Saturday, December 19, 2009

Heal Naturally While Enjoying Delicious Fast Seasoned Mayonnaise!

I am always trying to pump up the nutrition in foods I eat. Why shouldn’t we all do that? We have to eat any way. Adding herbs, spices and healing foods adds flavor, interest and help us feel better. For some time now, I have been making what I call Seasoned Mayonnaise. Each time I make it, it is different because I add what I happen to have available at the time. I start with a basic recipe and try adding items I like, I have and that I know promote health. I might even add an ingredient that I know is good for a specific ailment that might be a potential problem for me. For the most part, I add several ingredients that have a history of use for a wide variety of health issues. If you do the same, you are likely to get the most benefit from the recipe.

To make things fast and easy, I use prepared mayonnaise, Vegenaise, which comes in several varieties. I have used them all. For a smooth texture, I suggest using the best blender you can. Some ingredients are tougher to grind than others are. Some of the best blenders available include Blendtec Blender and Vita-Mix. I use Vita-Mix. Both are available on my website, www.hope-for-health.com . The amount of prepared mustard in the recipe makes the mayonnaise taste very mustardy. So if you are not much of a mustard fan, cut back on this ingredient. This amount of ginger makes the mayonnaise very spicy. Cut back on this if you are not a big fan of spiciness. If you do not have fresh seasoning, used dried in a ratio of 1 dried to 3 fresh.

Some of the Healing Benefits Added Ingredients Are Used for: (To view and/or purchase seasonings, navigate through spice pages from this link Spices and Sasonings because these are hidden pages. You will not be able to find them from the home page.)

Basil – its anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties aid allergies, circulation, the treatment of diabetes, impotence, infertility, skin conditions, and help prevent aging and most cancers
Cayenne – helps improve allergies, circulation, digestion and discourages constipation, gas, headache, heart disease, pain, sore throat, toothache and varicose veins
Coriander – its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help control blood sugar levels, lower LDL and raise HDL cholesterol
Cumin – aids digestion, may help protect against cancer and is a good source of iron, important for vegetarians and needed for hemoglobin production, enzyme function and protein formation
Garlic – its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties boost immunity to help circulation, prevent strokes, treat cancer, diabetes and heart disease by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and high blood pressure
Ginger – its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects help abdominal cramping, circulation, digestion, high blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol and discourage nausea and morning sickness
Mustard – its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties are thought to aid digestion, help prevent migraines, help treat asthma and arthritis, lower high blood pressure, inhibit cancer growth, soothe sore throats, speed metabolism, and treat skin conditions and bronchitis
Olives – oil from olives helps the body’s electricity, protects against heart disease by lowering LDL (bad) and raising HDL (good) cholesterol, may help protect against gastritis and ulcers and may help prevent gallstones
Pepper – its antibacterial properties and antioxidant attributes enhance absorption for improved digestion; may help with relief from constipation and gas, aid fat breakdown and discourage cancer proliferation
Turmeric – its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties help detoxify the liver, prevent and treat cancer and tumors, reduce childhood leukemia risks, speed wound healing, treat damaged skin, work as a natural painkiller and may: aid fat metabolism, help with the treatment of pancreatic cancer, prevent and slow Alzheimer's and slow advancement of multiple sclerosis

Basic Seasoned Mayonnaise
1 cup Vegenaise
¼ cup prepared mustard
1 T or more fresh turmeric
2 t fresh ginger
1 clove garlic
a few turns of freshly ground pepper

Add one or more of the following:
¼ t cayenne pepper
1 cup packed fresh basil (your mayonnaise will be green)
2 T olives
1 t cumin
½ t coriander

Add ingredients to the best blender you have, especially for hard to grind roots like galangal. With the Vita-Mix, start on lowest setting and gradually turn up the speed until the mayonnaise looks smooth and makes a consistent blending sound. It only takes seconds!

Tips: Adding water dense foods like celery and sweet red peppers will make the mayonnaise thinner. Adding fresh galangal or burdock root gives the recipe an unpleasant grainy texture, but is tolerable if you want to take advantage of their healing properties. Once you put it on a sandwich, you really can't tell any way.

DISCLAIMER: People have used the above spices, herbs and food for the stated purposes and conditions. Some of the benefit claims have proven scientific research to back them up while others may not.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Feeling Good During the Holidays

If you want to help ensure that you feel well during the holidays, follow basic rules for health plus a few other techniques you might normally skip. We all know we should try to eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, get enough exercise, get sufficient amounts of sleep, and wash your hands frequently. What many of us may skip is consuming a wide variety of concentrated nutrients.

Often eating a wide variety presents a challenge. You have to make a trip to the grocery, clean and prepare the food and make sure you consume all of it before it goes bad. One way I like to eliminate these hassles is make one trip to Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant. They have loads fresh vegetables full of concentrated nutrients and plenty of variety. The recipes appeal to all age groups. I have even had my kids ask me to duplicate some of their recipes at home. Sign up for free discount coupons at Club Veg. (By the way, I don't make any money from this endorsement.)

For even greater concentration of nutrients, I like to juice. Freshly juiced fruits and vegetables contain concentrated enzymes that help speed healing and protect the body from external pollutants. For best results, drink freshly juiced produce immediately after juicing. By the way, juicers make great gifts. What could say you care more than giving a gift that benefits health? Visit my website, www.hope-for-health.com for some of the best juicers on the market.

The best way to consume concentrated nutrition is with sprouts. Sprouts contain maximum enzyme concentration for an accelerated rate of chemical reactions. Sprouts hold the genetic makeup capable of producing an entire mature plant. The enzyme density allows chemical reactions to take place quickly. This translates into fast healing, better health and feeling great. Juicing sprouts amplifies effectiveness and absorption into the body. Water dense sprouts tightly packed juice best. For example, mung bean sprouts juice well when densely packed. Save money and make your own sprouts. Check out this great deal on a hanging sprouter.

If you start having a specific health problem that you cannot seem to solve, try changing what you have been eating or juicing. Getting sick or having health problems often can clear up by giving the body different nutrients. A wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables helps ensure a healthy holiday as it would any time of year. Concentrated nutrients help ensure a greater chance of staying well. Stay well and on top of your game this holiday season with a wide variety of concentrated nutrients. Happy holidays to all!