Let Foods be Thy Medicine

Dear Friends,

So often I am asked by my clients for suggestions as to what changes they can make in their diets to improve their health. As I become more and more pressed for time it gets harder to speak with you individually so I am grateful to have this forum to discuss a number of topics that are of importance.

Of course herbs are a food and herbal tinctures inhabit a zone somewhere between food and medicine. So taking the correct herbal blend for your particular ailment can truly improve health, reverse diseases and restore vitality. It is as though herbs have an inner intelligence that that navigate them to the area in your body where they are needed.

Another area of importance is food. What we consume has a direct effect on our health and this of course is no news to you. The problem is that the “wisdom of the day” is not so much wisdom and or a shifting tide. It changes every time you turn on the TV read the paper or buy a new book, but don’t fret because some truths are ageless and will never change.

“Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” --Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.)

Now you might say that when the Father of Modern Medicine made that statement, there wasn’t the problem of preservatives; food dyes and chemicals that plague our modern diet and you would be right. The problems of his era dealt more with the lack of food and food that was rancid in the poor population. With the rich, the problem was a bit more in line with our modern problems, “abundance and restriction.” Restriction comes into play when we limit our diets due to taste preference or dietary wisdom of the day, (low calorie; low fat; low carb).

It is not a bad idea to reduce our carbohydrate intake because the bulk of the carbs we ingest are worthless empty calories (white flour; cane sugar; white rice). That doesn’t mean you have to replace all carbs with meat. I suggest you have some healthy proteins every day and they can come in many forms including fish; meats and beans. So replace ALL refined carbs with whole grains and freshly prepared tubers; brown or wild rice and whole wheat pasta. Don’t limit your diet. Try cutting up a fresh pumpkin, boil it and mash it with butter (not margarine) and sea salt and garlic. You will be delighted with rich delicate flavor. Expand your use of fruits and vegetables. There is a world of variety that we avoid daily. Try mashed turnips; yucca root or rutabagas; fresh papaya and mangoes; sorrel and collard greens. And use FRESH vegetables every day. Flavor them with fresh garlic; parsley; basil or cilantro. Stir fry your vegetables or sauté them with olive oil or butter. You can’t draw energy from something that has no energy to give. Next time you shop, take your time in the produce section truly look at the variety and try something new every day. Buy foods that are as close to their natural state as possible, i.e. avoid low fat sour cream and choose one that’s ingredients read, “Cultured cream”. Make your foods from scratch; processed foods have nothing to offer except heartache. Use healthy oils such as olive; safflower and grapeseed oil. The love and care you put into your meals is to you and your family on many levels; physically; mentally; emotionally; and spiritually.

Though I could go on longer I am out of room. So keep foods natural; your thoughts healthy and your hearts light.

Love and Light, Lori