Ever since Açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries came into the health market, it’s interest has not slowed down. Native Brazilians have been eating acai berries long before the rest of the world knew about it. And to the natives, it’s just part of their daily diet.

My latest bar of Açaí Berry Superfruit handmade soap.  It’s made with acai berry extract. And also other superfruit such as pomegranate juice powder.  I also included organic beet powder and grape seed extract.

Acai has also found it’s way to the beauty industry too.  Some of Ikove Amazonian beauty products are made using Açaí as it provides a remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help to combat premature aging.  It contains essential amino acid complex and valuable trace minerals.

The Acai berry extract or pulp can be added to anti-aging creams, after sun products, body creams and lotions. Science Daily News noted, “Acai berries are packed with antioxidants that are essential to assist our bodies as they help fight illness and reduce the aging process.” It’s just good all around.

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Back in August I posted about the hype of using antibacterial products, especially ones containing triclosan. The FDA is finally raising concern over the use of triclosan in many consumer and household products.

It was reported in the Washington Post on April 8, 2010 that the Centers for Disease Control found triclosan in the urine of 75 percent of the population. The FDA and EPA has raised questions about whether triclosan disrupts the body’s endocrine system. And the frequent use of antibacterial products also helps to create bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

Triclosan began it’s uses as surgical scrub for medical professionals. It is also widely used in pesticides. And now it’s being added to consumer products to kill bacterial and fungus. It can be found in a variety of things such as cutting boards, soaps, lotions, and even shoes. It’s usually labeled as “antibacterial” properties.

The human body’s endocrine systems involves growth and development. So it’s important to keep it from being harmed with such chemicals as triclosan.

Avoid using any antibacterial product. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it’s very porous. I suggest just washing simply with soap and water.

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In 2010, California becomes the first state to ban trans fat from restaurants and bakeries. While New York and Boston have similar laws.

I have stopped eating many food that contain trans fat. Trans fat raises your bad LDL cholesterol and lowers your good HDL cholesterol. Trans fat is also called hydrogenated fats. It’s usually added to processed and packaged baked goods to extend shelf life. More money in seller’s pocket, bad health for consumer.

Last time I was at the grocery store and picked up a box of “Butter Croissant”. But soon put it back when the the ingredients listed partially hydrogenated oil instead.

This is the way a croissant should be made, with real butter!  It’s great as sandwich bread or with a bit of jam. Photo from Gunn’s Bakery.

Trans fat (hydrogenated oil) has been disguise as “healthy” fat substitute for a long time. The commonly used butter substitute is margarine and Crisco.

We have been mislead to think it’s better then butter. We are much better off cooking with real butter or lard (popular in Mexican food) then with margarine. And it taste better too!

Here is an excerpt of “The Skinny on Fats” written by Mary G. Enig, PhD and Sally Fallon:

” Instead of being eliminated, trans fats are incorporated into cell membranes as if they were cis fats—your cells actually become partially hydrogenated! Once in place, trans fatty acids with their misplaced hydrogen atoms wreak havoc in cell metabolism because chemical reactions can only take place when electrons in the cell membranes are in certain arrangements or patterns, which the hydrogenation process has disturbed.”

Trans fat lead to poor health such as heart disease and other metabolism problems. To have a healthier lifestyle, please avoid consuming trans fat.

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As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been brushing my teeth with my handmade soaps for a while now.

It all started when I read about Dr. Gerard F. Judd, a professor, chemist and researcher. Dr. Judd is not a fan of fluoride in water or commercial toothpaste. Especially since toothpaste contains addition glycerine and other abrasive additives.

Dr. Judd also states that glycerine does not come off your teeth easily, it leaves a film.  With handmade bar soap, there is naturally occurring glycerine and it rinses off clean and easy.  If you brush before bedtime, it would allow your teeth to re-enamelize while you are sleeping.

If you search online you will find many tooth soaps in the market. The basic ingredients are the same as handmade soap. Except some companies charge so much for it!

Pictured here is the “tooth savior”.  Photo from Olive Barn $18 at 1 oz.

Ingredients: saponified organic extra virgin olive, organic coconut, and organic palm oils, organic aloe, wild white oak bark, french green clay, sea salt, peppermint, spearmint & tea tree essential oils, chlorella, vanilla, stevia.

With the soap shreds, you simply place one little soap shred on the back molars, bite down, and then brush thoroughly. The shred will dissolve while brushing with a wet toothbrush.

“Contains no toxic fluoride, harsh abrasives, added glycerin, petroleum dyes, refined sweeteners, sodium lauryl sulfate, unsafe preservatives, or other harmful ingredients found in most commercial toothpastes that actually damage your teeth, your health, and the health of our planet!” - the makers of tooth savior.

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Earl Grey is a black tea blend flavored with bergamot oil from the bergamot orange. I was never really a fan of black tea, but I do like the smell of bergamot. The last good cup of Earl Gray I had was from Two Leaves and a Bud’s.

Recently I came upon another tea company that also makes organic Early Grey.  Heredia tea company is from Argentina. They use only tea filter paper without chlorine bleaches or synthetic materials. The teas are also made without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. So all that is a plus!

It’s very light and refreshing for black tea. I would say just as good as the cup from Two Leaves and a Bud. I found mine at TJ Maxx for $2.99 per box. You can also find them online for a better price too.

Photo of Heredia’s organic Earl Grey. Image source. Here is a good description of Heredia’s Earl Gray from La Tienda:

“Earl Grey tea is a popular tea with a fruity aromatic flavor that has been enjoyed for centuries. The tea gets its unusual flavor from oil of bergamot orange. The latest research indicates that the Bergamot orange is a cross between the sweet or pear lemon and the Seville or sour orange. The sour orange is native to southern Vietnam, hence the Chinese connection.”

Bergamot orange, the oils of this citrus fruit is used to flavor tea, added to soaps and lotions.  It’s a very refreshing citrus scent.  Photo by Klaus Reger, Wkipedia CC.

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Since it is Thanksgiving, I thought I should mention the health benefits of these tangy red berries.  They are usually available this time of year too.

The name cranberry derived from “craneberry” as the cranberry blossoms resemble the head of a crane. Wisconsin Rapids Area produces 30% of the world’s cranberries. Photo from Cranberry Blossom Festival.

I think the flowers look very much like fuchsias, except for what looks like beak here.  And the little green berries are cute.  I wonder how they taste.

Besides making sauce with them, cranberries can be a good addition to salads.  That add a slight bitterness, tangy punch, and the little pop sound when biting into them.   But I just like to mix it together with a bit of salt, chili peppers, and sugar - it is really good!

Cranberries are one of the most healthiest fruits available.  Dried cranberries are a favorite with trail mixes.  I also like them in granola bars.  It keeps the granola bar from being too boring.

The main benefits of cranberries is that it can help curb bladder infections (urinary tract).  Which I believe is much better than taking antibiotics.

Pretty bowl of cranberries.  Too bad the season is so short for harvesting them.  So get them while you can!  Photo from Naturipe Farms.

In 2005, researchers found that cranberries are also good for your teeth and gum.  This is from the University of Rochester press release on November 23, 2005:

“A team led by oral biologist Hyun (Michel) Koo, D.D.S., Ph.D., at the University of Rochester Medical Center has discovered that the same traits that make cranberry juice a powerful weapon against bladder infections also hold promise for protecting teeth against cavities. Koo found that cranberry juice acts like Teflon® for teeth, making it difficult for the bacteria that causes cavities to cling to tooth surfaces. Stickiness is everything for the microbe Streptococcus mutans, which creates most cavities by eating sugars and then excreting acids that cause dental decay.

Koo’s team also found evidence that cranberry juice disrupts the formation of the building block of plaque, known as a glucan. Like a mason using cement to build a wall brick by brick, bacteria use enzymes known as glucosyltransferases to build dental plaque piece by piece, quickly forming a gunky fortress that covers the tooth and gives bacteria a safe haven to munch on sugar, thrive, and churn out acid. Koo’s team found that cranberry juice prevents bacteria from forming plaque by inhibiting those enzymes and by stopping additional bacteria from glomming on to the ever-growing goo.”

But don’t go reaching for cranberry juice either, as the drinks are full of sugar. I would suggest taking cranberry fruit extract in pill form.

Gaia Herbs (supplier of herbal extracts and supplements) listed these nutrients found in the American Cranberry. Starting with polyphenols, anthocyanosides, proanthocyanosides, quinnic acids, catechins and a host of other antioxidants including a fair amount of Vitamin C and small amounts of Lutein, and quercitin.

Despite all the talk about protecting yourself from UV rays, there is actually more benefits of being in the sun. The main benefit is the production of Vitamin D by our body. The one thing few of us realize is that Vitamin D (mostly D3) is the key to boosting our immunity.

Especially during the flu season, we need all the immunity booster we can get. Vitamin C alone may not be enough to protect ourselves from the cold and flu. Especially for those that live in the northern parts of the world and get even less sunshine.

In Sept 2006, Dr. Cannell had his manuscript, Epidemic Influenza and Vitamin D, published in Cambridge University Press’ prestigious Journal of Epidemiology and Infection. The paper presented a revolutionary new theory on vitamin D’s link to influenza and was co-written by some of the world’s top vitamin D experts. More information found here.

The shorter days and less sunshine doesn’t help either. And many of us are indoor most of the days, if you are lucky enough to go outside for lunch, please take it.

Image source:  Luckyvitamin.com

If you get 20 minutes of full body exposure to summer sun, it will deliver 20,000 units of vitamin D within 48 hours. Compare that to 100 units you get from a glass of milk (which the U.S. government recommend - but is really too low).

Studies also suggest if you are fair skinned, you need just 10 minutes of sunshine per day to produce 10,000 IU of Vitamin D (but this is in tank top and shorts). For people who are naturally tan or of Hispanic origin, you need maybe 15 to 20 minutes. Darker skin may require six times the sun exposure to make the same vitamin D.

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Fruit leaves of all kind are traditionally used as herbal remedies.  One I like to include on this list is peach (Prunus persica) leaf.

It’s is mainly used as a sedative (calming effect), laxative (digestive aid), and mild diuretic (increase the flow of urine).

Other benefits of peach leaf include treating gastric and stomach irritations and abdominal tenderness, irritation, or congestion.

The peach leaves infusion is also used in treating chronic diarrhea and dysentery.  Peach leaf are also used to treat throat and bronchial irritation.  Also used to treat chronic hepatitis and bronchitis.

Recommended usage is 2 tsp. of dried leaf to 1 cup of boiling water. Infuse for 20 minutes. Use as a gargle for sore throat every 1/2 cup per hour.

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In Asia, the use of bamboo charcoal for health purposes is very popular. People in Japan, Korea, and China find the uses of bamboo charcoal to be very beneficial for many other uses too.

It was discovered that the porous structure of bamboo charcoal helps absorb bad stale air amongst many other benefits.

Bamboo charcoal is  made by placing cut and dried bamboo stalks into a kiln.  Cooked in high temperatures, the charcoal is then collected and cut into small pieces.  The pieces have found their use in the health and beauty market.

The following benefits of bamboo charcoal include:

Removes odor from kitchens, shoes, and other places.

Extracts humidity from the air and turns it into negative ions.

It’s also useful in help absorb formaldehyde.

Also helps fight electromagnetic waves from electronic items. So it’s best to place bamboo charcoal near your computer and other electronic items.

It’s also recommended to add bamboo charcoal and water to a vase of cut flowers. This helps extend the life of the flower.

So far I have added bamboo charcoal to my potted plants (which are near my computer), and also to my flower pots outside.  It’s only been 1 week since I’ve used it, so I can’t say if I’ve seen any improvements yet.

I have also put some bamboo charcoals in a basket and keep it in the bedroom.  This is to help clean the air. I’m hoping it’s making some difference.

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Root vegetables are great, from the basic Russet potatoes to sweet potatoes. They are also a good addition to curries and soups.  The bad news about conventional potatoes is that they are covered with more pesticide than any other vegetables.

“Russet potatoes are high in starch. Russet are perfect to cook mashed potatoes and also are good for baking.” - Photo from All About Potatoes.

Since finding out about how much pesticides is used to grow potatoes, I will have to think twice before purchasing any from now on.  Or even purchasing potato chips and french fries.  Since a majority of these farmed potatoes are used for this purpose.

Because potatoes are root vegetables, they soak in more chemicals then other produce.  Potatoes also require much more pesticides from beginning to end. As well as frequent weekly sprays to prevent blight. Then herbicides are used to kill tops of plants at the end of the growing season. As this makes it easier to harvest the tubers.

Over 40 toxic pesticides are used on potatoes and most of these pesticides are linked to chronic side effects such as cancer, disruption in endocrine and reproductive system. All these chemicals can’t be good for the environment, imagine what is leaching to our ground water.

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