It’s almost here! Damascus VA Trail Days–enjoy and join in on the fun!

Below is a video of a previous year…Fun, Food, Family and Friendly Hikers…what more do you need?  

“Click” back and enjoy…

This is the first in a mini-series of  Video Health Tips we are calling, “Chalk Talk”..we hope you find them informative and useful.

Just click to play the video below:

Incan berries are also known as goldenberries, cape gooseberry, Peruvian groundcherry or by its botanical name Physalis peruviana.

Incan berries are native to South America, but were also cultivated in South Africa in the region of Cape Of Good Hope during the 19th century. They have a very unique sweet and tart taste that many enjoy! They are great to eat right of the bag…if you are looking for a new snack that you can enjoy on the run, consider these tasty, crunchy delicacies!

These goldenberries are full of nutrition and there are amazing health benefits to be had. Incan berries are a excellent source of protein, vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B6, and B12. By weight, incan berries contain 16% protein which makes them one of the richest fruit sources of protein, more so than even goji berries. Incan berries are also a great source of Vitamin P  which is used as a collective term for bioflavonoids. The bioflavonoids goldenberries contain have been shown to have a number of health benefits such as anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-hepatoxic and anti-histamine properties. Bioflavonoids also help increase the absorption of vitamin C and have heart protective benefits.

Incan berries are also a good source of pectin. Pectin is good for digestive health, lowering LDL cholesterol levels, chelating heavy metals and much more.

Traditionally it is thought Physalis peruviana was used medicinally in the treatment of conditions such as cancer, leukemia, malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis and rheumatism.

Why not try something new and enjoy the health benefits as well? You will be glad you did!

Usually we like to share what foods and supplements you should be taking to improve your health and help maintain the energy and vitality we all want. Today we want to share what foods you need to AVOID and will reference three industry experts who agree.

1. Canned Tomatoes

Fredrick vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A explains that the resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people’s body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. “You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that’s a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young,” says vom Saal. “I won’t go near canned tomatoes.”

Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Pomi which we carry at the store.

2. Corn-Fed Beef

Joel Salatin, co-owner of Polyface Farms and author of half a dozen books on sustainable farming explains simply that cattle evolved to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. More money for cattle farmers (and lower prices at the grocery store) means a lot less nutrition for us. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the USDA and researchers from Clemson University found that compared with corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium, and potassium; lower in inflammatory omega-6s; and lower in saturated fats that have been linked to heart disease. “We need to respect the fact that cows are herbivores, and that does not mean feeding them corn and chicken manure,” says Salatin.

Buy grass-fed beef, which can be found at farmers’ markets, co-ops and other Natural Food stores. We carry Laughingwater Farm beef and lamb–both USDA organic and grass fed.

5. Farmed Salmon

David Carpenter, MD, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany and publisher of a major study in the journal Science on contamination in fish explains that nature didn’t intend for salmon to be crammed into pens and fed soy, poultry litter, and hydrolyzed chicken feathers. As a result, farmed salmon is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs, brominated flame retardants, and pesticides such as dioxin and DDT. According to Carpenter, the most contaminated fish come from Northern Europe, which can be found on American menus. “You can only safely eat one of these salmon dinners every 5 months without increasing your risk of cancer,” says Carpenter, whose 2004 fish contamination study got broad media attention. “It’s that bad.” Preliminary science has also linked DDT to diabetes and obesity, but some nutritionists believe the benefits of omega-3s outweigh the risks. There is also concern about the high level of antibiotics and pesticides used to treat these fish. When you eat farmed salmon, you get dosed with the same drugs and chemicals.

Switch to wild-caught Alaska salmon. If the package says fresh Atlantic, it’s farmed. There are no commercial fisheries left for wild Atlantic salmon. We carry wild caught salmon and tuna — be sure to look for “wild caught”  on the label to ensure you are buying the real deal.

From our recent Herbs in the Kitchen class at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center here are the recipes we prepared:

Cajun Seasoning Rub for meats, tofu and seitan

1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp ground fennel seed
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried sage
1 tsp dried oregano
1/1 tsp salt
1-2 cloves garlic
1/2 small, fresh onion

Combine all dry ingredients.  Crush the garlic and onion in a mortar and add the dry ingredients.

Rub mixture onto meats, tofu, fish or seitan and let marinade up to one hour.  Then grill or fry to form a crisp crust.  Also good to stir into rice or gumbos.

Organic Asian Marinade - Use for meats, fish and tofu

2 shallots, finely chopped
small piece of ginger, chopped
1 small hot chili pepper, sliced thin or chopped
2 tsp sugar or 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro, leaf and stem
1/4 c fresh lime juice
1 small clove garlic, crushed
2 tbsp fish sauce or tamari
5 tbsp rice vinegar
drizzle of sesame oil

Mix all ingredients together, toss with meat, fish or tofu.  Great for kabobs.

Minty Lemonade

Homemade lemonade offers a completely different culinary experience from the fizzy and highly sweetened commercial drink of the same name.  The addition of mint makes this recipe particularly refreshing.  Try to use organically grown (or at least unwaxed) fruit for this recipe.

3 lemons, plus extra juice to taste if needed
1 orange
8 oz honey, or more to taste
2 oz finely chopped fresh mint leaves
2 oz finely fresh lemon balm leaves
10 fl oz of boiling water
4 pints of cold water
sprigs of fresh mint and lemon balm, to decorate

Peel the rind from the lemons and orange, being sure to remove any of the bitter white pith.  Set aside while you squeeze out the juice.  In a large heat proof jug or bowl, combine the peel, honey and chopped herbs.  Pour on the boiling water and stir until the honey is blended in well.  Allow to steep for 30 minutes.  Then add the lemon and orange juice.  Pour into a clean jug and add the cold water.  Add extra honey and lemon juice to taste, as required.  Chill for one hour.  Pour into tumblers over ice cubes and decorate with the herb sprigs.

Tell Organic Baby Food Brands to Stop Using GMOs!

Beginning when Bush was president, and continuing now in the Obama Administration, the USDA National Organic Program has allowed biotech giant DSM, owner of Martek Biosciences, to market genetically engineered nutraceuticals DHA and ARA to organic food companies, including infant formula and baby cereal manufacturers.

Please consider clicking on this link to go to the Organic Consumer Unions website where you can fill out a quick form that will send a letter to DSM Nutritional Products, makers of the microencapsulated, mutant DHA and ARA, and two of the companies who use it, Happy Bellies and Bright Beginnings.

These companies have each received 6710 letters so far. Happy Bellies has been writing back to people, denying the allegations. In response to the Organic Consumers Association’s action alert about the GMO DHA used in Happy Bellies baby cereal, Happy Bellies claimed that the algae used to produce the DHA is not genetically engineered. You can read their letter and OCA’s response here.

The following companies are also at risk and need to be contacted regarding this alert: Earth’s Best Organic, Parent’s Choice Organic, Similac Organic, and Vermont Organics.

Don’t let the fear of pesticides reduce your consumption of fruits and vegetables. You can minimize your family’s exposure by referring to a handy Organic Essential guide by Organic-Center.org. This comprehensive pocket guide, built on a complex assessment of pesticide risks for identifying safe and nutritious foods, helps you determine the most important fruits and vegetables to choose as organic.

Download your guide now!

The Organic Center’s “Dietary Risk Index” (DRI) quantifies relative pesticide dietary  risks for specific foods by analyzing U.S. Department of Agriculture pesticide residue data and Environmental Protection Agency toxicity assessment.

Below is the full list of high risk foods that ran through the testing process. The higher the number, the higher the risk.

Note that imported foods (left) have higher pesticide residues and risk  than domestically (U.S.) grown foods. Buy organic and local in order to reduce your exposure to toxic synthetic pesticides!

The bark of the chuchuhuasi tree is a famous ethnomedicine in western Amazonia. It is most commonly used to treat rheumatism, tuberculosis, bronchitis, stomach ache, and fever. Chewing the bark is considered to be an effective treatment for diarrhea, arthritis, a menstrual irregularities, and upset stomach. It is used as a muscle relaxant, effectively breaking up and dispersing lactic actid.  It enhances virility.  The bark is extremely bitter which is why it is usually taken as an alcoholic decoction, often mixed with bee honey.

Chuchuhuasi strengthens the immune system and gives adrenal support. & as well as enhancing the immunological system, it has revitalising and antioxidant activities. It is a muscle relaxant, effectively breaking up and dispersing lactic acid. It is helpful for those with arthritis. Chuchuhuasi helps fight pain due to its analgesic properties. It is an anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, helps relieve rheumatic conditions and is valuable in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, MS and alcoholism.

It helps to rejuvenate the system and revitalise the nervous tissue. Chuchuhuasi bark is considered to be an effective treatment for diarrhea, menstrual irregularities, and upset stomach.

Principal effects include libido enhancement, adrenal support, and fortification of the immune system. Traditional guidelines for use of chuchuhuasi require it to be taken before breakfast for at least a month to be effective.

In Colombia, the Siona Indians boil (5 cm) of Chuchuhuasi bark in two liters of water until the decoction reduces to half. This extraction is regarded as a stimulant and aphrodisiac.

In the lowland rain forest of eastern Ecuador, the Quijos Quichua Indians use a decoction of chuchuhuasi for rheumatism, aching muscles, menstrual aches, stomach aches, and general aching.

In Perú, chuchuhuasi is prepared by macerating root bark and letting it steep for eight days in aguardiente (sugar cane liquor).  The resulting infusion is reputed to be an aphrodisiac.

Dosage:
Traditional guidelines for use of chuchuhuasi require it to be taken before breakfast for at least a month to be effective. Drink 250 ml 3 times a day between meals. Do not exceed the prescribed dosage. The preparation cannot substitute a balanced and varied diet.

Instructions for use:
(Use as a dietary supplement.) Boil 1 tablespoon of ground chuchuhuasi in 1 litre of water for 20 minutes. Strain and chill overnight.

Storage:
Store chuchuhuasi in a dark and dry place at room temperature. Keep out of the reach of children.

We are ready to begin 2012 with new paint and remodeling of the store…Hope you can stop by and see some of the changes! If you can’t here are some photos…

~ Sean, Donna and Chris at Whole Health Center

From all of us at Whole Health Center we wish you Health, Happiness and Prosperity in 2012!