Sinus Trouble? Watch Your Diet.

Sinus trouble? If you are suffering from sinusitis, you must watch your diet.

Try to keep it alkaline (pH).

A diet rich in Vitamin A  is recommended (it helps build healthy mucus membranes in the throat and head.) Some good sources of Vitamin A: tomato, pumpkin, mango, papaya, leafy vegetables, egg yolk, curds and whole milk (which, in this particular case, should probably  be avoided since diary products are known to cause sinus problems). Better sources of calcium are sardines, seaweed, and leafy green vegetables.

Other recommendations:

• Eating fruit is preferred to drinking fruit juices since juices have a higher concentration of carbohydrates and contain preservatives.

• Avoid refined sugar (your body can't break it down).

• Caffeine weakens your adrenal glands so it should be avoided.

• Mustard and mayonnaise cause your body's pH to be imbalanced.

I have included links to various sites that offer suggestions for alleviating sinus problems. Don't forget to read my disclaimer on the right. :-)

Christina's Home Remedies (E book)
Sinus Wars
Doctor Yourself
Cure Zone
Organic Authority

Soothe Your Sore Throat

This seems to be the season for stubborn sore throats. I have added some links that might give some relief. The first one includes recipes for gargling.

LINKS:

TLC
Mayo Clinic
Natural Sore Throat Cures
My Healthy Foods

Strictly USA

Buy American
@ Strictly USA
This link is to a website of strictly America-made goods. It is not about healthy eating but it is about a healthy USA.

Manuka Honey and Wound Care

My sister (again) forwarded an article by Dr. Mercola about the healing properties of Manuka honey: "Certain types of honey, such as Manuka, have been shown to be more effective than antibiotics in the treatment of serious, hard-to-heal skin infections...
Scientific American reported: "In lab tests, just a bit of the honey killed off the majority of bacterial cells -- and cut down dramatically on the stubborn biofilms they formed. It could also be used to prevent wounds from becoming infected in the first place ... These findings indicate that manuka honey has potential in the topical treatment of wounds containing S. pyogenes."

According to Dr.Peter Molan, there are two types of Manuka honey:
1. Ordinary Manuka honey has the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property common to most honeys;
2. *UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) Manuka Honey, the preferred honey for wound dressing and other special therapeutic uses, has both the natural hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property plus its own natural UMF antibacterial property, giving it increased antibacterial potency.

*a phytochemical-derived property from the nectar of the flower.  The hydrogen peroxide property common to most honey is from an enzyme added to the honey by the bee.

READ ALL ABOUT IT:
Manuka Honey Benefits   Thanks to Anne, anneshealth
Dr. Mercola article
Wikipedia
Science Daily
University of Waikato
BBC News
Minerva Scientific
Health Care (It's all About Your Health)
Immune System Honey (not Manuka)

Pure Maple Syrup

 My sister's doctor suggested she sweeten her food and drink with pure maple syrup so...I bought some. When possible (it is expensive), I use it in place of honey. Maple syrup is an excellent source of manganese (antioxidant: one ounce supplies 22% of the daily value) and a good source of zinc (antioxidant and heart health). Additional  information about pure maple syrup can be found at the first link: The World's Healthiest Foods.

I have included other links so you can learn more about pure maple syrup. Also included is one link for purchasing, though there are many sources, both online and in your local grocery store. Remember: PURE maple syrup.

The World's Healthiest Foods
Science Daily
Get Real Maple
Wikipedia
Specialty Brands of America

OMG! Coating on Romaine?

I just came upon this information at mercola.com. I suggest you check it out. My understanding is that some romaine (and other produce) is being coated with an 'edible', invisible film to preserve shelf life. As you'll see in the video, it can be peeled off.

Videos (Please watch)

Fish/Seafood: Wild Caught or Farmed

I bought some frozen shrimp yesterday; the price was right. I ate a portion and then looked at the package. I always look at the label first but, as I said, the price was right. Well, it was farmed (in Thailand) not wild caught. I try to avoid farmed, and always look for wild caught. I have included links discussing pros and cons of both. I vote for wild-caught.

The World's Healthiest Foods
Peachy Green
YouTube video
Another Viewpoint