Delicious Stuffed Avocado Recipe

Avocado known by many interesting names, including the alligator pear, butter pear and vegetable butter. Avocados have amazing anti-inflammatory properties that fall into five basic categories. Which are omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols, carotenoid antioxidants, non-carotenoid antioxidants and polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols, also known as PSAs.   The anti-inflammatory properties of the avocado make it beneficial in helping to prevent rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Having such amazing anti-inflammatory benefits also make it a great anti-aging food, as well as a nutrient dense, natural anti-inflammatory for conditions which contribute to chronic inflammation such as Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Avocados are also packed full of dietary fats to provide maximum absorption of necessary fat-soluable phytonutrients. These phytonutrients, which are also known as carotenoids, include lutein, alpha-carotene, beta carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. By adding 150 grams of fresh avocado to your salad or eating avocado with similar foods increases absorption between 200-400%. Remember to peal NOT slice to get more of the green dark green flesh that lies just beneath the skin.

Here’s another fun TPP recipe using super yum avocados. Serve as an appetizer, side dish, or if you LOVE avocados as I do, then enjoy as a meal. 🙂

Stuffed Avocados

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Red Onions, finely chopped
1/4 tablespoons seedless Cucumber, peeled & diced
1/4 cup Grape Tomatoes, diced
3 tablespoons Green Bell Pepper, diced
3 tablespoons Kalamata Olives
1 Garlic Clove, finely minced
1 teaspoon Anaheim Pepper, seeded & finely chopped (optional)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed Lime Juice (to prevent browning & for topping)
2 Avocados, peeled, halved, pitted and rubbed with lime juice
1/4 cup of fresh Cilantro, or Parsley finely chopped (for topping)
1 Head Romaine Lettuce leaves, washed

Combine chopped red onion, cucumber, diced grape tomatoes, bell pepper, kalamata olives, garlic, Anaheim pepper and lime juice. Rub avocado with the remaining lime juice. Top avocado halves with the mixed ingredients, squeeze an ample amount of lime juice on each, then sprinkle with fresh cilantro (or) parsley and for nice added flavor add freshly ground lemon pepper. Place filled avocado halves on your romaine lettuce lined bowl or plate and serve.

The Healing Power of Ginger

Zingiber Officinale also known as Ginger Root, has been used as medicine in parts of world such as Asia, India, and Arabia as herbal traditions since ancient times. In China, for example, ginger has been used to help digestion and treat stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea for more than 2,000 years.

Ginger is an incredible herb with powerful anti inflammatory properties.  I can attest to this, as I use this herb regularly to manage inflammation associated with an autoimmune disease that I have known as Ankylosing Spondilitis.  It’s also good for approximately 100 other arthritic conditions including Osteoarthritis.   Because Ginger is a natural and very powerful (cyclooxygenase) Cox-2 inhibitor, just as NSAIDs and aspirin are, it is also quiet effective for pain. I find it incredibly helpful for the pain associated with AS, as well as the widespread musculoskeletal pain associated with having Fibromyalgia.

There have been studies on ginger comparing its efficacy to that of aspirin and not only did it take smaller dosages to accomplish pain relief, there were also no known side effects.  In further comparison to aspirin, it is common knowledge that doctor’s recommend daily usage of aspirin to inhibit the blood thickening enzyme which can lead to clogged arteries.  The only issue with taking aspirin daily are the potential side effects, such as stomach upset, bleeding ulcers, joint discomfort and a potentially compromised immune system.  Other studies show that regular aspirin consumption increases the rate of mortality, and this would include the use NSAIDs.  One way to successfully accomplish the effects of aspirin without the harmful side effects, is to substitute with the use of Ginger Root.  A  cardiology clinic in an Israeli hospital now recommends that all of its patients take 1/2 teaspoon of ginger daily in place of aspirin.  Ginger is quickly becoming the “wonder herb” because of its incredible healing effects on the circulatory system, even transcending the potential of many modern cardiovascular drugs.  Heart disease is the #1 killer in United States, and individuals are becoming more “heart health” aware, wanting positive results without the harmful side effects, so its no wonder that ginger is growing by leaps and bounds in its popularity.

A group of researchers from Cornell Medical School published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1980 confirming that ginger did in fact inhibit the life-threatening process of platelet aggregation.  Because of ginger’s many physical healing properties, it offers synergistic cardiovascular effects, such as antioxidant, strengthening of the heart muscle and lowering serum cholesterol. Ginger is known to actually prevent cholesterol biosynthesis.

Because of Ginger’s stimulation of immunity and inhibition of platelet aggregation, it has a positive influence on cancer patients. Ginger also soothes the stomach and aids in digestion, so for this reason its great for symptoms relating to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), flu, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, even chemotherapy related nausea.  It also eases cold symptoms, and works as a catalyst for other herbs making their effects stronger, so for this reason you’ll want to be mindful of other herbs and medications that you decide to use with Ginger. Because of Ginger’s effects on the circulatory system and its ability to regulate blood sugar it is great for diabetics and for those looking to give a boost to their reproductive system.  Researchers have concluded there is a significant increase in the sperm swimming ability and sperm content associated with ginger consumption, so with this being said Ginger has the ability to increase fertility.

Ginger is good for:

1) Inflammation

2) Pain

3) Stomach upset/Digestion

4) Nausea

5) Morning Sickness

6) Chemotherapy Related Nausea

7) Heart Health

8) Circulation

9) Immunity

10) Blood Sugar

11) Fertility

12) Cold & Flu

Ginger Root is great in many forms, Tea, Herbal Supplements, Liquid drops, Herbal Powder and Fresh Ginger.  Do not exceed 4g of ginger per day. Recommended dosage: 2 ginger capsules, or 90 liquid drops, 1/4 Fresh Ginger, 1 pre-packaged tea bag or 1/2 tsp of Ginger Root Powder. Take 3x times daily or every four hours as needed for many of the symptoms mentioned above.

Contraindications and Precautions Ginger Root:

If you have any of the following, please consult with your doctor before taking:  Food Allergies, Medical problems associated with your Heart , Gall Bladder (gall stones), Brain or Nervous System. Do not take Ginger if you have a bleeding disorder, taking heart medications, on a blood thinning medications such as Warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin or NSAIDs.

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain components that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care provider qualified in the field of botanical medicine.  Side effects from ginger are rare, but if taken in high doses the herb may cause mild heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth. Many of these side effects are avoidable if Ginger is take in capsule form, but remember it is highly recommended that you not exceed 4g of Ginger Root Daily.

Natural Pain Management

Fresh Raw Ginger-Cranberry Relish

The Kellogg Report: The Impact of Nutrition, Environment & Lifestyle on the Health of Americans, Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Medicinal Qualities of GINGER: Common Spice & Wonder Drug 3rd edition, Chart page 64, The Aspirin Myocardial Infarction Study Research Group. “The aspirin myocardial infarction study: Final results.” Circulation 62 (6, Pt 2.)  (Dec. 1980): V79-84, Dorso, C., et al. “Chinese food and platelets.” New England Journal of Medicine 303, no. 13 (1980): 756-57, Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan ginger 2005 byYakugaku Zasshi, A Literature Review Of Ginger, The joy of ginger.” American Health, Bioscience Biotechnology biochemistry: Induction of  neutrophil accumulation by vegetable juice by Yamazaki M, Nishimura T, Ethnopharmacologic investigation of ginger (Zingiber Officinale) 1989, Biomedical Reviews (Bulgaria)-Pharmacological effects of spices

Relaxation is Good for the Mind, Body & Soul (Chamomile Tea)

Helpful RelaxationTechnique

Relaxation is good for the mind, body & soul. Create your very own relaxation ritual that you are sure to use each night. You can curl up with a nice warm cup of decaffeinated-herbal tea, such as Chamomile and a good book.  This will allow for well needed emotional, mental & physical recovery time. Everyone can benefit from taking the time decompress and reflect on the events of the day. However, those suffering from chronic invisible illness need more recovery time than the average person.  Taking the appropriate amount of time for rest and recovery will help with the daily battle of managing symptoms such as fatigue, pain and inflammation.

The Healing Power of Chamomile Tea

The medicinal and healing benefits of Chamomile Tea have been well known among herbalist and tea enthusiasts for centuries. Now there is scientific proof that this amazing herb is useful in relieving a wide-range of physical ailments.  Chamomile known by many names: Matricaria recutita, manzanilla, chamomilla or German chamomile; is an annual plant belonging to the Asteraceae or Compositae family, also known as aster, daisy, or sunflower family. Also referred to as Chamomilla chamomilla, Chamomilla recutita, Matricaria recutita, and Matricaria suaveolens.

The heath benefits of Chamomile Tea are many, including it’s ability to boost the immune system and aid the body in fighting infections associated with colds & flu. This fact was supported in a study conducted by American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, where fourteen men and women drank 5 cups of Chamomile tea daily. Urine samples where taken before and after consumption for comparison, where is discovered that there was an increase of  hippurate, which is a natural compound of phenolics or polyphenols found in plants. Many polyphenols have been known to have antibacterial properties. This is one confirmation of the plants ability to boost the immune system helping the body to fight infections.

This study further discovered the existence of glycine, which is a  a nonessential amino acid and an inhibitory neurotransmitters which works as a  mild sedative, nerve relaxant and antispasmodic.  Successfully relieving muscle spasms, menstrual cramps and proving useful for relaxation and symptoms of  insomnia.  Balancing out neurotransmitters such glycine can be incredibly beneficial to those who suffer from anxiety, depression, compulsive behavior, ADD, ADHD and stress-related disorders.  This amazing, yet powerful herb has also shown to have anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antibacterial properties. Making Chamomile useful for reducing pain and inflammation when applied topically and when taken internally, successfully reducing and eliminating headaches, migraines, intestinal cramps, stomach upset, gas and diarrhea in both children and adults. In addition, studies have confirmed it’s efficacy in eliminating colic in babies.

Chamomile remains in the system and continues to heal even if when it isn’t consumed daily, as proven by the London Chamomile Tea study. Participants were tested for levels of hippurate and glycine up to two weeks after they’d discontinued drinking the herbal remedy and it was discovered that levels of both compounds remained quite high.

The healing properties of herbs are numerous and offer us an abundance of  health benefits, as with any medicinals, proper safety precautions must be taken with use. Chamomile should be avoided by those who suffer from ragweed allergies or those who may have reactions from other plants in the composite family, such as daisy, aster, chrysanthemum, or marigold.  Joining the ranks of herbal tea enthusiasts, herbalist and the Holistic Health community, are those of the medical communities who are also embracing the need for functional foods and natural remedies. This numerous studies relating to Chamomile Tea and other and natural supplements. Chamomile helps to calm the mind which then in turn relaxes the body, be sure to add this amazing herbal remedy to you daily relaxation ritual.

Read more on Natural Stress Management Techniques.

 The Chamomile Study was published in the January 2005 Journal of American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Colic study and the results of two clinical trials under Complementary, Holistic and Integrative Medicine: Chamomile; by Paula Gardiner; April 2007 issue of  Pediatrics in Review.