EEG Biofeedback with Sarah

I have been so very blessed for 12 years of doing Neurofeedback or what is well known as EEG Biofeedback. I have seen so many clients come in with so many disregulations of the brain. This interview is just one of my past clients. She wound up interning with me and she is now opening her own practice as a holistic health coach. Very proud of her and her accomplishments in life. Truly an inspiration to many.

Ginger Rhizome

Ginger has been used throughout history in many areas of the world. The use of ginger began as far back as 5000 years ago in south east Asia. There is also evidence of its use by the Romans as well. When the Arabs took control of the spice trade ginger began to reach more countries and its popularity really began to increase. At one point in history ginger became quite valuable and expensive. One pound of ginger was equivalent in trade to one whole live sheep.

Ginger root is not actually even a root. It is a rhizome. The ginger plant itself can be eaten as well as the leaves. The rhizomes are grown in tropical climates throughout the world. Depending on what the ginger will be used for is when it is harvested. For a mild flavor ginger is harvested as early as five months of growth. The most common intensity of flavor and growth is harvested at about seven or eight months of growth. When using in making essential oils and wanting super intensity harvesting eight months a beyond is best.

Ginger is best known for its medicinal qualities for digestion issues. Ginger has been known to aid in everything from colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, cramps, nausea, motion sickness, diarrhea, gas, bloating and flatulence. Ginger has also been widely used to help reduce inflammation in arthritis and other forms of joint problems to help ease the pain and discomfort caused by these diseases. SInce ginger is known to stimulate circulation using it for the prevention of blood clots is also a good way to utilize it. Ginger has been known to aid in the reduction of fevers, lower cholesterol, as a decongestant and an antihistamine as well. SInce ginger has been known to have antioxidant properties it has also been used to help protect against Alzheimer's and cancer including ovarian, pancreatic, and breast due to its ability to stop the growth of abnormal cells.

Ginger is a very versatile rhizome and can made into tea through an infusion, microplaned onto bananas, used with maple syrup and apple cider vinegar to make Switchel, made into essential oil, pills, tinctures, powder for use in pumpkin pie or squash, infused into honey or syrup for pancakes.

Fruit Snack

I am not the kind of person that likes to spend hours in a kitchen for people to devour the food in minutes. I want food that is delicious, nutritious and super easy to make with very few ingredients. This recipe covers the whole enchilada!

Fruit Snack

1 TBS Chia Seeds

½ Cup any type of frozen fruit

¼ Cup Raw unsalted cashews

¼ Cup Orange Juice

1 banana

optional berries for topping

Combine ingredients into a blender or bullet type machine and blend well until all ingredients are smooth and creamy.

Cut banana up and split between the two dishes equally. Spoon fruit snack onto the chopped bananas and top with fresh berries. Enjoy!

Sensational Cinnamon

I love to use Cinnamon on so many things and  in recipes. Places that you would even think of putting cinnamon in or on your food. The high medicinal quality is briefly explained here in about 5 minutes.

Wheatgrass Juice

Wheat Grass

In the 1930’s wheatgrass became well known when Charles F. Schnabel documented its amazing nutritional value after many long studies of it. Then between the 1930’s and 1950s a large volume of research was being conducted by other health professionals like medical doctors, scientists and hospitals.

Two ounces of wheatgrass juice is the nutritional equivalent of five pounds of the best raw organic vegetables.

You can find twice the amount of Vitamin A in wheat grass as carrots and wheat grass is higher in Vitamin C than an orange! It contains all of the B vitamins, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium in a perfectly balanced ratio. Wheatgrass is also a complete protein that supplies all of the essential amino acids. In fact wheat grass has about 20% of its total calories as proteins. However the proteins from wheat grass are called poly peptides, which are simpler and shorter chains of amino acid. This enables the body to use them more efficiently in the body.

A study done by the Hippocrates Institute and MIT revealed that powdered wheat grass is only 2% as effective as fresh.

Because the wheat grass begins to oxidize soon after the wheat grass is juiced it should be consumed within 15 minutes or less when it is juiced in order to gain full benefit from it..

Wheat grass contains high levels of chlorophyll which means that it contains high levels of oxygen. The chlorophyll is created from the sun so drinking wheat grass is like drinking liquid sunshine! More oxygen going to the blood stream means a healthier body. More oxygen going to the brain means not only a healthier brain but thinking clearer, processing information easier, and having balance in the brain and body. This also in turn can improve upon blood sugar problems like diabetes, help to prevent tooth decay, speed up the healing of injuries, helps to prevent bacterial infections, removes heavy metal poisoning, helps to cleanse the liver,  improves digestion, great for blood pressure and to lower cholesterol, great for UTIs and infections in the urethra, bladder or prostate, kidney stones, respiratory conditions, sore throats, gout, colitis, joint pain, and skin conditions. Wheat grass has been used for the treatment of all cancers as well as arthritis.

Wheat grass has been studied and has been proven that it kills bacterial infections, works as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory in the body. I could go on and on with the great uses of wheatgrass. I grow it in my home and use it almost every day.

Savory Almond Cream

I love recipes that are super easy, common ingredients, fast to create and most of all highly nutritious. This recipe qualifies for all of the above.   In this picture I have the Savory Almond Cream on the potatoes and served with fresh beet greens steams with a little lemon along side of sweet potatoes with fresh grated nutmeg.  Can you say YUM!!!

Savory Almond Cream

1 Cup raw unsalted almonds

1 Cup water (H2O)

1 TBS Italian Seasoning

1 TBS Braggs Amino Acids

Soak raw almonds overnight in the water over night in the fridge. Put all ingredients in the blender or Magic Bullet or Nutribullet and blend until smooth and creamy. Use as a sauce on pasta, potatoes, grains, or spaghetti squash. Can also be used as a dip for fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, peppers and cucumbers. Excellent on crackers with a little garlic added before blending.

Honey

The difference between local honey and raw honey and pasteurized honey.

Holistic Approach to Ear Infections

Childhood ear infections have been a problem for as long as I can remember. Back in the 1990’s it was the second most common illness among children with over $3.5 billion dollars a year being spent on doctors visits concerning ear infections. There are natural methods that may be used alone, under supervision of a Naturopath or in conjunction with medically prescribed drugs.

One of the first things to be used when there is a symptom of an ear infection would be Garlic/Mullein Oil. This can be purchased through a local health food store or prepared in your kitchen. Simply combine approximately one tablespoon of minced fresh organic garlic with one tablespoon of Mullein flowers with three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. If Mullein flowers cannot be located then only use two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Put lid on jar and allow to stand in a warm but not hot area for at least 24 hours. Four to five drops of warmed oil can be placed in each ear several times a day. Due to the sulfur-containing amino acid called alliin in garlic it is considered a probiotic and has been known to kill infections and speed the healing of wounds.

Garlic, among other herbs such as echinacea, astragalus and even shiitake can be used internally to boost the immune system and assist the body in fighting infection. These products can be found in your local health food store as well as super markets. They come in many forms including tea, capsule and tincture. A tincture is a liquid solution that has gone through a maceration process, whereas the chemical constituents of the herb has been drawn out and into the solution. The herbs are then discarded and the remaining solution becomes the tincture. For children, tinctures appear to be the best form as they do come in orange and strawberry flavors and can be placed in the child's beverage as well as directly in the mouth.

Certain things should be avoided during an ear infection. Dairy products and sugar have been known to cause excess mucous in the system and may produce more of a problem. Cold air or a cold breeze may cause more pain to the affected area and therefore when outdoors a hat should be worn to cover the ears. Elevating the child's head during sleep may also help. This can be done by placing a small soft-covered book under the feet of the head of the bed. This angle doesn't seem like much it will allow the fluid to drain from the undeveloped eustachian tube in the ear.

Although these answers appear rather simple, they have been known to give excellent results. These modalities are natural and non-invasive. They help to promote the bodies already vibrant  healing ability and encourage health. Many parents are faced with this chronic problem and are willing to try many things. It is best to investigate all claims of cure or healing thoroughly and when in doubt speak to your practitioner.

Brunch with Bryan

Pink Drink

Pink Drink

1 ½ Cup Watermelon

1 Cup Strawberries

1 Tbs Lemon juice

Combine ingredients into a blender and mix for about 30 seconds. Makes 1 serving.

Healthy Gut for a sexier YOU

Excellent brief article on...
 “Just how do I keep my gut healthy in order to be a well rested, smart, fun loving, food consuming, sexy god or goddess?”
www.DrSharrie.com