Category Archives: Cancer

In Season: Berries

The time is NOW! Berries are available now through the beginning of fall. If you are growing a berry bush, i.e. raspberries or blackberries, you might have seen them already on your vines. But peak time does vary depending on the berry. Strawberries and blueberries are at their peak now, while blackberries and raspberries will be at their peak in August going into the fall.

These fruits are great raw or cooked, especially as a pie. Among the first people to appreciate these fruits were Native Americans, who ate them, cooked them, dried them for adding to winter soups and stews, and even used them as medicines, dyes, and food preservatives.

Posted in Cancer, Cooking, Edible Plants, Health, Nutrition, Organic, Pestistides | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Onions & Garlic: A rose by any other name

I have been attending herbal classes.  While I know some of the benefits of the nutritional properities of some herbs, I always enjoy learning more.  So I thought I would share the benefits of onions & garlic.

The distinctive odor that garlic produces doesn’t occur until it is crushed.  This is the plant’s defense mechanism against insect predators.  Garlic cloves contain an odorless , sulfur-containing phytochemical  called “alliin.”  When the clove is disrupted, alliin is released and reacts with an enzyme in the neighboring cells that converts it to the odoriferous “allicin.”   Allicin is the garlic’s bug repellant – and a “people” repellant which is why many folks are shy about eating it.  If that’s the case, roast or cook whole to avoid the smell.

Posted in Cancer, cholesterol, Cooking, Edible Plants, gardening, Health, Herbs, Nutrition | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Soaking Flour/Grains

Soaked Flour Pumpkin Muffins

I’ve recently have taken some classes on making better bread.  Going back to scratch cooking has been something I’ve hesitated doing since it can be time consuming.  It does require some planning, too.  In taking on this effort, I have learned some valuable information.  I’ve known for a while that the flour we use in grocery store is inferior, but I didn’t know to what extent.  So I’ve learned how to grind my own flour.  I’ve also learned the concept of soaking grains and flour.  This has become an important part of the nutritional aspect of baking bread products.  Soaking grains and flours can help release the phytonutrients (the plant nutrition) that the body can use more readily.

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Toxic Strawberries

On a recent trip, I found an article in a local paper discussing the need to buy organic strawberries. Most of us know that non-organic berries are more likely to absorb (non-organic) fertilizers and pesticides. In fact, out of most of the fruits and veggies, they rank number one. See the dirty dozen at the Environmental Working Group .

What struck me as interesting was that the article mentions that the state of California asked a group of scientists to evaluate the risks and dangers of applying methyl iodide to strawberry crops. Here was the results:

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The Hazards of Canned Food

Since I have a family, I have become more discerning about the food I make for them.  Yes, I cook more than we eat out.  I could usually use convenience foods to get the job done. However, I recently found out that varies canned foods I buy at the supermarket might not be the best choice for me and my family.  Canned beans and tomatoes save me time in the kitchen, but may be putting my health at risk.

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