A Cold

Withania

We have all had colds here.  A head cold is not much fun.  I was just skiting the other day that we haven't had a cold or flu for some time.  We must be a bit run down at present.  Might be something to do with the renovations.  All the noise and dust. And the decision making is quite stressful.  The builders are wonderful and doing a great job but still it is stressful.

We always take preventive measures of homoeopathics, herbs and vitamins when we come in contact with someone with a cold or flu.  But now that we have succumbed to a cold we have also been taking the following:-

Withania somnifera - a great adaptagen to help with stand stress, antioxidant, amphoteric (can help regulate important physiologic processes - helps you feel better) and studies have shown withania to have an immunostimulatory effect.   I have Withania growing in the garden.

Zyzyphus jujube  - sedative - taken just before bed.

Olive Leaf Extract - traditionally used to relief colds, coughs and flu.

BioResearch Homoeopathic Complexes for cold and flu (from health practitioners only)

Oxyrich - oxygen supplement to help keep up body levels of oxygen.

With the above regime we should recover well, ready to face the on-going building extensions.

Please see you health practitioner before considering taking any of the above.

Tips for Surviving the Holiday Season

This holiday season be prepared. This is the time we catch up with family and friends.  It's also the time we eat more, drink more and spend more.  Just a few precautions can make a difference to your diet and to your budget.

1. If going out make sure you eat a healthy snack before you go out even if you are going out to dinner. Consider fruit, nuts, popcorn, organic cheese and homemade crackers.

2. Alcohol flows freely during the Holidays with all the different parties and get-togethers we have.  If you are drinking wine add filtered or mineral water (at least half and half) and try the low alcohol beers.  You just have time to brew a batch of beer for Christmas. Home brewing has come a long way and there are some really great home brew beers available.  One of our favourites is Coopers Mexican Cerveza.  Coopers recommends using their Brew Enhancer 2 instead of sugar. This makes it more expensive but it makes a great tasting brew. To make a low alcohol beer use only 500g instead of the 1kg.  Keep away from the ‘pop’ alcohols. If you drink spirits, mix your own drinks.   Add fruit juice (no added sugar) and soda water to your champagne.  

3. For non-alcohol drinks, try fruit juice (no added sugar) with added filtered or mineral water.  Try to keep the ratio to 25% fruit juice and 75% water.  Or try some homemade cordials like Old Fashion Lemonade.

4.  Snacks at parties can greatly increase calorie intake, unhealthy fats and food additives.  Try to keep away from purchased chips, biscuits etc.  and go for the dips that are home made.  Try roast garlic dip, salsas and vegetable base dips.  Have these with bite size pieces of raw fruit and vegetables.  Consider fruit, nuts, popcorn, organic cheese and homemade crackers.

5. When out, keep a supply of healthy snacks with you. Again, consider fruit, nuts, popcorn, organic cheese and homemade crackers. Eat these at the first signs of hunger instead of going for the unhealthy, expensive packaged alternatives.

6. If going out for a meal skip the entree course unless you are very hungry. 

7. Select meals that have a high vegetable content.

   

8. Avoid meals with creamy or high fat content sauces.  Ask for the sauce to be put on the side.

9. When ordering salads ask for the dressing to be put on the side.  Otherwise you may find you salad is covered in oil (unhealthy types) and sugar. 

10. For desserts, go for those that include fresh fruits, ricotta, yoghurts, yoghurt cream cheese or coconut milk.  Try Pineapple Freeze

11. Often at this time of year we are meeting friends for coffee.  Keep your coffee intake to no more than 3 cups per day. Or better still go for herbal teas.  Like peppermint or black adder tea.  If you drink decaf coffee please make sure it is decaffeinated through natural filters and not by chemicals. Try to resist the temptation of cake with your coffee.  If you can’t resist go for something with lots of fruit.  Better still invite your friends to coffee at your place then you can control what you eat and what you spend.

12. Drink at least 8 glasses of filtered water per day. 

13. Go to the www.terracottacottage.com.au for more great ideas and recipes.

Wrigglers

From the Wangi Garden Journal

I noticed that there are 'wrigglers' in the small garden pond.  I grew up calling mosquito larvae - wrigglers.  When I was a kid growing up on a couple of acres on the outskirts of Brisbane (Australia)  we only had tank water.  Sometimes you would pour yourself a glass of water from the tap and there would be a wriggler swimming in your glass of water. Time to treat the tanks. Of course these days, water tanks have screens and filters to prevent mosquitoes breeding in the tanks.

For my pond I need to get some native Australian fish which will eat mosquito larvae. Kevin Casey suggests in his book "Attracting Frogs to your garden" -

Pacific Blue Eye - I think we are too far south for these

Fly specked Hardyhead

Australian Smelt

Rainbow Fish from your local area

I managed to get Crimson Spotted Rainbow Fish from the local pet store.  Apparently they are native from Coffs Harbour to Tamworth.

I removed the Bacopa plant from the pond and left the Gotu Kola so there would be more room for the rainbows.  

The species I planted is an Australian Native Gotu Kola, Centella asiatica, which is recommended for frog friendly ponds. (Here's hoping - we hear frogs on rainy nights but have not seen any yet)  Gotu Kola also has medicinal properties.  I always found it quite useful for people who have trouble sleeping. It won't help you get to sleep but is more helpful for those who wake up during the night.  It may also be helpful for clarity of mind, arthritic pain and fatigue.  

One of my pet dislikes is the amount of Soy that is in our food.  Most processed food has soy in it.  Soy has been promoted as an amazing health food.  And yes, how it is eaten in the traditional Japanese diet is healthy - naturally fremented and only in small amounts.

We were not meant to eat Soy flour, textured vegetable protein or drink Soy Milk.  For more information go to Soy Alert at The Weston A Price Foundation. Gotu Kola may be helpful to those who have had too much soy in their diet.

The recommended daily dose of Gotu Kola is two leaves of 40mm diameter per adult, or the equivalent in smaller leaves. It will be bitter if grown in full sun.

Gotu Kola is usually considered safe.  However there are a few side effects to taking too much of this herb - mouth ulcers, sensitivity to the sun, increased blood sugar levels, stomach irritation and nausea.  

As with all plants allergic reactions may occur.  

Gotu Kola is contraindicated in pregnancy and while breast feeding. 

Handcrafted Soaps and Cupboard Keepers

It’s time to start thinking about Xmas presents.  I like to give handmade presents or natural healthy items to my friends and family.  I thought this year I would try making handcrafted soap as gifts.  Not having the experience or the time for making soap from scratch I started with melt and pour soap.  This is really fun but there is a knack to getting it just right.  So I think  the melt and pour will be a new hobby - next year.  Any tips would be appreciated.
Meanwhile I have sourced some lovely Handcrafted Soaps and I came across something interesting – Cupboard Keepers.
I was very taken with the Citrus Cupboard Keeper ………………

Citrus Cupboard Keeper

Imbue your cupboard spaces with these fresh lemon scented essential oil clothing protector blocks.
Harness the protective power of essential oils in your clothing, linen and cupboard space with these natural alternatives to moth balls and naphthalene flakes.
With naturally insect repellent lemon scented oils, including lemongrass and may change essential oils and filled with calendula petals and a sprinkling of vibrant blue cornflower petals, these natural alternatives to naphthalene flakes and moth balls will last for many months in your cupboards, drawers and storage spaces.
Go to Citrus Cupboard Keepers for more details