I want to give you some ideas to help you keep up your good health or to give you alternatives. I know some of us need medical intervention but, I know some of us can still benefit from something other than prescriptions, waiting rooms and shots. Plus, we should be discriminating with what we put into our awesome bodies (People are so good looking! Oh come on! You know you are!)
BTW I don’t include recipes either because the recipe wasn’t mine or because, I didn’t cook with a set recipe. There are many sites with many good recipes, just look them up and go with what sounds good to you.
Turmeric Gold Tea (AKA Golden Milk, Turmeric Latte)– This recipe uses non-dairy milk like almond milk or coconut milk, turmeric, maple syrup, a healthier fat like coconut oil or your favorite oil (necessary to help our bodies absorb the turmeric better) and black pepper (also a necessary ingredient to help get the turmeric into our system at a helpful rate of absorption). The complete recipes differ slightly online but, the mixture reminds my youngest son of pumpkin pie. I encourage you to look it up. I wouldn’t double up on the ingredients until you know how you’ll react. For some people, too much Turmeric can cause an upset stomach.
Why drink this? Turmeric helps with inflammation and aches, getting better sleep plus, a lot of other things. Keep in mind that it is actually inflammation that can cause our bodies to be susceptible to diseases and other health issues. Studies have shown that people with Rheumatoid Arthritis experienced relief when consuming Turmeric on a regular basis.
There are two things to keep in mind when trying something new or trying to heal the body for the long term- 1) It helps to try something new with consistency. Give it a try for a month. Remember, that sometimes we have to acquire a new taste for foods just like we did when we were infants and children. You may also want to try different brands. For example, I don’t like all almond milk brands but, some are great. 2) Adding dairy products may counter the effects we gain from herbs or spices. For example, if I eat something with milk, my stomach rounds out a little. I used to think it was because I was full. Now, I know my body reacts to dairy, specifically. If I go without the dairy, my stomach doesn’t pooch out at all. I actually think this is what is happening with a lot of people, especially as we age. I know It’s hard to cut out foods like cheese and obviously, we are all different. If you are having a hard time with weight loss consider experimenting with the food types. Try a few weeks without dairy, or drastically cut down on the sugar or salt. This has helped me the most- limiting or cutting out the dairy, sugar, and salt. Over time, you may even find that your taste has changed for the better, health wise. Oh, and I was told by a medical doctor that too much calcium can make absorbing other vitamins and minerals difficult. Have you ever noticed how much calcium is in everything, especially foods marketed for kids? Do your own research but, I wanted to pass on what I have learned…
Epson Salt Baths- I like a brand that is in most stores and is fragrant with essential oils. Epson salt helps to soothe our bodies. It’s a great way to relax our tense muscles and over-worked minds. There are always people who will say these baths won’t help and that there is no research to support the benefits of Epson salt baths. Casually reading up on this topic, I actually did find a lot of research to support the health and beauty benefits of Epson salt. Plus, people have been taking these baths for a very long time. Keep in mind, that people can have allergic reactions to magnesium sulfate and there is a warning against using Epson salt if you have diabetes or heart issues. I think this has to do with feet problems for people with diabetes and, lowering pulse rates for people with heart problems. I’m not a doctor. Ask your doctor about it, if you are wondering… Btw, Epson salt is also great for some plants.
Acupuncture- Did you know that many insurance companies cover acupuncture? I know, you don’t like needles…. probably a result of all the injections we are forced to get as children, in order to go to school (did you ever wonder what was really in those shots?). Acupuncture can be used for so many ailments, and can help with mental health. I have had it done several times, for things like migraines and sinus pressure. I never look at the needles as they are lightly tapped in but, I can say that my experience has been good and a little weird. The sensation a person may feel is something like warm or cool water moving through your body. You may feel a little pressure or a tingly sensation. Sometimes, one area is being treated but you feel the sensation somewhere completely different. You should try it! At least put it on your bucket list then do it because it’s an easy thing to check off…Look up someone in your area with a good reputation. I know there is a woman who does it for very little cost in San Diego, Ca. A man in Houston, Tx is known to successfully help couples with fertility problems. Acupuncture has become more wide spread and there is possibly someone in your area. I truly wish everyone would try acupuncture. It has helped me so much and I know it has helped other people. From my experience, it helps to commit to the treatment advised by the practitioner. For me that meant going once a week. I can’t remember how long I had to do this. It would be different for each person anyway…
Hot Chocolate made with Almond milk and shaved dark chocolate (something for fun and is probably healthier than, the store-bought options)- I stopped buying hot coco mix when the boys began happily drinking something I was experimenting with in the kitchen. I warm almond milk on the stove and add higher quality dark chocolate that has been shaved with a cheese grader (a smaller grade works best for me), into the almond milk. I add chocolate until the almond milk color is dark brown. Good dark chocolate has anti-oxidants, may have less sugar and may not have added dairy. If your household is accustomed to sweeter foods and you are fine with adding sugar, you can experiment easily with chocolate as it goes well with so many sugar alternatives like, maple syrup or agave syrup. You may want to be careful with agave syrup because a tiny amount goes a long way. Maybe add vanilla or a little sea salt. I think we are getting a little gourmet with this…Otherwise, add a better-quality whip cream and a candy cane to the mug of hot chocolate almond milk, for something more typical but still delicious. A tip: I shake the hot chocolate almond milk in a shaker before pouring it into a mug. Keep in mind the steam could easily burst the lid open (speaking from experience). So be careful and possibly let the milk cool down a bit. Overall, I find that homemade hot chocolate has a lighter consistency and a nice, delicate taste.
I have no reason to sell anyone on any of this stuff. There is something to the herbs, the Epson salt, the acupuncture…
Let’s explore and get out of the box.