Happy Holidays, Again?!!

I can not believe we are at another Holiday Season already. I get the impression that the calendar companies are playing tricks on all of us. Is it just me, or didn't we just have Christmas '98 last month? I do not understand how a whole year can vanish in a few weeks!

On a more serious note - in yesterday's news, information released stated that the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. was due to hospital errors. The report stated that this number is higher than deaths caused by AIDS, Breast Cancer, and traffic accidents.

This disturbing information focuses even more attention on why we need to take responsibility for maintaining as much of our own health through nutrition and exercise, as possible. If practicing preventative medicine can decrease our chances of going to the hospital, we can decrease our chances of being among those sad, startling statistics.

First, in this newsletter is an article from Kitti Graham. In it she shares her "Remedy Recipe" - great for fighting colds and viruses. She also has important information on garlic.

In last month's newsletter, we introduced Stephanie Jenkins, our newest nutritional advisor. This month we have included two of the questions we received for Stephanie and her replies. We have chosen these two letters, because their thought-provoking questions can apply to many of our subscribers.

Last, my article on "Healthy Holidays" discusses my personal preventative medicine arsenal that I use to maintain health, during this hectic time of year.

Whatever the plans, customs, or schedules are this December, I hope each one of us will take time to enjoy and appreciate the blessings we are given. May you have a happy and healthy Holiday Season.

 

For your good health. . . .

Tamara

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Yes, it is virus season again. Whenever I begin to feel like I am catching something, I get out the vegetable juicer (a truly indispensable kitchen appliance) and make up my "Remedy Recipe".

This drink is for when the sinuses are burning, the throat is scratchy or sore, the body is beginning to ache, or just as a boost to the immune system when you need it.

It may take some "adjusting" to the taste, because the lemon, ginger and garlic are such potent flavors, but eventually you may find that you crave it when you are starting to feel somewhat ill.

If necessary, adjust the ingredients in the beginning until you are accustomed to the taste. Just remember, it is this "specific" recipe that I know works for me, so build up to full strength as soon as you are able.

Hopefully, you will be able to find fresh "organic" produce - regardless, before juicing thoroughly wash the produce. Do not worry about peeling the vegetables. The juicer will automatically do this in the juicing process.

"Remedy Recipe"

Juice the following vegetables into a 16-oz. glass container:

 

 Enough carrots to fill glass with 3/4 carrot juice
 (approximately five or six carrots)
 1 to 1-1/2 beets
 1 whole lemon 
 large piece of fresh ginger - (about two inches in length) 
 several cloves of garlic
 pinch of cayenne pepper

Stir and drink.

(Because of its strong flavors, you would not want to use this juice for a stomach ailment. Instead, use plenty of plain yogurt and acidophilous/lactobacillus supplements for stomach or intestinal viruses.)

This drink works because of the high dose of beta-carotene from the carrot juice; the detoxifying properties of the beets; the antioxidant and cleansing properties of the lemon, ginger, garlic; and the blood enhancing properties of the cayenne pepper.

As an additional point of information on the benefits of garlic, the herbalist Dr. John Heinerman, author of "Miracle Healing Herbs", refers to garlic as "the ultimate antibiotic".

 

Dr. Heinerman states:
 "The role of garlic as an antiviral and antibacterial
 agent is unsurpassed.  There are no . . . repeat, NO
 . . . modern antibiotic drugs in the entire arsenal of
 medical science, which can even come close to doing what
 garlic can do . . .

 It may not always work as fast as some of these misnamed
 "wonder drugs" do, but garlic holds a very definite edge
 over all of them in one particular respect:  bacteria are
 unable to adapt themselves to this potent spice, as they
 have been proven to do so readily with all other
 antibiotic drugs."

For viruses, Dr. Heinerman suggests finely chopped garlic and a pinch of cayenne pepper added to a bowl of hot chicken soup. He reports that this recipe, which many medical doctors call "Jewish Penicillin", is often recommended for aches, pains and fever.

Dr. Heinerman also states that cayenne pepper actually helps increase the strength of Vitamin C. An old Amish herbal remedy called "Super C" is made by combining Vitamin C with cayenne pepper, ginger, and Vitamin A to increase the potency.

There are many creative ways to increase the strength of the immune system during flu season. I hope that you will be able to discover (through patience and persistence) the methods that personally help you.

Have a happy, healthy and safe holiday.

 

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Dear Stephanie,

I am an 18 year old college freshman and have already gained the awful "freshman 15" pounds. I started to walk to get some exercise, and I want to keep up my walking outdoors, even with winter coming. Do you have any recommendations?

- A.C.

 

Dear A.C.,

As most of us know, it is very easy to gain weight when attending college. The important thing is to take charge early, as you are doing.

Be sure you are not eating unhealthy, empty foods like sugar, alcohol, fried foods and preservative-filled fast foods. Eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible, rather than snacks such as potato chips, soft drinks, fries or sweets. Try not to eat late at night, because your metabolism slows down considerably.

Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol will not only cause rapid weight gain, but depletes your body's nutrients.

Be sure and drink plenty of "filtered, non-chlorinated, totally pure" drinking water each day - minimum of 64 ounces (eight glasses). Water flushes the body of toxins, and we need to stay well hydrated for optimum health. Adding fresh lemon slices to the water not only improves the taste, but also helps digestion and adds a little extra Vitamin C.

What is truly important is you need to get on a regular exercise routine. Walking or biking to school daily, rather than driving, is a start. You should try to get some type of cardiovascular exercise each day, starting at 20 minutes, working up to 45 minutes.

Brisk walking is wonderful, because it is low impact and easy on your body. If it gets too cold to walk outdoors, either try to join a health club (there are often student rates), or get an exercise video tape you and your roommates can do together.

It is important to have fun and enjoy this time. Just be consistent with your exercise, and try to make the best food choices possible.

Good luck to you,
Stephanie

 

Dear Stephanie,

I was glad to see someone with your expertise involved with Applied Health. I have a question, and if you have the time, maybe you can help me.

I am female, 45 years old and have had high blood pressure for about a year. I am currently taking the prescription drug Diovan, 80 mg once/day.

I started an exercise program about three weeks ago. I walk one mile,have a weight lifting routine and stepper for 30 minutes,three times/week. Two times a week, I do an hour of deep-water aerobics. My blood pressure is considerably lower now. I have been on a low fat diet during this time.

My problem is I am not losing any weight. I am 5'6" and weigh 158 lbs. I would like to get down to 135 lbs. It is getting discouraging as I am working very hard at the club. I am there two hours, three times a week!!!

Do you have any suggestions?

Judy

 

Dear Judy,

I realize it is difficult, but first try to be patient. Look at the positive - your blood pressure is lower, and that is really important. As far as the weight goes, it takes longer to lose weight than it does to gain weight - unfortunately!

Your prescription may be causing water retention. Since your blood pressure is lower, ask your doctor if you could lower the dosage of Diovan. Make sure you do not do this without your doctor's permission.

Your diet may be low-fat, but perhaps you need more fiber rich foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Focus on small, frequent, nutrient-rich meals - this will help maintain a balanced blood-sugar level.

Remember to eat breakfast, and try to have dinner before 7:00 p.m. Some people believe if they do not eat very often, they will lose weight. What actually ends up happening is the body switches to "famine" mode, and holds on to "fat" until it knows that balanced, frequent meals will be available on schedule.

You may also need a good multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplement. If your body is out of nutrient balance, or your hormones are unbalanced, these factors may cause slow weight loss. A qualified health practitioner can do simple tests to see if your estrogen-progesterone levels are balanced. (Alternative health practitioners tend to use testing methods that reveal results that are more accurate. Be sure and diligently search for a highly recommended "holistic" practitioner, or even "kineseologist".)

In addition, a qualified holistic physician can test to see which vitamins and minerals you may need. Make sure that with your low-fat diet, you are not eating too many calories of chemical-rich, nutrient-empty foods.

Good fats in small amounts, Omega 3 and Omega 6, can actually help your body metabolize fat, and are necessary for your body to properly function. Be sure you are getting these essential fats in your diet.

As far as exercise goes - for me, exercising six times per week for one hour actually seems to promote quicker weight loss than three times per week for two hours. You should begin by increasing your walk to two miles per day, five days per week.

Eliminate the "stepper" for awhile, but continue with the water aerobics, twice a week. Also, continue with your lightweight lifting routine, three times per week. Exercise moderately each day, and drink plenty of "pure" water.

Stay positive and believe you can lose the weight, because you can. You will eventually find the formula that works for you. Good things take time, and if you lose it properly (which means "slowly"), the weight should stay off.

Please let me know if you see results with these changes, and if there is anything else I can do to help.

Sincerely,
Stephanie

 

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Here we go again - the Holiday Season. Everyone is concerned about having enough money and enough time for all the things we want to do, make, or buy for this special time of year. Typically, the last thing we think about is having enough "health", so we can accomplish our goals and have an enjoyable time doing so.

Everywhere we go, we are constantly exposed to a vast onslaught of viruses and bacteria. Yet, this is not the time of year to hibernate (unless we're "bears" - the "four legged" kind, not the "grouchy" kind). How do we avoid colds, stomach viruses, and the dreaded flu? How do we keep everyone healthy so all can enjoy the Holidays?

Often, we corrupt our bodies at this time of year by getting off schedule with our exercise routine (due to time constraints), and forgetting our healthy eating habits. (All those Holiday "goodies" - after all - it's only once a year!) We become overworked, overtired, overstressed, and our bodies pay the price. We get sick.

So what can we do? With this war of germs attacking our immune systems, there are ways we can FIGHT BACK!! Remember to maintain some control over your stress level, if possible. Continue your supplements, limit the "sweets" and white flour, and make sure you have plenty of your "preventative cures" on hand.

The following is my list of "preventative cures" that I depend on. Maybe you will see something that you would want to add to your list.

For Preventing or Limiting the Duration of Stomach Ailments:

Acidophilous, Lactobacillus - the intestinal "friendly" bacteria that works miracles for fighting stomach problems. Take daily for prevention and during the illness for faster recovery.

Plain yogurt filled with "friendly" bacteria - not sweetened or flavored yogurt with added fruit, sugar, or other sweeteners as this will have destroyed the "friendly" bacteria. If you must have it flavored, buy plain yogurt, and add fruit immediately before consuming, while the "friendly" bacteria are still active.

Herb teas - keep plenty on hand and consume frequently for added nutrients. Mint is great for settling the stomach.

Soups - in clear liquid base, not cream or tomato (too heavy and acidic) - homemade is best.

Ginger - either as an herb tea, or grated on salads and in recipes - also a great detoxifier, but best for soothing the stomach.

Ginger Ale - the health food store variety with real ginger is my favorite.

Essential oils - "peppermint" is great for mixing a couple of drops with a "carrier oil" such as olive oil, or fragrance-free body lotion, and rubbing on the stomach for nausea.

Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar - start with 1/2 tsp. added to water and increase amount as desired - great detoxifier and for calming digestive disorders. (Avoid frequent use, if you have "Candida".)

For Preventing or Limiting the Duration of Colds, Sinus Problems, and Flu:

Echinacea and Golden Seal Extracts - I always mix a dropper of each in my "Vitamin C" drink. ("Emergen-C" - a concentrated Vitamin C powder - can be purchased at the health food store.) Great when just starting to get that sore throat, sniffles, or achy feeling. Take at least 3 times a day when symptoms first begin. This usually prevents me from getting sick, or at least shortens the duration and lessens the symptoms.

Zinc lozenges - for sore throats and beginnings of colds

Fresh lemon juice - cleansing and a detoxifier, great in water and tea

Biomagnetic therapy - magnets for headaches, neckaches, muscle aches, etc. . .

Now for Garlic - many years ago, a friend of my husband and mine always would chew raw garlic when he was coming down with a cold. Everyone could tell when Charlie was not feeling his best, because he would come into the office reeking of raw garlic.

Nevertheless, Charlie knew what he was doing. He would only smile amid the jeers and taunting, and sure enough, would succeed at fighting away another virus.

Years later when that company sold, Charlie went to work as sales manager for an unknown nutritional garlic company. That company's name? The very successful, now well-known Kyolic Garlic Company.

Yes, Charlie knew what he was doing - chances are no one notices any more when he goes to work chomping on raw garlic. Actually, he probably gets a free supply of Kyolic garlic supplements, and can go the "odorless" way - though, I still think there is a lot to be said about nature's original raw form of garlic.

With all of my remedies, I also follow Kitti's "Remedy Recipe" - very potent and knocks my ailments - aches, sore throat, or burning sinuses within 30 minutes! However, it may be wise to stay away from friends for awhile, due to the odor that accompanies the drink.

Once you have tried the first glass, see how much better you feel. You will find that the fresh, clean taste will grow on you. It truly works!

My "oddest" remedy that I hesitate sharing, because I run the risk of looking like a total lunatic - the "onion" - (my brother hates this one - because it makes my house stink for days - but hey, it keeps the cold and flu germs away.)

Cut a couple of onions in half, and set them on window ledges inside the house. If possible, have a window opened a slight bit to allow fresh air to cleanse the stale, germ filled air. I have no idea why, but for some reason the onion works for my family, though everyone complains.

I even put halved onions in the car, when we are driving a distance, if one of us has a cold. So far, this has always protected us from spreading the cold. It is a good idea to replace the onions every day, until symptoms have passed.

The onion is also great at the beginning of a cold, for that burning sensation in the sinuses - Take a few minutes to rest with the feet elevated, holding one of the cut onions, and frequently inhaling its aroma (while reading a good book, so as not to be too bored.) I have successfully fought many colds this way.

Yes, this is a truly bizarre remedy. I learned about this preventative aid from a distant Wisconsin relative, who hesitated sharing the information with me. In fact, when he told me, he somewhat mumbled under his breath, and shrugged his shoulders when I asked why this worked. He probably was concerned that I would think he was crazy.

Though he basically whispered the information, I did manage to hear him say that the "onion remedy" is how his father and grandfather kept their families healthy during a deadly flu virus of 1918-19, which wiped out many people in their little town.

Evidently, this trick had been passed down through generations of German ancestors. I did not believe him at first, until I tried it. I love it when odd things work, even if I do not have any explanation.

And last - For Mental Stress (such as when I have just explained my "onion" remedy):

Bach's Rescue Remedy - these herbal botanical drops do wonders for calming my anxiety attacks and help me get back to being productive. I shake several drops on my tongue, frequently during the day between meals.

Well, that is the general synopsis of what I keep in my "preventative medicine" cabinet. Maybe some of these ideas will also work for you.

Remember to keep up the daily supplements, and try not to let your regular health routine get far off course. I hope that everyone enjoys the Holiday Season, and begins the brand new Millennium healthy, happy and filled with a positive outlook for the New Year.

 

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