Marlenea La Shomb – N.D. & P.Tr.

Juniper Berries…

For Seasoning Recipes, Flavoring Sauerkraut, and Infusing Beverages!

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Mar – Apr 2024 • Vol 4, No 9

Juniper, Juniperus communis, is an evergreen shrub that grows abundantly here in Montana. In the pine family, the berries are green when immature, while ripe berries are blue/black. In the Western US, juniper also goes by cedar, so a reference to “cedar berries” can also mean juniper. Juniper berries can be used fresh-harvested or dried in a tea, as a tincture, and as the oil. The berries are high in nutrients and valuable plant compounds, with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

HOW TO USE JUNIPER BERRIES:
Unlike other berries, juniper berries are typical-ly used only in small amounts to flavor foods—not eaten in large portions. They have an astringent, pine-like taste, which makes them a popular ingredient for seasoning recipes, flavoring sauerkraut, and infusing beverages. They’re commonly sold dried—either whole or crushed—but can be harvested fresh as well. Juniper berry essential oil is also used in aromatherapy and said to be calming. Additionally, juniper-berry tea can be made at home using foraged juniper berries.

HEALTH & MEDICINAL USES:

  • Lung Disorders, including asthma and bronchitis.
  • Influenza & Colds. Navajo shamans use hot juniper tea.
  • Antidiabetic Properties. A Sioux recipe and a Spanish study have shown its efficacious use as a decoction (boiling and straining).
  • Heart Health. The berries improve HDL (good cholesterol levels), reduce high triglycerides.
  • Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity, attributed to potent compounds in their oil. For foot fungus, soak your feet in warm water with a few drops of juniper oil.

JUNIPER/CABBAGE SAUERKRAUT:

Use a 5-quart fermentation pot.

  • 8 lbs. white cabbage
  • 1/2 tbsp. caraway seeds
  • 3 1/2 tbsp. sea salt
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. juniper berries
  • 2 sour apples (optional)
  1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Transfer to the fermentation pot and pack the mix tightly.
  2. Cover the last layer with a few large cabbage leaves.
  3. Use your favorite sauerkraut-making procedures…

New to fermentation? Refer to The Cultured Cabbage, by Klaus Kaufmann and Annelies Schöneck. It’s the very best book I’ve found on lactic-acid fermentation!

Marlenea La Shomb passionately works as a health coach and writer for all who are ready to find harmony and balance in body, mind, and soul through natural therapies and education.

2024-02-29T10:16:23-07:00Natural Therapies/Remedies, Recipes|

Date • Apricot • Almond Poppable Protein Balls

Poppable Protein Bars

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Mar – Apr 2024 • Vol 4, No 9

There are over 40 different kinds of dates that grow all over the world, in a variety of colors: red, golden, blue, purple, with different textures, sweetnesses, and chemical compositions, therefore carrying each their own set of health benefits. Locally, most people are familiar with the medjool dates (very sweet), and baking dates (less expensive) for all other recipes, including this one.

Many people say, “I eat a banana a day because I was told I need potassium.” But did you know that, while bananas ARE a source of potassium, dates, by weight, have 50% MORE potassium than bananas? AND dates activate more happy hormones than chocolate, but without the calories. (See my article in the March–April 2023 issue of this magazine on: Finding What Switches On Your Happy Hormones.)

Dates pack a big nutritional punch! Here are some of the many health benefits of dates:

  • Improve gut health and heart health
  • Keep blood-sugar levels steady. Dates are considered a low-glycemic index food, helpful for diabetics.
  • Lower (LDL) cholesterol levels
  • Keep your weight levels steady
  • Full of antioxidants, which protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals
  • Protects against cataracts
  • Boost brain health in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease
  • Assists with natural childbirth (used in other countries)
  • Anti-aging benefits for your skin, due to their abundant phytohormones

Looking to eat less sugar? Dates are a more nutritious substitute for candies and chocolate chips in dessert recipes. Make a Sweet Date Paste by mixing dates with water in a blender. To use it as a sugar substitute, swap it at a 1:1 ratio. If your recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, use 1 cup of date paste instead.

Add dates to balance out savory dishes as in this recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hazelnuts and Dates.

Recipe: Date • Apricot • Almond Poppable Protein Balls

  • 4–6 dates
  • Dried apricots (1 cup)
  • Soaked, drained & rinsed (sprouted) almonds (1 cup)
  • A little maple syrup (opt.)

Slip the almond skins off between your thumb and fingers. Put in a food processor. Add in dried calendula flowers, roman chamomile flowers, or dried dandelion flowers to add color, flavor and nutrients (optional). Pulse it. (You can leave it chunky or process it to a smooth texture.) Form into balls. Roll in dried coconut. For a zestier taste, roll in dried orange-peel powder with coconut sugar.

2024-02-29T09:52:19-07:00Recipes|

Olive Leaf Extract

Nature’s Secret for Vibrant Health and Long Life

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Jan – Feb 2024 • Vol 4, No 8

After the flood of Noah had subsided, what did the dove bring to the ark as a sign from God? From Genesis 8:11— “And the dove came in to him in the evening; and lo, in her mouth, was an olive leaf plucked off. So, he knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.”

Scripture has far more to say about the olive, its fruit, oil, wood, and leaves, than any other herb or tree. Olive oil was part of the special ointment used to anoint priests and kings. Solomon crafted the two cherubim who were to guard the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple’s Holiest place from olive wood.

Christ often retreated to the Mount of Olives with his disciples to teach and pray. Some think that the very olive trees under which he prayed are still alive and healthy today. In fact, the name of the Garden of Gethsemane comes from the Hebrew Gatshamanim, which literally translates as “oil press.”

Early Judeo-Christian legend holds that Adam, on his deathbed, asked for the oil of mercy, which the Lord had given him for his own and all people’s redemption. He sent his son Seth to the angel that guarded the Garden of Eden. The angel gave Seth three seeds from the tree of knowledge, out of which grew a cedar, cypress, and olive tree. The Jews declared the miracle of Hanukkah because their eternal flame flickered for eight days on empty. Their fuel was olive oil.

It was a capital offense in Greece to kill or cut down an olive tree. Also, at one time in Greece, only virgins or chaste young men were allowed to harvest from the trees.

Throughout early ages, tea made from olive leaves has been a popular folk remedy for combatting fevers. From as early as 1827, medical reports state that a tea made from olive leaves helped the worst cases of malaria. It was found to be far superior to quinine, the recommended treatment of the time.

Today, the health benefits of olive oil and tinctures and extracts made from its leaves continue to be extolled by both herbalists and medical science alike. Early in this century, the bitter compound was isolated from the olive leaf. This phytochemical, called oleuropein, provides the olive tree with vast disease-resistant properties. It is credited with the olive tree’s ability to live for thousands of years. It protects the tree against nearly every disease.

While olive leaf extract isn’t a cure-all, it may help with your goals for weight loss, improved health, and boosted immunity. It is a significant natural source of wellness with therapeutic properties that include:

  • Gastroprotective (protects digestive system)
  • Neuroprotective (protects central nervous system)
  • Antimicrobial (inhibits microorganism growth)
  • Anticancer (reduces risk of cancer)
  • Anti-inflammatory (reduces risk of inflammation)
  • Antinociceptive (reduces pain stimuli)
  • Antioxidant (prevents oxidation or cell damage)

Olive leaf extract may help with heart health, and herpes breakouts, and much more. You can get olive leaves and make your own tea. The tincture and extracts can be found at your local health food store.

Send inquiries to Dr. Marlenea La Shomb by email to jumpstartyourhealth@gmail.com. Marlenea passionately works as a health coach and writer for all who are ready to find harmony and balance in body, mind, and soul through natural therapies and education.

2023-12-27T13:30:02-07:00Natural Therapies/Remedies|

Whole Roasted Garlic

Pop Them in Your Mouth or Use Them for Cooking—It’s Endless!

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Jan – Feb 2024 • Vol 4, No 8

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a species of bulbous, perennial flowering plant in the genus Allium. The word garlic derives from Old English, garlēac, meaning: gar (spear) and leek, as a “spear-shaped leek.”

Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, Welsh onion, and Chinese onion. It is native to South Asia, Central Asia and northeastern Iran and has long been used as a seasoning worldwide, with a history of several thousand years of human consumption and use. Garlic is one of our most widely used, healthful and medicinal plants.

Garlic was known to ancient Egyptians and has been used as both a food flavoring and a Traditional Medicine. China produces about 75% of the world’s supply of garlic—yet you can grow it in your own garden! If garlic is planted at the proper time and depth, it can be grown as far north as Alaska. It stores well, and you can use it all winter long.

You can find whole-roasted garlic in fancy restaurants, which is easy to cook in your own kitchen. Roasting produces a milder flavor that you can pop right into your mouth. Here’s how to roast whole heads of garlic in the oven so you can eat warm, toasty cloves right from the bulb.

Roasting garlic changes the chemical makeup of the garlic so that it’s easier to digest. You can eat a lot more garlic if it is completely cooked. If you are sensitive to raw garlic, you may find that you can much more easily eat roasted garlic.

Ingredients: 1/more whole garlic bulbs • Extra virgin olive oil

Prep Time:      5 mins
Cook Time:     35 mins
Total Time:     40 mins
Servings:       4 (per bulb)

Instructions:

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. (A toaster oven works great for this.)
  • Peel and discard the papery outer layers of the bulb.
  • Leave the individual skins for each clove of garlic intact.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the top of cloves. This exposes the individual cloves of garlic. Put garlic in a glass baking casserole dish with the cut side up, or use a muffin baking pan.
  • Drizzle a couple teaspoons of olive oil over each exposed head, using your fingers to rub the olive oil over all the cut, exposed garlic cloves.
  • Put the glass lid on your casserole dish. Bake at 400°F for 30–40 minutes, or until the cloves are lightly browned and feel soft when pressed.
  • Allow the garlic to cool enough so you can touch it without burning yourself. Use a cocktail fork or your fingers to squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins.

How to Use Whole Roasted Garlic:

Eat them as is—I love straight roasted garlic—you can eat the caramelized, roasted cloves directly out of the heads! You can mash them with a fork and use them for cooking.

For a sophisticated take on garlic bread, smear it on bread or toast. Add it with cloves to a cheese plate, or toss it into pasta. Mashed, roasted garlic is a delicious addition to salad dressings, sauces, and soups. Mix them with sour cream for a dip. And they’re wonderful for garlic mashed potatoes! The uses for whole roasted garlic are endless!

2023-12-27T13:30:06-07:00Recipes|

Lemon Lovers’ Herbal Alternatives

Tasty, Local Lemon Substitutes Available Year-Round!

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Nov – Dec 2023 • Vol 4, No 7

Growing up in Arizona, we had the most juicy, delicious, tree-ripened citrus. Lemons are sweet when harvested fully ripe. Here in the mountains of Montana, no such thing exists, and I have looked for tasty lemon substitutes that grow locally, and with drying, are available all year round.

These are a few of my favorite ones: Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), lemon sorrel (Rumex acetosa), and new for me this year, lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora). All three plants are very hardy perennials that grow in most soil conditions and climates. They all will add a tangy, lemony flavor to any dish or herbal tea. The leaves of all three are full of chlorophyll—so needed in winter.

1) Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an herb from the mint family. The leaves, which have a mild lemon aroma, are used to make medicine and to flavor foods. It contains chemicals that can have a sedative and calming effect. Lemon balm might also reduce the growth of viruses and bacteria.

People have used lemon balm for cold sores, anxiety, stress, insomnia, indigestion, dementia, and many other conditions. Use it fresh and dehydrate it for winter storage.

2) Lemon Sorrel (also known as Garden Sorrel)

This is a fast-growing and vigorous perennial herb dating back to medieval times, but it’s seen less often now. If you’ve never tried sorrel, be prepared to pucker up! The spring green leaves are packed with potent astringency and a lemony, citrus flavor.

Lemon sorrel bumps up the acidic quality of salads (just use less vinegar or lemon juice), and is great eaten raw. It also cooks down quickly in a sauté pan, like spinach, which makes it ideal for blending into sauces and vinaigrettes. When dehydrated for winter, it will lose some of the lemon flavor, yet remain excellent for your green drinks.

3) Lemon Verbena

This magical, healing plant is a must-have in the garden. It grows bush-like, with woody stems. It’s edible and useful for its a lemony flavor. The tasty young leaves are great as an addition to salads. The older leaves are used like bay leaves, as in soups, etc.

And it’s medicinal—you can use the leaves and flowers internally in the form of an herbal tea and externally as a poultice, oil or wash. Here are four of lemon verbena’s medicinal attributes, which is why this gorgeous, fragrant plant will add much to your garden:

  • Clears bronchial congestion. Use as a tea to treat bronchial and nasal congestion. It loosens phlegm, acts as an expectorant and calms the system. It has a mild sedative effect, so be careful driving.
  • Relieves arthritis, bursitis and joint pain. People have had significant relief of joint pain drinking this as a tea. Soothing effects build up over 2–3 months. If taken twice a day, pain can be steadily reduced.
  • Calms anxiety. Drinking the tea soothes the nervous system, relieves stress and lifts the mood.
  • Soothes Digestive Issues. This tea soothes and relieves indigestion, it calms both the stomach and intestinal spasms to relieve cramping and bloating.

        Harvesting Lemon Verbena.

Collect leaves throughout the year and especially before flowering. Extra leaves can be dried for future use and are equally beneficial in dried form.

        Lemon Verbena Tea.

Use 1/4 cup of lemon verbena leaves, fresh and crushed, with 2 cups of boiling water. Pour boiling water over the herb and steep for 5–8 minutes. Strain and drink one cup now and one cup later.

Mother Nature loves lemons too and has hidden their flavor and aroma in these valuable and beautiful herbs. ENJOY!

Send inquiries to Dr. Marlenea La Shomb by email to jumpstartyourhealth@gmail.com. Marlenea passionately works as a health coach and writer for all who are ready to find harmony and balance in body, mind, and soul through natural therapies and education.

2023-12-27T13:30:06-07:00Gardening & Herbs|

Gut & Colon Health

Ask Dr. Let’s Talk About Fiber

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Nov – Dec 2023 • Vol 4, No 7

Dear Dr. Ma,
I’m reading that I need more fiber in my diet to help with my constipation. But adding fiber makes things more painful and blocked in my gut and colon. What can I do?
—Kevin

Dear Kevin,

I’m basing my answer on Dr. Norman Walker’s life’s work and on his book, “Colon Health, the Key to a Vibrant Life.” He’s considered the grandfather of a healthy colon and gut.

So, when did the abuse of YOUR colon start? It could be from a lifetime of processed foods that did not digest well. It could be from antibiotics and other medications that killed off the microflora in your gut. It could even be from birth, since a premature baby’s gut is not ready for baby formula, as opposed to mother’s milk.

Let’s talk about fiber. If you add fiber to an unhealthy gut, it creates MORE blockage, not less. Think about what the digestive tract does.

It separates the nutrients from your food, and then the fiber that’s left acts as a brushing action to facilitate elimination. In an unhealthy gut, the fiber gets stuck in those pockets of blockage (see illustration) and can’t get through the constricted areas, causing the pain you’re feeling.

What’s the solution? It’s simple. Eat your fruit and juice your vegetables and stay off constipating, man-made, boxed foods. A juicer separates the fiber and the nutrients until your gut heals those constricted areas. Avoid white flour and white sugar—as in macaroni and cheese—as much as possible!

Try whole-foods with natural fiber sources. Lentils and other beans are an easy way to sneak fiber into your diet in soups, stews and salads. Broccoli (lightly steamed) is considered the number-one fiber vegetable. And then there are berries, avocados, popcorn, whole grains, and of course, apples!

Hydration is key. Water and other fluids help fiber work better, so not drinking enough liquids can contribute to harder stools that are more difficult to pass. The rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces of pure water per day. Caffeine is a natural diuretic and will dehydrate you, so watch out for those turbo energy drinks!

The original “poop doctors” are Dr. Norman Walker and Dr. Richard Schulze (HerbDoc.com). Schulze recommends his Formula #1, containing the herb senna, which increases the peristalsis (muscle contractions in your digestive tract) and is excellent for colon health and elimination. His Formula #2 uses bentonite clay, which pulls impacted matter from the walls of the colon. (See Dr. Shulze’s Superfood ad in the PDF version of this article.)

But remember, these formulas can’t do their job if you keep abusing your colon with constipating foods and drinks! What are the worst offenders? Alcohol is frequently mentioned as a likely cause of constipation. Try eliminating gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, rye, etc. Cut way down on highly-processed grains, milk and dairy products, fried or fast foods, and a lot of red meat. If you love your red meat, be sure to have an en-zyme-rich salad with it, with a simple dressing made of apple-cider vinegar or lemon and a good olive oil. Better still, add sauerkraut, or have a fermented drink like kombucha to help your body break down and digest the meat. Both of these contribute to thriving micro-flora in your gut.

Remember, with a little help, Mother Nature can heal and regenerate your colon and gut health, which is your key to a vibrant life!

I hope this is helpful.
— Dr. Ma!

Send your questions to Dr. Ma La Shomb by email to jumpstartyourhealth@gmail.com. Marlenea passionately works as a health coach and writer for all who are ready to find harmony and balance in body, mind, and soul through natural therapies and education.

2023-12-27T13:30:07-07:00Natural Therapies/Remedies|

Tahini Dip & Holiday Halva!

Plus: Five Surprising Benefits of Tahini (GreenMenInfo)

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Nov – Dec 2023 • Vol 4, No 7

Tahini Veggie Dip
Lemon-Tahini Recipe for Dips, Sauces or Salad Dressing • Oil Free!

Dunk your veggies in this awesomeness, drizzle it in your wraps, or pour it on your salad! Add extra water at the end until you reach desired consistency. Add the water 1 tbsp at a time. Can take an extra 1/2 cup to get it right. Blend all ingredients until smooth—and enjoy! (Keep leftovers for up to 7 days.)

  • 1–2 T. lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup water (see liquid options)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1 dash cayenne

Options:

  • Liquids (be creative!): Olive juice (green/ black), cilantro/ lime juice, mustard w/ pickle juice, sauerkraut juice, ume vinegar, garbanzo bean juice, steamed-veggie juice.
  • 1 t. pink Himalayan sea salt
  • 1 t. onion powder
  • Lemon juice w/ dill, basil/oregano, turmeric, lemon balm.
  • Blend mustard with maple syrup or honey

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Coconut/Tahini Halva!
Vegan • Gluten-Free • Grain-Free • Dairy-Free

Take your ingredients and throw them in the blender. Then pour them in a pan and chill. Can’t get much easier than that! I love that it keeps things on the raw side, since I usually make my tahini with sesame seeds.

  • 2 T. coconut oil (melted)
  • 1/8–1/4 c. liquid sweetener of your choice (I use maple syrup.)
  • 1/2 c. seeds (raw or toasted) or 1/4 c. Tahini
  • 1/2–3/4 c. unsweetened, shredded coconut
  • 1–3 t. vanilla extract (or to taste)
  1. Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down sides as necessary.
  2. Pour into a glass pan lined with parchment paper and smooth.
  3. Freeze until solid (30–60 min.), then cut into squares & enjoy!
  4. Store in the fridge or freezer.

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5 Surprising Benefits of Tahini
Sayer Ji’s GreenMedInfo.com • GreenMedInfo Research Group

Tahini is a superstar in hummus, but that’s not its only claim to fame. It’s also a veritable superfood. Learn the secret behind tahini’s numerous health benefits.

Tahini, made from toasted, ground sesame seeds, is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant lignans, vitamins and minerals. Its rich, earthy and slightly nutty flavor is a mainstay in traditional hummus recipes, but both tahini and the sesame seeds from which it’s made have been enjoyed for hundreds of years.

Tahini is so versatile it can be mixed with lemon juice and salt and used as a dip for raw veggies. You can blend it with olive oil and apple cider vinegar to make a tasty salad dressing.

Or use it to make Tarator—a sauce that contains tahini, garlic, lemon juice and parsley that’s especially good with poultry and vegetables. You can feel great about enjoying tahini morning, noon and night, as it’s not only delicious—it’s incredibly good for you!

Tahini and the sesame seeds that it’s made from have more than 70 pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Here’s just a sampling of why tahini and sesame seeds are so good for you.

1) Lowers Blood Pressure & Improves Endothelial Function
Sesame seeds are known to have antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and appetite-controlling properties that may benefit heart health. In a study of 20 men, eating just 50 grams of tahini—about 3.5 tablespoons—led to a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate four hours later. Endothelial function, a “key regulator of vascular homeostasis,” also improved.

Previous research found that men with high blood pressure who consumed sesame oil with a meal daily for 60 days had significant improvement in the flow-mediated dilatation, a measure of endothelial function, after sesame oil consumption.

2) Relieves Pain & Bruising
Tahini contains a wealth of nutrients, including calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, antioxidants and vitamins B, C and E. It’s also composed of more than 50% sesame oil, which has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial effects. The antioxidants in sesame oil are beneficial for the skin.

“Actually, the natural antioxidants have the intrinsic capabilities to prevent lipid peroxidation, which is suggested to be closely related to aging, cell mutation, cancer and several other diseases,” according to scientists from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran. “Also, this substance is useful for the prevention of oxidative damage, cardiovascular diseases, and skin tumors.”

The team tested the topical use of sesame oil extracted from tahini on people with traumatic limb injuries. Pain severity, pain sensitivity and heaviness of the painful site all decreased with the sesame oil—significantly more so than in the placebo group. Plus, there were no adverse effects.

3) Helps with Knee Osteoarthritis
Sesame’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are also valuable for knee osteoarthritis. Fifty adults with the condition received either 40 grams of sesame seed (about 2.3 tablespoons) or 40 grams of placebo powder daily for two months, along with standard medical care. Those in the sesame group had a significant decrease in inflammatory markers, including malondialdehyde and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Another study compared topical sesame oil with diclofenac gel, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug, in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

4) Boosts Memory
When sesame seeds are roasted and pressed to extract the oil, the leftover material is sesame oil cake (SOC). While considered a byproduct, SOCs contain sesaminol glucoside and lignans, including sesamin, sesamolin and sesaminol. Animal studies have found that SOC protects against cognitive impairment, leading researchers to evaluate the effects of sesame oil cake extract (SOCE) on cognitive function in adults with memory impairment. After 12 weeks of SOCE intake, levels of amyloid-β, which is associated with cognitive decline, decreased significantly, while verbal memory abilities markedly improved.

5) Improves Rheumatoid Arthritis
Intrigued by sesame’s anti-inflammatory powers, a research team in Iran studied the effects of sesamin from sesame on rheumatoid arthritis, a disease characterized by inflammation. Patients received either a placebo or 200-milligram sesamin supplement daily for six weeks. The sesamin group had significant improvements in inflammatory markers, along with a reduction in tender joints and pain severity.

Posted on 10/2/23 by GreenMedInfo Research Group. Excerpts. For link to full article with all references, go here: GreenMedInfo.com.

2023-12-27T13:30:10-07:00Recipes|

Life & Love Lessons

Ask Dr. Ma: I Want to Find Someone to Fit My Needs

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., LMT, P.Tr.
Sept – Oct 2023 • Vol 4, No 6

Dear Dr. Ma,

I’m in my twenties, and I can’t find someone to fit my needs. I’m tired of the dating scene… Any advice would be helpful.

— Dawn

Dear Dawn,

With respect to relationships, the person you are with is like a mirror for your growth. If you start out needy, that is what you will attract into your life. Start by changing your thoughts, and you will attract a different kind of person to be with. Here are some points that I offered my dating-age girls in terms of the four kinds of attraction: Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual.

If you are only attracted, say, to a person physically, but do not connect on other levels, it will fade out quickly and be short-lived. If you can talk (mentally) with a person for hours on end, that would be a great friend to have, yet if the relationship is lacking in the other three areas, you may not find it fulfilling overall.

Choose to wait for the person to come along in your life that you connect with on at least two of the above, minimum, and preferably three. And, of course, all four is perfect for a life-long connection.

Just be yourself, simply growing daily, and life will take care of itself. You were made in love. You are love. And you start by loving yourself. And yes, it’s a life-long process. Life is an adventure of connecting. Love is knowing that your very presence makes a difference. It means being true to yourself and your inner calling. The blessing lies in the opportunity for loving.

Here are four of my favorite life lessons: What should I love first? Whatever is in front of you. What do I do first? Whatever is facing you. Who do I help now? The next person you talk to. What do I learn next? The solution to a problem. You don’t have to seek your lessons in connecting. They find you. The power of a simple lesson to give love is staring you in the face when taken as an opportunity for growth.

Then your next lesson will appear. And this goes for ALL kinds of relationships. My favorite book on this subject is Love Without End—Jesus Speaks… by Glenda Green. It answers some of our most basic questions: Who am I really? How can I have an abundant and healthy life? What is my highest purpose? What happens when I die? Why is there so much pain? Can there ever be peace in the world?

The answers to these will invariably emerge from the presence or absence of one great power—LOVE.

I hope this is helpful.

— Dr. Ma!

Send your questions to Dr. Ma La Shomb, N.D., LMT, P.Tr., by text only, along with your name & phone number, to (406) 224-5425. Email to jumpstartyourhealth@gmail.com. Marlenea passionately works as a health coach and writer for all who are ready to find harmony and balance in body, mind, and soul through natural therapies and education.

2023-12-27T13:30:12-07:00Mental & Emotional Health|

Watermelon Rind Pickles

Don’t Let That Rind Go to Waste!

Marlenea La Shomb
Sept – Oct 2023 • Vol 4, No 6

Did you know that cucumbers are in the watermelon family? And did you know that the watermelon rind is edible?

And not only that, it’s quite tasty, too! It’s crisp and hydrating with a mild flavor. It’s similar to cucumber in texture, and there are tons of great ways to use it—like coleslaw, tzatziki, and gazpacho, for example! And don’t forget watermelon rind salad.
These watermelon rind pickles are salty, briny, sour, crunchy, and a little spicy—the perfect condiment in my eyes. They are a delicious snack. We are calling this recipe watermelon rind “pickles,” but that’s just to show what they taste like; they are fermented, not pickled. The main difference between pickling and fermenting is the presence of probiotics (“good” bacteria) with fermentation. And here’s a recipe that does NOT use either vinegar or sugar:

Wash and dry the skin of the watermelon, and cut into quarters. Scrape out the pink (and eat!) the juicy fruit and clean the pink flesh off the rind as much as possible. A spoon is a great tool to scrape with. Use a potato peeler to peel away the green, tough, outer layer of the watermelon. Once you have prepped the rind, cut it into one-inch strips and chop into a size that accommodates your jar.

Pack a clean, wide-mouth, quart or pint canning jar with the rinds and snuggly fit in the cinnamon stick. Pour the brine over the rinds, submerging them completely. Cover the jar with a cheesecloth or other breathable cloth cover to keep dust or bugs from entering the ferment. Store at room temperature, ideally between 60º and 75ºF. Keep out of direct sunlight.

This is a 3-day ferment. Check on the ferment daily to make sure the brine remains over the rind. Once the fermentation is complete, store in an airtight glass jar (with the brine) and refrigerate.

Watermelon Rind Pickles

Yield: One pint. (Double the recipe for a quart jar.)

Ingredients:

  • Watermelon rind, peeled
  • One cinnamon stick. (OK to use powdered cinnamon.)

Brine:

  • 2 teaspoons pink Himalayan or Kosher salt.
  • 1 cup purified water (Note: Nothing will ferment in chlorinated water.)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground clove (optional).

If you want to try the sweeter, ginger-spiced version, here are the other ingredients you can add:

  • 3 1/2-inch slices fresh ginger
  • 1 star anise pod
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

For more variations on this recipe, including “sweet-spiced” and “savory garlic,” visit Fannetasticfood.com/fermented-watermelon-rind-pickles. (Image courtesy of this website.)

2023-12-27T13:30:14-07:00Recipes|

Varicose Veins

Ask Dr. Ma: I Want to Wear a Bathing Suit this Summer!

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., LMT, P.Tr.
July – August 2023 • Vol 4, No 5

Dear Dr. Ma,
Over the last few winters, the spider veins in my calves keep getting worse. I want to take the grandkids swimming, but I’m too embarrassed now to wear a swim suit. What can I do naturally to help reduce my varicose veins?
— Ethel

 

Dear Ethel,

First, let’s look at how veins are made and how they function. Then we’ll summarize what foods to avoid and which ones are helpful. Also, we’ll review some activities you can do and some precautions you can take to help prevent varicose veins.

Take a look at this illustration. Spider veins are usually a precursor to varicose veins. Sitting too much, among other things, weaken the vein’s walls and the valves will no longer close, causing the blood to pool. This stretches the vein’s walls farther apart and causes inflammation in those areas.

The following foods can help significantly improve your vein health and to relieve the symptoms associated with varicose veins:

  • Apples, buckwheat, grapes, blackberries, cherries, etc. are rich sources of the bio-flavonoid rutin, however, all bioflavonoids strengthen the veins and reduce their permeability and fragility.
  • Avocados can do wonders in improving varicose veins with their high sources of vitamins. In addition to this, they also contain glutathione, which prevents oxidant damage to the veins.
  • Beetroot is very effective in protecting the blood vessels from further damage. It contains betacyanin, which reduces the amount of homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine can cause serious damage to the blood vessels. The intake of beets can protect the veins from this damage.
  • Rosemary is another widely recommended herb to address varicose veins. It improves blood circulation and prevents damage to the vein tissues.

Here are the foods to avoid with varicose veins: Refined grains, refined sugar, high salt/sodium, greasy and junk foods, canned foods, alcohol.

A healthy diet, along with regular exercise, can work wonders in improving varicose veins and can provide significant relief from its symptoms. Note that rebounding (see the next page for a descriptive illustration), strengthens the veins’ weak walls so the valves close again. It also decreases the volume of blood pooling in those veins, which further improves the appearance of varicose veins and/or chronic edema.

When rebounding, the forces of acceleration and deceleration line up with the natural acceleration force of gravity. This stacks three different forces at the bottom of the bounce and causes an increase in the amount of gravity the body experiences. [Rebound Exercise, Albert E. Carter]

Here are some precautions to help prevent spider and varicose veins:

  • Elevate feet while sitting and sleeping.
  • Avoid sitting or standing for long periods.
  • Treat constipation.
  • Work on reducing your weight.
  • Walk, do yoga, stretch, and do rebounding.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Find regular, light physical activity you will stick with.

So, Ethel, I hope these tips encourage you. There’s plenty you can do to improve the health and circulation in those veins in your legs. ENJOY!

— Dr. Ma

Send your questions to Dr. Ma La Shomb, N.D., LMT, P.Tr., by text only, along with your name & phone number, to (406) 224-5425. Email to jumpstartyourhealth@gmail.com. Marlenea passionately works as a health coach and writer for all who are ready to find harmony and balance in body, mind, and soul through natural therapies and education.

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