Cat's Kitchen

By Cat, Oct 2019

I’ve been doing a 5-or 7-day veggie juice fast since 2009, when I took the class offered by the Wellness Education Center (WEC) in Kalispell MT. For the first 7-day fast, you slowly eliminate foods from your daily regimen over 2-3 weeks as follows:

• You begin by eliminating all processed foods, un-sprouted grains and legumes, meats, eggs and pasteurized dairy products (including cheese);
• Then raw milk/cheese, nuts, sprouted grains & legumes, and cooked fruits & veggies;
• On the last day(s), you are eating only raw veggies and fruits.

Then for 4 – 7 days following the fast (Breaking the Fast), you slowly add those eliminated foods back to your daily regimen (in reverse order from the pre-fast). This begins on the last day of the fast with blended raw fruit in mid-afternoon, and with a raw cold veggie soup at dinner-time.

The post-fast is a great time to discover any food sensitivities you might have – foods you should avoid until the sensitivity can be cleared (such as through NAET – Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique).

NOTE: Length of pre-and post-fast for:

• 3-day fast, pre-fast is 4 – 7 days; post fast is only 2-3 days;
• 5-day fast: pre-fast is 7 – 10 days; post-fast is 3 – 4 days;
• 7-day fast: pre0fast is 10 – 20 days; post-fast is 5 – 7 days. Continue reading →

by Cat, Sept 2019; updated March 2020

I received this Self Sotai information from my acupuncturist who also practices Sotai (1). From Wikipedia, it is “a method of neuromuscular reeducation and unwinding muscular holding pattern.”

I’ve been having problems in my hip that keep coming back after chiro treatment – one hip is higher than the other (from a tilt), so that leg appears shorter than the other, and I tilt to that side when walking.  These exercises balance the entire body and the result after my first experience was amazing.

Prior to walking me through these exercises, my acupuncturist did muscle testing (kinesiology) while I was standing upright; I was weak. Then he put 2 cork foot-levelers under my left foot (the lower-hip side), and repeated muscle testing; I was strong. After doing the exercises, he did muscle testing again, without the foot levelers, and I was STRONG. He had me walk around the table – no limping. Hooray, and now 2 days later I’m still not limping.

He then gave me a handout summary of each exercise, as I have transcribed below (with my notes/comments in square brackets). They start at the feet and move up the body. He recommends doing these exercises 2 – 3 times daily, especially first thing in the morning (right after getting up), and last thing at night (before going to bed).

I also have vertigo problems, so after finishing the Sotai exercises (1), I do the Epley Maneuver (2,3), first for the left side; the next time I do Sotai, I do for the right side. This works great because I do both while lying on floor or bed.

Note: I will be moving this to my Health and Metabolism blog, once I get all my old articles moved from my iweb site.

See also 1. Diet and Health Menu; 2. Self Sotai Exercise-2f (pdf); 3. Epley Maneuver; Other Sites: 4. Sotai on Wikipedia; 5. Sotai-US;  Continue reading →

By Cat, Sept 2019

Unless noted otherwise, the notes here are from AARP Magazine (several issues, as noted).

• Includes: 1. Altering the pace of aging: what speeds it up and what slows it down
• See Also: 1. Notes on Natural Health Topics Menu; 2. Diet and Health Menu

Continue reading →

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)

Continue reading →

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;)

Continue reading →

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

Continue reading →

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

Continue reading →

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 →