Pistachios: A Healthy Snack

When people get involved in good nutrition, there is often the problem of what to have for a snack. There are fruits and berries, veggies, seeds and nuts. One very tasty little nut is the pistachio. It makes a great snack and is full of good nutrition. In fact, pistachios are one of the most healthful nuts around. One serving gives you over 30 vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

Pistachios contain nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fiber. They have vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-6, C, E and K.  They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin which are nutrients that are good for your eyes. Pistachios contain mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid; they have antioxidants. 

The minerals in pistachios include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. Pistachios are one nut that does not contain sodium. This makes it a good snack for folks who have hypertension and are watching their salt intake. Pistachios are considered a heart healthy food. You can get them both salted and unsalted.

Pistachios are good for weight management because they are low in calories, high in protein and you have to shell them as you eat  them. That means you get the full feeling while eating less of them. The other advantage of pistachios is that they just taste good. I love them.

Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22458696
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/seed-and-nut/health-benefits-of-pistachio.html

Be sure to check out my new website at www.valerielull.com.www.valerielull.com I also have a new book out called Ten Spices for Health and Longevity. It is available at www.amazon.com  Type in the title or look under Kindle books.

Valerie Lull
Herbalist,  author
Ten Healthy Teas
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
valerielull923@gmail.com

Green Tea and Cancer

Green tea is very popular in alternative medicine circles. It is one of the most studied substances in the world of health beverages. Green tea has long been seen in the role of cancer prevention and in some cases a cancer treatment. An article in Medical News Today discusses a study that reveals how EGCG, a component of green tea, can disrupt the metabolism of cancer cells in pancreatic cancer. The researchers see green tea as a new approach to studying cancer prevention. 

In actuality, claims for the use of green tea for cancer prevention have been around for many years and many studies have been done on this topic. According to the National Cancer Institute the following substances in green tea, EGCG, EGC, ECG and EC, are polyphenols that have antioxidant activity that inhibit tumor cells from multiplying and induce cell death in lab and animal studies.  

The American Association for Cancer Research produced research findings in 2012 that show how green tea may work to prevent or slow down prostate and breast cancers. There is also some recent findings from Penn State University that link green tea with targeting oral cancer cells. 

While all this research looks promising, and certainly 2 cups of green tea a day probably will not hurt you, be sure to consult your doctor before using green tea for a cancer treatment. You may be able to use it as an adjunct along with your cancer treatment, but do consult your oncologist first.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277583.php
http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet
http://news.psu.edu/story/342487/2015/01/28research/green-tea-ingredient-may-target-protein-kill-oral-cancer-cells

Be sure to check out my new website at www.valerielull.com  I also have a page on facebook, it is called Ten Healthy Teas.

My new book Ten Spices for Health and Longevity is now published and available on Amazon.com. It is an ebook. If it does well, I will later come out with a paperback version.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com

Herbs for Bruises

I remember as a child that I would often fall and have bruises and sometimes sprains. My mother had some remedies for them and as my interest in herbs grew I learned of several ways to treat unsightly black and blue bruises. Nature has solutions for our ailments and here are a few remedies for bruising .

.Arnica, Arnica Montana, also known as mountain daisy is helpful for bruises. It has pain relieving properties and is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Be sure not to take it internally it can cause stomach pain and vomiting. Arnica is available as a gel and as a cream.

Potato can be used for bruises. It is an old folk remedy and you use a raw potato. It can be grated and applied to the bruised area as a poultice. Potatoes are cheap and readily available.

St. John's wort, hypericum perforatum, is used for many things besides depression.There is a remedy where you steep steep 2 teaspoons of dried herb in vegetable oil for a few days. This oil can be applied on bruises.

Witch-Hazel, hamamelis,  is an astringent and is a popular remedy. I remember my mother and grandmother using this for bruises. You can get it at any pharmacy and it is inexpensive.


 Sources:
Duke, James A. The Green Pharmacy, Rodale, 1997
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-721-arnica.aspx?activeingredientid=721&activeingredientname=arnica
http://www.drugs.com/npc/arnica.html
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-227-witch%20hazel.aspx?activeingredientid=227&activeingredientname=witch%20hazel

Be sure to check out my new website at www.valerielull.com

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com

Health Benefits of Red Tea

Red tea, also called rooibos tea comes from South Africa. Rooibos is a small shrub that only grows in a region near Cape Town. Rooibos, also called red tea, is a caffeine free herb that has a delicious taste.It  is used a lot in South Africa for its health and cosmetic benefits. This red tea has become increasingly popular around the world. Rooibos has a number of unique advantages over regular tea.

1. Rooibos is used for insomnia. Doctors recommend it because it is an herbal tea that is caffeine free. A cup before bedtime can be relaxing and help you sleep better, which helps improve and maintain health. 
2. Rooibos can be helpful for small children and infants who have colic or stomach pains. Milk may be added to the tea to improve the flavor. It can be used for children because it has no caffeine or tannins.
3. Rooibos is packed with antioxidants that can slow down the aging process. The red tea also boosts the immune system. Another anti-aging benefit is that it stimulates concentration, focus and cognitive abilities.
4. Rooibos relieves stress and tension that can lead to high blood pressure. It helps relieve respiratory conditions and reduces hypertension.This is important for heart health. 
5. Rooibos has many minerals that are necessary for good health like magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron and copper.
6. Rooibos is good for healthy digestion. The tea can relieve diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Red tea is known for its ability to calm an upset stomach.
7. Rooibos is a good all round beverage. It has a sweet taste that is very smooth and satisfying, without acidity, caffeine, or tannins. This is an ideal tea for folks that for one reason cannot or choose not to use regular tea from the camellia sinensis plant.
8. Rooibos is good for weight loss. Being a naturally sweet tea it does not need sugar, it only has about 2 calories per cup, and it helps to keep glucose levels down.  

Rooibos is a good choice for a warm beverage. It is also delicious iced. I've been drinking it for years. I like the taste of it and it is good for you. I like a chai version of red tea that includes ginger, cinnamon and clove.

Sources:
http://www.thealternativedaily/5-health-benefits-of-red-bush-tea/
http://www.theteatalk.com/rooibos-tea-health-benefits.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/041982_rooibos_tea_health_benefits_herbal_medicine.html#
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/beverage/health-benefits-of-red-rooibos-tea.html

Be sure to check out my new web site at www.valerielull.com. I also have a facebook page under the title Ten Healthy Teas.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com

Cherries - A Great Summer Treat

Cherries are a seasonal fruit that I love. One cup has only 90 calories and they make a wonderful snack. When I think of cherries I think of cherry pie, cherry turnovers, and cherry tarts. In the area of health herries have been traditionally used to relieve gout. Even today some folks continue to use it for gout and arthritis. Cherries are good for many more things.

Below is a list of the many ways cherries enhance health.

• They are great antioxidants
• They are anti-inflammatory
• Helps lower risk of heart disease
• Helps lower blood sugar levels
• Helps lower risk of colon cancer
• Helps improve memory
• May play a role in cancer prevention

Cherries are packed with nutrition. They have dark pigments which are flavonoids that have powerful antioxidant properties. The anthocyanins in them are anti-inflammatory and responsible for the effects against gout, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. They contain minerals like zinc, iron, potassium, copper and manganese.Cherries have antioxidants like lutein, zea-xanthin and beta carotene. These are good for your eyes and protect against harmful free radicals. They contain vitamins A,C,E and K and several B vitamins.
There is a variety of cherries from the West Indies called Acerola cherries that are very high in vitamin C and vitamin A.


When you buy cherries keep them cool in your refrigerator so they  be handy for a snack.. The flavor and texture change when they are exposed to a higher temperature. Here is a recipe for a cool summer drink..


Cherry Lemonade

12 oz. cherry juice (you can also use pitted cherries)
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Sweetener of choice (add however much you like, I use stevia)
4 cups club soda or seltzer water

Run the cherries, lemon juice and sweetener through the blender until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator. Serve over ice with club soda or seltzer water.

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/cherry-fruit-month
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/cherry-fruit.html

http://www.medicaldaily.com/cherry-health-benefits-6-reasons-why-you=should-eat-more-cherries246713

Be sure to check out my new web site. The address is www.valerielull.com Have a great day!

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com

Coconut Oil - The Miracle Food

In recent times coconut oil has come to the forefront as a wonderful health food. The old thinking is giving way to new thinking that this saturated fat is a good saturated fat and should be part of a healthy diet. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides. That means that they are metabolized differently. They go from the digestive system straight to the liver where they are used as quick energy which can have therapeutic effects.

Coconut oil is consumed a lot in other cultures, particularly the South Pacific. These peoples are very healthy. Coconut has been a part of their diet for generations and they have thrived on it with no sign of heart disease. Some research has been done on coconut oil for Alzheimer's Disease. The preliminary results are promising.

Another advantage is that coconut oil helps you to burn more fat. The medium-chain triglycerides increase energy expenditure and can lead to significant weight loss over the long term. Coconut oil contains lauric acid. This kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. It can help to stave off infections. It also reduces appetite so you can eat less.

Coconut oil can protect you hair from damage, it can moisturize skin and work as a sunscreen. It is used extensively in shampoo, soap and beauty products. It is very good for dry skin and can be used in massage as a massage oil.

Coconut oil is also used for diabetes, chronic disease, Crohn's disease, thyroid, energy, and boosting the immune system. There is one warning for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Coconut oil is good in amounts normally used in cooking, but the safety of coconut oil in large amounts is not known. It is best not to overdo it.  

http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1092-coconut%20oil.aspx?activeingredientid=1092&activeingredientname=coconut%20oil

My new website is up and running. Check it out at www.valerielull.com  My next book, Ten Spices for Health and Longevity should be out in about a month. It will be an ebook on Amazon Kindle. If the response if good I will later release it in paperback. Have a wonderful summer.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com

Condiments - Good and Bad

Condiments are a staple at most American tables. It is the ketchup and mustard and mayo and much more. There are condiments that are good for you and some that are not so good. I will review some of these for you today. 

Some of the most common condiments include ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. These can be good or bad depending on what you are looking for. Most ketchup has high fructose corn syrup which is not good. If you can find ketchup that is organic in the health food section of the store it is much better

 Mustard does not have sugar in it so it is a good one. Mustard seeds are full of antioxidants and most mustard contains turmeric which is a great anti-inflammatory. I'm sure we have all heard of mustard plasters that are used often as a folk remedy.

Mayo is generally not good because it is made from soybean oil. Some folks have problems with soy and most soy is a GMO product. On the other hand, if you can find mayo that is made completely with olive oil it can be quite good.

Soy sauce is full of salt, comes from a GMO plant and often has wheat in it. A good substitute is Bragg's Liquid Aminos. I can't tell the difference between the two. (I have no connection with Bragg's, I just think it is a good product). 

Salad dressings are problematic. They also often contain soybean oil and added ingredients that are not good. Try instead lemon juice. A good salad dressing can be made with lemon juice and olive oil and maybe a little vinegar thrown in. Speaking of vinegar, many people like to put a little vinegar on certain foods. A good vinegar is apple cider vinegar. I've  had it with  spinach and it is delicious. 

Olive oil makes a great condiment.In the Middle East they dip bread in it. It can be used in salad dressings. I like it drizzled on my vegetables instead of butter.

There are many things that you can use to jazz up your food that are healthful. It is best to stay away from things that have sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and flavors, or excessive salt. Some further suggestions of good condiments are guacamole, hummus and horseradish. 

Sources:

http://www.prevention.com/food/food-remedies/condiments-boost-your-health?slide=7

http://dailyhealthpost.com/the-5-healthiest-5-worst-condiments-for-your-body/

My new website is up and running. Take a look www.valerielull.com  I'm working on my next book. It will be an ebook and I hope to have it out in the next couple months. Have a great day. 

Valerie Lull

Author

Ten Healthy Teas

valerielull923@gmail.com