Category Archives: better digestion tips

Monday, November 30, 2015

Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tincture

coverHello friends.  I am not a doctor, or holistic expert, or certified in any alternative healing practice.  But I am a person who lives with a chronic inflammatory disease…Crohn’s disease.  I have been on a loooong healing journey and this journey has lead me down many roads of diets, herbs, oils, teas, and whatever else you could possibly think of, I’ve tried over these last 12 years.  Most recently I’ve made a breakthrough connection between my Crohn’s flares and stress that has provided me with an enormous amount of power and control over my health…and I hope to share this with you very soon.  But for now, I want to share a little bit about turmeric and how I’ve been using it in my healing regimen.  A few months ago my sweet beautiful friend Julia showed me a turmeric tincture she made and was raving about.  I told her I have turmeric capsules that I use once in a while for inflammation, but didn’t feel a big difference.  I tried her tincture and loved it.  So I made myself a batch.  I have to say, I feel the difference and the tincture feels more powerful than the capsules (for some reason).  I don’t know, maybe it’s just placebo, but I can tell it decreases intestinal inflammation..and decreases pain.  Here is an excellent article about turmeric with research to back up health claims.  But please also read about turmeric’s side effects here.   Continue reading

Posted by Amber at

Labels: Anti-Inflammatory, better digestion tips, Holistic healing, homemade remedies, IBD Remedies.

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Friday, July 13, 2012

Soaking Seeds and Nuts = Better Digestion (let this post inspire you to get soaking)

Why is it that the simple things seem more difficult.  I have a theory.  I think it’s because they are so obviously easy we tell ourselves we’ll get to it soon, after the more “difficult stuff.”  We tend to tackle the big projects with gusto because we have to.  But when something is easy, well, it just gets shuffled back on the to-do list.  Changing and/or introducing new behavior is challenging.  I knew that once I started soaking and dehydrating, I would have to make it a permanent behavior change.  I learned about soaking and dehydrating nuts/seeds LONG before I started.  I am completely unable to digest raw nuts and seeds.  It tears up my digestion.  I’m sure most of you with IBD can relate.  So one day I had an honest conversation with myself, and I was ready to make this a new part of my life and I was excited about it.  If you’re still on the fence about soaking, want to start, but just haven’t got around to it.  Please let this post be your inspiration to get going.  Your body will thank you for it.  Below I’ve included two links about soaking that I find interesting.  They are quick, informative reads.  Okay, good luck friends.  Happy soaking.
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Step 1: Soak
Soak nuts in clean, filtered water (twice as much water to nuts) and sea salt (1 tablespoon for every 8 cups of water). 
Below I have walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts. I soak mine for at least 12 hours.  In the evening, after dinner start the soak (7:00 pm).  They are ready to drain and rinse the next morning around breakfast (7:00 am).  

Why you should soak:  it removes enzyme inhibitors and makes them easier to digest.

Step 2: drain and rinse (well)

Step 3: Dehydrate.
Remove excess water with a towel (sort of pat dry method), but they do not have to be completely dry before going into the dehydrator). If you have one single layer, they will dry faster.  I tend to overcrowd, so I dehydrate longer and move them around a little halfway through. 
Note: You CAN use your oven, the seeds/nuts just won’t be “raw.”  Dehydrate in the oven on the lowest setting until crispy.  Not sure how long.  You will have to watch them and check every few hours.  

Dehydrating Times and Temps I use:
Walnuts: 12 – 14 hours (130 degrees)
Hazelnuts: 12 -14 hours (130 degrees)
Almonds: closer to 18 hours (130 degrees)
Pumpkin seeds:  4 – 6 hours (110 degrees)
 Sunflower seed: 4 – 6 hours (110 degrees)
*I will add to this list as I go
Here are some pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds

Recommended reads before you get going:
1.  How to Soak, Sprout and Dehydrate Nuts and Seeds  

2.  Benefits of Soaking Nuts and Seeds 
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Shared on: Fat Tuesday , Pennywise Platter Thursdays, Simple Lives Thursdays, Frugal Food Thursdays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays, 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: better digestion tips, how to.

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Saturday, January 14, 2012

Healthy Green Drink (bulk) Recipe

I now present you with a fantastic bulk green drink recipe, sure to help you get your green-drink-on all month long.  This green drink is the answer for those who cannot, for various reasons, digest large amounts of high fibrous foods (I’m raising my hand here).  I happen to love all greens and could eat them everyday, unfortunately, this isn’t the best choice for intestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s.  Eating too many raw vegetables and leafy greens can really wreak havoc on sensitive intestines.  In an effort to get my greens, I created this bulk green drink.  Partly out of necessity and partly out of laziness (I greatly dislike cleaning my juicer – why does it have 500 parts?).
 

 

Green Drink (bulk) Recipe.
 
Ingredients
  • 3½ pounds carrots, washed and tips chopped off
  • 8 oranges, peeled
  • 3 large cucumbers (about 2 pounds) washed
  • 1 pineapple, peeled and cut into long chunks
  • 10 ounces of spinach, washed
  • 1½ pounds kale, washed
  • Optional: 4 apples
Instructions
  1. Juice all the veggies (FYI: the veggie pulp makes a delicious vegetable stock)
  2. Juice the orange and pineapple
  3. Mix together in a large pot
  4. Pour into favorite storage containers and place in freezer.
  5. Defrost what you need, when you need it, and enjoy a green drink all month long!

 

 

Share on: Healthy Vegan Friday 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: better digestion tips, digestion, drinks, green drinks, Holistic healing, vegan, vegetarian.

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