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Saffron

Saffron  is a spice derived from the flower  most commonly known as the saffron crocus.

The saffron crocus is native to the Mediterranean and Western Asia.Iran now accounts for approximately 90 per cent of the world production of saffron.  It is the most expensive spice in the world by weight, ten times more costly than vanilla. The reason saffron is so expensive  is that its production is extremely labor intensive, each flower’s stigmas need to be collected by hand and there are only a few per flower. It takes 80,000 crocus flowers to make only 500 grams of saffron. Despite its cost, many herbalists and naturalists consider saffron’s health benefits to be worth it.

Scientists believe that saffron might be useful in the treatment and management of age related mental impairment.  Saffron promotes learning, memory retention, and recall capacity this could help ward off  muscular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. It also improves circulation of blood.

Some of the best clinical effects of saffron on human disease have been observed in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, asthma, atherosclerosis, PMS, and erectile dysfunction.  Saffron’s benefits extend to even treating cancer and helping to lower bad cholesterol levels.Research indicates that a few compounds in saffron do promote anti-cancer activity.

It also helps relieve stomach aches and kidney stones.  improves circulation to the digestive system. While coating the membranes of the stomach and colon, saffron gently aids in soothing symptoms of  intestinal acidity, colic, relieve stomach aches and kidney stones.

Saffron can also induce  you into a sound sleep .

Great ways to eat saffron would in a saffron rice or paella.

March is National Kidney Awareness Month

Your kidneys filter your blood,  remove wastes and  extra water from your body.

Great kidney friendly foods but also great for the whole family and everyday.

Apples

Promotes lung , digestive, heart health. High in fiber and anti-inflammatory properties, reduce cholesterol.

Blueberries

Promotes brain health, reduces inflammation and is loaded with vitamin C and fiber. Is one the strongest antioxidants.  Helps reduces urinary tract infections

Cabbage

High in vitamin K, C and fiber. Low in potassium. Promotes digestive health, it helps heal ulcers. Lower woman’s  risk of breast cancer and

Cranberries

Helps protect the bladder from infection also protect the stomach from ulcers and cancer

Cauliflower  

Helps your liver neutralize toxins that can damage cells. Muscle building and promotes sleep

Cherries

Reduces inflammation when eaten daily.

Egg Whites

Pure protein, with less phosphorus than other proteins like meat. Promotes thyroid functions, brain, heart, and eye  health.

Fish

A great high quality  protein, and ant-inflammatory

Garlic  

Helps prevent plaque from forming on your teeth and decreases inflammation.  Lowers blood pressure and insulin levels.

Olive Oil

Great anti-inflammatory

Onion

Low in potassium, helps reduce reduce heart disease. Promotes  lowering of  blood sugar levels. Great food for colon health. Promotes immune health and inflammatory balance.

Raspberries

Reduces inflammation, packed with fiber and vitamin C

Red Bell Peppers

Cancer fighter, excellent source of fiber, vitamin C and A.  Helps maintain normal blood pressure.

Red Grapes

Helps blood flow by relaxing blood cells

Strawberries

Powerful antioxidants, great source of vitamin C and fiber.  Promotes brain and joint health.

Make your own Gluten free Play Clay

Most children like to play with clay, but the most common brands all contain wheat. Most homemade  recipes call for wheat flour. By Making your own it reduces cost and you can make it wheat free. Have fun making  your own gluten clay with your child and then spend countless hours  play with it. And if your  mini Michael Angelo  is a clay eater ( as many are) , don’t worry.

1/3 cup                 Margarine ( Gluten Free) or shortening

1/2 tsp                   Salt

1/3 cup                  Light corn syrup

1 tsp                        Vanilla extract (Gluten Free)

1 lb.                          Confectioner’s sugar (Gluten Free)

Mix first 4 ingredients in a mixer. Then add powdered sugar. Knead until the dough is smooth, divide into portions and add natural food colors if desired. Store in airtight containers ( zip lock bags) and place in refrigerator to store to prevent spoiling.

2nd recipe

1/2 cup               Rice flour

1/2 cup               Corn Starch

1/2 cup               Salt

2 tsp                     Cream of tartar

1 cup                   Water

1 cup                   Cooking Oil

1 tsp                   Food  coloring

Combine all ingredients in a pot and cook over low heat until a ball forms.   Take it off the heat and  let it cool to touch.  Form into balls and store in an air tight container.

Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Mousse
• 10 ounces  Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup coffee, hot
• 4 egg whites, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons sugar
1. Whip the cream to form light peaks. Set aside in the refrigerator. Melt the chocolate chips in a large mixing bowl set over barely simmering water. Meanwhile, whip the eggs with the sugar until very fluffy and thick, about 10 minutes.
2. Stir the hot coffee into the melted chocolate chips. The mixture will start to thicken, so work quickly. Quickly stir in the beaten eggs, then fold in the whipped cream. Pour or spoon mixture into cups or bowls, and chill until firm, about 2 hours

Gluten free Brownies

These brownies are so good no one will believe that they are gluten free. I sometimes use coconut flour instead of the almond flour and it gives a nice flavor.

• 2/3 cup almond flour
• 1/3 cup brown rice flour
• 1 cup  70% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips ( Or a
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs ( or can use egg replacer )
• 1 cup walnut or pecan pieces (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 8×8 pan
2. Place the chocolate, butter and salt in the top of a large double boiler over barely simmering water. Stir frequently until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl and let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar and vanilla. Stir in the eggs one at a time. Add the almond and rice flour mixture and stir until moistened, and then mix briskly about a minute . Stir in the walnuts or pecans if using.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until you can insert a  toothpick  into the center  and it comes out moist but clean. Cool and serve

I put a Chocolate mousse on the top and added fruit as a garnish.  Tomorrow I will post the Chocolate Mousse recipe

Your liver processes remove toxins from your body. It also breaks down fats and manages glucose (sugar ) levels. So it is a very important organ. A toxic liver can make you feel bloated, headaches, fatigued, and give you acne.

The liver has various  important functions:

• It makes and secretes bile to help your body absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K)
• It metabolizes and stores carbohydrates, fats, sugars, vitamins for energy and brain function.
• It breaks down harmful chemicals (bilirubin and ammonia) produced by the body to keep you healthy.
• It manufactures proteins to help maintain blood filtration and flow.
• It breaks down hormones, detoxifies water and removes drugs, alcohol and environmental toxins
• And it filters waste products from your blood.

With such an important job we all should take better care our liver. Ways to help your liver cleanse itself are:

• Minimize alcohol and caffeine consumption

Alcohol and caffeine are responsible for liver damage, by reducing or eliminating these from your diet will help your liver detox.

• Minimize sugar, fat, and processed food
• Increase raw fruit and vegetable intake

Leafy greens, legumes, fruit, whole grains are great food to eat.

• Increase water intake

Increased water will cause urination, and that help cleanse the toxins in your liver

Great foods to eat to help your liver:

Whole grains:   Brown Rice, Old Fashioned Oatmeal, Barley

Turmeric is used in curry and pickles

Cilantro:  reduces mercury levels

Rosemary:  Helps enhance liver detoxification

Berries:      Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, blueberries, Eat them alone or in a dessert or in a smoothie, or added to your cereal

Green Tea

Yogurt    Greek yogurt or parfaits or regular yogurt it is good for you

Legumes ( Beans) Nuts and Seeds :  Mix them in a salad or eat them in a trail mix.

Soy:         Eat edamame.  It makes a great snack

Red Grapes:  Freeze them and eat it for a snack or add it to tuna salad

Garlic and Onions:  Garlic helps remove heavy metals from the liver

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Kale, Collards,  bok choy, watercress, ,  Beets, Carrots, Red Onions

Apples:   The pectin in the apple helps reduce the load of filtration on the liver

Eggs: helps metabolize fats and improve liver health

Grapefruit:  help in a natural detoxification of the liver

Dandelion Greens, Mustard Greens: promote production and flow of bile.  This is  Great for liver detox!

Lemon Juice:  Cleanses and detoxifies the digestive tract and balances the PH

Not only will these foods help you feel great, they are also taste good, and are great foods to eat every day.  They can be mixed together to make a bigger impact.  Try my recipe for Roasted vegetables or edamame Guacamole dip, Massaged kale or make an egg salad sprinkle some turmeric in it, put it on whole wheat bread with greens and now you have a major liver detox lunch!