Raw honey produced less than 100 miles from where you live may help improve your immune response and can be especially beneficial for people with hay fever. (For kids — check with your pediatrician). Give it a try! Click here to find it at your Los Angeles area farmers markets.
Traditional Food Pyramids
Government nutritional advice is still greatly watered down due to the effects of food industry lobbying, advertising, and co-opting of experts. The good news is that Oldways, a food issues think-tank, has developed alternative Food Pyramids based on four, centuries-old dietary traditions: Asian, Mediterranean, Latin American, and vegetarian.
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Dietary Therapy: Coconut Oil for Cholesterol
Coconut oil is now being recognized as a therapy for poor cholesterol levels, obesity and hypothyroidism. Even though it contains saturated fat, research shows that coconut oil’s chemical structure is different from animal-derived fats. Because of this, it can increase fat metabolism and improve the ratio between good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol. This may explain why another traditional diet, that of Polynesia, leads to relatively low rates of heart disease. Start using coconut oil when you sauté, stir-fry or bake. It has a completely neutral flavor and is a good alternative to butter, margarine and shortening for medium heat cooking. To reap its health benefits you should strive for a tablespoon per day. It is available in health food stores.
Curious About Ayurveda?
Curious about Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India? Discover which of the three energies (doshas) predominates in your constitution with this diagnostic test, then get balanced and maintain best health through food therapy, massage and yoga (not to mention acupuncture). Many of the questions are things you've probably never asked yourself! TEA RECIPE: Good Chai: 2 c. water; 3 peppermint teabags; 1 qt. cow or soymilk; 1 stick cinnamon; 1/4 t. ground cloves; 1 t. dry ginger; 3/4 t. ground cardamom; 1 t. black peppercorns; 2 T. honey. Pour boiling water over teabags, steep 20 mins then remove. Add milk, spices and sweetener. Heat on low for 30 mins, then strain. (From The Ayurveda Cookbook).