"It’s not what you do once in awhile, it’s what you do everyday” This is what to remember when focusing on your lifestyle habits.And that is what the holidays are a good example of! Times of too many rich or sweet foods, too much wine and cocktails or too much partying to find time to exercise. (or too busy to write a newsletter! Sorry!) But now is the time to set up new daily habits to achieve your health goals. This month's Sunshine Sharing News from Tree of Light is about what Traditional Chinese Medicine calls “superior medicine”. It is referring to an herb or combination of herbs that restores balance to the system, improving overall health. They are meant to be taken for a longer time as a daily tonic to bring back health.
It goes on to explain the three basic energies, qi (energy) jing (moisture), shen (spirit).
It discussed the differences in Ginsengs,the action of Dong quai as a tonic for woman, Cordyceps’ use for those with chronic lung issues, Astragulus for daily immune boost in winter and several other individual herbs. It also discusses several NSP Chinese formulas useful as tonics such as Spleen Activator to help the digestive system, KB-C for strengthening kidney function, Nervous Fatigue Formula for those who have emotional burn out due to excessive stress, along with a few other key formulas.
IF you do not receive the Sunshine Sharing newsletter as hardcopy in the mail (tthose who buy NSP at least 10 months of the year OR subscribers at $19.95 per year) you can read more about all these herbs at my website. www.herbalanswersonline.com
Along with appropriate tonic herbs there are other good habits you can include in you daily routine to maintain optimum health.
Taking a probiotic like Bifidophilous or Probiotic 11 or Sunshine Heros Probioitc power helps the body stay balanced, improving immune function (this good bacteria IS 75-80% of your immune system). Recent studies have shown how it is connected to mood and keeping you happy. It is also anti-inflammatory.
Eating a diet high in vegetables and fruits is shown over and over to help in multiple ways. This newsletter will highlight a few more recipes than usual in hopes to inspire you during these winter months to use some winter vegetables!
Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! Even little changes added help. Did you read the latest articles about how just standing burns more calories than sitting? So stand while you make phone calls, walk up and down the stairs on long calls.
Do you need some “sitting by the fire snacking” food?
Of course the old standby, popcorn is always good- spray with coconut oil for a change and try Cayenne red pepper lightly with only a minimum of salt. OR Kale Chips oiled, seasoned and baked on low heat till crisp OR here’s something new:
SPICY ROASTED CHICKPEAS
- 2 -15 ounce cans garbanzo beans
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce like Tabasco Sauce
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Drain and rinse garbanzo beans, then pat dry. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Mix the oil and hot sauce together and drizzle over the garbanzo beans. Stir to coat.
- Bake the beans for 35-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and season with salt and the Parmesan cheese. Serve warm or at room temperature.
