FEVERFEW FOR MIGRAINES

Have you ever heard of feverfew? It is not really a spice rack remedy, but I am going to post about it today instead of a spice rack herb. It is not one of the most common herbals available but may be highly effective on migraines. If you have ever suffered from migraines, you know you will try anything for relief. I don't think there is anything more irritating to migraine sufferers than to have someone out with you say they have a migraine. They no doubt have a headache but if they had a migraine, they wouldn't be out shopping, at church, school, work, etc. They would be in bed in a dark room, etc. So, for our migraine sufferers, let's explore feverfew.

First, let me say feverfew should be taken cautiously, in other words, let your physician know you are taking it, want to try it, etc. I suggest they monitor your use of it. 

Feverfew has been used since ancient times and may be effective on migraines when other treatments don't work. It helps migraines by inhibiting blood vessel dilating factors. It may also reduce the stress and anxiety associated with migraines. Double-blind studies have shown the use of feverfew reduced the number of migraines, the severity of migraines and also reduced the vomiting associated with such headaches. The Lancet, a prestigious British medical journal published a study showing a 24% reduction in the number of headaches by persons taking 82mg daily for four months. If you suffer from migraines, a discussion with your physician about feverfew might be in order.

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WEIGHT LOSS TIPS

 If you follow my blog, you know I am against diets/diet programs. Most do not work long term and some can be harmful. Just eat a healthy diet, get off the couch, and do not weigh everyday as weight fluctuates a pound or two a day. Below are a few tips that might be helpful.

• Walking is one of the best exercises, it is free, and enjoyable. Most people burn around 100 calories for every mile walked.
• If you go on a weight loss plan, go on one that matches your lifestyle. If you go on one featuring foods or exercise you hate, you will not be successful.
• Feeling hungry between meals? Try drinking 6-ounces of tomato juice. Six ounces only has 40 calories, add to your vegetable servings, and may help to prevent some cancers.
• Drink your recommended daily water amounts and cut out soft drinks.
• Eat 4 or 5 small meals/snacks a day and avoid huge meals once or twice a day.

There are many little tips to keep your weight under control. These are just a few.

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HEALTHY MEAT MARINADE

 This is a post taken from my diabetes blog. I thought it would be a good idea to post it here, too.

This recipe is from Dr. Richard Collins, an MD known as 'The Cooking Cardiologist". He has stated that his marinade recipe is a natural way to reduce carcinogens by 95%. We diabetics are always on the lookout for anything to help improve our health so you may want to give this a try.

1/2 cup rice or balsamic vinegar*

1 tbsp mustard

1tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced fine

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp salt 

1 tsp sugar

Mix all ingredients together in a shallow bowl that has a cover. Place meat in the marinade, turning every 30 minutes, for 1 to 2 hours before grilling. Place meat on grill and discard the marinade. Do NOT use the leftover marinade to baste the meat!

*Rice vinegar works best with chicken and turkey; balsamic vinegar works better with pork and beef.

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SPICE RACK REMEDIES

 Have you ever considered your spice rack as a medicine cabinet? As strange as that may sound, it is a good idea. To enlighten us all, I have decided to do a 'spice rack remedies' post from time to time. If you have taking medications, as many do, try using more spices to help with your health situations. Below are the first two I will post.

• Ginger - Ginger relieves inflammation associated with arthritic conditions, soothes nausea and indigestion, and helps fight colds and flu. I can personally say I have used ginger for years and it has helped my inflammation and stomach issues. According to Andrew Weil, MD, a graduate of Harvard Medical School and a leading proponent of Natural Healing, ginger can reduce joint stiffness and swelling as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One possible risk is that excessive use by pregnant women may cause miscarriage and/or heartburn.
• Caraway - Aids digestion. Also acts as an antispasmodic which can be helpful in treating menstrual cramps. No known risks.

These are just brief points on these spices. You can look them up online for more details if you are interested in a particular one.

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HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU NEED A DAY?

What we eat/drink does have an effect on our brains. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has suggested that wise food and beverage choices can fuel our brains to work better, sharpen our memory, improve our concentration and may help to prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease. And it doesn't take complicated or expenses items to do so. One of the simple things recommended by Nutritionist Amanda Albers is to follow the simple 8x8 rule. That is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. This one simple thing is an easy way to improve our health and our minds.

Note: There are other doctors and nutritionists who recommend 6 or 7 8-ounce glasses a day. Either way, are you drinking enough water? That's water, not sodas, etc.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

We all know antibiotics very often save our lives. Antibiotics destroy nasty bacteria that causes serious infections, including strep, pneumonia, etc. Antibiotics, however, are not effective on viruses.

Some may ask "What is antibiotic resistance?" This occurs when infection-causing bacteria no longer respond to antibiotics. A few diseases we know are already becoming antibiotic resistant. MRSA and tuberculosis are some examples. More than 35,000 persons in the United States die annually due to this. Robin Patel, MD, director of the Infectious Diseases Research Lab at the Mayo Clinic put it this way, "We are facing a crisis."

There are ways to protect yourself and your family from antibiotic resistance as shown below:

• Only take antibiotics when necessary (and do take them when they are necessary!). Don't insist on asking your doctor to prescribe antibiotics when they aren't necessary. As stated above, they are not effective on viruses, as an example.
• Skip the overuse of antibacterial soaps, body washes, cleaners. Regular soap and water along with alcohol hand gels are just as effective. Add a little bleach to cleaners if you need to kill germs. This is effective in the kitchen and bathroom.
• Buy meats and poultry which are labeled "organic" or "raised without antibiotics". Much of the feed our poultry and animals are fed contains antibiotics which can be transferred to humans.

Most of us will probably never face an antibiotic resistant disease. But they are out there, and it may become a serious problem for some of us.

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HANDWASHING SCIENCE

During the covid pandemic we all became even more tuned in to handwashing. We've probably all heard to wash our hands for 20 seconds, as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice, etc. My husband was hospitalized several times during that period and one of the doctors told me using a good bubbly soap was important. I think most of us just decided, "Okay, whatever, just wash your hands."

During all the hoopla someone decided to give us the science behind handwashing. A study was done and published in Physics of Fluids. It was found that the surfaces of our hands operate as potential wells in which dirt and particles, such as viruses and bacteria, can get stuck. You can get rid of them by using fast-paced movement that loosens them and carries them out of your hands. This takes about 20 seconds of vigorous movement with soapy water to really get the job done. So, remember to use running water, bubble producing soap, and vigorous movement to wash those viruses, etc down the drain.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR (HYPOGLYCEMIA)

The following things can cause one to experience low blood sugar:

• Taking certain medications and eating too few carbs,or skipping or delaying a meal.
• Taking too much insulin or other diabetes meds, especially without eating.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar:

• Shaking
• Sweating excessively
• Dizziness
• Weak or Tired
• Headache
• Become nervous or upset

What to do if you suspect you have low blood sugar:

• Check your blood sugar reading right away. If you do not have the means available to check it immediately, treat the symptoms anyway.

How to treat low blood sugar quickly:

• Drink 1/2 cup (4-ounces) of regular fruit juice such as orange, apple, or grape.
• 1/2 cup (4-ounces) of regular soda - NOT diet soda.
• Chew 3 or 4 glucose tablets
• Quickly chew 6 or 8 hard candies - NOT sugar-free

After doing one of the above treatments wait 15 minutes and recheck your blood sugar levels. If they are still low, repeat the treatment. Once the blood sugar level is normalized, eat a meal or at least a snack.

Warning: If low blood sugar is not treated, it can become severe and cause you to pass out.

CAN DIABETICS EAT 'REGULAR' FOOD?

One of the most common myths surrounding diabetes is that diabetics have to eat 'special' food. Diabetics can eat mostly the same foods that others eat but it is better for diabetics and others to follow certain guidelines. Some of those guidelines are whole-grain products rather than refined products, lower sugar amounts, and portion control. In this post I will stress portion control, especially with desserts. If a diabetic wants to eat a piece of 'regular' pie for example that pie should be cut into 8 slices, not 6! If served a larger slice, cut it in half before starting to eat. A piece of 'regular' fudge should be cut into a very small square not a 1-inch square. If I am served a piece of layer cake I ask for a thin slice then I cut off the bottom layer with the filling and only eat either the bottom or the top. This applies to everything on your plate. Learn to eat smaller portions. When eating out, you are usually served too much food. When your server brings your meal, ask for a to-go container and immediately remove half the food for another meal at home, work the next day, etc. It is easier to eat less when more is not visible. You can see how easy it is to cut portion size, all you need is willpower.

Please note this information applies to the average diabetic. If you have a serious blood sugar problem, you may have to eliminate sweets altogether. You and your doctor should discuss your diet.

I bake with Splenda or Stevia, not sugar. But I do eat some regular desserts on special occasions. I eat a small portion and eat with nuts or peanut butter.

FYI

Just a simple FYI for those who may not know. Both milk and yogurt are very good sources of calcium and of protein even when they are fat-free.

SWEET POTATO CHIPS

I think most of us know that sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A, C, and B6, plus fiber. Healthy? Yes. But healthy doesn't necessarily mean buying a bag of sweet potato chips is a good thing. As I constantly stress on this blog, read the nutritional labels on all foods you buy. Are the chips you are buying loaded with fat from grease? Buy baked chips or chips fried in healthy fats (no trans fat, and watch out for saturated fat, too). Better yet, why not make your own at home?

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GLUTEN-FREE DIETS

Are you aware that only 1% off the population has celiac disease? And only around 8% of the population have any medical reason for eating gluten-free. Here are some tips about whether or not to eat gluten-free (frankly only when told to do so by a doctor, in my opinion):

Do go gluten-free if you have biopsy-confirmed celiac disease. Eating gluten-free in this case will prevent intestinal damage and help manage your symptoms of the disease.

Do go gluten-free if you have medically documented gluten sensitivity.

Do go gluten-free if your doctor told you to do so.

Don't go gluten-free thinking gluten-free foods are lower in carbs. In fact gluten-free foods often contain more carbs as sugar and other high carb ingredients are used to replace the wheat or other gluten grains. (Diabetics beware of this one. You don't need that extra sugar!)

Don't go gluten-free as a way to lose weight. If you do lose weight under such circumstances it is probably because you gave up crackers, pastas, breads, etc.

Don't make the mistake of thinking gluten-free foods are more nutritious. Most gluten-free foods are not enriched with the B vitamins and/or iron.

The Food You Eat....

 

This is so true. What you eat will determine your health. We all have various things that affect our health but what you eat will determine how much those things affect you!

THE IMPORTANCE OF CURCUMIN - TURMERIC - CURRY IN YOUR DIET

I am always suggesting that you 'spice up' your foods. Below are more reasons why I make that suggestion. According to laboratory studies, curcumin, the main ingredient in the spice turmeric, can fight against cancerous changes in healthy cells and slow the growth of malignant cells. There is also some evidence to suggest curcumin may offer protection against brain tumors. How do you get curcumin and thus turmeric into your diet on a regular basis? Learn to season foods with curry. Turmeric is what gives curry its yellow color. The bright yellow color of mustard also comes from turmeric.

Guilt-Free Snack

If you are looking for a guilt-free snack or you are having a craving for chocolate, try this for a quick snack. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of Nutella on a cinnamon graham cracker for a 115 calories snack.

STORE EGGS IN COLDEST PART 0F THE REFRIGERATOR

The experts recommend storing eggs in the coldest part of your refrigerator.  Note this does not mean in the door which is constantly opened and exposed to room temperatures.  Refrigerating eggs keeps them fresh and stops any bacteria from growing.  They also recommend using eggs within 3 to 4 weeks of purchasing. It is recommended that eggs be stored at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees.

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FOODS TO EAT AND AVOID IF YOU HAVE ACNE

If you suffer from acne, there are things you should eat plenty of and things you should avoid.  While most of the things teenagers are told will cause acne are just mistaken folklore, anyone with serious acne problems should avoid any supplements containing kelp and cut back on salt.  Unless taken under a doctor's supervision, high doses of B vitamins should also be avoided.  Stick with a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, cereals, lean meat, poultry, and fish.

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HOW YOU EAT YOUR CARROTS DOES MATTER

Carrots are interesting vegetables.  Are you aware the sugar content in carrots rises dramatically when they are cooked?  Also, rather interesting is how you need to eat carrots to get the most beta-carotene from them.  James Olsen (Iowa State University), a leading expert on carotenoids is quoted as saying, "If you actually nibble on a raw carrot Bugs Bunny style, you absorb very little of the carotene--about 5 percent."  He goes on to say cooking the carrots makes 25 to 30 percent of the beta-carotene available, and pureeing cooked carrots allows your body to absorb about 50 percent.

 

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Vitamin E

Dr. James Duke, an authority on medicinal plants at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said Vitamin E is a powerful, protective antioxidant.  Vitamin E is present in dark green vegetables and almonds, peanuts, tomatoes, black currents, blueberries, sunflower seed oil and especially in wheat germ oil.  Be sure to include some of these foods in your diet on a regular basis!

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PEANUTS

Did you realize peanuts are packed with protein, fiber, healthy fats and a whole host of other nutrients?  If eaten regularly, peanuts are linked with lower weight and a decreased risk of developing diabetes.  If you are already diabetic, peanuts should be added to your diet.

Caution:  We are talking plain peanuts here.  Once you add salt, candy coatings, etc, you have changed them from their healthy status.

Note: Some people are allergic to peanuts so this would not apply to them!

 

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HEATHLY EATING = DOING MATH

That's right; healthy eating is all about math!  We should subtract fat, count calories, divide portions, and yes, add. Tara Gidus, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says, "Adding just one food to another can make a tremendous difference in your total nutrient intake and offer significant health gains."  Sometimes it's just the little things we toss in the pot that often yield the biggest benefits.  Below is a good example:

• Add parsley to all pastas.  Topping a dish of pasta with just 6 sprigs of fresh parsley gives a full day's worth of vitamin K, according to Marisa Moore, RD, an Atlanta based nutritionist and American Dietetic Association spokesperson.  Vitamin K is important for bone health.  Studies show that vitamin K helps prevent fractures and may guard against bone loss.

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EYE HYGIENE

 You may think eye hygiene is a strange title because the eyes are basically self-cleaning. However, below are a few things to consider regarding care of your eyes.

• Change your contacts daily. Yes, this also includes the extended use ones. No one should sleep in their contacts for extended periods such as overnight. Doing so could cause an infection.
• Rinse your contacts in contact solution, not water. 
• It is suggested you wear glasses on flights rather than contacts. This is especially true of long flights. The high pressure and recycled air are dehydrating. Drink water on long flights.
• Never sleep with your makeup on. Failing to remove your makeup before bedtime could cause eye inflammation or a sty.
• Don't share eye makeup.

Take good care of your eyes. You want them to last you for your lifetime!