Natural Health Solutions

Natural Sleep, Good Learning, Good Life

Natural sleep is free and has zero health drawbacks. In my opinion, it is the one treat no one should skimp on. Pillow time gives you energy, bolsters your immune system, boosts your memory, and even helps you get (or stay) slim.

We fall asleep for the brain to get a chance to  rebuild memories stored during the day and associate these with previously learned things.

Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep a night, the amount that studies show is ideal. If you’re up-and-at-’em on less, don’t sweat it. Some people are just wired that way.

Listen to your body and it will tell you what you need to wake up feeling good. So if that’s six hours, then get six hours. If you need eight hours to not feel the 2pm lull, then make sure you get to bed early .

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Nothing’s Better Than Simple Shallots In Vinaigrette

Nothing’s better than simple shallots in our vinaigrette that we  enjoy on almost any salad.  It is fresh and very easy to prepare. I have really enjoyed making salads with fresh ingredients from the garden.

If you haven’t ventured into the land of homemade salad dressings yet, I encourage you to give it a try.  Personally, it gives me great satisfaction to make my own, and I love knowing what is in it – no weird ingredients I can’t pronounce…unless it’s shallots.

Simple Shallot Vinaigrette

1 small shallot, peeled and finely diced (about 2 Tablespoons)
2 tablespoons White wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Place diced shallot, vinegar, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt in a bowl.  Let sit for 15 minutes (this allows the shallots to sweeten).Transfer to a jar.  Add pepper, mustard and oil.

Put  lid on jar and tighten.  Shake jar until vinaigrette is blended.  Of course you may whisk in the oil while the shallots and vinaigrette are in the bowl, if you prefer.  I just always use a jar.  It seems easier to me.

You can also use red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice in place of the white wine vinegar.  Although I have not tried these variations yet, I expect they would both taste great. continue reading »

Manuka Honey: Natural Treatment For Fiver Blisters/Cold & Canker Sores

Manuka Honey has been used for centuries by the natives of New Zealand as natural remedy for colds and sore throats.Manuka honey from New Zealand is a specific type of honey that has actually been approved for use as medical device, due to its healing properties and superior potency.Manuka wound dressings have already been used for several years in Great Britain, Australia, and its native New Zealand. Canada also cleared it for use as an antimicrobial dressing earlier this year.

With all the medical research going on in today’s modern world, unfortunately, there is still no cure for the common fever blister / cold sore or the common cold! The only thing we can do is to decrease the pain by applying Manuka Honey 4-5 times daily and trying to avoid stress, lack of sleep or extreme exposure to sunlight.

My preference  to cure cold sores is Manuka Honey. But you could also use raw honey – it’s just not as potent as Manuka. Make sure you find one that is a semifluid.

Good quality honey offers several topical wound-care benefits:

• It draws fluid away from your wound
• The high sugar content suppresses microorganism growth
• Worker bees secrete an enzyme (glucose oxidase) into the nectar, which then releases low levels of hydrogen peroxide when the honey makes contact with your wound

All you need to do is apply some of the honey directly to the open sore. Apply at least four times a day, but more would likely be better as the goal is to keep it constantly bathed in the honey. continue reading »

Lose Weight. It’s Zucchini Season!

According to NutritionData.com, zucchini is a five star choice for weight loss, owing it to the sense of fullness it gives and a high nutrient content.

Zucchini has many nutritional qualities. Folate, Potassium and Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Copper, Manganese, Thiamine, Niacin, Pantothenic acid and Zinc.

A zucchini has more potassium than a banana. Zucchinis contain 95 percent water; a small one has about 25 calories.  Substitute zucchini for a baked potato and save more than 100 calories.

It is low in calories (only 25 calories per 100 grams of zucchini), saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and is a great source of dietary fiber. Fiber is particularly important for those people who suffer with food allergies and related gastrointestinal conditions.

According to NutritionData.com, one cup of cooked zucchini has a nutrition content of

• 10% of the RDA of magnesium,
• 40% of Vitamin A and
• 14% of Vitamin C.

All three are among our top immune-boosting nutrients that we try to emphasize in our diet. Besides, Vitamin C and lutein found in zucchini are very good for eyes.

And don’t forget: the darker the zucchini, the greater the nutrients and minerals, so look for those deep green colors. Zucchini can be substituted for many vegetables in your favorite recipes. It works well in soups, salads, sauces and egg dishes. It works especially well in Italian dishes.

For most recipes it is not necessary to peel zucchini. The peel is where you get most of your vitamins. Zucchini is bland in taste and usually takes on the flavor of other ingredients. It is usually seasoned with oregano, basil, tarragon, garlic or dill

Here are some quick ways to use zucchini that will make them stars. continue reading »