COCONUT FLOUR…GREAT WHEAT ALTERNATIVE!

Q.  I am looking for an alternative to wheat flour.  There are sooo many out there.  Do you have any suggestions?

Carla W

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A.  I do indeed.  COCONUT FLOUR is shaping up to be a fantastic alternative to grain based flours for many recipes.  Coconut flour has unique properties which include the following:  Gluten-free, High in dietary fiber, Good source of protein, Low in digestible carbohydrates, Unrefined and Unbleached, 0 gm trans fat, Non-GMO, Vegan, Sustainable Source.

Coconut flour has a light coconut flavor and a natural sweetness making it a delicious choice to use in a variety of baked goods.  To substitute in a recipe using wheat flour, replace up to 25% with coconut flour as well as an equal amount of liquid.  If possible always purchase “Organic” coconut flour.  A good manufacturer with consistent quality is COCONUT  WORLD.  It retails in stores and online for around $6. to $7. For a 1 lb bag.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

LIQUID MINERALS…GRANDMA WAS ONE SMART GAL!

Q.  I remember my Grandma used to take a mineral supplement.  It was liquid in a big blue bottle.  She said it helped whatever ailed her.  Are minerals really all that great and should I be taking them too?

Janet P.

A.  Ask yourself several questions:  Did Grandma ever get sick (cold, flu etc.)?  Did Grandma have debilitating arthritis?  Was Grandma tired all of the time or did she seem to have plenty of energy?  If you can say “no” to all of the above questions then essentially you have your answer.  Grandma was probably smarter than you will ever know and she knew how to take care of herself.

Consider this; minerals are essential for nearly every metabolic function within our bodies.  They act as a catalyst for virtually every required chemical reaction.  These include immune response, skeletal integrity (including connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons) and energy production.

The product you are referring to is called MINERAL RICH and comes in a blue bottle shaped like a wine decanter.  It is still available (in health food stores and online) today, along with many other mineral and trace mineral formulations.  Check you one-a-day multi.  Is it a multi-vitamin or a multi-vitamin and mineral?  If there is no mineral content then –yes- it would benefit you to take a mineral supplement such as Mineral Rich.

 

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

ACHES AND PAINS?...TRY ARNICA MONTANNA !

Q.  Are there any OTC ointments or salves from health food stores that will work for arthritis?

Stuart T.

A.  Assuming we are talking about osteo-arthritis then…yes.  Health food store shelves are full of topical creams, gels, ointments and salves that have anti-inflammatory properties.  Some work well and some…not so well.  The key ingredient in most of these products is an herbal substance called ARNICA MONTANA.  Arnica is an herb (looks like a dandelion) found in parts of Europe and North America that does seem to have moderate anti-inflammatory properties.  Arnica may also be labeled its folklore names Mountain Daisy or Wolf’s Bane

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Several homeopathic companies have Arnica products that have strong track records.  BOIRON carries a variety of homeopathic Arnica products that are marketed for inflammation.  HEEL USA has marketed an anti-inflammatory product called Traumeel for many years.  Traumeel can be taken both internally and applied externally.  Both companies have excellent quality and long success records.

The pain and disfigurement caused by rheumatoid arthritis is a very different physiological function than osteo-arthritis.  However some pain relief has been reported by those with rheumatoid arthritis by taking various arnica Montana products.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.