Each of us probably has a relationship with food, that is ever so slightly different from everybody else's. Food is such a central part of all our life’s. It means so many different things to different people? Food is absolutely essential to our survival. Without it we would all die!
But while many of us now see it as a source of positive health and nutrition. Very few of us see it. ... Or even realise, it can be a great source of medicine? As it is seen in many other cultures, and indeed many other countries?
Our relationship with food goes right back to when we first started to eat. ... Doesn’t that sound obvious? What I actually meant was certain foods are associated with certain memories. ... Both good and bad. … Happy and sad.
For instance when you went out for a special, meal when you were younger. There was family, friends and loved ones at the restaurant. And you had roast pork say, with all the trimmings followed by rhubarb crumble and custard.
Now when you see that food or even when you think of that food. You can instantly think of the restaurant, all the people and why you were there as well? Hopefully for all the right reasons? So as in this case food is seen as pleasure.
But it can be a source of pain, emotion, guilt, hard work or struggle as well? In certain cultures such as Chinese. The medicinal qualities of food have been practiced for literally generations. I`m willing to make a wager that there’s probably a Chinese herbal shop not that far from where you are sitting reading this, right now?
When I was contemplating quitting smoking I looked around one of these very shops. There was every conceivable medication known to man in there and it was all natural? ... Or that’s what it said on the door! ... I remember it like it were only yesterday, although it was almost 2 years since.
But seriously there was stuff in there for Acne, Headaches, Piles, Arthritis. In fact if you can name it and you know what it does and as long as its natural I`ll bet there’s some in that Chinese herbalists shop?
Drugs companies over the years have led us to believe that we need prescription pills and drugs to cure our illnesses. Yet in many cases, simple foods can work just as well. Here’s just a few and what results you can expect if you use them?
• Menopause;-If you're suffering the symptoms of menopause you should be eating foods that are high in Isoflavones. Things like tofu, beans and chickpeas. Isoflavones are very similar to Oestrogen, in that in a scientific test, Sage was proven to reduce hot flushes by as much as 60%. Sage tea made with 10 leaves and sweetened with honey is especially good for you.
• Blood Clots;-Kill around 25,000 people a year in this country - often while they're in hospital. To reduce your risk of heart attack caused by blood clots, drink ginger tea and eat blueberries.
• Vitamin B12;-If, you're elderly and suffer from tremors, tiredness and other neurological symptoms, you should ask your GP to test you for a vitamin B12 deficiency which is fairly common over the age of 60. Foods high in B12 include mussels, liver, beef, lamb, trout, salmon and eggs.
• Cabbage;-I have heard several women who have used cabbage leaves to relieve painful breasts when they were breast-feeding. I`m not sure what you do with them though? I have read that it can also be used externally on other external inflammations as well.
• Internally, it is particularly useful for gastric disorders and ulcers - especially if eaten in its juice form, as it is high in vitamin C and phytonutrients. It is good to eat to aid the recovery from illness generally, as it boosts the immune system. And helps eliminate harmful compounds in the body.
• In Chinese Medicine;-The way in which food is cooked is highly important as well! ... It is said, for example, that eczema sufferers should try to avoid eating anything that's been cooked with direct heat - i.e. roasting, grilling or baking. Steamed or boiled is best, stir-fried somewhere in the middle.
• Cherries;-Have been recommended for some time for gout and it is now believed they may be effective in helping relieve the pain in arthritis. Researchers from Michigan State University found anthocyanins, the same chemicals that give tart cherries their rich dark colour. Might just have more powerful anti-inflammatory effects than aspirin? …Definitely worth a try then?
• High Cholesterol;-Or if you have blood sugar imbalance. Then you need to eat oats for breakfast. Another interesting fact about Oats is they suppress Nicotine cravings!
Till the next time. ...
"May your Christmas weight`loss success, be far more than you expected" David.
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