Cat's Kitchen

By Cat, Sept 25, 2019

I’ve had gut issues most of my life; constipation being the most bothersome. I’ve never been diagnosed with a food allergy, but what is a food sensitivity?

• According to Healthline (3): “The difference between a food allergy and sensitivity is the body’s response. When you have a food allergy, your immune system causes the reaction. If you have a food sensitivity or intolerance, the reaction is triggered by the digestive system.”
• From Dr. Jockers (2): It “is an inflammatory reaction that can occur on a systemic level over time without you knowing it. Left unaddressed, it can eventually develop into an outright allergy due to leaky gut and possibly even auto-immunity.“

Another way to explain the difference:

• True allergies are mediated by IgE (Immunoglobulin-E) regulatory protein in the immune system;
• Sensitivities are mediated by IgG (Immunoglobulin-G) regulatory protein in the immune system. (2a)

Upon advice from my naturopath, I began seeing an NAET practitioner (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique (1). WOW! This really works! He has cleared many of my sensitivities, at least 60 over the last 10 years. There are a few he cannot clear, but for some, after avoiding them for 12 months, then slowly re-introducing them to my diet, they no longer affect me negatively.

• Includes: 1. NAET Treatment; 2. 7-Ways to Reduce Food Sensitivities (notes from Dr. Jockers’ article)
• See also: 1. Cat’s Notes on Natural Health Topics Menu; 2. Cat’s Notes on Natural Health Topics Menu: D-G; Other Sites: 1. NAET (1)

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By Cat, Sept 2019

This was originally included on Herbs and Spices, G – Z.

Turmeric is in the same family as ginger, and like ginger, it is the rhizome (root) that is used in cooking and medicinally. The best source of turmeric is from fresh root.  It resembles ginger, but has a warmer, golden-orange color.

Use it as a seasoning for braised greens and meats; also for beverages such as Ginger & Turmeric Latte and Golden Milk (Turmeric Tea): Several Recipes. It an also be found in some healing remedies.

See also: 1. Dr. Mercola’s excellent article on turmeric: How this spice can potentially improve your health (1a); 2. Mercola’s article on curcumin (turmeric’s major component);  includes cautions for better absorption (1b); 3. Green Med Info: A Guide to Using (pdf), file too large (5.2MB) to provide a link here, but I saved a copy : HEALTH-NUTRITION > GREEN MED INFO / Turmeric-GuideToUsing-GMI_2.0;)

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By Cat, Sept 2019

This is adapted from TheKitchn (thekitchn.com/ready-to-eat-three-ways-to-war-117346). There you will also find instructions for heating in a microwave (but I don’t recommend that because of the EMFs) or on the stove-top.

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. If your tortillas are a few days old, brush them with a little water before warming them
3. Wrap a stack of five or fewer tortillas in parchment, and roll that in aluminum foil, sealing the ends.
4. Place in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until heated through.
5. You can do multiple packets of five tortillas each all at the same time.

by Cat, Sept 2019

I’ve been using a liquid version of bentonite clay (taken internally) to help with symptoms of food sensitivities, for detox, or just to give my gut a good cleaning. A good friend of mine suggests using Living Clay ®, which is a dry powder, so you have to mix it with water. Below are the instructions from Living Clay ® for mixing with water, for various specific uses.

• Includes: 1. Cleansing Clay Mask; 2. For a liquid consistency (such as for taking internally).
• See also: 1. Natural Healing Remedies and Personal Care Menu

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By Cat, Sept 2019

This post is my notes from a digestive health video by Dr. Amy Lee (1). I’ve reorganized my notes because she jumps around in her video. Topics discussed:

• Conditions that Don’t Help You
• 4 Natural Digestive (and Fat-Loss) Helpers
• 3 Harmful “Health Foods”
• Food Additives to Avoid

Her main focus in on fat/weight loss by improving digestive health through the foods you eat. The video also includes a sales-pitch for her supplement Bio-X4 (Nucific brand). Read on for my notes.

See also: 1. Notes on Natural Health Topics,  D (Drugs, Prescription) – G (Gut Health); 2. Grains, Flours and Starches Menu

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By Cat, Aug 2019 (image, right, form Amazon (1B))

A bottle of this has always been in my medicine cabinet, going back to my time as an infant and toddler in the 1950s. For every mosquito or spider bite, Mom opened the bottle and the aroma of camphor sneaked out. Using a cotton swab, she put a tiny bit on the bite and instantly, the pain and itch were gone, for several hours.

It’s hard to find it these days, as newer, synthetic topical pain relievers and antiseptics have taken its place, but it’s still available on Amazon (1).

How does it work its magic?

See also: 1. Natural Healing Remedies and Personal Care Menu; 2.

What is Campho-Phenique?

Rosemary in bloom (Seattle)

Image, right, from Wikimedia Commons.

CAUTION (2a):

• For topical application only.
• DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY;
• Keep out of reach of small children.
• Do not use in or near the eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water and obtain medical attention.

This is not something you make at home. It’s chemical name is “Camphorated phenol (camphor 10.8% and phenol 4.7%).” (2a)

• Camphor is a natural substance from the wood of the camphor laurel evergreen tree (in Asia), and to a lesser extend in the leaves of rosemary. It provides relief from topical pain and itching. (4a)
• Phenols, in general, are also natural substances found in many foods, especially fruits and vegetables; however the simplest phenol – carbolic acid or phenol – was first extracted from coal tar. Today it is produced from petroleum. In the 1800s it was used as an antiseptic, and provides the antiseptic action of Campho-Phenique; in the 1900s, it was used as a soap, known as carbolic soap (4b).

Campho-Phenique also contains the inactive ingredients: eucalyptus oil and light mineral oil (2b). I note, however, that eucalyptus oil (essential oil) is not “inactive,” as it also has analgesic properties (for pain relief), and is well known for its ability to fight bacterial, viral and fungal infections, and to help clear the respiratory tract of built up mucus. (5)

“It numbs the skin temporarily.  Campho-Phenique is used for sunburns, cold sores, eczema, skin irritations, insect bites, rashes and minor cuts and scrapes. It should not be used genitally, anally or in the eyes, mouth, nose or ears, notes HealthCentral. It should not be used on children younger than 2 years of age unless prescribed by a doctor. If the skin condition has not improved in seven days or improved but worsened again, see a healthcare provider and stop using Campho-Phenique topical anesthetic until a determination is made by the doctor.” (3)

Use of Campho-Phenique

The following are from the label of Campho-Phenique liquid form; see image (2b), below.

Use for:

• Temporary relief of pain and itching associated with insect bites, sunburn, scrapes, minor burns, minor cuts and cold sores.
• First aid to help protect against infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.

Warning: Do not use over large areas, nor with a bandage.

How to use the liquid form

The following is from drugs.com (2a) but can also be found on the product label (see image, below).

Campho-Phenique label

References:

1. Amazon:
   1. Search: .amazon.com/campho-phenique/s?k=campho+phenique
   2. 0.75 oz bottle of original Campho-Phenique Antiseptic Liquid for Itch and Pain Relief: ASIN B005XD5NOM and B0043TXLC8
   3. 0.23 ox Campho-Phenique for Cold Sores: ASIN B000GCND4W
2. drugs.com:
   1. drugs.com/otc/256775/campho-phenique-pain-relieving-antiseptic.html
   2. image: drugs.com/otc/256775/campholiquid.jpg
3. reference.com/health/campho-phenique-9a3837b7ca20032b
4. Wikipedia:
   1. wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor
   2. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenol
5. Dr. Axe: draxe.com/essential-oils/eucalyptus-oil-uses-benefits/

Red Apple

by Cat, Aug 28, 2019 (photo, right, from Wikimedia Commons)

I first learned about this treat at a small deli in Portland OR, whose owner was from England. He served slices of apple with blue stilton cheese as a snack or dessert, and I got hooked. If you’re not familiar with stilton, it is a British blue cheese.

When I moved to Montana, I couldn’t find stilton, so I used brie with my apple slices – delicious! It is a double-cream cheese with a tasty white mold surrounding the creamy cheese. Unfortunately, after more than 10 years, I developed a food sensitivity to the brie. I couldn’t go without my apple and cheese treat, and still could not find stilton here, so I bought Yancy’s Fancy “Bergenost” Triple Cream and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company’s “Original Blue” Cheese. Both are very buttery, so easy to mix together when at room temperature. The combo is even better than brie (in my humble opinion), and close competition with stilton!

For info about these cheeses, read on!

See also: 1. Foods (About): Dairy; 2. Desserts:Fruity Treats Continue reading →

Green Beans

By Cat, Aug 2019 (Image, right, from Wikimedia Commons)

This is the time of year when local fresh green beans are available in plenty. I was searching for something new and different for my beans and found this interesting recipe that has a Middle-Eastern flavor from sesame seeds and oil (1). It would be great served with Kafta: Middle Eastern Burgers, Ovals or Sausages, cooked on an outdoor grill.

See also: 1. Side Dishes Menu; 2. Middle-Eastern Menu Continue reading →

By Cat, July 19, 2019 (image, right, from Global Healing Center (3); link below, left, is from Wikimedia Commons)

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

The first 2 recipes are by Livvi Hess (1); I learned about them from a Dr. Pompa newsletter. They are simple to make, but you must use high-quality ingredients as specified in the recipes; anything of lower quality will use introduce new toxins

A Jonathan Bailor newsletter led me to the 3rd recipe, curated by Jillian Levy (4).

Lemons

I first discovered the health benefits of lemon water when I was making a batch of homemade lemonade using stevia extract powder as the sweetener. I took a small sip after mixing in the juice of a small lemon into a quart of cold water (before adding the stevia). It was so good, I drank a whole glass and I felt so incredibly good afterwards. Now I drink lemon water every day at the beginning of each meal. But after reading Livvi’s recipe, I will try adding ACV instead of taking powdered ACV in capsules every day.

I have been adding raw, local honey to my morning smoothie as an experiment, but now I’m going to try her “Super Syrup” recipe, which includes raw, local honey, instead.

• Includes: 1. Super Syrup; 2. Health-Aide:Lemon Water and ACV Tonic; 3. 
   Healing Morning Tonic: Lemon Water and Sea Salt;
• See also: 1. Beverages Menu; 2. Curing, Culturing, Fermentation and Tonics Menu

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By Cat, June 2019

I have what is called an “allergy to the sun,” which means that I break out in a rash, get a bad headache and digestive upset when I am in the mid-day sun too long. It was worse when I was a child, but it can still happen. It is the primary reason I wear a hat whenever I’m outdoors. I learned early-on that applying sunscreen doesn’t help me much.

Because I have avoided the sun for most of my life, I’ve had a vitamin D deficiency (it is made by the sun’s UVB radiation interacting with cholesterol in the skin), and supplement my daily diet with vitamin D3 oil. But now, after reading a great article by Dr. Mercola (1A), I’ve learned I can protect my skin from the sun’s damaging UV radiation, and still get vitamin D from the sun, by what I eat and what supplements I take. Read on for my summary of that article, plus additional info.

See also: 1. Diet & Health Menu; 2. The Vital Importance of Sunlight; The work of Dr. John Nash Ott
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