Healthy Foods
In the Children’s Section of the post, I spoke about how it blows my mind that the EU has banned certain additives found in bread, baked goods, and candy. In addition, EU regulations prohibit the used of different drugs and hormones given to farm animals to promote growth or increase milk production that are permitted in the U.S. We have discussed how on numerous trips to Europe, Pete has no problem eating their bread and pastries, while we try to go gluten free here in the States.
I included a portion last time about the grass fed beef that we eat. We also purchase our chicken online. Over the last few years, we seemed to notice that a lot of the chicken did not taste the way it used to, plus the texture was different. I found a producer out of Arkansas that has heirloom, pasture-raised chicken. Cooks Venture is really good, such a difference. I found it last week at Urban Agrarian in OKC!
Not sure if this should go in the food section; however, I tried a new concoction that has been shown to really improve your health and assists in reducing inflammation. It is made with Manuka honey, which is rare and only produced in New Zealand and Australia. It has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Davin recommended it to us years ago, as does my trainer. My mom takes a teaspoon everyday.
7 ounces of Manuka Honey
3-4 T ginger (You can use fresh grated or a good ground powder (I like the Spices at Savory Spice, Stores nationwide, plus online)
3-4 T tumeric (You can used fresh or ground)
1/8 tsp black pepper (This helps make the tumeric more beneficial)
1 juice of lemon
1 T cayenne pepper
1 T cinnamon (optional)
Mix all well and store in airtight glass jar. Take a teaspoon or 2 a day. You can put it in hot water or a cup of tea; however, do not put it in the hot water immediately. Let it cool just a minute. The honey loses some of its health properties, if the water is too hot.
I have been reading quite a bit about the benefits of cayenne pepper. It improves heart health by helping to lower blood pressure, , promotes weight loss by boosting metabolism, improves digestion, improves blood sugar control, helps with migraines, helps ease joint pain, and strengthens immunity. It is working well for us; however, there can be some side effects-capsaicin can cause heartburn and stomach upset in some people. If I am out of my honey concoction, I will take a teaspoon with water.
