OCTOBER 22, 2025 SAY 'YESD' OR ' NO' TO RED MEAT

For decades, we've been told to cut back on red meat to protect our hearts. Now, a major scientific review suggests the real health risks may lie in our overall lifestyle, not the meat itself.

This comprehensive review, which analyzed the combined evidence from numerous studies, investigated the link between meat and cardiovascular health. The conclusion was a surprising one for many: there is no statistically significant link between eating unprocessed red meat and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, or heart failure.

So, why the long-held belief? The review highlights that in many older studies, once lifestyle factors like poor overall diet, smoking, and lack of exercise were accounted for, the weak association with heart problems disappeared.

For those committed to a healthy lifestyle built on whole, natural foods, this is a crucial distinction. It suggests that a high-quality, unprocessed steak or roast, when part of a balanced and active life, is not the dietary villain it has been portrayed to be. The focus should be on overall lifestyle habits, not on singling out one natural food.

For those who want to see the science, the review is published in the journal Nutrients.

Source: Klurfeld, D. M. (2021). "Intake of Unprocessed and Processed Meat and the Association with Cardiovascular Disease: An Overview of Systematic Reviews." Nutrients, 13(10), 3649.

OCTOBER 21, 2025 USES FOR HONEY

Here are some great ways to use your honey:

Wound Care Ointment:

Mix together - 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of Aquaphor and put it into a jar. Simple but effective ointment! Honey has antibacterial effects and the Aquaphor helps bind the honey.

Honey Aloe Drink for Digestive Issues:

Great probiotic!

Directions: 

1. Peel/remove skin from Aloe and cut into 1inch cubes 

2. In a 1quart jar, add aloe chunks and 1lb of honey 

3. Squeeze 2 limes/lemons into quart jar 

4. Close with lid and shake until blended 

5. Leave on the kitchen counter for 3 days with the lid slightly ajar. Tighten the lid and shake 2 or 3 times during a day for 3 days. (Remember to leave the lid slightly ajar.)

6. After 3 days, tighten the lid and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. (You can strain or leave the aloe in.)

7. Drink a small glass of honey/aloe juice at least once a day or before each meal. 

These are just some of the great ways to use honey. Besides being delightfully delicious, honey can be used to promote human health. So…eat more honey!

 This is written by Elaine Storm- Board member of the American Apitherapy Society( AAS) Thank you Elaine

If you want to join us in Las Vegas NV and hear more about honeybees- Come to the CMACC annual conference November 14-16, 2025 at the Rio Grande www.apitherapy.org

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 14, 2025 LEMON WATER

What do you first grab when you get up in the morning? Most individuals get their cup of coffee. I get something else. I get lemon water. Lemon water offers a refreshing alternative with powerful health benefits. Packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential minerals, lemons can enhance digestion, hydration, and overall well-being. This simple habit can strengthen the immune system, support weight management, and even promote clearer skin

Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning replenishes lost fluids after hours of sleep. The mild acidity of lemon helps the body absorb water more efficiently, ensuring optimal hydration. Proper hydration is essential for bodily functions such as circulation, joint lubrication, and maintaining energy levels

Lemon water stimulates digestive enzymes and encourages the production of stomach acid, which helps break down food more efficiently. This natural digestive boost can prevent bloating, discomfort, and sluggish digestion that often occurs after meals. The citric acid in lemons also promotes bile production, which is essential for breaking down fats and absorbing nutrients properly

In addition to aiding digestion, lemon water can help regulate bowel movements and reduce constipation. The combination of hydration and natural acidity encourages intestinal movement

This is a habit you must get used to It offers a wide range of benefits. Once you start it you may never stop

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 6, 2025 JICAMA

Jicama — pronounced hic-kah-muh in English and hee-kah-muh in Spanish is the odd-looking love child of a giant water chestnut and a potato — with the crispness of an apple.

Jicama has a mild, slightly sweet, and refreshing taste. Its crisp, juicy texture pairs well with savory and sweet dishes, making it a versatile ingredient in salads, slaws, and snacks. Though unremarkable in appearance, this vegetable offers a unique taste, a stellar nutritional profile, and several potential health benefits that make it worth trying. The jicama plant’s leaves, seeds, and flowers are toxic and are not edible. Only the roots of the plant are sold in grocery stores and markets.

This plant has gastrointestinal benefits. In animal studies (our view on animals in medical research is here), jicama has shown potential in modifying gut microbiota by increasing beneficial strains like Lactobacillus reuteri and inhibiting pathogens like Mucispirillum sp. There are benefits in diabetes It does have a sweet taste. jicama boasts a low glycemic load. The fiber in jicama not only slows down digestion but also aids in weight loss, primarily by increasing satiety

As a cardiologist I am extremely interested in its cardiac potential of reducing blood pressure. In a 2016 study, healthy adults who consumed 500 ml of jicama juice reduced their risk of developing blood clots compared to a control group who drank guava juice and water. Jicama juice produces nitric oxide in the body, an important compound that helps arteries relax, reduces blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

so Try It You might like it

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 29 , 2025 HOBBIES AND YOUR HEALTH

More than 10 years ago I started a blogcalled.www.stitchyourwaytoahealthyheart.blogspot.com . On Fridays it was hobby day I suggested different hobbies to readers. I did that because my hobby was needlepoint. Of the hobbies I suggested I began to do about 90 % of them myself. I did this as I felt hobbies boost self esteem It does more than that

A 2023 study of 700,000 U.S. veterans presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nutrition found eight lifestyle habits that could add 24 years to your life, even if you adopt them in your 40s, 50s, and 60s. You likely won't be surprised by the recommendations: exercise, eat well, don't binge-drink alcohol, sleep well, don't smoke, stay free of opioid addiction, keep stress down, and maintain a vibrant social life. But there's even more you can do to live well longer: Incorporate hobbies into your routine to maintain vital brain and body health

Some of these hobbies were walking, learning a new sport, learning a new language, quilting or photography, new courses in education, juggling , dancing, video games, and mindfulness. I advicate that the hobbies be non educational and nion sports. I concentrated on crafting hobbies as pottery, knitting quilling card making, puzzles, needlepoint —of course, models, Legos, wood working, calligraphy, and even beekeeping.

I do agree with the quilting and photography from their list There is a clinical trial, which is evaluating whether lifestyle interventions that address multiple risk factors can forestall cognitive decline. "It's exercise plus diet plus cognitive stimulation plus social engagement."

Doing a creative hobby can boost self-esteem especially if you never did that hobby or thought you were no good at that hobby. It is a way to start to address andger and resentment. This hobby can start to address forgiveness.

Find a hobby that stirs your soul

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE BIBLE

Before antibiotics, before pharmaceutical companies, before modern medicine, people survived and thrived using what nature provided. The Bible mentions over 120 plants, many specifically for healing purposes. There are many herbal books in my personal library One of favorites is Medicinal Plants of the Bible by James Duke. I had the pleasure of meeting James earlier in y botanical medicine career.

You would be amazed at he passages in the bible that mention plats and their uses. Throughout scripture, hyssop appears as the ultimate purifying plant. Moses commanded its use in Passover rituals (Exodus 12:22), and David pleaded, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean” (Psalm 51:7). Even at Christ’s death, a sponge soaked in vinegar was offered on a hyssop branch. Hyssop a natural antiseptic that can help treat respiratory infections, digestive issues, and skin conditions.

There are many other plants Frankincense served ancient physicians as a healing balm for wounds and arthritis. This precious resin from Boswellia trees was essentially their anti-inflammatory drug. Frankincense contains boswellic acids that powerfully suppress inflammatory pathways in your body. Clinical studies show Boswellia extracts can reduce arthritis pain, improve joint function, and help manage inflammatory bowel conditions with minimal side effects.

And the list can go on and on I would get this book for your library

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 DEHYDRATION

Hydration is crucial to maintaining optimal health, yet it’s often overlooked until your body signals distress. Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions

Do not let yourself get dehydrated . If you have increased thrust you are dehydrated. When your body begins to run low on fluids, one of the first signs is an increased sense of thirst. This mechanism is your body’s direct response to decreasing fluid levels, signaling you to drink more water. As dehydration progresses, this thirst can become more persistent and intense, often accompanied by a dry feeling in the throat

Another sign of dehydration is dry mouth A dry mouth is another early warning sign of dehydration. When you’re not drinking enough, your body conserves water by reducing saliva production, which can lead to the uncomfortable feeling of a dry mouth.

Feeling tired can be a sign of dehydration Feeling unusually tired or lethargic can be a sign of dehydration, affecting both your physical and cognitive functions. Dehydration decreases blood volume, making your heart work harder to pump oxygen and nutrients through the bloodstream. This extra effort can lead to feelings of fatigue as your body struggles to perform regular activities

If you are not urinating a lot - be weary of dehydration. Also, If you skin is dry be aware Skin health is directly influenced by your hydration levels. When you’re dehydrated, your skin can appear dry, flaky, and dull. The loss of elasticity, often tested through a simple skin pinch test, is a telltale sign of dehydration.

You need to be aware of these warning signs., This can be any time of the year but most especially in the summer when the temperatures are warmer

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 INFLAMMATORY HERBS

Chronic inflammation isn’t just stiffness or fatigue. It’s a hidden fire that never goes out. Unlike normal inflammation that heals cuts or fights infections, this one burns on for years, quietly damaging your tissues and organs. This chronic inflammation can lead to diabetes, arthritis , cancer and heart disease. Heart disease is the #1 killer of Americans Half of the deaths worldwide are connected to chronic inflammation

There are many herbs that can be utilized for inflammation The first herb is used as a spice in your kitchen Curcumin, turmeric’s key compound, attacks inflammation at the molecular level. Scientists compare it to anti-inflammatory drugs, minus the dangerous side effects.

The second herb is also found iun your kuitchen. Sharp, spicy, and relentless against pain—ginger’s compound gingerol blocks the same enzymes as painkillers, but without wrecking your stomach lining. Studies show it eases arthritis, muscle soreness, even autoimmune flare-ups For constant aches, brain fog, or gut unrest, ginger is nature’s safe suppressant

Then there is the plants from the Lily Family. Yes in your kitchen also—Allium.—Garlic . The source of garlic’s anti-inflammatory power. They cut cytokines, the messengers behind pain, swelling, and disease. Studies show garlic lowers CRP and TNF-α, the same markers driving heart disease and autoimmune flare.Add crushed garlic to meals and you’re not just seasoning. The reason you needed fresh cut garlic is because when crushed the allium is released from the herb. By using garlic you are stopping inflammation before it cripples your blood vessels and organs.

Green tea and Cinnamon are other kitchen herbs that I utilize for inflammation. One herb that some people forget is Boswellia Known as Indian frankincense, Boswellia has fought inflammation for centuries. Science now confirms why: boswellic acids block the 5-LOX and COX enzymes that drive arthritis, IBD, and autoimmune disease. Studies show it can rival NSAIDs—without the stomach-bleeding risks. If your joints grind or your gut rebels, Boswellia may be the missing weapon to ease pain and reclaim mobility.

Managing iunflammation is niot a one herb job. It involves other supplements as well as a change in your dietary lifestyle You also need to discuss social and stress issues. You must discuss addictions—those energy thieves as coffee, sugar, smoking as well as family drama, iphones, and social media. All of these addictions can promote inflammation. Then there is your anger and resentment

So you can see inflammation involves many modalities of healing Get started today