Blog

The adrenal glands are positioned above the kidneys, and produce important hormones to help us through times of stress. This is often termed the Fight Flight Freeze response. However, when we are in a continual state of stress - dealing with an illness, divorce, financial difficulties, etc. this can create a heavy burden on the adrenals, and they often begin to function sporadically - either...

The appearance of our skin, hair and nails often can tell us much more than we realize. The skin, hair and nails is the largest organ of the body, and is our first line of defense against microbes and the external elements. The condition of our skin, hair and nails can reveal to us much of what is going on, deep inside our bodies.When faced with skin, hair and nail problems we often...

Hawthorns are small thorny trees, belonging to the rose family (apples, pear, apricot, quince...), and bear fruit that resembles tiny apples. We are lucky to have two different endemic species of hawthorn in our garden, one with yellow fruit, and the other with little red “apples”. All hawthorn species are edible and medicinal, and have a long history of use in Europe, North America and...

Life in the 21st century has taken humanity far from its roots. Today we are dealing with more toxins than ever before, and as a result viruses and bacteria have become more aggressive and resistant to treatment. When we are overwhelmed and pushed to our limit, we often feel a need to return to basics, to return to our roots. Incorporating wild foods in our life is one way to do this.Wild...

Prep time: 40mins | Cooking time: 80minsThis recipe contains 3 elements: Butternut squash pizza base, basil pesto & garlic sauce Makes 1 medium 30cm/12” pizzaPizza was one of those foods that i always felt was over rated and very rarely featured in my diet. However when i became sick and could no longer eat it, i found myself craving pizza and the ‘forbidden’ wheat containing...

When lab results show that we are infected with Streptococcus, our doctors usually write us a prescription for antibiotics. But what exactly is streptococcus and are antibiotics always the best solution? It’s time to rethink how we view Strep infections.For most people, streptococcus first appears in early childhood as a sore throat or chronic ear infection. Most recurring...

The liver is truly an amazing organ. One of the things that make the liver so unique is its ability to regenerate liver tissue following a loss of liver mass - much like a gecko can regrow its tail. The liver is located on the right side of the body, strategically placed in close proximity to the digestive system. This location allows the liver to function as a biochemical defense against...

Makes 1 large pie or 4 mini piesI was first introduced to the wonders of wild blueberries through reading Anthony Williams’ Life Changing Foods. I was so excited to know that living in New York i was not too far away from where these wild fruits grow. My husband and I took a week vacation in Maine this summer with the plan of having a very food orientated vacation; foraging for berries...

How is it that some people can watch their diet carefully, they still have a hard time managing good blood sugar levels?Is it possible to reverse diabetes after you’ve been diagnosed?What are the real causes behind diabetes, and is it possible to normalize blood sugar levels without medication?The traditional approach to diabetes has been that sugar is the primary instigator, and that...

When I first saw the red hibiscus “flowers” (also called Roselle) in a friend’s garden, I thought it was too good to be true; a great ornamental, grows like a weed, and a useful herb - all in one. Over time I learned that it was even better than that – the hibiscus calyxes (the outer whorl of the flower) are also a medicinal powerhouse.Hibiscus sabdariffa is native...

Autoimmune disease is a relatively recent phenomenon, occurring only in the last 100 years. What is it in the modern way of living that has brought us autoimmune disease? What has changed? Modern medicine, in regards to autoimmune disease, has very little to offer, but that’s only because the cause behind the disease is still a mystery. We have come a long way in recognizing...

Melissa officinalis, also known as lemon balm, is one of the most important and versatile herbs available. Melissa is easy to grow, which gives it an added advantage. Melissa is essential for calming the nerves, especially for those who suffer from ailments relating to the digestive system. Often sensitivity of the digestive system is the result of hypersensitive or inflamed nerves that are...

Today we are dealing with a growing spectrum of learning disabilities that are often categorized as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Asperger Syndrome and Autism. There are many different disciplines and ways to treat these disorders, and it often seems like everyone has a different opinion. When we, as the parents of these children, connect with our inner knowing and intuition,...

The digestive system is a complex and mysterious system; we still have much to learn about how the body takes food and transforms it into the life-giving substances that feed and nourish us. The digestive system begins with the mouth and ends with the rectum. Most of the digestive system resides within the solar plexus, where our gut instincts are found, the chakra where the ego and cosmic...

Banana bread became one of my favorite breakfast foods or afternoon tea snacks from my 2 years travelling Australia. The Aussies love their banana bread and it was available everywhere. I’ve been living in NYC for almost 18 months now and had long forgotten about this delicious bread until recently; discovering an Australian brunch cafe in Greenwich village. It has become my favorite...

This summer my husband and i took a trip to Harriman state park (New York) with a day of hiking planned. Just a few minutes into our hike we stumbled across endless stretches of wild blueberry bushes. Taking advantage of one of nature's most powerful miracle foods we had so much fun feasting on the berries. We did very little walking that day but returned home with an abundance of wild blueberries...

Hands down, no arguing, apples are one of the healthiest foods out there. There’s good reason behind the saying – "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." When choosing apples for health reasons, red apples are the best, but all apples have potent healing qualities.Apples are great for much needed hydration and contain malic and tartaric acids that help remove impurities...

I have quite a large fruit garden and towards the back of it, I have a wonderful apricot tree that has been with me for at least 20 years now. Each year in spring, as soon as the fruits form, I enlist anyone who’s around to help cover the tree with a special type of netting, to prevent the Mediterranean fruit fly from reaching the fruit and laying its eggs (uggghhh). Once the tree is...

Often when we think of additions, drugs, cigarettes, and food come to mind. We are less aware that behaviors and thoughts are also extremely addictive, to the point that it interferes with free will. When I stopped to examine what my addictions were, I was surprised to discover how many destructive habits and thought patterns I held. These patterns exist within our subconscious psyche,...

In our previous article on addictions, we discussed the two principle factors that stand behind all addictions – Glucose and adrenaline. Our bodies run on glucose, and in order to function properly, we need a steady supply of good quality glucose, supplied by fruit and starchy vegetables.Adrenaline, a hormone that is essential for our survival, is produced by the adrenal glands,...

I’d like to dedicate this article to my children, my grandchildren, and all of those mothers out there. A devoted mother is the best ally anyone could wish for. Let’s focus for a few minutes on what we can do to support our children’s health, and help them flourish and enjoy the many gifts of nature.The importance of the immune systemWhen discussing children’s health,...

Babies and small children’s bodies contain approximately 75-78% water, while the elderly have only 50% body water. Is this a natural process of aging or the result of chronic dehydration that gets worse as we age?Often we are chronically dehydrated without being aware of it. This can occur without feeling thirsty, or even when we drink a lot of fluids throughout the day. The body is...

Something is going on! Have you ever wondered why so many diseases are on the rise? Why do we have such a higher incidence of diseases like diabetes today, or experience new diseases such as ALS and types of cancer that didn’t even exist 100 years ago? Why are small children often susceptible to diseases like chronic ear infections or celiac, or why are they are challenged with learning...

The Melon is such a humble fruit that it is often overlooked. Whether it’s a watermelon, honeydew, or cantaloupe - melons are so critical to our health that when struggling with a disease, it can make all the difference.Melons grow on the ground and absorb energy from both the sun and Mother Earth, so it’s not surprising that they have qualities similar to breast milk. Melons...

Purslane is a common edible wild food that grows throughout the world and is becoming a popular cultivated salad green. It contains more alpha linoleic acid (a precursor for omega-3’s) and vitamin A than any other edible plant. This makes it one of the most nutrient rich green leafy vegetables available.Purslane also contains CoQ10, glutathione, dopamine, and melatonin which helps regulate...

All leafy greens – lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, watercress... - are so much more than they seem. Often we believe that leafy greens are just roughage and difficult to digest. This is not true. Leafy greens are actually almost pre-digested foods, that “scrub and massage” the linings of our digestive system as they go down, loosening old yeast, mold and fungus, along with...

I’ve always found it puzzling - How is it that some people don’t seem to have a problem with weight loss, regardless of what they eat, while others really struggle with losing weight? Why is it that diets seem to help for a while, and then the weight seems to slowly creep back on?We can often feel extremely frustrated regarding weight loss; we can do everything we’re told,...

Mango season is truly a holiday. Most of the agricultural produce in Israel is grown locally, which means that when something is out of season - it’s out of season. Lucky for us, there’s a good selection of different mango varieties, which lengthens the growing season considerably. Over the years I’ve learned to preserve the taste of summer by sun-drying mango, creating...

Our bodies love us, unconditionally. Our bodies do not judge us or hold on to resentment. Our bodies work hard, day in and day out to keep us going. Our immune systems are constantly on the lookout for invaders and pathogens that might harm us, while finding ways to excrete toxins and repair any damage done due to injury or bad habits.Because our bodies are so wonderful, we often take its...

Our immune system is our first line of defense against illness and disease. When our immune system is compromised, we are subject to a long list of potential problems. We often take our immune system for granted or are told that our immune system has turned against us or is not capable of repairing itself or healing. This could not be farther from the truth. Our physical body is truly amazing...