Healthy Oils to Cook with?

I’ve been using organic, virgin, coconut oil for a few years now and love it for frying, sautéing, baking etc. It can withstand a higher heat and not oxidize. I also love coconut oil as a butter; I add it to my smoothie and also apply it to my skin as a moisturizer......also great for dry hair. Years ago I used olive oil in cooking but olive oil does not withstand high heats before breaking down into bad radicals. Yet olive oil is great for our hearts when it is not heated. Avoid vegetable oils such as corn and canola or cottonseed oils. They are not healthy oils and more than likely are genetically modified (GMO) I came across this great article “What's The Best Oil To Cook With?” It has a lot of simple yet informative easy facts. Check it out at http://www.foodmatters.tv/articles-1/whats-the-best-oil-to-cook-with . Healthy fats are essential for our good health.

The wonders of Oil of Oregano

Oil of Oregano is a potent herb loaded with medicinal properties. It is widely known for preventing or healing colds and flus; it acts to loosen and calm coughs as well as combats the germ that caused the sickness. Viruses, bacteria , fungi, parasites and protozoa are destroyed by Oil of Oregano. In addition this herb has the many other health benefits such as being anti-imflammatory, pain-killing, anti-oxidant etc. From respiratory infections to wounds to lice to arthritis, oil or oregano comes to the rescue, and it works as a preventative also….even aids in pet care. “Your Guide to Oil of Oregano” written by Tracey Gibbs, in simple terms the book educates us in the benefits and application of this potent herb. Additional info on www.joyofthemountains.com.

What are Parabens?

There has been a lot of talk about parabens! They are chemicals that are used as preservatives which prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus. They can be found in cosmetics, shampoo, conditioners, lotions, cleaners, toothpastes etc and even in food. They are efficient, cheap and increase the shelf life of products. Sounds good! But unfortunately they can be easily absorbed through the skin, circulatory and digestive systems where they mimic estrogen. They act to disrupt our hormonal balance and have been associated with not only endocrine disruption but cancer as well. Check out your everyday personal care products to see if they have been laced with Methylpararben Propylparaben Ethylparaben Butylparaben Benzylparaben Next time you are shopping for products, check the labels and try to avoid parabens.

What's in Your Saltshaker?

Regular white table salt is usually 97.5% sodium chloride and 2.5% chemical additives such as anti-caking compounds, dextrose, moisture absorbents and iodine. This salt is dried at extremely high temperatures. Using Himalayan Salt or Sea Salt is a better option. I tend to use Himalayan Salt over Sea Salt because the ocean source of sea salts could be polluted with toxins from oil spills, refineries etc. Himalayan rock salt is pure, not heated or refined and is 85% sodium chloride. The remaining 15% is composed of trace elements/minerals; it contains all 84 elements found in the human body and is healthy for us to ingest. It greatly improves the taste of food naturally. Note that iodine is low in this type of salt and must be obtained from other food sources. Himalayan Salt also comes in form of bath salts….great for soaking in, drawing out toxins and relaxing in. Himalayan Rock Salt lamps when emitting negative ions have the ability to cleanse air and have a positive effect on our mental state. Himalayan Rock Salt is a great alternative to replace your conventional white salt.