wholistic healing

alive summer recipe: Best Blender Drink Ever

For a cooling summer drink, there's no substitute for mango, which will give you the smoothest, fluffiest blender drink you've ever made. If you use whole milk, you'll never want to buy ice cream again! The technique here is similar to the way rich ice cream is made but is a much healthier alternative. Serves one to two.

1. 1 large, ripe mango, peeled and pitted
   
2. 1 Tbsp (15 ml) coconut oil
   
3. 1 pkg. tropical fruit, vanilla or strawberry meal replacement or whey powder
   
4. 1/2 tsp (2 ml) unpasteurized honey
   
5. pinch sea salt
   
6. 1 1/4 cups (310 ml) water or whole milk
   
7. 12-24 ice cubes, to taste
   
8. 1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
   
9. 1-2 Tbsp (15-30 ml) freshly ground flaxseed mealm (optional)

Place mango, oil, meal replacement powder, salt and honey in a blender. Add the water and blend until smooth, adding a bit more water if needed. You need to emulsify the coconut oil. Never add the coconut oil after the ice or it will freeze into a single lump!

Add one to two trays of ice, a few pieces at a time, and a dash of water as needed. Blend until smooth. If there is too much to blend properly, pour some out into a glass before adding all the ice and blend in two batches.

From alive Natural Health Guide #24, Prevent, Treat and Reverse Diabetes, by C. Leigh Broadhurst, PhD. Recipe by Fred Edrissi.

Ginger for Ailing Moms-to-Be

Ginger, the root with the knobby little arms and legs, is a mainstay in everything from sushi to ginger ale. Not only does it aid digestion and cardiovascular health, it also helps ease nausea during pregnancy. In a study at the Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 70 women suffering from nausea in their first trimester of pregnancy participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The lucky ones were given 250 milligrams of fresh ginger root powder, ground and put into capsules, four times a day for four days, while the others were given a placebo. Results showed a noticeable improvement, especially in reducing vomiting, in three to four days, revealing ginger has a cumulative effect and may take up to 48 hours to reduce symptoms. Ginger is available candied or in capsules at health food stores. Sip on ginger tea after meals and at bedtime.

Farmers' Market Forays

In many cities and smaller communities, there's a warm-weather phenomenon to watch for: farmers' markets. From fresh strawberries to heritage seeds to home-bottled organic salsa, markets offer something for every healthy shopper. Often held on weekends, they tend to start in May and continue until September. Here are five reasons to check out the farmers' market in your area.

1. Selection. If you're tired of grocery store selection, farmers' markets are great. Don't be surprised to find yourself asking, "What's that?" Plus, you get individualized service from sellers.
2. Freshness. Produce is typically plucked right from the earth, carted by truck and ready for sale. Canned goods are often homemade and tend to contain fewer preservatives and unwanted ingredients. Meet the manufacturer right there!
3. Cost. Local suppliers congregate at farmers' markets and goods generally aren't glammed up with unnecessary packaging. This translates into fewer indirect costs for you, the consumer.
4. Organic goods. Pesticide-free items abound at farmers' markets. You may even be able to pick up harder-to-find pantry items such as organic whole grain flour or decaf coffee-and at a cheaper price.
5. Fresh air. Summer is the perfect time to get addicted to the benefits of farmers' markets. Make it an outing for family and friends and enjoy that sunshine.