7 Health Benefits of Yogurt

Do you like yogurt? Sometimes spelled yoghurt, this fermented milk product has been around for thousands of years. In fact, it is believed that it originated in Bulgaria. From the Gaelic people to the Mongolians, yogurt has been a staple food for many traditional cultures. These cultures had no heart disease and lived on diets chiefly of fermented milk products and meats! The key was their milk was raw, not pasteurized. Pasteurization destroys many helpful enzymes in the yogurt and other cultured milk products.


Here are just a few of the health benefits you will receive from including yogurt in your daily diet:

• It’s loaded with friendly bacteria called lactobacillus acidophilus that is tolerated and assimilated better by those with allergies.

• Vitamins B and C are increased when raw milk is fermented into yogurt and other products, like kefir and raw cheeses .

• It protects you from bone loss.

• Fermenting milk breaks down difficult to digest milk proteins, so those that are lactose intolerant can usually enjoy the healthy benefits of yogurt.

• Lactase is an enzyme in fermented milk that breaks down the lactose in the digestive system, so yogurt improves your digestion.

• Yogurt is very beneficial for young nursing mothers, children, the elderly and those that are ill.

• Yogurt helps you fight infectious diseases.

Yogurt is easy to make at home and can be used in many different recipes. Smoothies are delicious when yogurt is added to the recipe. Also you can use it to make yogurt cheese, or a drink with lime juice and honey, herbal breads and dough for tart shells. Soak fresh ground wheat in water and a little yogurt overnight to neutralize the phytic acid in the wheat that inhibits digestion. It gives a wonderful sour flavor to breads!
©2009 Shanna Ohmes

Cayenne-- A Spice for the Heart

Cayenne has been in use for about 7,000 years.  It originated in Central and South America and then introduced to Europe by a physician traveling with Columbus.

Cayenne added to hot cocoa, as the Mayans did, adds zest to your chocolate!  My daughter and I tried it a few nights ago.  We tasted the chocolate first and then when we swallowed, felt the cayenne on the back of the throat.  I instantly thought this would be nice for sore throats!

Cayenne is antimicrobial--it counters the bacteria that cause food poisoning.  So if in doubt, sprinkle a touch of cayenne onto your meal.  This spice is good for digestion and tones the stomach.  It even helps heal ulcers.

Perhaps the best feature about cayenne is that it is so good for the heart and circulatory system.  It even helps stop a heart attack.  Just mix 1 teaspoon cayenne in a glass of water and have the patient swallow.  This in addition to CPR works better than CPR alone.  I learned this in the course I took from The School of Natural Healing by Dr. Christopher.

Pineapple-ness

c2008 Shanna Ohmes

I love pineapple. It adds a great tangy flavor on pizza and that Christmas ham. But did you know all the health benefits of this exotic fruit?

Pineapple has sugar, Vitamin C, bromelain, potassium, calcium, manganese, and fiber. Bromelain helps break down protein and also fights infections.

The list of ailments that pineapple can help relieve is varied. I'm sure as more research is done, we'll see this is truly an amazing fruit, as most of nature's plants are.

Pineapple is an anti-inflammatory and can be taken internally or applied topically. All the properties of pineapple aid the digestion, which is the seat (pardon the pun) of our health. Other benefits are:

• helps relieve angina and clears out plaque and blood clots
• clears bronchial passages, relieving coughs and loosening mucus
• symptoms of arthritis are lessened
• use after surgery and injuries, it repairs connective tissue
• builds healthy bones- for the young and old alike-good for those with osteoporosis
• use for colds
• gum disease, which leads to heart problems
• prevents and relieves constipation
• prevents and relieves nausea

The suggested use is 200-250 ml of raw pineapple juice daily (3x day for angina).
Include raw pineapple itself for the fiber to help process the juice.

I can attest to the pain relieving benefit. I injured my elbows while pulling weeds in the garden this summer. I could not pick up a glass of water without almost dropping it. This last week I started drinking a pineapple smoothie everyday, and within a week the pain is almost gone and I can now pick things up.

This is the smoothie I made up:
1 c. pineapple juice
1 c. orange juice
1 c. milk or yogurt (I use whole raw goat's milk when available, or 1/2 c. whipping cream and 1/2 c. milk)
1/2 of a 15.25 oz can of pineapple chunks, or you can use some fresh pineapple
2 bananas
6 ice cubes

Blend on ice crush setting in your blender. This makes 2 servings.