Al Dente

Natural Medicine from New Zealand: Manuka Honey

On the way home from my recent trip to New Zealand I found myself snooping around the airport tchotchke shops looking for some souvenirs to bring Stateside. No surprise, I ended up in the food aisle, perusing local products and happened upon several shelves of manuka honey with varying levels of UMF content. A three-pack for $47+ (New Zealand dollars). Sounds great, I told myself and walked a three-pack up to the cashier, who promptly asked me for [insert choking sound] about $150. You see, the honey was $47 for each 250g (8.8 ounce) container.

Now I was really intrigued. What was so great about this honey? I put two containers back and decided to bring one home still knowing nothing about the honey or UMF and having no time to research it due to my impending flight and lack of internet access.

Once home, I fired up the internet to learn more. Turns out manuka honey is antibacterial and according to this purveyor, can be used to treat different types of infections: sore throats, stomach ulcers, burns, and more. It's made from bees that feed off of the manuka flower. The mysterious UMF that I couldn't make out stands for Unique Manuka Factor and speaks to the strength of the antibacterial potency of the honey (only 10% of the manuka honey produced is considered antibacterial). The higher the UMF number, the stronger the antibacterial properties. The honey can be taken orally or used topically, depending on the ailment.

Here are some Amazon customer reviews on manuka honey that caught my eye:

Wedderspoon Raw Organic Manuka

"I used the first on my wife's wounds following MOHS surgery for removal of skin cancer. The results were amazing and the surgeon and plastic surgeon both asked what we were using to allow the wounds to heal up so quickly with minimal scarring. There was also a staph infection as a result of the surgery that the honey took care of as well. It takes a bit of diligence to ensure daily dressing changes with fresh honey, but the results pay off."

Active MGO 400+ Manuka Honey

"I am very pleased to have found an all natural treatment for so many conditions. I have used this honey for a nasal staph infection I had that wouldn't go away with oral antibiotics. I felt completely safe using honey rather than artificial ingredients inside my nose. After using manuka for a week, the staph infection cleared up. I've used this honey for cuts, burns and any kind of rash (as a massage therapist, I've picked up a few skin conditions) that develops and it has never failed to heal them. When used internally, it's helpful for fighting off colds or at the very least, cutting its duration. This is an amazing product!"

East Cape New Zealand Manuka Honey

"...a spoonful approx. 20 minutes before meals seems to drastically reduce the chances of suffering gastro-intestinal distress (such as from IBS or other upset)."

For more detailed information and research on manuka honey, click here.

Have you used manuka honey to treat what ails you? I'd love to hear about it.

--StellaCadente*

Follow me on Twitter @pomodorista

12 Days of Juicing Daily: The Wrap Up

As I sit here typing, I'm enjoying a mug of hot apple cider and a plate bowl of gingersnaps for dinner, but just last Friday I was powering through the twelfth day of a mini-reboot with my roommate, Tawnya. Actually, four days of eating just fruits and vegetables, followed by four days of juicing only, and ending with four days of eating just fruits and vegetables.

The introductory four days went smoothly, and involved daily pilgrimages to Whole Foods so we could fill our dinner plates with wholesome produce. I drank a veggie juice in the morning, hit the salad bar in the at lunch time, and dinner was all about roasting. Our favorites quickly became roasted kale (the new potato chip!), roasted yams, roasted portobello mushrooms (the new meat!), roasted cauliflower (the new mashed potato!), and roasted brussels sprouts (the new way to eat brussels sprouts!). 

The first juicing day started off on an up note. Really up. I felt a sense of euphoria after polishing of my kale-cucumber-celery-apple-lemon juice for breakfast. A true buzz. Here are my notes:

Day One of Juicing

8:00 am--Feel better than normal. Bright, clear-headed.

9:00 am--Feel energized after drinking my breakfast juice.

11:30 am--Heaviness is gone in my legs, feel less tension in my body. Euphoric. I am floating.

3:00 pm--Snack time. Slightly hungry, slightly dreading drinking more juice. Looks like sewer water. Floating chunks of kale.

6:00 pm--Slightly grumpy, light-headed.

Day Two of Juicing went much the same way, but by Day Three if I could have mustered up enough energy to take notes, I would have written:

8 am--Turn alarm off. Pull covers over head.

9 am--Turn alarm off for the tenth time. Remember how I hate everyone. Resolve to stay in bed.

10:30--Am somewhere in a cubicle typing on a computer. Possibly at work? Surrounded by people who look vaguely familiar.

12:00--Drive off site to nearby juice bar to have someone else make me a juice. I am tired of making juice. Also, I hate everyone.

3:00 pm--Approaching comatose state. Not sure of my whereabouts. Also, I still hate everyone. 

5:00 pm--Force down my liquid dinner. 

7:00 pm--Go directly to bed. Cannot keep eyes open. Think about people who I really don't like.

Day Four of Juicing

Same as Day Three.

Needless to say, when I could finally eat fruits and vegetables again, actually chew, I was ecstatic. It was all downhill from there, and in fact, both Tawnya and I agreed we could extend the eating just fruits and vegetables period a bit longer without feeling deprived.

So, was it worth it? I'd say yes. I lost six pounds in 12 days and staved off some unhealthy cravings in the process--at least for now. I haven't had the urge to drink coffee since the reboot ended and sugar is decidedly less appealing (save for the gingersnaps). I also find myself eating a lot less portion-wise this week than I normally would, so that's a good thing, too.

Do I think I could do a 30-day juice-only cleanse like in Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead ? Probably not. But I'd think about doing a juice-only day once a month, or even once a week, just to keep myself in check. 

Now, excuse me while I refill my bowl of gingersnaps, won't you?

*Learn more about juicers: Juicing 101 on Amazon.com

--StellaCadente*

Follow me on Twitter @pomodorista

12 Days of Juicing Daily: Day 4

I'm on day four of my mini-reboot and feeling like I am gaining some energy back. I'm not going to lie. The first couple days were pretty rough. To begin with, I had a false start on Sunday: I cooked a giant pot of lentil soup and ate some for dinner. Then re-read the instructions and realized beans are on the "no" list. So, I started fresh on Monday morning, eating fruits and veggies only.  I felt a bit fatigued on Monday and Tuesday, but surprisingly never really felt hungry. I did feel deprived of all of the holiday treats I enjoyed over Thanksgiving weekend, but not enough to cheat.

Tomorrow I am entering the "just juice" phase for four days, which I am slightly worried about. I've never tried sustaining myself on just liquids. My manager at my day job asked me how I'm going to get enough protein, and I confess I've been wondering the same thing. According to rebootyourlife.com there's a decent amount of protein in vegetable juices, more than I would have thought, actually.

Now that I am this far into my mini-reboot, I have resolved to finish it without fudging. I'm turning down cocktail offers and doing a lot of produce shopping instead. Only eight more days to go. My roommate Tawnya is doing it with me, so I have a built-in support system and someone to keep me honest.

Have you ever done a cleanse? How did you get through it? What did you get out of it?

*Which Juicer is Right for You?

*Juicers on Amazon.com

*BPA-free pitchers

--StellaCadente*

Follow me on Twitter @pomodorista

Sunday Snaps: Chestnuts Roasting

Having grown up in Southern California, roasted chestnuts were the mythical stuff of Christmas carols to me. I never saw a roasted chestnut in person until I lived in Milan in my 20s, where vendors sell them from carts in the autumn and winter. There's something comforting about enjoying a bag of warm chestnuts when there's a bit of chill in the air--though that didn't stop me from making a tray of them this weekend, when temperatures hit the low 80s in my neighborhood. That's ok--I'm perfectly happy to pretend it's wintery outside.

To roast chestnuts: Preheat oven to 400 degrees-F. Make an incision in the shape of an "x" on the flat side of each nut. (Be sure to puncture the outer skin or it will be difficult to peel.) Place on a baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes. Peel the nuts while they are still warm (but not hot, or you'll burn yourself).

--StellaCadente*

Follow me on Twitter @pomodorista

12 Days of Juicing Daily

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead - Official Trailer from Team Reboot on Vimeo.

After passing by Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead at the Whole Foods check out counter every week for the past year, I finally got around to watching it. I had dismissed it largely because the guy on the cover is hugely overweight (I'm not), and obviously slims down after starting a juicing regiment. Yes, I could stand to lose a few pounds to get down to my ideal weight, but the main reason I ended up identifying with Joe (the documentarian and featured subject) was his desire to get healthy--and ultimately ditch his prescription medications. Even more than Joe, I was and am inspired by Phil, a 40-something truck driver he meets in his journey across America. Watch the trailer above to see what I mean.

All of this inspiration has prompted me to do a mini-reboot of my own. Smack in the middle of holiday time. I know! The best time of year for pigging out. I know! I'm going to do a modified version of the Reboot Standard Program detailed on the Reboot Your Life website twelve days of rebooting: four days of eating and blending fruits and vegetables, followed by four days of just juicing, ending with four days of eating and blending fruits and vegetables.

I'm picking Sunday, November 27 (that's this Sunday) through Thursday, December 8. Strategically selected to be in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and over in time to enjoy some of the end of year festivities without going overboard.

Anyone want to join me? It'll be much more fun if I have company.

--StellaCadente*

Follow me on Twitter @pomodorista

 

 

 

From Hokkaido, a Pumpkin

Thanks to Al Dente reader VB, not only did I learn about Hokkaido pumpkins, I had one for dinner! Here in Germany I've been eating lots of pumpkin soup, and VB filled me in as to why it may be on so many menus.

The pumpkin is a relative newcomer to Germany. I think one thing that has helped popularize it is the Hokaido pumpkin, which is small and doesn't have to be peeled.

With this information in hand, I couldn't help but head straight to the market to try a Hokkaidokurbis for myself. I cut mine in half and baked it on a high heat, adding a bit of butter and brown sugar. I do the same thing when I make acorn squash. Delish.

VB makes a soup with the Hokkaido pumpkin, adding coconut milk and ginger. Now that sounds divine! Seems like winter squash is on everyone's mind these days. Melissa Trainer is making butternut squash panini. Leslie Kelly is making butternut squash soup.

What are you doing with winter squash? And what's your favorite?

--Tracy Schneider

 Pumpkin Cookbook

Click Here for Juicy Details

So, I am going to admit upfront that my friend Alex and I haven't been the best at sticking to our cleansing diet that we kicked off Labor Day weekend. Instead of being completely restricted we've decided to go for a more moderate approach, hoping to meet with some weight loss success. 

My strategy has been to revert to the Weight Watchers approach--being mindful of portions, amping up on fruits and veggies, and tracking daily calorie intake. I'm giving myself a frowny face in the exercise department as I am averaging one day a week at the moment (terrible).

Eating mass quantities of vegetables every day can be time consuming--the cleaning, chopping, peeling, and even the chewing-- so I've turned to my new juicer to make a nutrient-dense cocktail that I can down in 5 minutes or less. Seems to be working for me so far: I've lost 3 lbs. since I started juicing two Sundays ago. Bonus: My energy levels are up, and my constantly bloated stomach has flattened out.

So far I've stuck to a version of the following blend (I add 1/2 a beet in lieu of a couple of the carrots), which I enjoy twice a day:

Happy Mood Morning

Fennel juice has been used as a traditional tonic to help the body release endorphins, the "feel-good" peptides, from the body into the bloodstream. Endorphins help to diminish anxiety and fear and generate a mood of euphoria.

1/2 green apple
4-5 carrots, well scrubbed, tops removed
3 fennel stalks, include leaves and flowers
1/2 cucumber
Handful of spinach
1-inch piece  ginger root

Directions:

Cut product to fit your juicer's feed tube. Juice the apple and follow with other ingredients. Stir and pour into a glass; drink as soon as possible. Serves 1.

Recipe credit: Cherie Calbom, The Juice Lady's Turbo Diet

Juicers on Amazon.com

Are you juicing? Tell me about it.

--StellaCadente*

Follow me on Twitter @pomodorista

Icelandic Yogurt Packs a Protein Punch

I first learned about Icelandic yogurt from Tracy Schneider's post almost a year ago, but it's only recently that I got around to trying it for myself. Formerly (and still) hooked on Fage Greek yogurt for it's thick yet smooth texture--i like mine with honey--I was intrigued when my friend Pam turned me onto this tidbit: Icelandic yogurt boasts more protein than carbs. This was just the impetus I needed to finally give it a try.

First I sampled the brand Siggi's. I found it thick, pasty and a bit tart (I tried Acai and Mixed Berry), but I was willing to overlook all of that for 16 grams of protein, 13 carbs, and 0 grams of fat for a total of 120 calories per serving. Then I ran across Skyr.is Icelandic yogurt at my local Whole Foods, and was pleasantly surprised by this: one serving of Plain Skyr.is boasts 22 grams of protein, 6 carbs, 0 grams of fat, and only 110 calories. I add some berries or fresh fruit to my Plain Skyr.is along with a few drops of stevia, and it keeps me full for hours, making it the perfect protein-packed breakfast on-the-go, or quick afternoon snack. It's probably a tad more nutritious than the Peanut M&Ms that taunt me from behind the vending machine glass every afternoon, too.

At $2.79 (my local Whole Foods price) it's a bit spendy, but the nutritional benefits out weigh the pennies quarters I'd save buying a cheaper brand. That makes it worth it to me.

Have you added Icelandic yogurt to your diet yet? How do you like it?

--StellaCadente*

Follow me on Twitter @pomodorista

 

How I Dropped 25 Pounds in 6 Months

This is an ill-timed post, as I've gained several pounds over the past few weeks, but that's precisely why I am writing this. It's time for a resolution reboot. I was extremely strict about my New Year's resolution to drop some L-Bs and get healthier, until round about then end of April. I decided to celebrate my birthday by eating and drinking, of course. And then there was Easter, Mother's Day, a Palm Springs getaway, my Mom's birthday, and Father's Day, a Baptism, July 4, and happy hour with the Al Dente Blog team, and well, summer. So, needless to say, I've strayed a bit (insert sarcastic tone here).

Until all of that debauchery, I was on the straight and narrow path, and I was actually looking forward to weighing myself every Sunday (when does that ever happen, right?) Here are some things that contributed to my success:

1. Tracking my daily food intake. I use the Weight Watchers online app and it really helps me focus on what I am eating, and how much I am exercising (you can also use it to track your work outs). At the end of each day, I know how well I've done, and if I need to make up for any bad behavior during the rest of the week. While there's a fee to use the Weight Watchers app, there are also some great free apps there. My friend Jory uses Lose It! which performs many of the same functions as the WW app.

2. Weighing my portions. I have had this Salter kitchen scale for a few years now, and it still works like a charm. Eyeballing = sloppiness = weight gain for me. Weighing my food whenever possible is a great way to keep myself on track.

3. The Anti-Candida diet. My doctor put me on this diet at the end of January. Too say it's anti-fun would be true for most people, but it really helped improve my energy levels which was a new kind of fun for me.

4. Exercise. The key here was finding a workout that I love. Ok that I like enough to stick to. For me Pop Physique is the one. I wont' say that I look forward to my workouts--more like I look forward to the end of them. The Pop Physique girls make all of that burning as fun as it can be, and I feel like every muscle I have has been worked to the point of fatigue at the end of the hour. I've been mixing it up twice a month with my super-fit trainer friend Janelle, too. She helps me break up my routine by getting me on the Pilates reformer and kicking my arse with the occasional TRX workout.

5. Weighing myself once a week. For most this is a dreaded task, but for me I found this an essential activity. The good news being when I followed steps 1 - 4, there was always good news beamed back to me on Sunday morning. I like/use this EatSmart Precision Bathroom scale.

A rogue compliment never hurts either, but you can't solicit those, I suppose. I got one this morning from my Pop Physique instructor, Meghan, and her encouragement is just what I needed to help me focus this week.

I still have 10 -15 pounds to go and my plan is to semi-enjoy the rest of the summer by following the Weight Watchers program and Pop Physique workout, before I kick it into high gear again with the Anti-Candida diet in September.

Are you still working on your weight loss resolution? What are your tips for success? Please share.

--StellaCadente*

 Follow Me on Twitter @pomodorista

 

 

 

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Uncommon Fruits & Vegetables, But Were Afraid to Ask

My 11-year-old saw a recipe for a tropical fruit salad in her new cookbook, Picnics. It included bananas, mangoes, coconuts and papayas.

When we were at the grocery store later that day, she spied a papaya and started asking more about it. Really, the best way to learn about a fruit is to taste it. Wouldn't you agree? 

I tend to buy fruit in season, but papayas are never in season in the Northwest, so we found the ripest one and took it home. Are you a papaya fan?

There are several varieties of papaya, and most of them are shipped green. They ripen, but never to the full flavor they would have if ripened on the tree. 

To take away any bitterness from fruit shipped green, here's a nifty trick I learned in Elizabeth Schneider's (no relation) Uncommon Fruit & Vegetables: score the fruit lengthwise in quarters, cutting through the skin but not the flesh; then set it in a glass with the stem side down for one day.

I also learned that you can actually eat papaya seeds, which look like peppercorns and have a peppery flavor. Have you ever incorporated them into a recipe?

I don't use a lot of tropical fruits in my cooking, but it occurs to me that in the depths of winter, some exotic fruits might be a fun alternative to apples and pears. And since we're still waiting for our local fruit to ripen, a tropical salad sounds like a very good idea. 

--Tracy Schneider

Uncommon Fruits
& Vegetables