Monthly Archives: June 2012

Peaberry Coffee

23 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Food, Forget The Pain And South Bend Pain Management, FYI, Nutrition, Nutritional

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This is news to me.  The Peaberry Coffee Bean.

There is a shop in the South Bend Farmers Market that has great coffee and today they had Peaberry.

I did not try it but asked the young lady behind the counter about it.  It’s sort of a mutant bean and has to be found by hand sorting.

Normal Coffee Bean

Typically the coffee bean matures with two halves.   It’s like the bean has a twin like the two halves of a walnut.  The Peaberry develops without it’s twin.  This happens about 5% of the time.  The human eye is the only way to find this freak of nature, so far,  so out of the millions of beans picked some one has to find them.  Labor intensive as they say thus the cost of the beans.  I see then up to $20 a pound.  I’m not sure any coffee can be that good?

Some say this brew is sweeter and has an intenser flavor.  Other say there isn’t any difference.  Who can be the best judge of this?  Only ourselves I suppose.  I will try a cup and see for myself.  I can get a cup for $1 and if this moves me to pay $20 for a pound I will be very surprised.

Peaberry Coffee Beans

You have likely heard of Kopi Luwak.  The Luwak is a wild creature that eats coffee beans in Indonesia.  After passing through the digestive tract the beans are collected. The most expensive brew in the world.  $50 a cup.  I haven’t tried that one ether.  On the food network I have seen people absolutely refuse to taste some and them others who say it was the best they ever tasted.

I totally enjoy coffee and would try Kopi Luwak if I was offered a taste for free.

Although not proven, because of the way data is collected, coffee is thought to have some health benefits.  Coffee drinkers are less likely to have type 2 Diabetes.  Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia.   They show fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes.

Do you recollect what ever happened to that Tasters Choice Couple?

Enjoy your coffee.

Invigorate Your Morning

20 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Alternative Medicine, Food, Forget The Pain And South Bend Pain Management, FYI, Nutrition, Nutritional

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Wake up you sleepy head!

Waking up and getting the blood flowing at the beginning of the day maybe a little slow for many of us.  There can be a key to the ignition if we think on it for a minute.

What do animals do when they first wake up?  If you have a dog or cat you’ll see them stretch when they first start moving around.  We can learn from that.  Whats next?  Usually a drink of water.

A moment or two of stretching feels good and starting the day hydrated makes a difference.  Before the caffeine have a cool glass of water.   We should get out of the habit of neglecting our water intake.  Our bodies are about 75% water.   The blood and lungs are around 90%.  Your brain is 85%.  We can’t get too much unless you intend to down a gallon all at once.

All of the other liquids we drink do not substitute for water.  Some may even contribute to dehydration.  Start thinking about water.  When ever you have a chance, have a drink.

OK you have stretched and had a glass of water.  The tea or coffee pot is brewing.  When I was younger I didn’t care for coffee so much and wanted bubbles with my caffeine.  I had a bottle of soda.

It’s shower time.

This might be a little scary for you.  Your resistance to try it maybe too much to over come.

That nice warm shower in the morning feels great.  It’s like getting a hug.  The warmth gets the blood flowing to your skin and muscles.  Now be brave.  Just before you get out turn the cold all the way on!  What an intense rush.  I think my neighbors hear me at times.  There could be a little cursing involved.  After the trauma it feels great.  Are you up to it?

Have a bite to eat.  Like Mom always told us breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  It doesn’t need be a plate of greasy fried food that takes a little time to make.  A bowl of your favorite fruit and some cheese you have in the refrigerator.  Yogurt with fruit.  Tapioca is a high energy food.  Peanut butter with some honey.  Some kind of protein and natural sugars.  Processed sugar in your coffee or tea doesn’t count.  Really try to use honey as a sweetener.

Here is something to ponder.  What is the main function going on in your body 24/7?   Flexing and contraction.  Your heart, lungs and diaphragm muscles are in constant motion.  The same with all the blood vessels.  The body never rests.

With all that activity on the inside and getting the hustle and bustle going on the outside starts with hydration and nutrition to feed the machine.

I will be listening for you howler from the shower!

           

Laughter and Music Published On Enzine Articles

Forget The Pain And South Bend Pain Management

The Wheat Berry

17 Sunday Jun 2012

Posted by in Alternative Medicine, Food, Forget The Pain And South Bend Pain Management, FYI, Nutrition, Nutritional

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What is a wheat berry you say?  If you have been enjoying healthy foods, as we all should be, you may know of this whole grain food.

The wheat berry is the whole grain of wheat.  Keeping the bran, germ, and endosperm intact.  Only the husk is removed.  Ground into flour it becomes whole wheat flour.  All wheat products are made from the berry.

Wheat berries are a carbohydrate but very low in calories.  Containing folic acid, protein, B-complex vitamins, vitamin E and we can’t forget the fiber.   This whole grain can be enjoyed in many ways.  They also can be cooked in just about every means available.  Stove top, oven, microwave, pressure cooker, crock pot, or steamer.  Leave them a little crunchy to add to a salad or softer and use instead of rice.  The nutty flavor is fantastic in soups and stews.  I like to use them along with nuts in cookies and brownies.  Enjoy them as you would a bowl of oatmeal with homey and fruit.  Instead of rice pilaf, wheat berry pilaf.

They can also be allowed to sprout.  Add to a salad also.  Even let them grow into grass and juice them.  Healthy stuff.

I show them to my friends and some say it’s to much trouble to prepare.  ”Do you make bean soup from dried beans?”  No different and if you have a pressure cooker it takes no time at all.  Use the slow cooker method and what trouble is that.

Once you give them a try there is no turning back.  Once you try them you’ll find many ways to enjoy them.

In one of my local market I find wheat berries by the nuts.  The brand is Bob’s Red Mill.  Bob offers many whole grain items. Beans and seeds.  If you don’t see them in your market he has an online store too.

As we all should know by now whole grains have many health benefits, including lowering body fat and reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

     To enjoy Whole Grains!                                                                                             

Toddle Your Tea

14 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by in Food, Forget The Pain And South Bend Pain Management, FYI, Herbal, Nutrition, Nutritional

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I enjoy tea mostly on ice.  Every now and then I’ll have a cup hot but you’ll always find a jug of the cold version in the refrigerator at my house.

Are you aware this is the most consumed beverage on the planet second only to water?

You’ll find black. green, and white varieties.  Blended and many types of herbs and spices added to the flavors.  If you look you maybe surprised at how many other products have tea as an ingredient.  Chocolates and candies.  Swiss Rolls, Cookies, Puddings, Mousse, and Cheese Cake.  Tempura rice flour breading.  Your favorite cereal my also have it also.  Those high energy bars and health food products also because of the high levels of anti-oxidants.   The Japanese people have an ice cream they enjoy and is a big favorite.

If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.  ~Japanese Proverb

The brew is full of  anti-oxidants.  We all  have heard about the health benefits.  The ability to help prevent disease such as cancer,  cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and muscle loss.

There are countless supplements on the market but as I always promote real food as the best way to get your daily intake of anti-oxidants.   As with any good thing to much can be a bad thing.  Taking these supplements can cause negative effects if you over do it.

Tea is healthy all around.  There is a brew for near every ailment you can think of.  From high blood sugar to a total body cleanse.  The different flavors abound also.  Don’t just think your only choice is the bagged brew on the self at you market.  So many more can be found.  Your sure to find one you like hot or cold.

As you my already seen me post I have been going to the South Bend Farmers Market and I met Andy and Katrina.  They lived and worked in China for over four years and know their Teas and how to enjoy them.  The company is called Great Horse Teas.  If you have a question they will have an answer.  Visit their site.  http://www.greathorseteas.com

I am told don’t ruin the health benefits of your teas by adding sugar or sugar substitutes.  Honey is best.

Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.  ~Author Unknown


Best Food Choices for Antioxidants from The Mayo Clinic

A Study done at Oxford University on how Tea, Wine and Chocolate may increase brain performance.

Come join our community of Tea Lovers.   The Wonderful World of Tea

 

           

Amanda’s Mission

11 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in Forget The Pain And South Bend Pain Management, FYI, News

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What a delightful young woman and a pleasure to talk to.

I met Amanda at the South Bend Farmers Market a few weeks ago.  I usually take a walk around to take a look at the items offered there and discovered Amanda’s beaded jewelry.

Asking her where she acquired her beads she began telling me this incredible story.  Amanda works with a group of women in Uganda helping them improve their life’s situation.  The women produce the beads and she helps with marketing the jewelry.

What is even more amazing she is helping the children of  Kampala, Uganda.  Specifically young boys from the streets.

Amanda founded LOT 2545.  lot2545.com 

These young guys have a nice home to live in thanks to Amanda’s efforts.

She is dedicated to restoring their hope and giving them a future.

Amanda grew up in South Bend, Indiana and has a  M.S. in secondary education form  Indiana University South Bend. (IUSB)

She has taught high school Spanish for 2 years.

Please visit Amanda’s blog and show your support with a “like” and a donation if you can.

http://www.amanda-uganda

Find out more about Amanda and her work at http://lot2545.com

See her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Lot2545

I thank you Amanda for helping make the world a better place to live!

Where Is Your Omega 3

06 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Alternative Medicine, Food, Forget The Pain And South Bend Pain Management, Nutrition, Nutritional

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We hear about Omega 3 and it’s importance to good health everywhere.  TV, radio, magazines.  There are so many supplements on the market from countless companies.

Now let me ask you, how much fun are you going to have taking one of those capsules or guzzling down one of those drinks?  Also how much cash are you going to pay for them?

Now wouldn’t real food be more fun!  Especially when your sharing a meal with people you care about.  I know many will say “I just don’t have time for all that slicing and dicing.”   Foods high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids abound.  You maybe surprised how quick and easy they are to make and even add to your current menu.

Lets speak of salads for a second. We all enjoy the crispy crunch of Iceberg Lettuce and it has great nutritional value.  By adding some of the leafy greens we can up the omega 3 punch to it.  Making your own vinaigrette with olive oil, of course, basil, oregano, marjoram, mustard and flax seed increase the Omega 3 Fatty Acids intake.  Lettuce can offer you more of the omega 3 than those expensive fish oil tablets.

Fish, especially salmon, are high in the fatty acid.  This also includes Cod, which I love, Tuna, Herring, Anchovies and others.

Tofu is something I have not tried yet. They say it takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with.

Seed and Nuts, especially walnuts.  Have you ever used Flax Seed Flour?  It’s easy to incorporate a portion of flax seed flour to your favorite cake and cookie recipes.

I enjoy salmon at least once a week.  It’s not one of my favorite fish but experimenting a little I enjoy it more and more.  I always buy wild caught fish.  The farmed raised are pumped full of antibiotics and hormones.  Grandma would make salmon patties that were good.  I discovered Capers a few years ago and they go great with all kinds of fish.  Capers are also full of  anti-oxidants and vitamins.  I add then to my tuna fish salad.

Capers also work with chicken and vegetables.

I have a mild case of Diabetes and find eating a filet of salmon lowers my blood sugar quickly.

There are symptoms of Omega 3 deficiency. Depression and mood swings.  Also including  fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, and poor circulation.

           

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