Poggy is Better

Poggy went to the vet on the weekend and he got the A-Okay from the vet.  Yay!

The vet says the tongue is healing well and it was not cancer-related.  I'm supposed to keep giving him the chlorhexidine mouthwash for 4 more days and then I can stop giving it.  He can also resume regular cat food.

 Poggy also gained weight!  The vet was sure he would lose weight from his liquid diet, but the vet was surprised to find that Poggles had gained 36 grams.  He went from 304 grams to 340 grams.  The vet says that this is a good new weight for Poggles and that I should aim to keep him around this weight.

So since he loves the baby food and cooked egg yolk mixed with water, I will continue to give it to him along with his regular kibble.  I mixed his kibble with the baby food last night so that it would soften and Poggles ate about half of the kibbles.   I tried to give him one dried kibble, but I noticed that he takes a very long time to eat just one.  Sort of messes it around his mouth over and over and spitting it out and eating it again.  Doesn't seem right.

 Today he is very tired.  He has started wheeling at night again.  Maybe he felt that he needed to work out after I told him that he gained weight (actually I called him a fatso... and then fed him some croissant).  He looks super cute with the extra weight.  When you look down from top view, he actually has some roundness instead of being sucked in on the sides.  Sucked in on the sides means he is malnourished.  And when I pick him up, he has some weight to him instead of being light.  It is very nice.

On the flipside, he was so heavy that he tipped over his food bowl when he put his paws on the ledge of the bowl.  I had to right it for him and clean up the mess.  Poor fellow.

I am very happy that Poggy is okay now.

Have a happy week!

Drowning In A Bowl Full Of Chili

I'm drowning in a bowl full of chili
My blood pressure's through the roof
She heaped up my bowl with the kindest intentions
I paid my salt-lunch unworthy attentions
I swallowed it down like a fool, like a goof
The sodium-potassium pump cannot save me

--Marie Tai

Foods For Your Mood

Feeling cranky, tired, or downright depressed? Want to do something about it? You know how they say don't turn to food at this time? Well, they're wrong. You gotta eat, so why not eat the right things. Here a few eating tips you might want to take note of:

Eating Tips
The key is to stabilize your blood sugars and level out your mood.

Eat every 4 to 5 hours. Eating consistently throughout the day gives your brain and body an even flow of fuel to do their jobs. This helps to prevent fluctuations in your blood sugar levels so that you can avoid the afternoon blahs.

Avoid Sugar Swings. Concentrated sources of sugar like soda, candy, fruit juice, jam and syrup can create big spikes and consequent dips in your blood sugar levels, leaving you cranky and tired. Even foods like white bread, crackers, bagels and rice can do the same thing because they are metabolized into sugar very quickly.

Choose to eat high-quality carbohydrates like veggies, fruit, beans, peas, lentils, brown and wild rice, and oatmeal instead. You'll feel full for longer and you won't experience the sugar (and thus mood) swings.

Add Soluble Fibre. Foods rich in soluble fibre slow down the absorption of sugar into your blood stream and thus reduce your sugar swings. Foods like oats, brown rice, barley, apples, pears, strawberries, oranges, sweet potatoes (I love sweet potatoes!), carrots, peas, and beans are great choices.

Eat Protein With Every Meal And Snack. Adding protein to your meals will slow the absorption of carbs into the blood. This will help leave you feeling upbeat and productive for hours after eating (Amen to that!). Smart protein choices include poultry, seafood and fish, veal, pork tenderloin, tofu, eggs and low-fat yogurt.

Foods That Make You Feel Better
There are three kinds of nutrients that help improve your mood.
Omega-3 fats
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in your brain at higher levels than any other part of the body, so it makes sense to give your brain more of what it needs to function properly. Don't starve your brain! Research has found that omega-3 fats are important in mood lifting and alleviating depression.

Foods rich in omega-3 fats include oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, ground flaxseeds, canola oil, walnuts and omega-3 fortified eggs.

Folic acid and B12
These two B vitamins are important for mood. Studies have shown that low blood levels of these vitamins are sometimes related to depression. This may be because these vitamins are used by the body to create seratonin, which is one of the key neurotransmitters in the brain that normalize mood.

Foods rich in folate include fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, lentils, black-eyed peas, soybeans, oatmeal, mustard greens, beets, broccoli, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and oranges.

Foods rich in vitamin B12 include shellfish like clams, oysters, and crab, wild salmon, fortified whole-grain breakfast cereal, lean beef, cottage cheese, lowfat yogurt, milk and eggs.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for relieving mood disorders because it increases serotonin, the mood stabilizing neurotransmitter. Vitamin D is also important for helping reduce the effects of seasonal affective disorder, better known as the winter blues.

Foods rich in vitamin D: fish with bones, fat free and lowfat milk, fortified soy milk, and egg yolks. Milk also contains the amino acid tryptophan which is important for producing serotonin, and calcium which is known to calm nerves when feedling stressed or anxious.

(Your skin also makes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, so a brisk walk outside can also help your mood. )

Drink Lots of Water. Dying in the desert is a sucky feeling. Don't put your body throught that. Drink lots of water throughout the day so that your body can do it's job properly.

Food To Eat More Of
To sum it up, when you're stressed and depressed, eat more vegetables, fruit, and oil-rich fish. Also drink lots of water! Eight-eight percent of the people who tried this reported fewer mood swings, fewer panic attacks and anxiety, or less depression. These are pretty good statistics for such easy things to eat more of. Nuts, like brazil nuts, are also good for your mood.

Foods To Avoid
Some foods are notorious for stressing you out. These include sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and chocolate. Try to keep these to a minimum.

Coffee. One cup of coffee can pick you up in the morning, but more and your mood is at risk.

Chocolate. If you're going to have chocolate, choose dark. You'll get the polyphenols which improve cognitive function, but less sugar which is ideal.

Alcohol. Alcohol is bad for your mood because it is a depressant. It shoots excess sugar into your blood stream to give you an initial high, but then your blood sugar drops dramatically creating feelings of anxiety, hopelessness or sadness.

In small quantities, alcohol can have calming, sedative effects. One glass of red wine with dinner, for example, can be soothing after a hard day at work. The problem with using alcohol to help you sleep is that you'll wake up rapidly once the alcohol converts to sugar in the body. This sleep disruption can contribute to feeling tired, anxious, and depressed.

Other Things To Fix Your Mood? Exercise. Go for that walk that you so desperately need and get some fresh air and sunlight. You'll feel much better afterwards. Working out in the gym is great too because your body will create more feel-good chemicals in your brain so you'll be more alert and happy.

Sources
MSNBC.com
WebMD.com
ABCNews.com
CBSNews.com

The Health Benefits of Grapes and Cheese

I love grapes and cheese. The combination of firm, aged, salty cheeses and juicy, crisp, sweet grapes is divine. I've also found that the combination of the two sits very well in my stomach.

Ever wonder if your favourite foods are good for you? I do! So here are the benefits of mine. I'll start with cheese.

Mmm, mm, cheese!

High nutrient value
Cheese contains a high concentration of essential nutrients, especially high quality protein and calcium. It also contains other nutrients such as phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin, and vitamin B12.

Good source of Calcium
Cheese is a good source of calcium, which is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Calcium is also important for preventing osteoporosis later on in life.

Little to no Lactose
Many cheeses, especially aged varieties like Cheddar, contain little or no lactose. So cheese is a great source of calcium for those with low lactose (milk sugar) tolerance.

Prevents Cavities
Certain cheeses, such as Cheddar, Swiss, Blue, Monterey Jack, and process American cheese, have been found to reduce the risk of dental caries. This may be due to the increase in saliva produced which aids food clearance, and because milk proteins can neutralize plaque acids. Casein in cheese also helps to protect tooth enamel by forming a thin film on the tooth surface which prevents damage. Cheese also appears to prevent acid demineralization and enhance remineralization of tooth enamel. Health professionals recommend eating cheese immediately after meals or as a between meal snack to reduce the risk of dental caries.

Prevents Disease
Diets rich in dairy products are linked to a reduced risk of developing insulin resistance syndrome, and (Hurrah!) lower body weight.

A diet that includes 3 serving of dairy foods and 8-10 servings of fruits and vegetables reduces blood pressure and risk factors for heart disease, including lowering HDL-cholesterol and blood hmocysteine levels.

Cheese also contains Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Sphingolipids which help prevent cancer. It's high content of vitamin B developed during fermentation also protects against diseases and enhances blood formation, strenthens the liver, and facilitates the absorption of nutrients in the body.

Comes in Lowfat Varieties
Think cheese is too fattening? Well, it comes in lowfat versions made with lowfat and fat-free milk. This can be a great solution for some fat-conscious cheese lovers.

Another alternative for those that love cheese but need to watch the weight is to use strong-flavoured cheeses, like Parmesan, blue, or gorgonzola. Then you can use less cheese to add the same cheesy, delicious flavour!

But, full-Fat is better
If you're sodium-conscious (like me!), you might want to stick with the full-fat cheeses and consume only limited quantities. All cheese is high in sodium, and lowfat cheeses usually contain more sodium than full-fat varieties.

Lowfat cheeses also develop mold faster due to their high water content, and they don't cook as well as full-fat cheeses. It's the fat content that makes cheese pliable and fast-melting, so you're best to use a full-fat cheese for cooking or to mix lowfat cheese with a full-fat cheese. In general, low fat cheeses are best used 'as is' in sandwiches, salads, and snacks.

Another reason to choose full-fat cheeses for your snacks is because the combination of fat and protein in cheese makes it very satiating. As a result, eating full-fat cheese holds your appetite at bay for hours and can cut down on your food intake at subsequent meals. So go ahead and enjoy your full-fat cheeses, just don't eat it mindlessly!


Sources
National Dairy Council
Innovate with Dairy
Health Benefits of Cheese
Organic Facts - Health Benefits of Cheese
The Dairy Council
Men's Health - Benefits of Eating Full-Fat Cheese

Now, onto the grapes!

Gimme, gimme, grapes!

High Nutrient Value
Grapes are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and folate. They also contain minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, selenium, copper, manganese, and zinc. You'll also get a good dose of fiber and protein.

Prevents Disease
Vibrantly coloured fruits and vegetables are good for you because they contain Flavonoids. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that work to prevent and counteract the damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, age-associated disorders, and other illnesses and symptoms.

Fights Cancer
Concord and other similar grape juices contain two groups of polyphenolics. These substances have been shown to protect healthy breast cells from DNA damage caused by a chemical carcinogen. In laboratory tests, grape juice reduced both mammary tumour size and the number of tumours per animal.

Slows Down Aging
Grapes contain resveratrol, a natural antioxidant that has been linked to reduced risk of cancer, atheriosclerosis, heart disease, and brain diseases like Alzheimer's. Research shows that resveratrol influences the genes that control aging by activating enzymes that slow aging. This can increase DNA stability and extend lifespan by as much as 70%.

Resveratrol is also found in peanuts, blueberries, bilberries, and cranberries.

It's Good For Your Eyes
Age-related macular degeneration is the primary cause of vision loss among the elderly. Boosting your fruit intake to three servings per day can lower your risk of macular degeneration by as much as 36%.

It's Good For Your Brain
Participants in a test that drank purple grape juice and similar fruit juices three times a week were about 70% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. When laboratory animals were fed Concord grape juice they showed significantly improved scores on memory and coordination tests.

It's Good For Your Heart
Grapes contain a compound called pterostilbene which has the ability to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides by affecting the enzyme involved with regulating fat levels in your blood. Pterostilbene has also been found to have an anti-cancer and anti-diabetes action.

Grape skin also contains substances called saponins that bind with cholesterol and prevent its absorption into the body. Saponins also block inflammation.

Resveratol, the anti-aging antioxidant, also plays a role in heart health by preventing the production of collagen in heart cells. Collagen in heart cells causes the muscles to stiffen. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood and to pump enough blood to support your body.

Grape juice also increases nitric oxide levels in the blood which reduces the formation of blood clots that lead to heart attacks. Drinking grape juice also increases blood alpha-tocopherol anti-oxidant activity by 50% . This means more protection from LDL blockage in blood vessels caused by LDL cholesterol oxidation.

Wine's Good, But Grape Juice is Better
You've heard of the benefits of a little red wine each night, but did you know that a glass of grape juice each day is even better? The draw back of wine is that you can't drink too much or you'll get intoxicated, but with grape juice you can drink as much as you want!

Alcohol also generates some free radicals and breaks down the rate of antioxidants in your body, so tests showed that people that drank grape juice versus those that drank wine enjoyed longer antioxidant protection.

However, wine does have one benefit over grape juice - it increases HDL, the good kind of cholesterol. So choose whatever is better for you.

Other Benefits From Grapes
Organic Facts - Health Benefits of Grapes says that ripe grape juice is an important home remedy for curing migranes. (I have never heard of this, but I'll try it next time!) They also note that the organic acid, sugar, and cellulose in grapes is effective in overcoming constipation and toning up intestine and stomach walls. Grapes are also touted as being good for indigestion, fatigue, and kidney disorders. Red grapes are said to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

Brush Your Teeth
While grapes have many health benefits, they also contain a lot of sugar. So make sure you brush well after eating them, and don't eat too many.

Sources
GoogoBits.com
BuyOrganic.com
Organic Facts - Health Benefits of Grapes
Vegetarianism and Vegetarian Nutrition

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Natural Antibiotics

I always wondered what people did in the olden days when there were no prescription antibiotics. Well, of course, there were natural antibiotics! Here are a few that you may want to take note of:

Sage
Properties: anti-microbial
Used for: throat infections
Thyme
Properties: anti-microbial

Oregano
Properties: anti-microbial
Used for: chest, lung, and yeast infections
Interesting fact: My co-workers swear by oil of oregano. They distribute it covertly like an illegal drug when bad coughs and throat infections are going around the office.
Parsley
Properties: anti-microbial
Raw Garlic
Properties: anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal
Used for: wound infections, ear infections, dysentry
Active ingredient: allicin
Interesting fact: Garlic juice, water, and sphagnum moss was used to bandage wounds in WWI and prevent gangrene and blood poisoning.
Echinacea
Properties: anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, immune stimulant
Used for: coughs, colds, sore throat, infections
Interesting fact: Echinacea was widely used by Native Americans for a wide variety of conditions.
Golden Seal
Properties: anti-biotic, immune stimulant
Used for: streptocci infections, bacterial, fungal, and protozoal infections, dysentry, cholera
Active ingredient: berberine
Oregon Grape Root
Properties: anti-biotic, immune stimulant
Used for: streptocci infections, bacterial, fungal, and protozoal infections, dysentry, cholera
Active ingredient: berberine
Barberry Root Bark
Properties: anti-biotic, immune stimulant
Used for: streptocci infections, bacterial, fungal, and protozoal infections, dysentry, cholera, may shrink tumours, pinkeye,
Active ingredient: berberine
Wild Indigo
Properties: anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory
Used for: detoxifiying the liver and blood, swollen glands, strep or sore throat, mouth sores, tonsilitis, pneumonia, meningitis, and food or blood poisoning
Active ingredient: baptitoxine
Eucalyptus
Properties: decongestant, anti-septic, anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal
Used for: influenza virus, tuberculosis, chronic coughs, respiratory infections
Interesting fact: Koala bears eat eucalyptus leaves almost exclusively.
Raw Unfiltered Honey
Properties: antibiotic
Used for: treating cuts, burns, and scrapes
Aloe Vera
Properties: anti-septic, anti-bacterial
Used for: sore throat, sun burns, skin infections, wounds
Interesting fact: Aloe is a mild laxative, so don't eat too much of it! In Japan, you'll find aloe in some yogurts and beverages. (You'll find it here too. I found an Aloe juice beverage at T&T just the other day! It tastes good!)

Other helpful natural immune boosters to help you fight infection:

Vitamin C
Properties: builds immune system by increasing white blood cell production to fight infection


CAUTION!
Natural treatments can be dangerous for pregnant women and children. You can also have allergies to these herbs and roots, so consult a doctor before using them. If you notice any pain or swelling of the throat, hives on the body, nausea or fever, seek medical attention immediately!

Sources
reikinurse.com
skrewtips.com
vitaminsdiary.com
Garlic: An Herb Society of America Guide

Anti-Eczema, Anti-Allergy

There are few things in life that hurt me more than seeing someone suffer unnecessarily. I feel the strongest urge to tell them how to reduce their suffering and, when I realize they probably won't listen or understand, I feel terribly trapped and sick in my stomach. So this blog posting is for those of you that suffer from eczema and allergies.

I've had eczema and allergies for most of my life. It was very bad when I was little and I hid the rashes from view with long-sleeved clothing. Over the years, I've learned ways to reduce the severity of it, and to keep it under control. Here is what has worked for me:

1. Aveeno Moisturizing Shower and Bath Oil

Some dermatologists recommend reducing how often you bathe or shower, but that doesn't work for me. I like to be clean all the time. I also find that being sweaty or dirty makes me itchy. After sweating my skin will go all red and patchy, and sleeping with sweat (or rain) in my hair will result in an itchy head all night and restless sleep. The only solution is to wash off the irritating sweat (sweat is salty and contains some waste products after all!) This means showering every day for me, sometimes more often. If you work out, run around, are stressed, and if the weather is hot, etc, you will want to take more frequent showers/baths to keep your skin free of irritants.

Unfortunately, if you shower and bathe a lot, your skin gets drier. The solution is Aveeno Moisturing Shower and Bath Oil. You don't have to use it every day, but when your skins starts to feel dry or generally itchy all over (which is usually because it's dry and starting to get flaky), then shower normally, turn off the water, and generously lather Aveeno bath oil all over. You want to massage it into your skin so that it absorbs. Then turn the shower back on and rinse off the excess. Use warm water instead of super hot water so that it doesn't strip the oil all off. Dry yourself off and apply body lotion.

It is also good to switch from any harsh, perfumed soaps to gentle cleansers. I like Aveeno Moisturing Body Wash. You can also use that as a shaving cream.

2. Selsun Blue

When your eczema is really severe, your scalp tends to be affected too. My dermatologist gave me some really stinky tar shampoos to use, but they didn't help. Instead, I just hated the smelly shampoo experience and my hair felt icky afterwards. You'll have to experiment with what works for you, but I was able to get away with using a medicated dandruff shampoo containing selenium sulfide by Selsun Blue meant for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (whatever that is).

Selsun Blue still has a strong smell, but it's not nearly as bad as tar. I use Selsun Blue when my head is really itchy. After rinsing the shampoo off, I follow up with a good, moisturing conditioner like Pantene Pro-V. I really like how Pantene detangles your hair and makes it smooth and shiny. I find that it also moisturizes your scalp (since you can't really put cream on your head...). When your scalp isn't itchy, you can switch back to a non-medicated daily-use Selsun Blue or another shampoo brand like Head and Shoulders. Try to avoid anything harsh or with too much perfumes.

3. Body lotion/skin cream

At one point, I never used body lotion. I didn't need it. But after a particularly bad bout of eczema and rashes, my skin became very irritable and dry. This is when it became necessary to use body lotion all of the time after showering. You may like a different brand of cream, but I find that Keri Lotion works the best for me. In particular, I like the Keri Lotion Fast Absorbing, Fragrance-Free version. The fast absorbing version is thinner and thus easier (and faster) to spread evenly over your skin.

UPDATE 12/17/2009 - If you have open cuts/scratches, Keri Lotion might sting. In that case, I highly recommend Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion Fragrance Free. It's actually a tad bit more moisturizing and very comfortable to wear all day. It's not sticky. This is currently my new favourite cream.

There is a cooling/minty version of this cream as well, but I don't like it. I find the cooling sensation to be more of a burning feeling to my overly sensitive skin, but I know that some people find the cooling sensation to be soothing for their hot/irritated skin. So go for the non-minty version if your skin is highly sensitive like mine.

4. Fragrance-free

Skin with eczema is very sensitive. It can't handle a lot of irritants, and perfumes are quite irritating. Switch all of your creams to fragrance-free versions.

5. Keeping clean

Most allergy sufferers are allergic to dust mites and other little things found in dust. You can reduce your allergies and eczema by keeping a cleaner environment. Vacuum your carpets every week or two (using a good quality filter in your vacuum so you're not just spreading dust around), and use a wet cloth to wipe down the dust accumulating on shelves.

I also find that washing pillowcases, bed sheets, and towels weekly helps. The best way to kill the dust mites in your bedding is to wash it in hot water (so you might want to go with lighter coloured sheets). For me, it is okay to use scented laundry detergent because it mostly rinses away (and I really like the smell!). However, I reduce the amount of fabric softener sheets I use in the dryer by cutting the normal sheets into two pieces. My laundry still smells good, but I'm exposed to half the amount on my clothes. If you can do without the lovely laundry scents, you can go with fragrance free. I tried it, but it didn't make a difference in my skin and I missed the fresh laundry smell. So I just chose a softly scented version that had less perfumes in it and used half.

6. Anti-histamines

I once thought anti-histamine pills were bad for me, so I tried not to take them whenever possible. I now feel differently. I now see the value of anti-histamines in preventing allergic reactions and in reducing the severity of an allergic reaction when I get one. Here's the key: if you know you might come into contact with something you're allergic to that day (for instance, the food you're going to eat might have come into contact with something you're mildly allergic to) then eat an anti-histamine beforehand. Or, if you accidentally ate or touched something you're allergic to and you're starting to break out into hives, eat an anti-histamine immediately.

When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases histamine. Histamine is what causes the symptoms of allergic reactions, like rashes, itchiness, swelling, etc. An anti-histamine pill will stop your body from releasing histamine. It won't get rid of the histamine that has already been released (your body will slowly get rid of that itself), but it will stop any more from being released.

Choose an anti-histamine that works fast and lasts long enough for your purposes. I like Reactine Regular Strength because it is the fastest working for me and not too strong (so I can use it regularly). You might want to experiment with a few different brands of anti-histamine because they contain different chemicals and work differently with different people. I avoid ones containing pseudo-ephedrine or sudafed because I get jittery and wired like I drank way too much coffee afterwards. Those kinds are good for stopping a runny nose tho.

7. Cortisone cream (when prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist)

Cortisone cream isn't good for you if you misuse it. Using too much of it has side effects like making your skin thinner. However, it is very good for reducing inflammation of the skin. Whenever you have a rash from eczema, apply a thin amount onto the affected area. Use it according to directions, but be diligent about it. Whenever I have a flare up, I apply it frequently (2-3 time per day) until it goes away. Don't forget to apply your cream. The more you remember, the faster it will go away. If your cortisone cream doesn't work, go to your doctor and get a better one. Some work better than others. Some cortisone creams contain a little bit of numbing agent. This helps you to avoid scratching it and making it worse.

8. Don't scratch it.

I know it's itchy, but don't scratch it. Instead, keep it clean, moisturize it properly, and apply your cortisone cream diligently. Be kind to your skin and it won't complain. Treat it like it has feelings.

9. Drink lots of water and eat healthy.

It helps your skin if you are well-hydrated. So drink lots of water. It is also good to eat a diet that has a lot of variety in it so that you get a range of vitamins and minerals. Fish and nuts are good for your skin if you can eat them. Try not to eat too many deep fried things or to drink to much coffee or pop. A good book to read on foods and a lifestyle that is good for your skin is, "The Perricone Prescription". He's all about eating things that reduce inflammation and promote healthy skin.

10. Sleep

Being allergic is stressful and tiring. Get some sleep. Your body has better defenses and can heal better when you are well rested. When I'm really allergic, I take an anti-histamine that will make me drowsy before I go to sleep. I like Benadryl for that. During the day I'll take a non-drowsy anti-histamine.

11. Avoid allergens

Find out what you're allergic to, and stay away from it. If you don't know what you're allergic to, get an allergy test. You might be surprised at all the things you're actually allergic to. If you can't avoid something you're really allergic to, take anti-histamines to reduce your allergic reactions or find ways to reduce your exposure to it.

I found out from an allergy test that I was super allergic to my rabbit. I tried for a period of time to keep him by vacuuming around him a lot and restricting him to one area of the house. When my allergies continued to get worse, I had to give him away. It took a period of time before all the allergens in my house finally got cleared out. I wish I could have kept my rabbit, but my health was at risk so I had to give him up.

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Well, that's all I can think of for now. I'm not a doctor and I'm not recommending any of this treatment unless you have a doctor's approval. This is what has worked for me so far to keep my allergies and eczema in check and I'm hoping you can benefit from me sharing my experiences.

Cheers!

SugarPharm blog

I stumbled across an interesting blog today called SugarPharm. I like it because she mixes posts on unusual and likable furniture and children's items with some bits and pieces from her background in pharmacy. For instance, today's post is on what's good for a sore throat.

History of Curry Powder

As I sat eating a hot bowl of curry chicken and rice, it dawned on me that I did not know where curry came from. I hurried home to do some research and discovered the following:

1. Curry powder is a mixture of different spices. It usually contains coriander, cumin, and fenugreek. The yellow colour comes from ground tumeric. Some mixtures will also contain allspice, red pepper, white or black pepper, long pepper, ground ginger, cinnamon, cumin, cloves, nutmeg, mace, green cardamom seeds or black cardamom pods, and bay leaves.

2. The mixture of spices called curry powder today was originally developed by the British during the colonial rule of India as a means of approximating the taste of Indian cuisine at home (from Wikipedia).

3. Research indicates that curcumin, a component of turmeric found in most curry powders, is a protective agent against Alzheimers disease. India, which produces almost 100% of all tumeric powder and consumes 90% of it, has the lowest incidence of Alzheimers. Curcumin has also been proven effective in killing cancer cells. Curry powder's other main spices have also been known to give mental clarity.

Acorns Vs Hazelnuts

The other day, my parents brought home a large bag full of nuts. They had collected them from under a tree and wanted to know if they could eat them. According to them, these nuts looked exactly like some other nuts they had seen in a grocery store the day before. I peered closely at these mystery nuts and I suspected that they were fat, round acorns based on the fact that they were so readily available this time of year. However, I didn't see the stereotypical acorn "hats" and these nuts were quite round, so I couldn't be sure. I looked to the great world wide web for answers. First of all, I wanted to know if acorns were edible.

I discovered that acorns can be eaten, but that tedious preparation is involved. Acorns contain tannins, which are quite bitter. If you consume a large amount of tannins, you might develop liver failure. As such, acorns must be shelled, ground to a pulp and soaked in water. You can do this by lining a sieve with a dish towel, pouring in the ground acorns, and running the pulp under water until the contents are no longer bitter. The only edible part is the acorn meal, which remains after straining out the juices. You should use this acorn meal immediately, as it turns dark when it is left around. Here is a good article on using acorns for food.

Acorns can sometimes look similar to hazelnuts when they are ripe. How can you tell them apart? First of all, look at the nuts on the trees.

Acorns have brown caps on top of each nut. On the other hand, hazelnuts will be inside leaves that hold each nut like a flower.

Next, look at the leaves. Acorns come from oak trees with narrow, multi-lobed leaves.

Hazelnut trees have large, roundish, textured leaves.

Now, you can tell the general difference between acorns and hazelnuts and can decide for yourself if you want to pick all those tempting nuts up! As for my parents, it was too much work to make acorn meal and the lucky local squirrels were the only ones to benefit.

Cheers!

Benefits of Arrowroot

Lately, I've taken a liking to eating Arrowroot cookies. The taste and smell remind me of early childhood, and I like the way they melt in your mouth. I have braces and I've been instructed to wear elastics, the side effect of which is sore teeth. Anything that doesn't require chewing becomes a prized food item. I've been wondering if there is any health benefit to Arrowroot cookies since parents regularly feed them to their babies and young children. Here's what I have found:

Arrowroot is derived from the root of a large, leafy plant native to South America and the Caribbean. Arrowroot powder is an odorless, gluten-free, low-protein, white coloured starch. It is easier to digest than wheat flour and helps to relieve acidity, indigestion, nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, and colic. It is also mildly laxative. Arrowroot also has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and may be applied as an ointment or poultice. Often used as an easy-to-digest form of nutrition for infants and people recovering from illness, arrowroot is also used in the kitchen as a thickening agent.

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Craisins Rock!

There's something to be said about the benefits of eating these sweet, little, dehydrated red berries. I've long known the benefits of drinking cranberry juice to help prevent and treat urinary tract infection, but did you know that a 1/3 cup of Craisins daily has similar health benefits to a glass of cranberry juice? Craisins are also a good source of anti-oxidants and dietary fibre, and are naturally fat free.

So what makes cranberries so good for you? Cranberries are an acidic type of berry rich in Vitamin C. They are believed to have excellent infection fighting properties, helping to ward off ulcers and urinary tract infection by inhibiting the adhesion of bacteria to your insides. Condensed tannins in cranberries also inhibit the oxidation of bad cholesterol and thus protect your body against atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries. Tannins also inhibit bacteria responsible for tooth decay. Cranberries have also been found effective in overcoming asthma attacks and in helping protect the brain from neurological damage. There is also preliminary research that cranberries may prevent tumors from growing rapidly or starting in the first place, and extracts of chemicals in cranberries were found to prevent breast cancer cells from multiplying in a test tube.

With all the good news on cranberries, it's hard to resist munching on a big handful of craisns while watching your favourite show. Sweet, tart, tasty, and healthful... where can you go wrong?

Sleep well, and be healthy

Watch out for the bug going around. Co-workers have been falling like flies around me. I think we're down about 5 today, and the count is still climbing. Even the birds have been looking sickly. Their feathers are all fluffed up and I noticed 2 birds SNEEZING the other day. I thought that was rather odd.

So sleep well, eat healthy, and try not to let your body get too stressed out. In the case that you do get sick, I've heard 3 people mention oil of oregano as being helpful for getting rid of their illness. They apparently swear by it and have been dealing it out like drugs around here. The good news is that their test subjects have actually gotten better. So it might be worth a try for you too.