Cranberries

When one sees this cute little fruit many happy times come to mind such as holidays with cranberry sauce to complement a delicious roast turkey.

Cranberries grow on vines in bogs in northern North America.  There are vast areas in which the cranberry bushes are covered in water when harvested.  What a sight to behold! – A beautiful red sea of small, round balls bobbing up and down.  The American Indians used them to prevent and to treat infections of the urinary tract and  today cranberries are known as a wonder solution for cystitis.  They also aid in improving various digestive problems.  Liver, kidney and blood conditions are also improved or healed with the utilization of the cranberry.  In addition it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Cranberry got it name from “craneberry” because its pink flower was thought to resemble the head and neck of a crane; hence craneberry.  The berries are first white, then pink and finally become a glorious red. They are of the same family as the blueberry.

In addition to cooked cranberries in jams and sauces, cranberry juice and dried cranberries are easily available today in supermarkets.  Dried, they can be added to cereals, eaten as a snack or sprinkled on top of a green salad to give a festive appearance.  In whatever form they are consumed, they will bring you health along with happiness!

Grandma Nature

A cucumber sandwich might make one think of England; or is it the other way around? –  England makes one think of a cucumber sandwich?  The Ritz in London among other fine English hotels is famous for its high tea.   Sometimes reservations have to be made two months in advance.  In any case, it is certain that the cucumber sandwich, thinly sliced cucumbers in between very fine slices of buttered bread with the crusts removed, is a landmark of English food.

The elongated green vegetable is a powerhouse of valuable components.  It belongs to the same family as the  zucchini  and melon.  When choosing a cucumber look for a firm, shiny one with a smooth skin.

The skin is valuable in facilitating digestion.  Vitamins A, B, and C are substances found in this tasty vegetable as well as Vitamin E which helps to slow down the aging process in the body. In beauty products cucumber is a known component in facial remedies for rendering the skin smooth and shiny.

Cucumbers are, of course, eaten raw in salads and sandwiches but can also be sauteed for a lovely accompaniment to a meal.  So, especially in summer when they are fresh and in season, stock up on fresh cucumbers and benefit your health.

Grandma Nature

Is it a fruit or a vegetable?  Actually, the pear-shaped avocado is a green tropical fruit.

However, it is not sweet but full of fat – good fat. That is why it is so valuable in preventing cardio-vascular disease; it benefits arteries and lowers cholesterol.  A powerful antioxidant, glutathione, which is an important source found in the avocado, is shown to block the onset of many carcinogens. And the avocado is rich in vitamins E and B as well as potassium, magnesium and amino acids.

Avocado is used in face creams and bath products because it renders the skin soft and smooth.

On the culinary side, it is adaptable to salads, as a dip, or as a dessert when sugar is an ingredient in the recipe.

Tip: If prepared in advance for a dip and it may become brown. Keep the pit in the avocado, and it should remain green.  Lemon or lime juice will also help.

Grandma Nature

Unfortunately being older does not make us immune to stress.  In fact it may bring even more as we juggle grandchildren and caring for our own parents while trying to carve out time for ourselves.  We are told that there is good stress and bad stress, but it might be better to have no stress at all!

Mother Nature provides us with many effective aids to combat stress.  A lovely walk in the countryside or in the mountains or along a river will lower blood pressure, oxygenate your body and enable you to forget your worries and problems.  Depending upon the season, there is much to see such as trees and flowers in blossom and vegetables bursting forth in all their colorful glory.  How beautiful it is to see a field of sunflowers, bright yellow and tall, all having turned their heads to look at you as you pass by.  They might make you laugh and this is “the best medicine”.  In colder months, we see the beautiful colors of turning leaves, and even in winter we can be refreshed when outside and getting physical exercise. Just looking at nature soothes the soul.

Regardless of the season being in the warm sun for a while can calm you as well.

Also to soak in a warm bubble bath, preferably with relaxing oils such as lavender, chamomile, jasmine, rose or sandalwood will do wonders for your well-being.

A swim in the ocean will increase endorphins which will give you a euphoric feeling.

Studies have shown that sugar and low-fat carbohydrates are very effective in lowering anxiety. This is due to a chemical reaction in the brain.  Sugar works more quickly than carbohydrates but both successfully create a calming effect, and even chewing gum aids in relieving anxiety. When feeling overwrought and overburdened just have some chocolate, other sweets.

Finally to end a stressful day there is nothing more rewarding than a delicious meal and a glass of wine, again bounties coming from the earth.  So, enjoy and no longer feel stressed. – Just take the time!

Grandma Nature

Mother Nature entices us to try all of her fruits and vegetables with their bright and various colors when we see them displayed at outdoor markets and food shops. Their beautiful colors mingled together remind us of a secret garden, all in bloom.

Today it is known that these colors, phytonutrients, are beneficial in preventing heart disease and cancer, among other illnesses.  The darker the color the more important they are to the body. Yellow and orange vegetables are full of vitamin A and beta-carotene, a wonder drug in preventing cataracts and retina problems. Vitamin A is known to help control lung cancer.

What is even more important is to combine them together and eat various colors at the same time.  This is easily done, for example, with a mixed salad of dark red tomatoes, bright orange carrots and bell peppers, dark green lettuce and white onions and garlic which enhance the immune system and increase memory capacity.

Dark blueberries and blackberries are full of a nutrient effective in helping to offset the anti-aging process as well as circulatory problems.  And these precious little berries can be mixed with other fruits of a different color.

A couple of dishes consisting of several different colored vegetables are ratatouille and a tomato, mozzarella and basil salad. Just use your imagination when shopping and pick up whatever you find in season. Your body will then be filled with valuable nutrients to keep you fit.

Grandma Nature

Rice is the second most consumed cereal, after wheat, worldwide and has been thus for hundreds and hundreds of years.  It is found in the diet of many civilizations.

There are hundreds of different varieties.  There is perfumed rice, long-grain rice, brown rice and red rice from the Camargue region of France.   Wild rice, however, is not a rice but a seed from a grass which grows in marshes in the Great Lakes district of the U.S.

The Spanish use rice in their national dish, paella; the Chinese eat bowls of rice with their delicious meat and fowl dishes; the Italians have their risotto; the Indians their curries; and rice is eaten as well with the Mexican meal chili con Carne.

What would we do without rice and its ease of cooking – steamed, boiled, baked?  Rice is also used in desserts as in a creamy rice pudding.

Its real asset, however, is the nutrition that it brings to the body.  It is not fattening and has no cholesterol.  It contains the vitamin B complex group, which is good for the nervous system, iron for the blood, magnesium and calcium so necessary for strong bones and teeth.   It has anti-cancer activity.  Of all grains and cereals it is the least likely to cause problems such as spastic colon.

Next time you are at the grocery store, pick up various kinds of rice and enjoy.

Grandma Nature

Many of us remember Popeye and his advice to eat spinach in order to become big and strong!  Well, unfortunately, this is not exactly true.

Yes, spinach does have some iron but it also has oxalate, which prevent much of the iron from being absorbed by the body.  To counteract this, simply drink or eat something with the spinach that has a lot of vitamin C.  Red and green bell peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe, and Brussels sprouts are some sources. This is essential in helping the iron to be absorbed in the body.

There is still good news regarding spinach. Its dark green leaves are full of antioxidants which aid in preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer.  In addition, the vegetable is full of beta-carotene which will help in preventing eye diseases such as macular degeneration.

As some antioxidants are lost in cooking, it is very important to eat spinach raw or very slightly cooked.

Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach, washed
Add chopped hard boiled eggs, chopped red pepper, and garlic roasted croûtons.
Serve with a salad dressing of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and a bit of mustard.

Yum.  So healthy.

Grandma Nature

Imagine the wonderful aroma of cinnamon when it is added to a dessert baking in the oven.  Do some of you remember cinnamon buns?

Cinnamon originated in Asia where it was discovered centuries ago in Sri Lanka. It is even mentioned in the Bible, as a perfume and as an anointing oil.

In desserts it is mixed with sugar, giving a sweet taste.  In some countries as in India it is added to main dishes of meat or other foods such as curries.

Cinnamon is  known to control type II diabetes. It stimulates insulin which in turn enables the body to process sugar more easily, thus needing less insulin. It is very efficient in soothing the digestive system when problems like indigestion occur.  It is also utilized in scents, especially men’s colognes but also in room fresheners.

Cinnamon toast
Mix even amounts of cinnamon and sugar
Toast slices of bread
When ready, spread with butter.
Sprinkle cinnamon mixture onto buttered toast and eat while warm.

Cinnamon on its own can be sprinkled on oatmeal or rice pudding.  Whenever consumed, it is very beneficial to us.

Grandma Nature

Ginger is a tropical plant originating in Asia.

Ginger has existed for thousands of years and used to treat certain medical conditions.  The most important use is against nausea and motion sickness.  It has even been proven that ginger can be more effective than some modern motion sickness drugs. Rheumatism and inflammation are also improved or cured with the use of ginger.  Fresh ginger may be used as well as the powder or even candied ginger, which can be eaten a half hour before travelling.  There is even enough in ginger snaps and ginger ale to bring relief.

The ginger root is  used as a spice in cooking.   Gingerbread and ginger snaps are both popular and deliciously healthy!  Fresh ginger is an ingredient found in Chinese cuisine.

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy by applying the essential oil in a massage, bath or compress. This helps relieve the pain of arthritis, rheumatism and inflammation.

So, next time you are out shopping, pick up some ginger in its various forms and keep it in your medicine chest as well as in your kitchen.

Grandma Nature

Olive oil has been a life support in many countries for centuries. The golden nectar is known to be a miracle for the heart and for lowering cholesterol levels.  It can enhance your inner and outer beauty of age esteem.

In Greece, where olive oil and the Mediterranean diet (fish, wine, vegetables and olive oil) co-exist, people have one of the longest, if not the longest, life span on earth.  (It is also said that this is due to close family ties.)

Vincent Van Gogh painted olive groves in his beloved St. Remy in Provence in the south of France where he was hospitalized.  These are some of his most beautiful paintings, possibly captured from his hospital window.  They fulfilled him in a spiritual way.  In some orchards the olive trees are hundreds of years old. Looking at these lovely paintings brings a sense of peace to the viewer.

• Cold-pressed, virgin olive oil which should be used in salad sauces, on pasta and on bread among other foods.
• When cooking with olive oil, especially on high heat, the non-virgin, non-pressed oil should be used.

To accompany drinks eat olives instead of potato chips. Your body will thank you!  Olive oil is also used in beauty soaps which makes the skin smooth and is a natural ingredient as well.

Grandma Nature