Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Drink the Spinach Water

Um…say what?

Jolie. You don’t literally mean to DRINK the water from cooking veggies?

Well, no. While I do love spinach, I don’t literally mean you should put your veggie water over ice and drink it with lunch.

Here’s the exact text from Michael Pollan’s FOOD RULES. This is rule 26: 

“Another bit of traditional wisdom with good science behind it. The water in which vegetables are cooked is rich in vitamins and other healthful plant chemicals. Save it for soup or add it to sauces.”

Think about it.

How often have you cooked vegetables – of any type – and drained the water off before adding seasonings, or butter, or mixing in other ingredients? What a waste to send all of that down the drain!

Have you ever made your own chicken or beef broth? How about veggie broth? It wouldn’t be that different to save the water from cooking vegetables and mix it with homemade broth or use it to boost store-bought materials.

Do you do this already? I’ve done it on occasion but not often enough! If you haven’t done it, what could you see yourself using spinach water to cook?

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Are Leftovers Good for You?

I’d like to pose a deep philosophical question this week.

Do you think that leftovers are good for you? And when I ask that, I’m contemplating three specific factors: mental, physical, and fiscal health.

I’m going to put this out there. Leftovers are good for all of the above.

I was asked recently if I do leftovers when I make meals, and my response was an immediate, and emphatic, “YES.” Sometimes, the entire point of cooking a meal is to have leftovers. Sometimes, the leftovers are tastier than the first go-round with a recipe. Chili, for example! The flavors develop the longer it sits!

But I digress.

How, exactly, are leftovers good for your mental, physical, and fiscal health?

I’ll start with the easiest one first. Fiscal.

It’s cheaper to eat leftovers than to go out. Planning and cooking a meal that will have leftovers means you’ll have lunch or dinner the next day. And the next…and the next…if you’ve made an eight-quart pot of chili. (Why are you looking at me like that?) It’s also faster to reheat leftovers than it is to go out and get lunch or dinner at a restaurant, whether you’re getting take-out or sitting in. There you have it; leftovers are good for your fiscal health.

Now, let’s look at physical. Maybe you’re tired of chili. Maybe you’ve had chili for so many days that you’re ready to never have chili again and you want a hamburger and fries. Your sense of fiscal responsibility, though, tells you to finish the chili, so you deal with it. Not always, but most of the time, eating at home will be healthier for you than eating out. YES I KNOW. There are many healthy options at restaurants nowadays, and that’s good. I also know that it’s hard to decide on those healthy options if you’re out and you’re tired, or celebrating, or grumpy, or whatever the case may be, so you end up with a baked potato slathered in butter. And you may have more than you should, and you have dessert, etc. So that last portion of chili? Maybe you do something creative with it like put it over leftover mashed potatoes and cauliflower, or rice, or something like that. Maybe it’s only marginally healthier than going out, but it’s still likely to be a healthier option. Leftovers can be good for your physical health.

Finally, let’s look at mental. How in the world can eating leftovers be good for your mental health? Comfort food, anyone? Relaxing with a dish of your favorite homemade macaroni and cheese left over from the night before can help decrease stress, because you didn’t have to cook, you didn’t have to think about what to make, and you didn’t have to feel guilty about spending the money to go out. You could just relax with a dish of whatever’s in the fridge and have very few dishes or pots & pans to wash. Leftovers can be good for your mental health as well.

There it is. I think I’ve made a pretty good case for leftovers being good for you.

What’s your favorite food to have as leftovers? If you’re not someone who likes leftovers, why not? What would get you to change your mind?

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Relish Those Cranberries!

Happy New Year!

For those of you following along at home, I don’t tend to make New Year’s resolutions. :) Nothing wrong with them, they simply don’t appeal to me for whatever reason.

Instead, early this new decade, I want to talk about cranberries.

I’m not talking about the musical group, although I like their music.

I’m talking about that bright red fruit that seems to end up mostly in juice or relish, or the SHLORK of the canned cranberry jelly that everyone loves to hate at Thanksgiving and I not-so-secretly adore. Honestly. The sound is fun, the shape of the can in the jelly is fun, and it is sweet-tart-tasty goodness. At the same time, I also love my mom’s homemade cranberry relish with orange & cranberry and just a touch of sugar. Good stuff! 

Everyone knows (or so we think) that cranberry juice will help prevent urinary tract infections. In fact, it would be more effective to take cranberry capsules, as it takes a high concentration of cranberry extract, containing antioxidants, instead of drinking the juice. The antioxidants in cranberries can help prevent certain bacteria from taking hold in your system. Combining cranberry extract with certain oils, including oregano and coconut, helps eradicate e. coli. (I learn something new every day!)

Cranberries are good sources of dietary fiber, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, and B vitamins. Did you know that they may help prevent some kinds of cancer, reduce blood pressure, and improve your immune system? (If only they weren’t so tart!) Low-calorie cranberry consumption would be best, so find ways to add cranberries to your diet without a bunch of sugar, for example, by adding frozen cranberries to smoothies, or dried cranberries (without much sugar, if possible) to cereal, oatmeal, trail mix, or salads.

How do you like your cranberries? What could you add cranberries to in your menu this week?

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Great Grapes!

Grapes are wonderful things.

After all, wine is made from them.

And jelly.

Raisins.

Juice.

Get the picture?

I’ve written previously (several times) about the benefits of wine, specifically red wine, and I mentioned that many of the same benefits can be gained by drinking Concord grape juice. I realized today that I’d not written specifically about grapes! I’ll remedy that now.

Why are grapes good for you? Low in calories and fat, grapes are high in antioxidants that may help fight diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. They’re also a good source of vitamins K & K, and they have small amounts of dietary fiber. Raisins are delicious, although they are less filling than grapes. Additionally, grapes average about 81% water content, so they’re helpful for staying hydrated while you snack!

How do you like your grapes? Fermented, as juice, or plain & simple?

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Breakfast Is the Most Important Meal of the Day. Right?

One of my favorite, long-time sayings is, “Everyone’s body is different.” It seems obvious, doesn’t it? My genetic and physical makeup is different from yours. Well, of course. My husband’s reaction to going gluten-free is different from mine, even though both of us benefit from eliminating gluten from our diets. We benefit differently. Again…seems like a “DUH, that’s obvious!” moment.

Everyone says, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Let’s break(fast) that down, shall we? Couldn’t resist. Didn’t try too hard. Also. Who is this Everyone? Why do we listen to them?

A semi-regular-ish daily schedule looks something like this: wake up, eat breakfast, go about your morning, eat lunch, go about your afternoon, eat dinner, go about your evening, sleep, repeat. Food is fuel. (Food is fun, too, but that’s a different topic.)

Imagine going without fuel from that dinner period to well past that breakfast period. Your body needs fuel to function. You need those nutrients from a healthy, well-balanced breakfast in order to get from point A to point B and point Z and you get the point. If you don’t eat SOMETHING for the first meal of the day, do you find yourself snacking on less-than-healthy stuff in between meals? That can be a problematic side effect of not eating breakfast.

Skipping breakfast may (emphasis on may; the research is incomplete) increase chances of getting heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Eating breakfast may potentially improve your memory. Eating early in the day can help regulate your blood sugar and your hunger levels. Blood sugar control is also typically best early in the day. And keep in mind the research, as I said, is incomplete.

“But, Jolie, I don’t like breakfast food.”

“Ok. Have a bowl of soup. Have a pork chop. Open a can of garbanzo beans, drain them, and add feta. Whatever. Have a meal of some kind! Really!”

I discovered a while back that I NEED protein for breakfast in order not to snack excessively between breakfast and lunch. Most of the time, I get that protein in the form of some kind of egg dish, whether it’s gluten-free egg-in-a-hole, or scrambled eggs, or eggs baked on veggies of some sort. Sometimes, it’s yogurt, but too many yogurts that are edible have too much sugar, which for me cancels out the effects of having protein. Sometimes it’s oatmeal, or cereal, and on rare occasions toast. But mostly it’s eggs. Sometimes with bacon, but not every day. My cholesterol count can handle eggs daily. Bacon daily? Nope, not so much. YES, I KNOW. Jolie doesn’t have bacon daily. I’m sure you’re shocked. Remember me? Health coach me? LOL!

What do you like to have for breakfast? If you aren’t a breakfast-eater, what would get you to change your mind?

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Guest Post! Benefits of Qigong

I am delighted this week to share information from Michelle Eisenhauer, a Certified Qigong Professional and co-owner of Inner Light Haven LLC. I’ve started going to Qigong sessions with Michelle and enjoying them very much! The first night I attended a Qigong session, I slept magnificently!! That was a benefit I hadn’t anticipated!

*************

Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is the practice of cultivating vital life-force energy through various techniques. Traditionally Chinese, this centuries-old practice develops a healthy mind, body, and spirit.  Gentle movements activate key acupressure points, meridians, and organ systems to fill energy deficiencies or remove excess. This will fortify muscles, joints, and bones to gain strength and flexibility, along with breathing techniques and meditations that increase awareness, reduce stress and tension for a sense of peace, happiness, and contentment. 

All movements are simple, gentle, and adaptable. Since it does not require any special equipment or clothing, Qigong can be done anytime, anywhere and in any amount of time. This self-healing art assists with all health challenges and compliments any medical or alternative health treatment. 

This simple practice heals on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels, bringing more peace and balance into your life helping to restore optimal health. 

Michelle Eisenhauer
Certified Qigong Professional
Inner Light Haven LLC
www.innerlighthaven.com
michelle@innerlighthaven.com
641-275-2407

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Give Peas a Chance!

Couldn’t resist the pun. Didn’t try very hard, either. I know, I know, it isn’t super creative and it’s been done before. I’m at peas with that.

Seriously, though. I’d better start minding my peas & Qs!

Really. I’ll stop now.

I love green peas. When they are, however briefly, in season and available at the farmers’ market, I love buying old-fashioned shell peas, shelling them, and eating them right away. I love adding peas to my macaroni and cheese, eating them frozen out of the bag, or using them to doctor leftover potato soup along with ham & garlic. (For example, the thumbnail picture with this post!) I love snap peas, both as a fresh snack and added to recipes, and snow peas in sautés and stir-fries.

Peas are good sources of iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and some of the B vitamins. They are considered a starchy food, along the lines of potatoes, as about 70% of their calories come from carbohydrates. Peas are also a decent source of dietary fiber and protein, and they are being used more and more in the creation of meat alternatives such as Beyond Meat’s Beyond Burger. You can also find peas in non-dairy milk and ice cream as well as gluten-free noodles. Pea plants are more drought-tolerant than wheat, corn, or soy, which makes them more environmentally friendly to grow. And while it is possible to be allergic to peas, especially if you’re allergic to any other legume, such as peanuts, it is rare. Peas are one of the foods that contain antinutrients; these are substances that can inhibit your body’s ability to absorb some nutrients. For that reason, it is typically better to eat peas cooked instead of raw. (I’m still going to eat them any way I can get them!)

Perfect food? Maybe not, but peas are certainly delicious, nutritious, and good for the planet. That’s a good start toward appeasing our need for other products. (See what I did there?)

How do you like your peas?

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: What Are Your Goals?

I would like to talk about goals. Goals are good. It’s important, as everyone knows, to have at least SMART goals. It’s better, as many people know, to have SMARTER goals.
What’s the difference?

SMART:

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Relevant

• Timely

SMARTER:

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Relevant

• Timely

• Evaluate

• Revise

Either way you look at it, it’s important to be smart about what you’re trying to accomplish. Big dreams and big goals are good! Figuring out how to achieve smaller, stepping-stone goals on the way to those big dreams and big goals? Also good.

I have very bad knees, as a result of too many years carrying too much weight. I’ve been getting cortisone shots in my left knee for several years now, and every time I have a conversation with the doctor. I must lose more weight before I can get my knees replaced. (On the flip side, the more weight I lose, the less pressure on the knees! They won’t heal by themselves, but they will hurt a little less!) I had a cortisone shot in May, and I set myself a goal. I wanted to lose at least 10 pounds by the time I had the next shot, which could have been any time after 8/21. It happens I had it on 9/19. (I kept forgetting to call and schedule it.)

I made my goal. I made my goal! AND I felt great about it! I had a specific goal, it was measurable and achievable, I set a timeframe, it was relevant to my current and long-term concerns, and it was timely. As I worked on my eating and activity habits between 5/21 and 9/19, I evaluated how I felt about my progress and revised my actions accordingly. (I also didn’t beat myself up for the occasional increases due to mildly indulgent evenings! All things in moderation…) I celebrated with a dark chocolate campfire mocha from a coffee shop. (Dark chocolate is good for you!) Treats & rewards…in moderation…are also good for you!

Goals. When I work with my clients, I ask “What are your goals? How can I as a health coach support you?” One way I work with individuals is to emphasize positive accountability. How are you doing now? How do you feel about it? What can you do this week to make progress toward your goal? How about next week? What are you going to do to celebrate when you hit your goal? Is your goal still serving your current and long-term needs? Those are the things we talk about in my coaching conversations. And I love helping people figure out how to make progress!!

What are your goals? How are you making progress on those goals? Give yourself a shout out!! Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Quinoa Quite Qool

LOL! Ok, so I know it is a terrible spelling, however, as I’m fond of alliteration, I couldn’t resist. I didn’t try very hard, either, to be completely honest!

I love rice, and pasta (gluten-free, of course), and potatoes, but sometimes? Sometimes I want something different.

Quinoa is an intriguing and tasty option when I want something that seems starchy…but is surprisingly full of protein and lower in carbs. Watching carbs? Quinoa has 21 grams to pasta’s 30 and white rice’s 80, in a 3.5 ounce serving. It’s a good source for folate (a B vitamin), iron, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorous in your diet.

Quinoa is not a grass; it’s a flowering plant actually related to spinach! It cooks fairly rapidly and it’s honestly fun to watch it cook, as parts of the seed become translucent. It’s good both hot and cold, and I use it both as a base for things with sauces and as an addition to salads.

Have you cooked with quinoa recently? What’s on your menu that you could replace with quinoa for your starch option?

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Mushrooms!

“All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once.” ~Terry Pratchett, author

Ok, full disclosure time.

This will be one of those exceedingly rare times when I discuss the health benefits of something that I have absolutely zero intent to ever consume.

My father is deathly allergic to mushrooms. I mean deathly. Like completely and deathly allergic to mushrooms. It’s the spores; it is basically impossible to clean mushrooms well enough and get rid of all of the spores, so he avoids them completely. And so do I. I don’t know that I’ve inherited that allergy, however, with all of my other allergies, it’s simply best to skip them completely.

However! Mushrooms have many health benefits, and many people are very fond of them. What are some examples?

They’re low in calorie count. One cup of mushrooms has only 15-20 calories per cup. They’re high in fiber, so that one cup of mushrooms will fill you up & help satisfy your appetite. Mushrooms have potassium (helps with muscle cramps), B vitamins, choline (helps with sleep), copper (necessary for healthy red blood cells), and selenium (wards off depression). All of those nutrients may help fight inflammation in the body, which can help with your joints, depression, and general well-being. Mushrooms are also a rare item in the food nutrition world: they have vitamin D, which helps build strong bones and fight inflammation. (Again with that anti-inflammatory thing. Darn food allergies…)

So if you like mushrooms but you don’t think about them often, what are some options? Toss them raw into salads. Add them to pizzas or sauté or stir-fry them with other veggies. Drink them in your coffee. (Say…what?! Not kidding. Look it up!) Add them to scrambled eggs or omelets.

BE AWARE! This is vitally important. It can be very, very difficult to determine which mushrooms in the wild are edible and which are poisonous. Therefore, I absolutely recommend against picking your own, other than morels. They’re pretty obvious. Go to a store, or find a reputable mushroom hunter.

So! If you’re a fun-guy (or fun-gal), what do you like about mushrooms? What have you enjoyed mushrooms in recently? Salute the ‘shrooms, and give them a shout out!

Cheers!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Don’t Give Up Stuff. Add Stuff!

Ok. The title of this week’s #winewellnesswednesday may seem counter-intuitive, but bear with me for a second.

One of my relatives won’t drink anything with a meal, not even water. What is their rationale? The liquid, whether it’s water or something else, takes up space that they’d rather fill with the good food that’s been prepared.

Light bulb moment!!

As you add good things to your meals and your daily agendas, you start to have less room for the less-than-healthy stuff you’d be better off without.

Are you hungry? Start with a glass of water; you may actually be dehydrated, stressed, tired, or something else. If you’re still hungry afterwards, then it’s probably genuine hunger and you need something to eat. If you’re not hungry, you’re now better hydrated and drinking water is good for you anyway. J Add a salad to your meal, and you might eat fewer appetizers before, or less dessert after. If you spend too much time sitting and watching videos of funny cats online, add a walk to your evening routine. Then you get a bit of fresh air and exercise and less screen time. (Is there such a thing as too much time watching videos of funny cats?)

Add more whole, healthy foods, such as vegetables, nuts, and healthy grains, and you’ll have less room for processed, overly salted foods with too many unpronounceable ingredients. (Cooking at home is a good option too, of course!) You can substitute the good-for-you items without losing anything other than the not-so-good-for-you items, and without feeling deprived. (After all, dark chocolate is a health food, and good for you in moderation.)

What are you going to add to your life that will help you nudge something else out?

Cheers!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Down Time

Down time is critical to your health, whether it’s a vacation and you get away, or just a day to do not very much. Yep. It’s an old topic and I’m revisiting it because I’ve realized recently just how much I needed down time. Don’t wait. Schedule down time soon!!!

http://www.makeonechange.today/blog/2016/6/1/wine-and-wellness-wednesday-take-a-vacation

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Blueberries!

I have been mildly obsessed with blueberries lately, and even though there aren’t blueberry patches near us where you can pick your own, I’ve been getting berries at the grocery store that are surprisingly tasty. I eat about ½ C a day and they’re an excellent snack in the afternoon while I’m at work, or something to tide me over before dinner.

Blueberries! They’re berry delicious! (Sorry-not-sorry; couldn’t resist. Didn’t try very hard!) On cereal, by themselves, in salads, or in smoothies, blueberries add antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber to your daily diet. Specifically, 1 cup of blueberries adds 14% of your daily fiber and 25% of your daily vitamin C, and they do it with fewer than 100 calories. (Sweet! Literally!) Blueberries are also high in manganese, which is important to healthy bones. Feeling thirsty? Blueberries are 85% water!

Blueberry plants are relatively easy to grow. They like full sun and well-drained, but still slightly moist soil that’s also slightly acidic. The soil pH should be between 4 and 5. Birds and other wildlife like the berries as much as humans do, so protect your plants with lightweight netting to discourage snacking by wildlife.

I love blueberries because they’re small and easy to eat. They’re sweet without being cloyingly sweet. They’re nutritious but so fresh & delicious that I forget they’re good for me!

How do you like your blueberries? Have you had any recently? Grab a handful for a snack or throw some on your cereal and tell me what you think!

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Beautiful Basil

Several weeks ago I wrote a #winewellnesswednesday post on how much I love thyme, with gratuitous and unlovely punctuation for emphasis.

I love basil, too, but not quite as much as I love thyme. Although I do love having each of these herbs in my garden, and walking outside to pick fresh herbs is a wonderful thing!

Of course, being me, I went looking for the health benefits of adding basil to recipes and generally how it’s good for us. As with thyme, what I found surprised me a bit.

Basil is high in vitamin K, which is important for bone and blood health. Two tablespoons of chopped fresh basil provide over 25% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin K! (That is a lot of basil, honestly…) You’ll also get vitamin A, magnesium, and manganese. (Be careful, if you’re taking a blood thinner; you don’t want to get too much vitamin K.) The essential oils in basil may have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It may help manage blood sugar in patients with diabetes. Basil was historically used for respiratory & digestive problems, epilepsy, insect & snake bites, fevers, migraines, and mental fatigue. Even today, you can rub fresh basil leaves on your skin to repel biting insects, or crush the leaves and rub the mixture onto bug bites for relief from the itching. When cooking, using it fresh is best. If you grow basil in your herb garden, pinch the flowers back to encourage growth and flavor in the leaves. Or you can plant more basil than you think you’ll use, and leave the flowers on some of your plants to make butterflies and bees happy!

Cheers! Here’s to your (herbal) health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Sunscreen Is Not Optional!

I am outside a lot. That seems a bit of an understatement. And when it’s super hot and super humid, as it has been recently, I’d much rather be inside, on my sofa, with my cross stitching. But I digress. I’m outside a lot.

I use a lot of sunscreen. I put sunscreen on my face, my ears, my neck (including the back of my neck), my arms, and my legs. I make sure I apply it under the hems and neckline and so on, because shirtsleeves shift, and shirt collars move, and anywhere that the sun might hit me, I want sunscreen. I frequently, but not always, wear a hat. If I am wearing sandals, I put sunscreen on my feet first.

Why?

First: I hate sunburns. Hate. HATE. They hurt. They’re annoying. They peel. Did I mention they hurt?

Second: I have a family history of melanoma. I’ve been very fortunate so far that I have had no problems, right up until this June when I had a possibly suspicious mole removed. It turns out the mole was fine, but the dermatologist wants to keep an eye on a different mole. And I’m fine with that, because my father has had multiple melanoma spots removed.

Sun damage to your skin can be a real problem. A little healthy color in the skin isn’t bad. And sunshine plus skin equals vitamin D, which is an important nutrient. Among other things, vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and keep your bones healthy. But…tanning until your skin is the color (and texture) of cardboard? That’s not something I admire, and it’s not something I am willing to do. I’m covered in freckles. And I have a fair quantity of moles. Most of those moles are no problem. Same with the freckles. But that family history of melanoma I mentioned? That scares me. It scares me a lot. My father recently had to manage an open wound on his neck because of having a large melanoma spot removed. He’ll have to manage that wound until it heals, as it’s too big for stitches. He’s doing fantastically well with it, and the nurse at his dermatologist’s office is very pleased about that. But it’s a chore and a pain and it’s just one extra thing to deal with on a daily basis. Also? Sun poisoning? That’s a thing. That’s a very bad thing. It’s like a sunburn, only much worse. And, by worse, I mean nausea/vomiting/headache/fever worse. Regular application of sunscreen? That’s a good way to avoid sunburns or sun poisoning.

Go With Your Own Glow. I saw that slogan on a poster at the dermatologist’s office and it struck a chord with me. I wear, nowadays, no makeup. I don’t like being bothered with it. Keeping my skin clean and healthy and sunburn free is important to me. 

Wear sunscreen. WEAR SUNSCREEN. Anything above an SPF of 50? It’s marketing; it will do nothing for you. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen between SPF of 15 and 30 or 50. Protect yourself with suitable clothing if you can, and/or a hat. But wear sunscreen! Your skin will thank you!

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine& Wellness Wednesday: Time for Thyme!

I. Love. Thyme.

Yes, the punctuation, while unlovely by most grammatical standards, was necessary. It’s highly possible that I need to type all that again, but this time with bold, capital letters. And an exclamation point. Possibly two.

I. LOVE. THYME!!

Oh, definitely. Bold, capital letters, and exclamation points. Much better.

I think, possibly, you’ve gotten the point by now that I love this herb. I have two thyme plants in my herb garden; golden lemon thyme, and English thyme. I love walking outside and cutting stems fresh so that I can cook with them. I love the smell. I love the taste. Thyme is definitely one of my all-time favorite ingredients.

I think you know what’s coming next. Being who I am, I started to get curious about what health benefits might come from using thyme in my cooking.

Thyme is a hardy perennial herb, originally native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia, and now easily grown in many corners of the world, including my little herb garden. Thyme oil was used by ancient Egyptians as an embalming fluid, and it was commonly planted in medieval monastery herb gardens. It’s an ingredient in bouquet garnis as well as the French fines herbes. Just breathing in a little bit of the fragrance has always made me a little happier, and now I know why. Thyme is approved for therapeutic use in Germany to treat bronchitis, whooping cough, and congestion, among others. It has antiseptic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. Thyme contains vitamin K, which is important for bone health. Historically, thyme has been used as a remedy for gastric upset, bronchial issues, coughs, colds, laryngitis, flu, asthma, headaches, and inflammation. It may help combat fatigue after illness, and it may help fight depression. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed thyme imparted courage, vigor, and strength. Ancient Greeks also burned thyme to discourage stinging insects. Putting dried thyme in your closets discourages bugs. Note that thyme oil can be diluted in honey or beverages and drunk, however, it can irritate mucous membranes and it is important to be careful, work with a knowledgeable practitioner and follow directions carefully. Thyme can help with coughs; make a tea from fresh thyme or from medicinal-quality dried thyme purchased at a health-food store, not just the grocery store.

Honestly, I had no idea that one of my very favorite herbs had so many amazing qualities!

What recipes do you enjoy that have thyme in them? (What new recipes are you thinking about trying? How about adding fresh thyme to your scrambled eggs or to your next pasta sauce?)

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Water & Wellness Wednesday: Cheers to Water!

Ha!! Gotcha! I bet you were expecting another edition of Wine & Wellness Wednesday…

Well, you got it, but I am feeling quirky and I retitled the post for this week. (I know, I know. “Feeling” is different from normal quirky how, exactly?)

It’s warm. Depending on your perspective, it’s starting to be downright hot. We’ve already seen 90 this year, and we’re looking for 90 again soon.

Heat, wind, and humidity are terrific dehydrators. I spend a fair amount of time outside as well as in very warm greenhouses. I drink a LOT of water. On some days, even though I feel like I’ve drunk too much, it still turns out to be not enough.

With those things in mind, I decided it was time to revisit my old friend, my water topic. I also thought of some things that I didn’t put in the original post.

Drinking water isn’t just important for your insides. It’s critical for your outsides, too! Without sufficient water, your skin can become more susceptible to damage and wrinkling. (And don’t forget sunscreen! But that’s a topic for another day.) Water lubricates joints, regulates body temperature, and supports all critical bodily functions.

Do you feel like you drink enough water? There are apps you can use to keep track and to remind you to have a good guzzle. One that I like using is the Drink Water Aquarium. You can set your own goals and gamify drinking water by adding fish & scenery to a virtual aquarium. (No fish food necessary!)

What’s that you say? You don’t like the taste of water? Get a filter pitcher or bottle. Try a filter bottle that lets you add your own fruit or vegetables to flavor the water. Try a product such as Hint water; they have multiple flavor options. Put your filter pitcher in the fridge if you like it cold. (I don’t, but that’s me!) Try sparkling water. But have a drink of water! (Preferably, more than one!)

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

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Water! Let’s talk about water. This is becoming one of my very favorite things. :) I’m one of those people who (mostly) likes the taste of water, and it’s one of my favorite beverages. (Although there is definitely some tap water that needs help. Lots of filtering. And lots of lemons.)

I’ve started asking for water with no ice and a few slices of lemon in it when I’m at a restaurant. Think about it: if you drink ice cold water with your meal, you’re chilling down the digestive fire and interfering with your body’s ability to process your meal (according to Ayurvedic medicine). Also, the lemon in your water will help you digest your food better.

There is, again, a fair amount of conflicting information on how much water a person should drink. Eight ounces per 10 pounds of body weight, or eight glasses that are 8 ounces each, or 10 ounce for each 15 pounds of body weight or or…Argh! What to do?

You’ll figure out what’s right for you. Definitely drink when you’re thirsty, and, in hot weather, drink before you’re thirsty. If you feel like having a snack, but maybe it’s not really hunger, you can figure it out by having a glass of water first. Or if you’re bored and feel like eating (or angry, or upset), try having a drink of water first.

One other thing about consuming water that I think is important to mention. In my last Wine & Wellness Wednesday post, I pointed out that if you’re not a wine drinker, you don’t need to start. Well, if you’re not a water drinker, you totally need to start! Water makes up a considerable part of the human body and it’s critical to your health to drink it!

Also! I’ve grown to love having a cold water end to my shower. The cold water chases blood away from the skin, back into the body where it circulates better and supports digestion better, and it helps me cool off after a hot shower. (Although occasionally I’ve gotten the shower too cold and the…we’ll say squeaks…have agitated our dogs!)

Cheers! Here’s to your health!

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Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Boundaries Are Healthy

Back in April, I posted about balance and how to find it, along with three questions to ponder. As I think more about that topic, I’ve started thinking about how we put up boundaries around our time and energy (or how we don’t) and how each of those actions impacts our mental and physical health and wellness. The questions I asked in that April post are relevant here also. Do you know your core values, and do you have them written down? What REALLY matters to you? What thing (or things) in your life can you absolutely not do without on a daily basis?

First, a quick definition. From Wikipedia: “Personal boundaries are guidelines, rules or limits that a person creates to identify reasonable, safe and permissible ways for other people to behave towards them and how they will respond when someone passes those limits.” I think of boundaries not only as these guidelines or limits, but also as ways of protecting or safeguarding my time and energy. “Can you do whatever activity on whatever day?” “Ok, yes!” “No, but I could do whichever instead on a this other day.” “Not at this time, but thanks for asking.”

So protecting my own time and energy has become more of a priority as I get older (and hopefully wiser). Part of creating these boundaries relates, as I mentioned at the beginning, to knowing my core values, what matters to me, and what I can’t do without on a daily basis.  To-do lists and schedules are useful. Understanding my energy levels is important. Being intentional about my time and ensuring that I have time for the things I want to get done is critical. It’s also important for me to support the people close to me (for example, my husband) and help them have their own time and space as well.

How about you? Do you set boundaries around yourself, your time, and your energy? Cheers! Here’s to your health!

Wine & Wellness Wednesday: Routines Are More Than Just Routine

It seems as though periodically I come back to why routines are good things, and it seems as though it’s happened a lot in the spring. I recently posted about having gone through a colonoscopy and food allergy testing en route to figuring out some fairly significant (and extremely annoying) gut issues.

I didn’t realize just how badly my routines had been disrupted until I started getting them back, and oh, my, do I feel better! I am incredibly grateful to have my morning meditation, journaling, and exercise routine back. I’m getting back into the routine of setting up the next day’s coffee at night so it’s ready to go. I’m starting new routines, such as spending chunks of time in the yard on multiple days of the week. My cross stitch routine has reached 596 days, which is awesome and a little scary.

Routine may seem to equal boring…and yet it is anything but boring!

What healthy routines do you have, or are you still working on building them?

Cheers! Here’s to your health!