The symptoms of a hangover are often caused by dehydration and the inevitable loss of vitamins and minerals that goes with the loss of water from the body. The simplest way to stop a hangover before it starts is to eat a healthy protein-filled snack, take multi-vitamin pills, and drink several glasses of water before indulging in alcoholic drinks. But if you fail to prepare and you do wake up with a hangover, why not give one or more of these home-style cures a try?
(1) BANANAS
Why it works: When you drink alcohol, you tend to urinate excessively, and as you dehydrate you lose a lot of potassium. When you’re low on potassium, you may feel weak or tired and may suffer from cramps, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. If you eat a banana to help restore your potassium levels you’ll be feeling better fast.
(2) EGGS
Why it works: When you drink alcohol your body produces a hangover-inducing toxic substance called acetaldehyde. It then reacts to the toxin by producing cysteine-rich glutathione to counteract it. But that supply of glutathione is limited and is quickly depleted, leaving the hangover-producing acetaldehyde in your system while your body makes more glutathione. Eggs, however, are rich in cysteine and can help remove some of the remaining toxins.
(3) ASPARAGUS
Why it works: A study last year showed that asparagus can help ease hangover symptoms. This vegetable is packed with amino acids, minerals, and vitamins that can restore the nutrients you lost, as well as protect your liver cells against the toxins in alcohol.
(4) GINGER ROOT (in tea or ginger ale)
Why it works: Ginger is a powerful antioxidant that helps to ease nausea by reducing the oxidative stress that causes your stomach to ache. It also blocks the serotonin receptors in the stomach that lead to nausea.
(5) PICKLES
Why it works: After you’ve spent a night drinking alcohol, your dehydrated body will have lost a lot of vitamins, minerals, and salt. Pickles are rich in a number of nutrients, including vitamin A, iron, potassium, vitamin K, calcium, and manganese. So eating a couple of pickles can help restore your sodium levels while helping to balance your vitamin and mineral levels.
(6) FRUIT JUICE
Why it works: Fruit juice (without added sugar or artificial sweetener) can help stabilize your blood-sugar levels and some of your hangover symptoms. In addition, fruit juice will help restore some of the electrolytes you’ve lost.
(7) SAUERKRAUT
Why it works: Sauerkraut can help restore your sodium levels, making your headache disappear, while at the same time helping to kick-start your digestion and relieve your upset stomach. Cabbage contains the good bacteria Lactobacilli plantarum, which will help fight digestion problems, plus a high level of lactic acid, which will help break down proteins in your digestive tract.
(8) HONEY and LEMON TEA
Why it works: A warm tea consisting of honey and lemon juice in water will help to restore lost fluids and sugars, relieving hangover headache.
(9) WATER
Why it works: Restoring your fluid level should be your top priority, and pure water is the best source of fluid to rehydrate your body. Once you get your fluids balanced your headache will ease and your stomach will settle down.
Source: Alice Wessendorf, http://www.HealthierTalk.com/
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Building an Energy-Efficient House (Part 1)
The first consideration when building a new house from scratch is the direction in which it faces. The front of the house (where most of the windows are) should face within 15 degrees towards true (not magnetic) north. The ideal shape for a house is rectangular, with the long (east-west) axis 1.6 times the length of the short axis. Place the main windows along the north side, keeping the windows on the south and east sides to a minimum. Avoid locating any windows along the west wall.
The immediate surroundings of the house will have an effect on the micro-climate indoors and outdoors. Nearby hills may shorten the hours of sunlight. Hills to the west are advantageous in summer; those to the north will make the environment cooler in winter. The bottom of a valley is cooler than the sides of the surrounding hills, and it is more protected from strong winds.
Vegetation is important in moderating the micro-climate of a house. Deciduous trees (or a grape vine on a pergola) planted to the north and east sides will shade the building during the summer and allow the sun to penetrate in winter, when the trees are bare. Plant evergreens to the west; and grow vines and creepers on the outside walls, to hold a layer of air against the house, thus minimizing heat transfer. But avoid creepers and vines from damaging the woodwork and brickwork -- creepers can sneak in, lifting roofs and windows and causing rot.
Along the coastal areas, a pond or dam located near the side of the house facing the prevailing wind will help cool air reaching the building. In colder climates, an earthen bank can be built and used to shield the house from the winter winds.
Energy-efficient houses (in hot or in cold climates) dug into the side of a hill have much more comfortable temperature underground. The living areas should be located on the north side where the big picture windows are. The bedrooms, bathroom, and laundry should be located on the south side. The kitchen should be located where it is most convenient, and where one can see the best view.
Source: Richardson, Michael. Your own resources. Reed, Sydney, 1991.
The immediate surroundings of the house will have an effect on the micro-climate indoors and outdoors. Nearby hills may shorten the hours of sunlight. Hills to the west are advantageous in summer; those to the north will make the environment cooler in winter. The bottom of a valley is cooler than the sides of the surrounding hills, and it is more protected from strong winds.
Vegetation is important in moderating the micro-climate of a house. Deciduous trees (or a grape vine on a pergola) planted to the north and east sides will shade the building during the summer and allow the sun to penetrate in winter, when the trees are bare. Plant evergreens to the west; and grow vines and creepers on the outside walls, to hold a layer of air against the house, thus minimizing heat transfer. But avoid creepers and vines from damaging the woodwork and brickwork -- creepers can sneak in, lifting roofs and windows and causing rot.
Along the coastal areas, a pond or dam located near the side of the house facing the prevailing wind will help cool air reaching the building. In colder climates, an earthen bank can be built and used to shield the house from the winter winds.
Energy-efficient houses (in hot or in cold climates) dug into the side of a hill have much more comfortable temperature underground. The living areas should be located on the north side where the big picture windows are. The bedrooms, bathroom, and laundry should be located on the south side. The kitchen should be located where it is most convenient, and where one can see the best view.
Source: Richardson, Michael. Your own resources. Reed, Sydney, 1991.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
GHC Green Smoothie
The following recipe was transcribed verbatim from:
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/newsletter/december2010/ghc-green-smoothie.html
Credit: Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DABFM
GHC Green Smoothie
With the holidays coming to an end, start your new year off right. Go Green and your body will thank you for it!
Yields 2 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk or hemp milk
1 1/2 cups packed organic baby spinach
1 1/2 cups frozen organic cherries (or any favorite fruit, red berries are great to mask the green color and/or taste)
(Optional: 1 small banana as a sweetener)
DIRECTIONS
In a blender combine milk and fruit first, then add greens. Puree till smooth and enjoy!
(Feel free to experiment by adding any type of “super greens”, “super foods”, or EFA oils such as flax or hemp seed. Beware that any addition might change the taste or consistency of the smoothie so go easy with the additions until you figure out your perfect combination.)
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/newsletter/december2010/ghc-green-smoothie.html
Credit: Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DABFM
GHC Green Smoothie
With the holidays coming to an end, start your new year off right. Go Green and your body will thank you for it!
Yields 2 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk or hemp milk
1 1/2 cups packed organic baby spinach
1 1/2 cups frozen organic cherries (or any favorite fruit, red berries are great to mask the green color and/or taste)
(Optional: 1 small banana as a sweetener)
DIRECTIONS
In a blender combine milk and fruit first, then add greens. Puree till smooth and enjoy!
(Feel free to experiment by adding any type of “super greens”, “super foods”, or EFA oils such as flax or hemp seed. Beware that any addition might change the taste or consistency of the smoothie so go easy with the additions until you figure out your perfect combination.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)