Gardening 101 – Raised Beds
Back in the mid 80s, I was living in the Pacific Northwest way out in the country yet near Olympia, Washington. The beauty of the countryside inspired me to do something I had, as of yet, never attempted. I was moved to plant a garden, and I wanted raised beds.
Oh my gosh what an undertaking that was! First I had to plan my space. With 5 acres to choose from, I settled on a very small area near my house, yet far enough from the chicken coup that even flying chickens would be deterred from making the trek.
When my garden layout was established on paper, I was off to the lumber yard to buy my wood, “hardware” (that’s a fancy word for nails), and fencing materials. With my first lumber yard experience behind me (I am admittedly a city girl), the real work was about to begin. But first, I needed to talk my husband into cutting the wood, nailing the beds together in place, and finally filling them with the soil I had brought in. (I decided to introduce him to the need for a fence after he was able to admire his first round of handy work.)
Just before we started the fence, a neighbor told me of a blueberry farm that was going out of business and selling all of their plants. Of course I couldn’t let such a wonderful opportunity pass me by, the plants were dirt cheap! So once the backhoe was gone…did I mention you must have two blueberry plants so they’ll cross pollinate? Oh, and did I mention that these blueberry plants had 400 lb root balls?
Anyway, blueberry plants in place, raised beds completed and filled with soil, and fencing completed, the most fun part was calling my name. It was time to plant, weed and feed, and EAT! Gardens teach you about nature’s beauty, and her bounty. There is little I love more today than nurturing my plants, and they respond to my care with much more than I give.
When I left Washington, I moved to Oklahoma near my parent’s 190 acre cattle ranch. Every year, until he passed, my Dad and I made a big beautiful garden together. We always planted jalapenos for him and okra for me, then OF COURSE tomatoes that we both loved, corn, green beans, bell peppers, squash, and cucumbers (Mom canned pickles and jalapenos). Garden memories of my Dad is only one of many reasons I still make my garden each year, but it is admittedly, my best one.
So what does this have to do with “Health”? Well, admittedly nothing. But it was a fun article to write, I loved the stroll down memory lane. And I feel like skipping through the gardens of my mind elevates my mood and contributes to my health and happiness…give it a try!
Nutritional Benefits of Blueberries!
At 4:00 every day, Oprah brings us the-best-of-the-best, and the-latest-and-greatest in health and nutrition (and myriad other bests, latests, and greatests)…so what are those little dark-blue thingies we sometimes see her nibbling on by the handfuls? They’re BLUEBERRIES, of course. Well, maybe not “of course”, but at least “by gosh”. Praised by Dr. Oz, Dr. Weil, Dr. Saks, and physicians in nearly all developed countries, they have quickly been brought to the public eye as research discloses the major health and nutritional benefits of this tasty berry. In one study at a USDA Human Nutrition Research Center laboratory, scientists fed blueberry extractions (the equivalent of a human eating one cup of blueberries a day) to mice, then tested them in various ways. They found that the blueberry-fed mice had better performance regarding memory, exploratory behavior, and motor behavioral learning than those tested who were not fed blueberries. Other research has proven that when fed blueberries, laboratory rats experienced a slowing of age-related loss in their mental capacity. All of these findings have important implications for humans.Most of us are aware that “free radicals” can damage cell membranes and DNA through oxidative stress, and are blamed for many dysfunctions and diseases associated with aging. Scientists believe that the compound responsible for neuron protection in the brain is “anthocyanin”, which happens to be what gives blueberries their color and may be responsible for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well. Blueberries, with their antioxidant properties, are among the many colorful fruits and vegetables that test high in their ability to suppress free radicals.
With an aging population ever increasing in numbers (more than 30% of Americans will be over 65 by 2050), these findings could become increasingly important. Preliminary results in human trials show that people who ate a cup of blueberries a day perform 5 to 6% better on motor skills tests than the control groups. A number of additional substances in blueberries are thought to have health benefits. One compound present, called proanthocyanidins, is known to promote urinary tract health and reduce the risk of infection. Other substances include but are not limited to, dietary fiber, phenolics, flavonoids, fructose, vitamins, and antioxidants. It should be mentioned that antioxidants seem to play a huge role in the prevention and delay of cancer, heart disease, and aging, although studies on human beings are currently limited in number.
Nutritional Benefits Of Aronia Berries
Recently, I ran across some information on this new little berry. Some people make it into two words…Aronia Berry, and some people put it together calling it Aroniaberry. Either way, it’s not new, but it may be “new to you”. Sometimes called the Black Chokeberry, below is some information on the nutritional value of this scrumptious little treat. If you Google it, you will find that people are also loving using this plant to decorate their yards…who knew!
The Aronia Berry, or Black chokeberry as it is commonly known in horticulture circles, is a beautiful and hardy plant that is making a come-back in the US, for several reasons. These violet-black berries can be canned whole or the juice may be extracted to use in jelly and candy making, pie and cookie fillings, as well as yogurt, sorbet, and milk flavorings. In Russia, Denmark, and Eastern Europe this hardy little berry is widely used for juice and wine production due to its strong color and pungent flavor.
Native to Eastern North America, it was well known to Native Americans and early settlers but hasn’t been commercially cultivated in the United States since the early 20th century. Although It is sometimes used in landscapes for its creamy white flowers in late spring, and colorful flame red autumn foliage draped with dark berries, it is finally starting to get the recognition that it deserves for commercial food use, and special attention is being paid to the nutritional value of these little berries. Today, the main commercial sources for aronia berry juice comes from Europe, however it is grown commercially on small farms in Iowa and Oregon, and the USDA Plant Materials Program has begun testing at 11 sites in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
Phytonutrients are the organic components of plants that are said to promote human health. As we examine the profile of aronia juice, it’s clear to see the benefits human beings stand to gain from its use. With flavonoid levels five times greater than those found in cranberries, combined with antioxidants, polyphenols, minerals, and vitamins (B2, B6, E, C, and Folic Acid), aronia berries provide benefits against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, cardiovascular ailments, circulatory problems, influenza, urinary tract infections, and kidney problems.
Sorbitol is the dominant sugar in aronia berries, an unusual profile, and they have a high level of phenolic acids, tannins, catcheins, and other active flavonoids such as quercitin, rutin, hesperidin, and procyanidin. An analyses of flavonoids in aronia berries reports a range from 2500mg to 3500 mg per 100 grams. It is one of the fruits highest in anthocyanin content, with ranges between 725mg and 1050mg per 100 grams of fresh fruit. Some of these flavonoids have been documented to reduce infection as well as the replication of viruses.
To re-cap and accentuate previous points:
Research has shown the Aroniaberry:
* May offer protection for human blood vessels
* Contains rich amounts of flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins, and powerful antioxidants
* Is a strong relaxing agent of the smooth muscle found in arteries
* Plays a major role in keeping blood pressure from becoming dangerously high
* Helps prevent spasms in blood vessels
* Inhibits the development of blood clots and the early process of atherosclerosis
* Relaxes the arteries, aids in blood flow, and protects the coronary arteries from oxidant injury
* Is five to ten times more powerful than the cranberry for urinary tract health
* May inhibit colon cancer (University of Maryland)
Bioidentical Hormones/HRT and Menopause
Google Dr. Erikas Blog. That is probably the best advice a woman could be given at absolutely any point in her life. I started having menopause symptoms when I was in my early 30s. Of course I didnt recognize them, and my mind absolutely did not venture toward any condition usually reserved for older women. It took about 10 years for me to realize what was happening to my body and to determine what I wanted to do about it.
As I grew older, and began to travel in circles of mature women (my peers were getting older), bioidentical hormones were forefront in our conversations regarding aging. We were California Baby Boomers, and we never ever did things the way of our parents but rather chose the natural alternative to anything and everything. But my GAWD it was, and still is, hard to find a doctor to prescribe compounded bioidentical hormones. Not only did you have to find one in your area that was willing to go along with you, you had to find a compounding pharmacy that would be willing to educate your doctor as to how to prescribe this newfangled old medicinal concoction.
What many of us didnt know was that, since 1986 there have been FDA approved natural hormones on the market in a variety of forms. Gels, patches and pills are being manufactured by Big Pharma giants Bayer, Parke Davis, Novartis, Bristol Myers, Squibb and Pharmacia Upjohn. Our doctors can easily become familiar with them and would probably readily embrace these because they are mainstream.
These are just some bioidenticals that are available today (taken from Dr. Erikas Blog):
Alora: FDA approved 1996 – Watson Labs
Climara: FDA approved 1994 – Bayer
FemPatch: FDA approved 1997 – Parke Davis
Vivelle-Dot: FDA approved 1994 – Novartis
Estraderm: FDA approved 1986 – Novartis
Esclim: FDA approved 1998 – Women’s First Healthcare
Estrace: FDA approved 1993 – Bristol Myers Squibb
Estring: FDA approved 1996 – Pharmacia UpJohn
Premetrium: FDA approved 1998 – Solvay
Androgel: FDA approved 2000 – Unimed Pharmaceuticals
Crinone: FDA approved 1997 – Columbia Labs
If you are sure that HRT is NOT for you, there are several products that will greatly help you with menopausal symptoms. I have found several amazing ones and soon hope to be bringing you links to the websites where you may purchase them at very reasonable prices! These new links will be to the right of this article under the “Affiliates” category.
I HAVE HEARD that taking unopposed estrogen is not recommended for women who’s uterus and ovaries have not been removed. I HAVE HEARD that if you are one of these women, you should always take estrogen together with progesterone. Be sure to review this point with your doctor.
When you go to your doctor take this article with you and show him/ her the names of the bioidenticals and the drug companies that make them! I bet he/she will write you a prescription on the spot if that is what you want!
How To Get Rid of a Cold Sore!!!
I want to preface this post by saying “THERE IS NO CURE FOR COLD SORES”! The virus is “in” a nerve cell in your body, and currently, there is no way to remove it, or otherwise eliminate it. So what we are looking for in this blog are soothing techniques and ways to HEAL them sooner than the normal 7 day run most of us endure. Following, are my experiences….please comment and let us know your successes (and perhaps failures) with soothing and healing those painful cold sores (fever blisters or herpes simplex).
When I was a child, we never heard the word herpes. In fact, we had “cold sores” or “fever blisters” back then, no one considered those to be contagious. As a matter of fact, even though I suffer through some pretty painful cold sores several times each year, I wouldn’t trade even one of my mother’s kisses to get rid of the sores. I am, however, very careful not to pass them on to anyone else. To make up for the kissing deficit experienced when I have a break out, I have become the best hugger known to my friends and family!!!
Like most people, more often than not my breakouts are very painful, and I have spent years searching for relief. I found that Lysine (any brand will do), will soften the sore to keep it from cracking and will not just soothe the pain but will completely ease the pain for quite awhile. When the sore starts to hurt again, you slather some more Lysine on it.
I took it another step though, I wanted to shorten the duration of the out break, so I bought Abrieva and applied it 5 times a day like the instructions say. A little while after each application, I would slather on the Lysine ointment. IT WORKS, the pain was gone and the duration of the outbreak was much shorter.
Today, I use a combination of Lysine Ointment, a Lysine Supplement, and a good Vitamin B-Complex to make sure I cover all my bases regarding those pesky fever blisters. I also take extra measures to beef up my immune system, get plenty of rest and exercise, and eat foods that are good for me.
If you are interested in the “feel better” and get well faster stuff, then please check out the Affiliates listed to the right of this article. In the near future, I will insert links to the websites where I buy the products I love that keep me healthy, wealthy, and wise….well, at least healthy and wise, hehe.
What experience do you have with cold sore remedies? Actually, let’s make this a forum for any health issue you would like to talk about. I am a lay person, who has used supplements, natural remedies and homeopathic remedies for more than 20 years while raising a pack of children, but I don’t know it all. I’ll share what I know with you, then you share your “stuff” with me (and others who hit this site)!
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