Kombucha (Japanese origin) is basically a probiotic fermented tea that has a variety of health benefits (unless of course you are allergic to it).  It is known to boost the immune system and metabolism, helps digestion and appetite control, and even helps promote healthy skin and hair.  The list goes on a bit more, but we’ll leave it at that.

Now the question is, does it do all that we are told it does?  Everyone is unique and so what Kombucha does for you may be a bit different from what it does for me, but here is what I can tell you based on my experience with drinking Kombucha (1-2 bottles every one or two weeks…but having at least a little each day)…

I don’t really get sick often anyway so whether drinking Kombucha has boosted my immune system I don’t know.  My skin has been healthier (more blemish-free, smoother), although I also drink a lot of water, which also helps skin stay healthy.  It gets rid of the gnawing stomach feeling that happens in the morning sometimes.  Kombucha definitely controls the appetite.  If I don’t want to eat just yet, but feel hungry, I will drink a glass of Kombucha and that takes care of it.  If you are trying to lean down/lose some weight, you can try having Kombucha for dinner for a while.  I also sleep more soundly if I drink Kombucha before bed (but not late at night… just water after 9).  I also feel more energetic, both mentally and physically, and feel like getting things done.  It seems to help my mind focus and I tend to be more alert.

Basically, I like it a lot.  I feel healthy, energetic, and strong on both the physical and mental level.  The only down-side is that the taste is similar to vinegar due to the fermentation.  But, there is hope!  The Kombucha that I drink is called “Synergy” and it is 95% Komucha and 5% fruit juice, so that helps .

Yes, mushrooms are a fungus, but, when eaten, taste great and have many beneficial properties.

Mushrooms are a good source of  Vitamins B1, B2, and B3 (which are important for a healthy nervous system and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) and germanium, which increases oxygen efficiency of the body, counteracts the effects of pollutants, and enhances the immune system.  They also decrease the fat level in the blood and help get rid of excess mucus in the respiratory system.  Because mushrooms are low in calories, they are also helpful for weight loss.

There are many different types of mushrooms, white button mushrooms being the most common.  Some other types are cremini, oyster, shitake, and portobello.  Each type of mushroom has its own taste but all are easy to prepare.  They may be eaten raw, sliced in a salad, sauteed, stir-fried, put in soups, lasagnas, sauces, gravies, and even barbequed on a stake, or straight onto the grill, as with portobello mushrooms (I highly recommend this last one).

Nuts (and seeds) make very good snacks and are healthier than a bag of chips. Although nutrient amounts vary, they contain fat (which the human body does need), protein, and vitamins and minerals, such as B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, iron, and magnesium. Some nuts are even high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Caution: One does have to be careful not to go overboard on nuts however. Eating too many nuts is hard on the liver and can slow its metabolism. This can cause acne breakouts, insomnia, and even nightmares.

Stress is quite an inconvenient feeling. You need to get a lot of things done, but you don’t want to do anything when you’re stressed. Different people react differently to stress, such as with anger, anxiety, depression, or fear. But reacting in these ways without release of the tension can result in illness. Stress can cause muscle tension, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, digestive disorders, psychological problems, and even cancer and heart disease. Stress can also cause weight gain or weight loss, depending on how you react to it.

Stress is mainly the result of emotional or psychological situations. The mind affects the body and the body the mind. If your mind is constantly worried or agitated, the body becomes tense. If the body is tense, then the mind reacts by altering hormone and chemical levels. The body then gets exhausted from adapting to the stressful situation and its day to day functioning begins to suffer. There are various ways you can deal with stress:

Physical exercise is one of the best ways, in my opinion, to relieve stress. It oxygenates body tissues and the blood, dissipates stress hormones, and relieves tension. Regular exercise helps the body relax by releasing tension buildup. I always feel a whole lot better, and less stressed, after I’ve exercised.

Deep breathing also helps oxygenate the body. It also helps still and calm the mind. Meditation and Yoga are also very helpful.

Make sure you are getting your vitamins. During stressful times, make sure you are getting enough Vitamin B complex (regulates nerves), Magnesium (muscle relaxant) and Vitamin C (supports immune system). It is important to take Vitamin C regularly and in divided doses (best after meals) because urinary excretion of the vitamin increases during times of stress.

Certain foods help stressful conditions: Fresh fruits and vegetables (uncooked), shitake mushrooms, potatoes, onions, yam, pasta, oats, whole grains, legumes (like lentils, peas, beans), fatty fish, salmon, sardines, albacore tuna, seafood, honey, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, cold pressed organic canola oil

Fruit and vegetable juices, especially carrot, are also good in times of stress.

As far as herbs go, chamomile and spearmint have relaxant properties. Chamomile or spearmint tea with honey once or twice a day when you’re stressed can help you relax. Passion flower tincture (1 dropperful a few times a day) reduces stress. Ginseng is also good to strengthen the organs of the body.

Aromatherapy is also very helpful in promoting relaxation and relieving stress. I find lavender and chamomile to be the most effective. Rose, bergamot and other citruses are also good for relieving stress.

Getting a massage once a week or two during times of stress is very helpful. Massage increases blood circulation and removes toxin buildup within the muscles. It calms the body and the mind, especially combined with aromatherapy.

Last but not least . . . just do what you have to do as fast as you can without affecting quality, stop volunteering for more hours or special projects when you know you have enough to do as it is, take a night or two during the week to go out with friends, spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend, brother/sister, and turn that darn T.V. off when you know you have things to do . . . it sucks up your time and attention; put on some music instead.

Asparagus, specifically green asparagus, is beneficial to one’s health. Green asparagus cleanses the kidneys and is used to treat various kidney problems, however, in the case of kidney inflammation, one should not eat asparagus.

Green asparagus also contains a lot of Vitamin A, which is important for vision and maintaining the health of the mucous membranes that line the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts. Vitamin A also helps cells reproduce normally.

Note: Steamed asparagus with lemon, fresh ground pepper, a bit of garlic, and olive oil is very good.

Athletic activity uses up a lot of energy. Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade are the usual drinks for people when they are exercising, or participating in athletics. And they do work, but, these drinks, along with the swiftly multiplying energy drinks, are loaded with sugar, often caffeine, artificial color, often artificial flavor, and preservatives.

Try the natural way . . . next time, instead of grabbing a gatorade, powerade, or other sports drink, mix honey in water. The sugars in natural honey are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Honey also has naturally occuring vitamins and minerals. No artificial colors or flavors and no additives or preservatives. It’s all there from the beginning. You could prepare the “honey water” ahead of time by heating/boiling the water so that the honey will mix in easier, or you can even get honey powder (try http://www.blossomland.com) and mix that with water.

If you just need a quick energy boost every once in a while, buy some honey sticks and keep some with you wherever you go.

I love spinach, and I loved watching Popeye while growing up (coincidence?), but is spinach really as good as Popeye says? Well, it might not make you strong enough to break out of cement, but it is definitely good.

The iron and chlorophyll found in spinach builds blood, and if you suffer from an iron deficiency, eating spinach is a good way to build it back up. It also cleanses the blood of certain toxins (skin related).

Spinach can also be used as a laxative . . . if you suffer from constipation, try eating some spinach. Spinach helps with the bowel and urinary movements of the body, and so spinach would be beneficial for those with urinary difficulty as well.

To eat spinach plain, you could steam it, or you could sautee it in a little butter. But a lot of raw spinach makes just a little cooked spinach, so don’t be afraid of how much spinach you have before you start cooking. If you are baking with spinach, it is best to steam it first.

There are some easy and natural ways that can treat nausea:

Ginger is one of the most popular treatments to help reduce nausea. You can add ginger powder, or fresh ginger root (one or two small, washed cut pieces) to tea, but be careful not to put too much because that can make the nausea worse. Drinking ginger ale (real ginger ale, as in made with real ginger) also helps.

Rice can also be used to reduce nausea. Rice, which soothes the stomach, should be cooked and eaten, but in small amounts . . . you don’t want to throw too much food into an already sensative stomach. You could also add some cinnamon to your rice, since cinnamon also helps.

Peppermint and Spearmint are good as well. Drink peppermint or spearmint tea, sweetened with honey if you need it sweetened . . . do not use sugar. Also, if you happened to have peppermint or spearmint growing in your garden, you can wash a few leaves and eat them.

If you’ve got sore muscles or a stiff neck and need a heat pack, but don’t have one, just follow these simple instructions:

Take a big sock, fill it with (raw) rice, tie off the end, put it in the microwave, sprinkle/spray a little water on it, microwave it for around 1 minute (or until desired heat pack temperature), and you’ve got a heat pack!

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

Even though you still may see the doctor from time to time, this quote still has a lot of truth. Apples have many beneficial properties and are used to help treat various conditions. One of these conditions is diarrhea. It is the pectin in the apple skin that is most beneficial in treating diarrhea. The simplest thing to do is eat a raw apple. The only problem with that, is that the raw apple may irritate already irritated intestines. Another option would be to eat a baked apple . . . this will help prevent irritating the intestines. My favorite way however is to peel the apple skin, boil it in milk (preferebly not non-fat), and then drink (when the milk cools a bit) . . . throwing a little bit of white rice with the milk and apple skin may help also. You can even add a little honey to sweeten the taste. Both the honey and the milk will help soothe the intestines. Obviously, if you are lactose intolerant, this isn’t the best way to go .

Apples are also beneficial to the liver and gallbladder. Drinking apple juice (fresh and organic is always ideal) and eating apples (ideally organic), whether raw or cooked, helps cleanse the liver and gallbladder and keep them healthy. It is also said that apples soften gallstones.

Apples can even help relieve swelling and irritation of the eyes (like sunburn). Place a poultice of grated apple (grated apple/apple pulp wrapped in a thin cloth) on the eyes for twenty minutes and it should help.