Kung Flu Fighting

My acupuncturist (who is from El Salvador, not China) in addition to having a background as a critical care neonatal nurse and later, a respiratory therapist, is well trained in herbal medicines.

Over the last two years, he's recommended several herbs for stress and sleep support.  But the ones he recommended last fall for my immune system I have to share as this is the FIRST year in many I did NOT get the flu.

They are Andrographis and Holy Basil

What is basil or holy basil? Basil is a very powerful herb used in Ayurvedic medicine and other traditional medical treatments for thousands of years. It is often called holy basil or tulsi, and all the parts of the plant are beneficial in their own way. Basil leaves are used in many preparations, as is the essential oil of the herb. The small bushy basil shrub is native to India and it is an annual plant with lavender-colored flowers.

Is holy basil good for you? Holy basil is incredibly beneficial for human health, primarily due to the unique composition of its essential oil, containing eugenol, camphor, flavonoids, nerol, and various terpenes. This rich blend of organic compounds delivers a number of health benefits and can help relieve acne, asthma, inflammation, respiratory issues, and lower your chances of heart diseases and atherosclerosis.

Andrographis - this is one I had never heard of. Andrographis (andrographis paniculata) has a wide range of benefits, mostly related to immune system enhancing properties. In native India, traditional use has primarily included supporting the immune system. During the twentieth century use of andrographis spread outside India to Europe and beyond.

Andrographis as an immune support ingredient Many benefits of andrographis are related to the herb’s ability to restore normal balance in bacterial flora of the gut.* One important threat to wellness is gradual decline in liver function — andrographis offers significant liver support. It also enhances bile flow, which reduces hepatic (liver) stagnation, improves digestion and enhances detoxification of the body.

Two times a day, before a meal, I take one capsule (Himalaya Brand from Amazon) with 500 mg holy basil (powder) leaf and 160 mg of holy basil extract (leaf) along with one capsule (Solaray Brand from health food store) Andrographis (300 mg).

If there is a good risk of getting a cold/flu due to exposure or being run down, I add Echinacea, following the manufacturer's recommended daily dose based on the brand I have on hand.

Echinacea is a very popular herb, and people commonly take it to help combat flu and colds. It is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family - Asteraceae. It is also known as the American coneflower. We actually grow it in our garden and my husband makes a strong tincture with it and vodka to use if there is ever a natural disaster where we can't get our online orders of the product but need assistance in fighting illness or infection.

Echinacea is available over the counter (OTC) at pharmacies, health shops, and supermarkets as teas, liquid extracts, a dried herb, and as capsules or pills.

Promoters of echinacea say that the herb encourages the immune system and reduces many of the symptoms of colds, and some other illnesses, infections, and conditions.  Do note:  there is a caution to avoid it if you have a known allergy to ragweed.

I add Echnicacea only if I'm feeling like I'm coming down with a cold/flu or I'm taking care of someone with it and take it for just two weeks.  I may also add it for two weeks at the height of flu season.  (Echnicanis is more effective if you don't take long-term with some doctors stating long-term use can hinder not help your immune system by overstimulating it and suggest taking it just two week increments.)

When you Eat Healthy All Week and The Scale Shows you Gained a Pound

Bread ANYONE can make - Gluten-Free Beer Bread

I know a number of folks who have never made a loaf of bread - preferring to pay 3 to 4 times the cost to buy a loaf in the store rather than mix, knead, wait, knead some more, wait some more homemade bread.  Now, frankly, we don't always have time, especially if you have jobs and/r young children. Certainly, in my house, the occasional Aldi loaf shows up to make sandwiches. Baking yeast bread takes time and a little practice.  THIS bread does not.  You only need six ingredients. There's no kneading, and it's pretty hard to screw it up.  Plus - it involves buying beer and you have to figure out WHAT to do with the 5 cans you DON'T use. (such a hardship :-)

Beer Bread- crusty and buttery on the outside and tender and slightly sweet on the inside, it's perfect with soups, stews, or just a light supper of grilled chicken salad.

Preheat oven to 375 F. (190 C.)

Mix in large bowl:

3 cups gluten-free flour (sift it or gently spoon into the cup or you will have a doorstop.  Even better weigh your flour - 3 cups flour is 12 and 3/4 ounces or 360 grams)
1 Tablespoon Baking POWDER
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp Xanthan gum.
1/4 cup sugar  (50 grams)
1 can beer (I used Miller Genuine Draft - as that is what my husband likes for an inexpensive beer but any beer or ale will work).  One can of American beer is 12 ounces.  If using a foreign beer measure out 12 ounces or 1 and 1/2 cups of beer.

Spoon into a bread pan sprayed with non-stick spray.  Melt 1/4 cup butter (57 grams) and pour over batter and place in preheated 375 F. (190 C.) degree oven.

Bake for about 50 minutes

Want to take your beer bread up a savory notch - try Sharp Cheddar Beer Bread -  it reduces the sugar and adds freshly grated sharp cheddar (no this is NOT low fat but it's high in taste).

 Sharp Cheddar Beer Bread.

3 cups gluten-free flour (360 grams)
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp Xanthan gum
3 tablespoons sugar (40 grams)
1/8 teaspoon (rough estimate) cracked pepper
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese - 113 grams (and seriously, use fresh, it's a big difference in taste over the packaged stuff)
1 bottle room temperature Sam Adams beer or other light ale (12 ounces)

Just before baking, you will top with:

1/3 cup butter (NOT margarine) melted (75 grams)

Preheat the oven to 375°F. (190 C.)

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Add the cheese and toss to combine. Add the beer all at once, (use a big bowl as it WILL foam up for a moment)mixing until blended (the batter will be slightly lumpy).

How do you get that wonderful buttery, crunchy edge to it?

After pouring the batter into a 9″x5″ loaf pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray, (you know, to save calories :-) microwave the 1/3 cup (75 grams) butter and pour that melted gold over the top of the loaf, swirling it around in the pan so the whole top is covered.

Bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes, or until top is dark golden and a thin knife or skewer poked into the middle comes out clean (mine took 45 minutes). Cool a bit on a wire rack.

 

One final version that is GREAT with beef stew in the winter or bangers and mash with caramelized onion and Guinness Veal reduction with some stout mustard. (For the mustard mix: 2 Tablespoons Guinness, 1/4 cup each whole-grain and dijon mustard, 1/2 minced small shallot and 2 teaspoons brown sugar).

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(Use a Wilton 1M or 1B cake decorating tip for the fancy schmancy potatoes)

Guinness Beer Bread

Using my first basic beer bread at the start of this post replace the beer with 1 and 1/2 cups  (12 ounces) Guinness Stout and add 1/4 tsp. dried rosemary to the batter. Combine and bake as directed above.

Canadian Yoga - For Hailey and Phod's Mom

Click on photo to enlarge.

I Can SO Relate to this Amazon Review

Cauliflower Bites - Who Needs a Deep Fryer for a Tasty Appetizer?

Craving a sweet or savory appetizer that is not just tasty but it's full of nutritious goodness from cauliflower?

Cauliflower bites - baked, not fried, easy to make regular or gluten free, and no deep frying.

1 head Cauliflower, chopped into bite sized florets
1/2 cup gluten free flour (Almond works nicely)
3/4 - 1 cup Water or Almond Milk
2 tsp Garlic Powder (optional)
1/2  tsp Salt
1/2 cup  Orange Sauce (I like Iron Chef brand) or your favorite gluten-free BBQ Sauce

INSTRUCTIONS:


Preheat the oven to 450 F. (230 C.)

Place cauliflower in a bowl and set aside.

In a small bowl mix the flour, water/milk, garlic powder (if using) and salt. For a thinner consistency, add more water.

Dip the cauliflower into the batter and place on a lined (I used foil which made for some crispy crunchy spots on the final outcome) baking tray. Be careful not to make the batter too thick on the cauliflower.

Allow the cauliflower to bake for 25 minutes.

Remove the cauliflower from the heat and coat with the Orange Sauce or BBQ. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Remove from the heat and serve immediately.  Recipe can easily be cut in half for a snack for two. It's also good over rice as a main course with extra sauce on the side.