The overall message of the article in the latest ‘Choice’ magazine, May 2008 “Spotlight on glucosamine”, is that glucosamine doesn’t work for osteoarthritis and has a ‘placebo effect’ only (a positive reaction to a dummy pill induced by a belief that it is the real thing). But wait, there’s more! more
Research has proven that unhappiness has a negative impact on health. One recent health study found that stress has a delayed impact on cardiovascular health, while another found a link between depression and the formation of atherosclerosis… more
The new Monsanto has clearly come to dominate the American food chain with its genetically modified (GM) seeds. It’s a master at enforcing its 674 biotechnology patents, using tyrannical and ruthless tactics against small farmers. more
An April press release from Cancer Research UK reports that an extract of the mushroom Phellinus linteus has been found to halt the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. Previous studies have also shown the species to be effective… more
You know how it is when you go to pick up the kids from after school care, they are tired, hungry and the next hour can be a disaster sometimes.
Or you may just want something a bit more healthy to munch on than standard fare. I am convinced that the further we get from a mostly natural, raw food, the worse the diet. I am especially against MSG and artificial sweeteners. They are not known as excitotoxins without reason.
Or, you may want some more roughage in your diet. Be warned though, THIS WILL PRODUCE RESULTS!
Well, I decided to formulate an easy to carry, easy to eat, nutritious food bar that was also good for the granddaughter who has a lactose intolerance.
I did try a variation for a choc-a-holic daughter that included fresh yoghurt, melted white chocolate and Agar-Agar (like gelatin only from vegetable origins) but that was not as well received. She passed it on to her husband who eats and appreciates anything I cook.
After some experimentation I have come across a generally accepted winner. Now, I must confess up-front. I am not a cook and have no background whatsoever in the culinary arts or nutritional science. So if you wish to suggest an improvement that will result in better taste, texture, adhesion or nutrition, I am all ears.
Here is the recipe.
You will need:
Oven
Baking tray
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Rolling pin
Mixing bowl
Benchtop mixer with heavy duty mixing blade
Plastic wrap
Scissors
Ingredients:
1 cup of each of the following:
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Dessicated coconut
Shredded coconut
Sultanas or raisins
Finely chopped dried apricots
Crushed roasted Cashew nuts
Crushed Macadamia nuts
Honey
A liberal sprinkling of Nutmeg
An even more liberal sprinkling of Cinnamon
1 heaped (US table spoon\ Australian dessert spoon) of
South American Maca protein powder
South American unsweetened Cocoa powder
Method:
Turn the oven on to a medium heat.
Cover the bottom of a baking dish with the coconut, sesame and sunflower seeds, evenly spread out.
Place in oven until the smell is unbearable or until the coconut is golden brown, whichever comes first. About 5-10 minutes.
Chop the apricots and place into a decent sized mixing bowl.
(I use a benchtop cake mixer, it’s easier and faster to beat in the honey to bind it all at the end. On the other hand, if you want an upper-body work-out…)
Put the cashews into a thicker zip-top plastic bag and take your frustrations out on them with a rolling pin. NOT THAT MUCH! They don’t need to be powdered, just in smaller pieces than halved! Sheesh!
Empty the bag into the mixing bowl.
Put the Macadamia nuts into the plastic bag and release the rest of your frustrations on them.
Put them in the mixing bowl.
Take the oven tray out and turn off the oven.
Put the contents into the mixing bowl.
Add the other ingredients, honey last.
Place the bowl under the mixer and beat for a minute or so, until it is well mixed or you can’t resist the temptation to try some, whichever comes first.
While it is beating, lay out an arms length strip of plastic wrap on the bench.
When the ingredients are well mixed, take the largest spoon you have and scoop some of the mix and place it on the wrap. Shape it into a muesli bar as best you can. Doesn’t have to be really neat as when you are done you can press it into the shape you want.
Depending on your target market (grandkids have smaller stomaches than daughters, although some fast growing four year olds have been known to come back five minutes later for a second bar) you can either make one long one or two short ones per hand’s width (with fingers spread) of wrap.
Repeat laying out along the length of wrap. You should get about ten bars to a length, half the mix.
If you have made short bars, cut along the length of the plastic wrap, between the bars.
Cut across the wrap, between the bars.
Fold the wrap over the ends of the bars, squishing the bar mix shorter as needed.
Fold the wrap over the sides of the bars and place to one side.
Repeat for the other half of the mix.
I am told that honey is the only food that does not spoil but putting them in the refrigerator will make them a bit harder and help them retain some shape.
And there you have it. Either 20 small or less quantity but larger muesli bars that will kill the hungries for the littlies and not so littlies.
Hope you enjoy these and as I said, feel free to drop me a line with any suggested improvements. My email address is on my web site.
First published on Qassia
Canada is following the USA, and on April 8th 2008 proposed sweeping
changes to it’s Food and Drugs Act through introduction of a law
known as C-51. If this law is passed it will:
* Replace the word “drug” with “therapeutic product” throughout the
Act. This would enable regulation of sale of all herbs, vitamins and
supplements.
* Change the definition of “sell” to include anyone who gives
therapeutic products to someone else.
* Grant new powers to enforcement agents to protect the public from
dangerous unapproved “therapeutic agents.” These powers would
include:
- raiding homes and businesses without a warrant.
- seize bank accounts.
- levvy fines up to $5 million and jail terms up to 2 years …
potentially for merely selling a herb.
To learn more go to: www.stopc51.com
What would this law do to Freedom?
This sort of law is what we are fighting against.
What MD’s and Naturopaths don’t know… more
He comments on the recent study showing that antidepressants do not always work, the suicide rate in Australia and how there is evidence antidepressants can cause suicide in younger patients. here
The future of food. more
The last three years has seen an increased incidence of cysts and boils. Here is a site with some valuable data on handling them: here
On March 11 a new documentary was aired on French television (ARTE ? French-German cultural TV channel) by French journalist and film maker Marie-Monique Robin, The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won’t ever see. The gigantic biotech corporation Monsanto is threatening to destroy the agricultural biodiversity which has served mankind for thousands of years. It can be viewed free at Google video. If this link doesn’t work: http://tinyurl.com/4on85x then this one should here
24 ways to get the rest you need. <a href=”http://www.rd.com/healthy-living/health/achieve-a-deep-uninterrupted-sleep/article15950.html” target=”_blank”>more</a>
Don’t let your break become an extension of your already overburdened day. more
You’ve likely heard quite a bit lately about a certain “miracle” substance. It’s proven to foster weight loss, improve gastrointestinal health, protect the heart, and even guard against cancer. Food manufacturers are boosting it in their products (and proudly displaying it on their labels). TV commercials featuring models exposing taut tummies urge you to whirl it into juice or water. And a recent book suggests that getting 35 grams every day is the key to losing weight and staying healthy for life.
What is this miracle substance? Fiber! Although devoid of calories, this non-nutritional vital nutrient is anything but lacking when it comes to your health. And new research shows yet another way roughage (as Mom calls it) can help prevent one of the major causes of chronic disease - inflammation.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation and a predictor of heart disease and diabetes, with dietary fiber. The study evaluated the body composition, CRP, diet, and physical activity of 524 people. At the end of the study, CRP levels in the body were found to be inversely associated with the total fiber in the diet.
Bulk up on fiber to keep inflammation down. For maximum benefit, eat a variety of plant-based foods that provide both soluble and insoluble fiber. Here are a few:
Black beans, 1/2 cup: 7.5 grams of fiber
Chickpeas, 1/2 cup: 6.2 grams
Kidney beans, 1/2 cup: 5.8 grams
Navy beans, 1/2 cup: 5.8 grams
Northern beans, 1/2 cup: 5.6 grams
Pinto beans, 1/2 cup: 7.4 grams
Brussels sprouts, 1 cup: 6.4 grams
Apple: 5.7 grams
Pear: 5.1 grams
Whole wheat spaghetti, 1 cup: 6.3 grams
[Ed. Note: Kelley Herring is the founder and CEO of Healing Gourmet (www.healinggourmet.com), and is editor-in-chief of the Healing Gourmet book series. Learn more about how simple lifestyle choices can improve your health by reading ETR’s free natural health e-letter.]
New evidence has shown children’s lives are being put at risk by a surge in the use of controversial tranquillising drugs which are being prescribed to control their behaviour, the Guardian has learned.
more
In September 2007, the EU’s European Environment Agency (EEA)1 and the country of Germany2 both issued warnings to their citizens advising them to avoid the use of WiFi and cell phones until further long term studies are conducted, citing fears that the ubiquitous use of wireless technology has the potential to become the next public health disaster on the level of tobacco smoking, asbestos, and lead in automobile gas. more
Here’s a movie that everyone will find intriguing, not that we don’t know what a good diet can do but it is great to see more concrete scientifically validated evidence. It is an uplifting video. here
Researchers believe that they may have uncovered the function for the appendix, which has long been thought to be superfluous: the organ may act as an incubator for beneficial bacteria that aid the body in digestion. more
from Total Health Breakthroughs more
Growing evidence exists of a link between excessive long-term use of mobiles and certain types of brain tumors, claims neurosurgeon. more