Healthy News... Contributed by Daniel Laub

Cranberries were named for the appearance of the plant's bud and flower, which look like the neck, head and bill of the cranes that trampled through the berry bogs. Over time, it changed from "crane berry" to "cranberry". Native American Indians used the fruit for food, but they also recognized its use as a preservative for dried meat. The salt-dried game was pounded with cranberries and melted fat, then shaped and stored in animal skins. The versatile berries were used for treating wounds and dying fabrics. Cranberries were even sweetened with maple sap, creating the first cranberry sauce.  

Growing conditions:

Cranberries are grown through the northern part of the United States. This region offers the special conditions that cranberries require, including sandy soil; abundant fresh water and a growing season from May to October. Cranberries grow on low-lying vines in impermeable beds layered with sand, peat, gravel and clay at the bottom. These beds are commonly known as bogs or marshes and were originally created by glacial deposits.  The cranberry season begins in winter when growers flood the bogs with water that freezes and insulates the vines from frost. As the winter snow melts and spring arrives, the bogs are drained. Shortly thereafter blossoms begin to appear. In mid-July, petals fall from the flowers leaving the tiny green nodes that, after weeks of summer sun, become red, ripe cranberries. Cranberries are typically harvested in September and October and can be stored for up to one year under proper conditions. 

Nutritional information:

One cup of cranberries is packed with 14 mg of vitamin C, 50 IU of vitamin A, 71 mg of potassium, and only 12 grams of carbohydrates. The acidity is also helpful for a low carb diet; acid containing foods help to lower the glycemic value of food, helping to control your insulin.

The juice of the cranberry has been used for centuries to treat urinary tract infections. Once believed to acidify the urine, a 1994 Harvard study found that cranberries actually contain tannins that reduce the bacteria responsible for the infections. This is important information, for about 25% of the women in the United States have at least one urinary tract infection in their lifetime. The tannins in cranberries prevent E. coli, the main bacteria for these infections, from sticking to the walls of the bladder and kidney. This same bioactivity has also been found in similar substances in blueberries.

Cranberries contain bacteria-blocking compounds that are believed to be helpful in preventing urinary tract infections, and scientists now think this same function may be useful in blocking the bacteria responsible for ulcers and certain oral bacteria that can lead to gum disease. Current research indicates that approximately 10 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail is needed daily to achieve the bacteria-blocking benefits that ward off UTIs, ulcers and gum disease. You can get these benefits in an array of cranberry products. For round-the-clock protection, snack or cook with one of these products at least once a day.

Phytochemical and Antioxidants Attributes

In addition to their urinary tract health benefits, cranberries also contain phytochemicals that may assist in maintaining health. These antioxidants reduce oxidative damage to cells that can lead to cancer, heart disease, and other degenerative diseases. For example, anthocyanins, compounds that give cranberries their red color, are powerful antioxidants that may be stronger than vitamin E. In addition, laboratory studies have shown that cranberry extract reduces oxidation of LDL-cholesterol (so-called “bad” cholesterol), an effect which research indicates may be important in maintaining a healthy heart. Thus, when consumed as part of a well balanced diet containing a variety of foods, cranberries may provide positive health benefits. 

Raw Recipes:

Elimination is Illumination!

Did you know from the signal stage of history surrounding ancient Egypt, practices of Colon Hydrotherapy in their most basic form - enemas or clysters - have provided people with internal cleansing adjunctive to their personal external hygiene.

The Ebers Papyrus, from the 14th century BC prescribes internal cleansing for no less than twenty stomach and intestinal complaints. Washing deteriorating waste from the intestines is the quickest way known to begin detoxification, the first step to health!

Conditions responding to Colon Hydrotherapy

cited by Rheumatologist Arthur E Brower, MD

"Colon Hydrotherapy eliminates from the bowel the repository of accumulated waste material which may disadvantageously get absorbed. If this absorption takes place, it overwhelms the other purification organs such as the liver, the kidneys, the skin, and the lungs. The toxin deposition which becomes lodged throughout the body's tissues and cells becomes capable of triggering a variety of illnesses".

"Some disease indications for Colon Hydrotherapy responding well are:

Allergies, Acne, Arthritis, Asthma, ADD, MS, Headaches, Chronic Fatigue, Spastic Colon, Constipation, Colitis, IBS, Fibromyalgia, Mouth Sores, Brittle Hair and Nails, Seizures, Pot Belly, Skin Rashes, Pigmentation, Joint Aches, Body Odor, Chest Pain, Nausea, Toxic Environmental Exposure, Poor Posture, PMS, Cold Hands and Feet".

Most of the objections to Colon Hydrotherapy and Enemas are from those who have had little or no experience with these gentle detoxifiers. Some say that the Colonics washes out the intestinal flora, valuable nutrients, and it's habit forming.

The truth is that the washing out of the putrefaction in the large intestine, which is the only part reached in any Colonic treatment, increases the good flora which can only be breed in a clean environment, which has been washed free of purification and it's accompanying harmful bacteria. That is why the intestines of a newborn baby immediately begin to grow good intestinal flora. Each time you clean out the putrefying garbage you make a better environment for the natural flora, which start to multiply immediately in their natural media.

The intestines are muscles with nerves which normally trigger peristaltic contractions when the colon is full. Purification makes the colon become stagnant and weak. But each time you gently shower the intestines with water, you cause these muscles to contract with new life. The more enemas and colonics you take, the stronger and livelier the intestine walls become. An arm or leg which is not exercised soon becomes flabby and weak. The same holds true for your colon. Yes it is dependant upon both exercise and cleanliness. Colon Hydrotherapy is a natural way to supply both, as well as it is a great way to boost your self awareness and inspire you to love and nurture yourself in the best of ways, with the highest quality of food and healthy lifestyle.

Recommended Healthy Lifestyle and Raw Recipes Reading:

Staying Healthy with the seasons By Dr Elson Haas

Eating for Beauty by David Wolfe

The Raw Gourmet by Nomi Shannon

Raw: The Uncook Book by Juliano

Living in the Raw by Rose Lee Calabro

Agni

Agni is the fire inside our bodies, according to Ayurveda, the 5000-year-old Yogic (Indian) healing tradition. Agni kindles all mind/body processes, but its clearest function is to promote digestion. If your agni is burning too low, you won't get enough nutrients; if it's burning too hot, you may have heartburn, gas and other stomach discomforts. That's the good, the bad and the agni! When your agni is healthy, you can count on excellent digestion, normal elimination, proper tissue formation, good circulation, increased energy, mental clarity, and pleasant body odor and breath.

In Ayurveda, there is no separation between the mind and the body, so it makes sense that those who have a healthy agni experience a glowing joie de vivre. When your agni is unhealthy, you can forget about that glow. Disturbance of the digestive fire can lead to massive health problems. Yoga exercise, colonics and healthy food are practical ways to balance your digestive fire.

Ayurveda recommends stoking your agni before eating a meal. It's suggested that you eat a one-inch piece of fresh ginger root with a few drops of lemon juice and a pinch of salt on it. If this sounds like Ayurvedic Fear Factor, there are other ways. Tibetan Ayurveda, for example, recommends eating a bowl of miso soup with freshly grated ginger in it, or a small green salad as a first course. Or drinking a glass of wine directly after a meal, or waiting 10 to 15 minutes and then drinking a cup of boiled water.

Healthy ways to tend to your Agni:

Eat small meals.

Drink Ginger Tea.

Eat dinner before 8pm.

Do not eat anything frozen.

Do not drink iced beverages with meals. It's like putting cold water on burning logs.

Eat sitting down in a relaxed environment. Not by the TV or Computer.

Make lunch the biggest meal of the day. (Like the Sun, the digestive fire is the strongest at midday).

Try a Lassi. (These are yogurt-based Indian drinks that contain lactobacilli, necessary bacteria for digestion) They can be sweet or savory.

Mango Almond Lassi

1/2 pint Natural Yogurt

1 ripe Mango

1-2 tablespoons of raw Honey or pure Maple Syrup

1 pint ice-cold water

8 ice cubes, crushed (no ice cubes needed, if you use 2 cups of frozen Mango)

4 teaspoons flaked almonds

1. Place all the ingredients except almonds in a blender and mix until frothy.

2. Pour into tumblers and sprinkle with the almonds, serve immediately.

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