Archive for June 4, 2009

Healthy Recipe from Mayo Clinic

This recipe is reprinted from Mayo Clinic’s website, which you can visit for more recipes and information.

Recipe: Edamame and summer bean salad
Dietitian’s tip:
Not your typical bean salad, this bright side dish made with fresh soybeans (edamame) is loaded with texture and flavor. Perfect for a picnic or barbecue, it’s easy to make ahead.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Serves 8
Ingredients
3/4 pound wax beans
2 cups shelled edamame
2 green (spring) onions
2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Trim the wax beans and cut crosswise into thirds. In a large pot fitted with a steamer basket, bring 1 inch water to a boil. Add the wax beans and edamame, cover and steam until both are tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.

Trim the green onions, then thinly slice on the diagonal, including the tender green tops.

In a large bowl, combine the steamed edamame and wax beans, green onions, tomatoes and basil. Toss to mix evenly.

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, lime juice, honey and mustard. Whisk in the olive oil. Add the dressing to the vegetables and toss to coat. Season with the salt and pepper. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutritional Analysis(per serving) Calories 130 Monounsaturated fat 2 g
Protein 9 g Cholesterol 0 mg
Carbohydrate 12 g Sodium 196 mg
Total fat 5 g Fiber 4 g
Saturated fat 1 g

Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid Servings
Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid tool

Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid: A sample menu

Vegetables 1
Protein and dairy 1

Diabetes Meal Plan Exchanges
Your diabetes diet: Exchange lists

Starches 1/2
Nonstarchy vegetables 1
Meat and meat substitutes 1/2
Fats 1

Dash Eating Plan Servings
DASH diet: Guide to recommended servings

Sample menus for the DASH eating plan

Vegetables 1
Nuts, seeds and dry beans 1
Fats and oils 1

This recipe is one of 150 recipes collected in The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, published by Mayo Clinic Health Information and Oxmoor House, and winner of the 2005 James Beard award.
Source: This recipe is one of 150 recipes collected in The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, published by Mayo Clinic Health Information and Oxmoor House, and winner of the 2005 James Beard award.
RE00068

Nov. 30, 2006

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. “Mayo,” “Mayo Clinic,” “MayoClinic.com,” “EmbodyHealth,” “Reliable tools for healthier lives,” “Enhance your life,” and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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G Herbs

Enjoy this information, compliments of Clayton College of Natural Health

GARLIC (Allium sativum)

Natural antibiotic. Blood thinner. Health building herb. Dissolves cholesterol. Stimulates lymphatic system. Anti-fungal. Kills parasites. Does not destroy the body’s normal flora. Anti-biotic component is known as allicin (sulfur compound) which is estimated to equal 15 standard units of penicillin. Anti-bacterial activity. Used in China to treat cryptococcal meningitis. Protective against influenza. Lowers cholesterol. Inhibits platelet aggregation. Used extensively in World Wars I and II as an antiseptic. Became known as “Russian penicillin.” Key Uses: cancer prevention, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infection.

GINGER (Zingiber officinale)

Removes congestion, relieves headaches. Excellent for upset stomach and indigestion. Helps remove mucus from the body. Used in the treatment of headaches. Excellent remedy for nausea. Speeds food through the large intestines. Cleansing agent for bowels. Relieves wind. Useful for motion sickness and morning sickness. Helps symptom of vertigo and dizziness. Ginger tea is excellent for that common nausea and diarrhea associated with the flu or 24 hour virus. Inhibits prostaglandins. Useful as an anti-inflammatory. Has antioxidant effects. Inhibits platelet aggregation. Accelerates calcium uptake by the heart muscle. This reduces high blood pressure. (Fresh ginger must be used.) Anti-ulcer effects. Warms the body. Provides hospitable environment for natural flaura and fauna in intestines to grow. Key Uses: nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, arthritis, migraine headaches. Indigestion, gas and flatulence.

GINKGO BILOBA (Ginkgo biloba)

Increases blood flow to brain. Improves memory. Used in Europe for early stages of Alzheimer’;s Disease. Increases circulation of blood to retina. Used to treat muscular degeneration. Also used to treat ear problems such as tinnitus. Dilates blood vessels. Inhibits clumping of platelets. Stabilizes cell membranes. Has antioxidant effects. Free radical-scavenging effects. Increases cellular uptake of glucose, thus restoring energy production. Promotes increased nerve transmission rate. Tones blood vessels. Inhibition of platelet aggregation. Improves recovery of acute cochlear deafness. Used to treat impotence. Has anti-depressant activity. Has anti-allergic properties. Also used for Raynaud’s disease, arthritic and rheumatic problems, arteriosclerosis, anxiety, tension, asthma, and bronchial congestion. Use of the fruit internally or externally can cause irritation and blistering of the skin and mucus membranes. Use a dried preparation. Key Uses: cerebral vascular insufficiency, dementia, depression, impotence, inner ear dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, neuralgia and neuropathy, peripheral vascular insufficiency, premenstrual syndrome, retinopathy, vascular fragility.

GINSENG (Panax)

Stimulates the body. Beneficial effect on heart and circulation. Reduces cholesterol. Has estrogenic activity. Used to treat high blood pressure. Helps reduce blood sugar levels. Do not use where there is inflammation, high fever and burning sensations. Increases resistance to stress by affecting the adrenal-pituitary axis. Thought to be an aphrodisiac. Central nervous system stimulant. Whole-body tonic. Not suggested for teenage girls. Used as a stimulant. Considered an adaptogen or an aid in helping the body adapt to stress. Key Uses: childhood diseases, circulation, colds, colic, fevers, flu, gas pains, headache, indigestion, morning sickness, settles stomach, tonic, toothache, whooping cough.

GOLDENSEAL (Hydrastis canadensis)
Antibiotic activity bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. Especially effective on mucus membrane tissues. Has shown activity against: Streptomyces, Chlamydia, Corynebacterium diphtheria, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Diplococcus penumoniae, Pseudomonas, Shigella dysenteriae Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, N. meningitides, Treponema pallidum Giardia lamblia, Leishmania donovani & Candida albicans. Increases blood supply to spleen. Lowers fever. Shows anti-tumor activity. Used to treat diarrhea, trachoma (infectious eye disease), ulcers, liver disorder, cancer, colitis, sinus infections, vaginal infections. Should not be used during pregnancy as it may stimulate the involuntary muscles of the uterus. High dosages may interfere with Vitamin B metabolism. In extremely large doses, the alkaloids that cause this plant’s drug action can cause nausea, dizziness, etc. Safe at recommended levels. CAUTION: can reduce blood sugar levels and should not be used by hypoglycemic. Useful as a natural antibiotic. Aids in the treatment of sinus infections. Key Uses: infections of mucous membranes, parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammation of the gallbladder, cirrhosis of the liver.

GOTU KOLA (Hydrocotyle asiatica)
Helps rebuild energy reserves. Combats stress. Improves reflexes. Nourishes brain cells. Reduces fevers. Neural tonic. Used for diseases of the skin, blood, and nervous system. Helps leprosy, syphilis, psoriasis, cervicitis, vaginitis, blisters. Improves memory. Longevity aid. Does not contain caffeine. Contains asiaticoside which stimulates hair and nail growth, increases development of blood vessels into connective tissue, increases tensile integrity of the dermis, exerts a balancing effect on connective tissue. Speeds healing time of wounds. Has been used clinically for anal fissure, bladder ulcers, burns, cellulite, cirrhosis, dermatitis, fibrocystic breast, hemorrhoids, keloids, leprosy, lupus, mental retardation, peptic ulcer, retinal detachment scleroderma, surgical wounds, tuberculosis, and venous disorders. Key uses: cellulite, wound healing, varicose veins, scleroderma.

GUGGUL (Commiphora mukul)
Gum resin used in India for arthritis, skin diseases, nervous system conditions. Anti-bacterial. Anti-inflammatory. Liver disorders. Cardiovascular disease. Traditionally used for bone fracture, inflammation. Research indicates excellent for obseity; significantly lower serum cholesterol. Protects against atherosclerosis. Reduced body weight of animals in research studies. Reduced serum cholesterol levels by 11% after four weeks use in research. Considered safe for long-term use. No known interactions. Key Uses: Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis. Arthritis. Inflammation.

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Food for Sleep

Learn about foods good before bed, compliments of Clayton College of Natural Health

To Sleep…Sweet Tips from The Night Kitchen

How about a cup of fresh strawberries with a cup of warm milk with two tablespoons of honey and lemon juice before bedtime?

Oatmeal is also a great sleep aid. Make oatmeal as you normally would, but add milk enough to make a thin gruel. Drink this before bed as an aid in getting to sleep. This is a very relaxing way to get children to sleep. It seems to soothe them and make their tummies feel warm and full.

What could be easier than a baked potato? Simply preheat oven to 425 degrees. Poke holes in potato and wrap in foil. Bake in oven for 45 to 60 minutes until tender. Be sure to eat the skin! For extra tryptophan, magnesium and calcium, top with yogurt and cauliflower. Tryptophan is an amino acid that can act as a sleep aid.

Salads made with spinach, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, celery, and mushrooms are also a great source of tryptophan, as well as many other nutrients. Try a salad with poppy seed dressing. Poppy seeds also contain tryptophan.


Poppy Seed Dressing

1/2 cup mild honey
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup apple cider
1 Tablespoon fresh onion puree
1 cup olive oil
1 1/2 Tablespoon poppy seeds

Measure honey, mustard, salt and vinegar into your blender or mixing bowl. Process until smooth. Make the onion puree by rubbing a sweet onion over a hand grater. Add to the dressing. Start the blender and gradually add the oil in a slow stream. Process until thoroughly blended. Stop the blender and sprinkle the poppy seeds over the top. Mix the seeds in. Delicious with any tossed salad or with grapefruit, avocado and apple slices on a crisp bed of Romaine lettuce.

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