Herbs: Pineapple Mint Laura D. Field of Potpourri of Health – May 28, 2017 This year, in my herb garden, I have added a few new mint varieties, one being the pineapple mint, which is a member of the apple mint family. I have no idea what inspired me to try this herb, but since I love drinking various herbal teas, with the intent of being self-sufficient in harvesting for cooking and use in teas without the dependency of purchasing herbal teas pre-packaged, I thought it would be interesting to see what this herb would be like. The pineapple mint has a citrus type aroma, with a very dark leaf. The leaf has a subtle off-white lace look on the edges of its leaves. Today is the first of my drinking it as a morning tea. For me the flavor is mild yet with a soft and pleasant, citrus type aroma, which I find to be calming. Then again, it is early in the AM with no other life around, not even the early morning birds singing their wake-up calls, so maybe it is the quite atmosphere adding to my enjoyment of the calm before my day. If you are […]
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Ticks, Ticks, are Everywhere!! – Prevention
By Laura D. Field of Potpourri of Health – May 18, 2017 How quickly we can squish an ant, swat a fly, spray a hornet, zap a mosquito. We squish that ant because it is crawling on the counter, swat the fly because it annoyingly flies annoyingly around us, spray the hornet with such force as if we are riding the world of them all, and zapping mosquito’s due to their ability to bite with a vengeance along with their non-stop buzzing sound. But, the reason we can tend to these insects is because they are readily visible, make noises and we know the damage they can do, whether to our home, family or own personal well being. Yet with ticks, we are faced with a gentle, crawling creature that in its nymph stage is barely noticeable, while as it gets larger, has the ability to numb your skin like Novocain before they begin the process of boring into your skin to seek refuge and sustenance within your body. If we are lucky, we can spot the tick making tracks towards its destination, more often in warm dark areas on your body, such as your groin, hairline, underarms, etc. Here […]
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The Denial & Ignorance of Lyme Disease
By Laura D. Field of Potpourri of Health – May 17, 2017 Yesterday I listened to a 30 minute telecast from one of the local hospitals. It was discouraging to watch and listen, as the conversation was neglect of what needs to be shared. The main focus was to discuss how worried one should be about tick-borne diseases and how to prevent tick bites. I was interested in listening; as I was hopeful that possibly the hospital might have gained a new perspective and understanding of the disease. And yet, what was shared was extremely limited and not fully transparent. People are looking for answers for their symptoms. When tests come back time and time again that “you are fine”, while brushing you off until your next persistent push to find an answer. Recommendations to see specialists, such as neurologists, rheumatologists, pulmonary and heart specialists, that you become tired of becoming the victim of “nothing is wrong” when you know without a doubt there is something brewing within your body. For myself, it was to the point where I literally felt as though I was being eaten from the inside out. Internally it felt like bugs were crawling within me […]
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The Sleepless Hours of Unrest with Lyme Disease
May 11, 2017 Another sleepless night arrives, maybe acquiring 1-2 hrs, to only be woken by pain, the need to empty one’s bladder, or simply your body deciding for you that you have acquired enough rest for the evening. On some occasions the alertness arrives due to the sudden awakening as the result of a vivid dream that makes absolutely no sense at all!! Ah, the joys of Chronic Persistent Lyme disease. I don’t envy anyone who has it. But more than that, despite my efforts to find the joy in life between the varying obstacles of this disease, I really wish that this side effect of the disease and treatment would resolve itself. Tonight, I am finding that the bugs of Lyme are affecting many of my Lyme friends who are dealing with the same demon wreaking havoc on our ability to heal (a.k.a. sleep). You see, we NEED sleep. We WANT sleep!! So what do we do? We try everything, and personally, since I am already on prescription antibiotics, the last thing I want to throw into the mix is more medication to sleep. So that is not an option for me. With guidance from our LLMD (Lyme […]
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Bone Broth – What Are the Benefits
Bone Broth – What Are the Benefits Laura D. Field of Potpourri of Health – Feb. 28, 2017 When I first heard of bone broth, I wasn’t really sure it was something I would enjoy. Yet, I did at first make it as a soup stock, which is great as well. But until recently, I didn’t give into the understanding of the healthy value of something that can so simply be made at home. The process might be time consuming, yet the benefits are a nutrient rich food staple. It provides an excellent source of minerals that support the immune system as well as improve digestion. “Many of our modern diseases appear to be rooted in an unbalanced mix of microorganisms in our digestive system, courtesy of an inappropriate and unbalanced diet that is too high in sugars and too low in healthful fats and beneficial bacteria.” (Mercola) There are many ways in which we can obtain our calcium rich foods, such as that in green leafy vegetables, which I enjoy with kale and bok choy. These are two vegetables I add into my own bone broth, even the stems of the plants. Between both the plant (vegetables) and animal […]
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Fruit and Produce Selection & The PLU Meaning
Fruit and Produce Selection & The PLU Meaning Laura D. Field of Potpourri of Health – Feb 22th, 2017 When attempting to eat healthy, with all that we know and have heard about pesticides and GMO’s, it can still be daunting in trying to decipher what is the best choice when selecting our produce. What also complicates matters is when our food budgets are not flexible enough for us to go all organic. There is nothing wrong with going all organic, in reality it is the best option, yet not always economical for many household budgets. This does not mean that you will not be able to enhance your health by choosing other healthy produce. While shopping, do not ignore the organic section, as I have often found that some items are less costly in comparison and sometimes with the most satisfying flavors. When possible stay away from the bagged salad produce, unless you find this is your best option and something you enjoy. I have personally found them to be less appealing for quality and flavor. Kale in a sealed bag tends to be the ends, which the one time I did purchased it, I fed most of it to […]
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The Power Pack of Chia Seeds
The Power Pack of Chia Seeds By Laura D. Field – February 09, 2017 Who would have thought that a little tiny black, beady type seed could provide such a powerhouse of added health benefits? In addition, for those with health issues requiring elimination or reduction of gluten foods, Chia seeds are a whole grain food that is 100% gluten free. Grown natively in South America, Chia seeds were an important food sources for the Aztecs and Mayans, as they provided them with sustainable energy and strength. Today, it is now considered a supper food, popular worldwide by health conscious individuals. Historically, the Aztec and Mayan diets consisted of chia seeds for their basic survival ration for their warriors. It was believed that one tablespoon of this nutrient would sustain a person for 24 hours. This makes sense to me, only because after consuming chia seeds, I am satiated for a longer period of time. “The Aztecs recognized the medicinal benefits of chia, using it to stimulate saliva flow and to relieve joint pain and sore skin.” (Weil, A. MD) A 1 ounce (28 grams or 2 Tbsp.) serving of chia seeds has 101 kCals and contains: Fiber: 11 grams […]
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Healthy Green Budget
I was talking with a woman recently who shared that her attempt to regain her health and lose weight was too expensive. I asked her why she felt that way. In sharing, she said that she spent over $140 on fruits and vegetables and ended up wasting most of it due to the produce going bad. She said, “I simply can’t afford to be healthy”. Well, gee, neither could I if I spent that type of money, but I don’t. The decision for her to buy all the produce was at the recommendation of a consultant that was teaching her how to eat better, but also selling a plan, an idea, along with other supplements. The plan had her actually purchase all this produce with no real guidance. Okay, it is now time to STOP the wheels!! First, it does NOT cost a lot to eat healthy and be healthy. Well, it should not cost $140 for your fruits and vegetables.She was not guided appropriately in “how much” to purchase. When I asked her “why so much?” she shared that her consultant told her what she needed for the week. My goodness!! One simply cannot become healthy if their body […]
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WAKE up! Lyme disease is real! It is here and does NOT discriminate!
By: Laura D. Field of Potpourri of Health & Reflective Tapestry of Life What will it take for all physicians, as well as citizens, to become educated in the reality of Lyme disease and the impact that it has on so many lives? This is not a short-term disease. WAKE up to all who have doubts. Lyme disease is real, it is here and it does not discriminate. Physicians need to realize and accept their responsibility in the part of this disease. When something this serious is affecting so many, it is time to kick it up a notch in educating everyone. Arrogance will not heal. We are here to heal and to show compassion, not jeopardize the well being of human life. And yet, the best approach for many is to say “If you are still ill, then it is not Lyme”. That is the equivalent of telling any patient, with any disease, that their disease is not real, just because they have not returned to their former health. All citizens need to accept, that what they do not understand, they can educate themselves vs. passing judgment and rejecting others. Too many human lives are being affected by people […]
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Lyme Disease and Treatment
Lyme Disease and Treatment By Laura D. Field of Potpourri of Health – May 4, 2016 By now, you have heard about Lyme disease, yet might be confused about all the various treatments of the disease. The reason for the variation in how it is treated, along with the confusion of why there are so many methods. Lyme disease itself is a conglomerate of multiple bacterial bugs that drill themselves into hiding, while multiplying and changing as they become accustom to the host (the person or animal who is infected). To treat Lyme disease, the physician needs to truly understand the chemical and biological changes that the person has endured. This is not an easy task, as each person is different, as is their immune system, physical health, unknown longevity of the disease, and what symptoms they are experiencing. You might not even realize you have Lyme disease, yet if you have an infection (not Lyme related, such as a UTI) in which your physician prescribes a short course antibiotic for, the Lyme bacteria responds to that treatment in an effort to protect itself from being killed off. Sure, you might have resolved the infection for which you were being […]