Springettsbury Township Recycling Committee
National Wildlife Federation Certified Back Yard Habitat

Herbs For Your Garden And Kitchen

Herbs Have Many Benefits

Now that it is finally getting warm here in South Central Pennsylvania, the garden is growing like crazy. I love to cook with herbs and therefore I love to grow them in my garden.  Multi-tasking your garden and your kitchen is easy.  My perennial herbs are taking off! Some of the many health and culinary benefits of herbs are:

• most are powerful antioxidants and therefore reduce your chance of diseases
• they improve your immune system
• assist you in healing
• they contain micronutrients not found in other foods
• of course, they increase the flavor in foods
• many have emotionally soothing properties
• the medicinal properties of herbs are documented in detail
• some herbs herbs/spices like curry will increase your metabolism

Herb Gardens

From a gardening stand point herbs have a huge value too. When your garden includes herb plant that winter over in your climate, you have beautiful and useful landscaping that requires little maintenance. Herbs are weeds and they grow very easily. They require minimum water and can survive in adverse conditions.

Sage As A Shrub

My sage plant is a corner shrub on my patio. It creates a beautiful visual and when I trim it regularly for culinary purposes, it maintains a dense focal point. Two or three could easily be put in a line to form a small hedge type border.

Thyme As Ground Cover

I put the thyme out front on either side of my porch steps about 2 years ago. It has now spread to 5 times its original size. I clip off of it almost year-round. The color is a deep green and serves as a good ground cover as well as a culinary treat.

Mint Spreads

I am sure most of you know that mint grows like the week that it is. I have 3 kinds of mint in my garden. They are gorgeous plants that grow tall and are in 3 different shades. In order to keep them under control, I box off the root system with 2X4’s so that they do not spread where I do not want them. Added to tea, garnish a dessert, or flavor whipped cream, or just as a visual in the yard, mint is a great and easy addition to any yard.

Chives Are Everywhere!

Another prolific speeder is chives. The seeds blow all over the yard and little chive clumps show up everywhere. There is no shortage of chives in my cooking from Spring to Fall. Omelets, stews, dips and more all get the delicate onions added.

Plant Herbs In Your Planters Too!

Rosemary In Garden

Herbs are great for planters. I started using them after realizing that I am not a good waterer. I start off with good intentions and then fail as the season rolls along. With herbs, it is not so crucial that I get out with the watering can every other day. The weeds are resilient to neglect and even in the hot sun of my Eastern facing front porch they usually last the season. Now I have oregano, cilantro, parsley and rosemary in my planters. Each one has only one small flower placed with it for color.

Herbs In The Garden And The Kitchen

Be creative! Try different herbs in your landscaping. I love rosemary. Pennsylvania is on the edge of the area that is warm enough for rosemary so sometimes it will winter over and other times it will not. So now I use it in the planters and bring it in indoors for the Winter.