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Winter Detoxification

To start the year off right, we could probably all use a little internal cleansing and detoxification to help recover from the holidays’ indulgence. During the winter months, it’s best to cleanse in a way that promotes resources for storage rather than draining or taxing the system.  To do this, I recommend 4 to 6 weeks on my modified yeast-free diet .

I wouldn’t recommend going on any extreme fasts or juicing regimens, as this isn’t in keeping with the season. It’s also best to avoid raw and cold foods in the winter months. Now is the time to keep the fire stoked, instead of dousing the hearth’s flame. The modified yeast-free diet will cleanse the lymph of all the holiday accumulation, help you shed a few extra pounds and keep you healthy and strong all winter long.

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Health of Benefits of Bone Broth

Bone broth – made from any animal bones, but preferable beef knuckles and spine or chicken backs and necks – is a ubiquitous food-medicine across the world. I use it as both a curative and as a preventative medicine.  Bone broth is very nutrient-dense. Its high mineral content makes it good for bones, as does the presence of gelatin, which lubricates the joints and skin. I believe it also helps ward off a cold or flu when taken as a tea at the very first signs of a tickle in your throat, with garlic, ginger and a dash of cayenne.

If our digestion or diet is even somewhat suboptimal, we likely have nutritional deficiencies. Since minerals are already hard to digest, it’s probable we’re not getting enough of them. Here’s where bone broth is so great! The slow and long cooking with a bit of unfiltered Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg’s) draws out the minerals and collage/gelatin from the bones. This way the minerals are just floating around waiting to be absorbed. Much easier than having to digest and liberate the minerals by ourselves!

Please see my Winter newsletter for a recipe.

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Neti pot users: What’s in your water?

I just read this very sobering article about using impure water in a neti pot for nasal rinsing. Please, if you are using a neti pot, make sure you are boiling or otherwise sterilizing your water before using it. If you are boiling your water to help purify it, please make let it cool to an appropriate temperature before using it. Also, be sure never to force any water into your nasal passages. Neti pots are fantastic, so feel free to use them as you did before once you know your water is pure.

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Weekend’s Reading – January 7th, 2010

Happy New Year Everyone,

Healthy resolutions underway? All of the Good Advice about sticking to a resolution emphasizes the importance of starting small with changes that are do-able and sustainable. So the question to start the new year with is, what are the little things we can do on a regular basis that will help us to keep our momentum going all year long? Here are some unique ideas for new year’s resolutions if you haven’t come up with any sticky ones yet:

  1. Get the formaldehyde out of your closet
  1. Add some Seaweed to your meals once a week. It’s simple, nutritious and delicious.
  2. Research your Water sources? Know what’s in your H2O, and then drink plenty every day.
  3. Eat seasonally. Start with a warm Winter Soup.
  4. Hummm your sinuses clear.
  5. Download some new Uplifting Music to accompany you on a walk.
  6. Join in on a cause you believe in, and see the difference you can make.
  7. Read more! Here is a review of an interesting new book to get you started: The Emotional Calender
  8. Make sure your workout routine is targeting for strong, healthy Bones.
  9. Don’t eliminate deserts, just make healthy ones like these Cake Pops. This recipe is Gluten Free & too much fun not to share

Best of luck in your 2011 endeavors.
Warm Wishes,

Adele

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Chicken Congee

  • 1 cup white rice
  • 3 cups water
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 4 – 6 dried shitake mushrooms
  • 10 – 20 Chinese red dates
  • Scallion
  • Ginger
  • Sea salt
  • Chicken meat from stock if desired

In a slow cooker on low, or on the stovetop, bring rice, water and chicken stock to a boil. Meanwhile reconstitute mushrooms in a little water, soak 10 minutes and add mushrooms, dates, and a little sea salt to the soup. Let simmer very low, covered for about 2 hours stirring occasionally. After 2 hours add scallion, ginger and chicken meat and serve, discarding the mushrooms and dates if desired. Salt to taste.

This congee or rice porridge is incredibly easy to digest and very soothing to the digestive system. The cooking process does all the digesting for you so your stomach does not have to work, a feel good for your stomach.

The red dates are available at your local Chinese grocer. Substitute unsulphered dried apricots if red dates are unavailable; about 10 is plenty.