One of the silliest trends to come out of the 1990’s was the low-fat, no-fat craze and I bought into it hook, line and sinker. I drank skimmed milk by the gallon and ate low-fat potato chips (together, I might add) and thought that anyone who didn’t was crazy. Although much has been written regarding […]
When I had my breakfast of poached eggs this morning, I didn’t have to worry that they might be contaminated with salmonella from the recent outbreak and resulting recall. I bought my eggs from Eugena, one of the farmers at my local farmer’s market. I know that her hens are free to roam, pecking the […]
I recently spent a week at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY where, in addition to spending time in nature away from the city, I was enrolled in a workshop entitled “Coaching the Artist Within” with creativity coach Eric Maisel. Becoming a health counselor and all that it entails had become just one more reason […]
At what point did it become the norm to only eat the roots of the radish plant? Don’t throw out those tops! When fresh off the farm, this noble member of the mustard family (a close relative of turnips, cabbage, cauliflower and kale) offers wonderful nutrition in both the root and the greens. In fact, […]
I’ll never forget a particularly frigid NYC winter day when I was walking with my friend “R” and marveling that she had on a short, thin jacket, no boots, hat or scarf while I was layered and bundled from head to toe. Well, I smugly chalked it up to her youth (early twenties) while mature, […]
Nettle infusions are super easy to make and have huge benefits. Start off by purchasing high quality dried Nettle leaf. I buy my Nettle leaf online from Banyan Botanicals, who I really trust to have a quality product. If you are going to buy nettle from a store, make sure it is organic and is […]
Before you reach for that antihistamine, you might consider an eastern medicine approach to seasonal allergy relief. Both TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Ayurveda treats allergies holistically and rather than focusing only on symptoms they work to get to the root cause which is often a hypersensitive immune system. Natural sneeze relief is possible! Try […]
Natural Cleaners for the Body Spring cleaning is not just for your home. Here are two recipes that will help you to cleanse and rejuvenate your body. Lemon Water Recipe Half a lemon squeezed into warm water each morning wakes up your system, gets things moving and keeps your liver and kidneys happy. Add a […]
If you are at all concerned about the controversy regarding Fosamax, an osteoporosis drug recently linked to severe bone fractures, I would like to introduce you to two excellent books that offer a drug-free holistic approach to bone health. At some point in their lives, most women worry about bone loss and many are prescribed pharmaceuticals […]
Millet, it’s not just for the birds In fact, millet is one of the most nutrient-packed and delicious foods out there. A tiny yellow grain, millet is rich in protein (about 4.2 grams per half-cup serving), niacin, vitamin B6 and folic acid along with some calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. It is a good […]
Burdock Root is the ugly duckling of the vegetable world. Despite its unsavory appearance, it should not be overlooked. Healthy Food of the Week: Burdock Root is a powerhouse veggie for health and happens to be incredibly flavorful as well. The farmers at my local market (Union Square in NYC) have written an excellent explanation […]
Who knew pears were so good for the lungs? I didn’t until my three-month bout with whooping cough gave me a whole new reverence for the lungs and the healthy food of the week the mighty pear. The Chinese know, and in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) the pear is revered for its lung healing properties. Its […]
Squash is a warming and hearty vegetable that is fresh and abundant this season. Combined with protein rich beans, this is a balanced and grounding dish. Try this Recipe of the Month Squash Casserole and Mulled Cider and let me know what you think. Ralph’s Hearty White Bean and Squash Casserole Ingredients 1 Whole head […]
Most people have heard the phrase “you are what you eat” but did you know that you are also what You Are What You Eat…and Think and Feel and Breathe? Just like food, emotions have a physiological effect on our health. Our minds and bodies are not separate entities but are connected and interrelated.If you […]
During sleep, our body restores and repairs itself. If we do not sleep enough, or well enough, we get rundown quickly. Try to get to sleep at the same time every night, optimally by 10pm. Our bodies’ circadian rhythms were set well before modern technology existed. Light signals us to wake, so should be avoided […]
Two recipes for the Recipe of the Month: Chicken Soup with Autumn Squash Muffins. I like the flavors of cinnamon in the autumn squash muffins with the chicken soup. Bernie was a great chef who cooked fast and his chopping of the vegetables for the chicken soup was hilarious! Super fast and chunky veggies that soaked […]
We all do it, we all hate to talk about it, and we all need to know more about it. What Goes in MUST Come Out! Probably one of the most dreaded subject matters is the bowel movement. Nothing causes embarrassment more readily than the act itself and all things associated: flatulence, hemorrhoids, diarrhea and […]
What goes in, must come out. If you are not having regular bowel movements (3 a day is optimal), try these Simple Ways to Improve Your Colon Health tips to get things moving. Water! Water softens the food we eat and just like in plumbing, keeps everything moving along. Water is best ingested alone, away […]
Recently I have had several conversations with friends about the topic of GMOs. Speaking with people who I consider to be “in the know” regarding environmental and health issues, I was surprised to discover how little is actually known about the way our food is grown. You may have heard that GMOs are bad, but […]
My body is pretty healthy these days, but it hasn’t always been that way. I attribute my better health to a natural diet and was recently reminded of just how important it is to eat well. Foods we need are not always the foods we think we want. So-called “junk foods” are designed to be […]
Rethinking your eating habits can be an intimidating task. Here are some quick and easy ways to get on the path to a healthier life. Trash anything that contains ingredients that you cannot easily recognize, has high levels of sugar and sodium and anything with the word HYDROGENATED on the label. (Future goal: Stop using […]
