Whole Foods (not the grocery store)

I recently pledged to this challenge at Eating Rules, called October: Unprocessed. The gist is to challenge yourself to a month without eating processed foods. Wilder goes on to explain what he means by processed, and it's a pretty inclusive definition: anything you can't make in your kitchen. Now, that would not be how we'd define it in this household, because we eat a lot of tofu. So, he encourages those taking the pledge to make their own exceptions, too. Although, the closer you stick to that basic rule, the more likely it is that you'll be sticking to what I encourage as a year-round rule -- eating a whole food diet.

At our house, I've begun to use the term "Nu Era Botanicals Approved" meal.  I apply this to other things (often to try to be funny), but it basically goes like so:

Poached eggs, served over spinach and tomatoes with turmeric, sea salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar?

That's a Nu Era Botanicals Approved breakfast!

It's approved because the bulk of the ingredients are whole foods, as opposed to parts of foods. To make an example of high-fructose corn syrup, (because let's face it, it's easy) all that it is is the isolated sugar found in corn. Corn, as a whole food would never taste that sweet or cause the major spike in blood-sugar levels that HFCS does.

When you realize this you can begin to regard whole foods as the moderators of our consumption. After all, isn't this the one rule everyone can agree on when it comes to the way we should eat-- everything in moderation?

Now, I wouldn't say everything. There are some things out there that should be avoided entirely and this is where the second word in my whole foods philosophy comes in. If you're eating it, it should be food. Trans fats, aspartame, MSG, any kind of food coloring, pesticides, and genetically-modified organisms are not food.

I love to share this list because it's a great jumping off point. You can build many a meal off of the Clean 15 list, especially if you're handy with a rice-cooker (or can cook rice on the stove like my talented boyfriend), and they are all whole foods!

It's also especially handy because it doesn't require you to make room in your budget for organic foods, though jumping into that game is absolutely Nu Era Botanicals approved!

Garlic Oxymel

Now that Autumn is upon us I thought I'd share a home remedy for those pesky colds, coughs, and flus. This recipe is for an oxymel syrup, which is basically just honey and vinegar. It's very tasty, easy to get the kiddos to take*, and very effective. The trick for max results with this remedy is timing. As soon as you feel like you are going to be sick, at that first sneeze, itchy throat, or achy evening take 2 tablespoons of oxymel every few hours. Mix one teaspoon into a shotglass of water and gargle it, too! You can continue to take it as and IF the cold persists. This honey syrup will keep for three months in the fridge and for a couple or a small family this should last the season.

I prepared and completed this recipe, from James Green’s The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook in a total of about one hour and fifteen minutes.

Garlic Oxymel by the Late Dr. John Christopher

8 oz. apple cider vinegar
¼ oz. caraway seeds (Carum carvi), crushed
¼ oz. fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare), crushed
1 ½ oz. garlic (Allium sativum), fresh pressed
10 oz. honey

Measure apple cider vinegar into glass pot, add caraway and fennel seeds. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, add garlic. Let sit until cool. Press and strain the liquid. Add honey. Place onto low heat and simmer to the consistency of syrup.

The beauty of a remedy like this one is that it is food-derived. A goal of Nu Era Botanicals' is to bridge the gap people feel between what they eat and what they use to heal. Garlic is a powerful antibacterial, and while many love the flavor in their spaghetti, the fresh juice is very pungent, spicy, and not so appealing. As such, it is a prime example of how food can be medicine, especially when paired with honey and vinegar. Both of which are expectorants--they help cough up all the mucous that causes congestion and runniness.

I encourage you to experiment with oxymels! A basic oxymel is simply honey and vinegar in a 5:1 ratio, though you can adjust to taste. Often water is added, too. If you're like many, you already have honey and vinegar, so make it as you need it. Just these two ingredients are enough to produce results, and they happen to be a great carrier for herbs like garlic and ginger because of their pleasant taste.

I am proud to announce that this remedy will be included in the Nu Era Cold/Flu Kit which will be available soon for purchase. Please check back soon under the Apothecary link for details!

*Remember, children under 1 year of age do not apply, as they can't digest bee enzymes. Babies are sweet enough without the honey!