Asparagus

Asparagus is a member of the lily family, that is super high in folate, a great source of potassium and low in sodium. The amino acid asparagine, gives asparagus a diruetic effect, and contrary to popular belief this is not the compound that can make urine odourous, the odour actually comes from the sulfur compounds.

Asparagus contains a unique kind of carbohydrate called inulin that we can't digest, but the health-promoting friendly bacteria in our large intestine, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, do. When our diet contains good amounts of inulin, the growth and activity of these friendly bacteria increase. And when populations of health-promoting bacteria are large, it is much more difficult for unfriendly bacteria to populate our intestinal tract.

Easy ways with asparagus

Eat it RAW
Grill asparagus, top with grated parmesan
Drizzle with olive oil and celtic sea salt
Sprinkle with balsamic and extra virgin olive oil
Sprinkle with fresh herbs
Steamed asparagus served with light lemon vinaigrette makes a delightfully refreshing salad.
Toss freshly cooked pasta with asparagus, olive oil and your favorite pasta spices. We especially enjoy thyme, tarragon and rosemary.
Chopped asparagus make a flavorful and colorful addition to omelets.

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Cucumber Salad

2 organic Green cucumbers
Macrobiotic sea salt
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar


Peel and slice thinly 2 organic green cucumbers, place in a bowl sprinkle with some macrobiotic sea salt, dress with 4 tbsp of vinegar, sit in fridge for an 1.5 hours. Serve with everything.

Note can add thinly sliced onion if you like too!

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Salute to SPRING

That’s what young kids may do if they’re suffering from seasonal hayfever – the ‘allergic salute’ – rubbing the nose upward with an open palm or extended index finger, which over time can result in a horizontal crease over the bridge of the nose. Bet you wanted to know that in full detail! Well maybe you will be grateful for the gory details if this is a behaviour you recognize in your own child/ren, especially if their allergies have not been diagnosed as such.
Many cases of hayfever in children are mistaken for the common cold, with symptoms being similar: nasal congestion, clear runny nose, itching of the nose and eyes and sneezing. Nasal itching may lead to some bizarre facial expressions as the child tries to relieve it and to one thing all parents love – nose picking. More serious symptoms can include headaches, wheezing and coughing, and nasal congestion is usually worse at night, interfering with sleep, and I’m sure we all well know that disturbed sleep often leads to a disturbed human being the next day – an irritable child then equals an irritable parent!
School-aged children with hayfever often have trouble concentrating in class due to tiredness and irritability, caused either by the hayfever symptoms themselves or as a side effect of anti-histamines, leading to compromised learning and cognitive function. Interestingly, there has been recent investigation in a possible correlation between hayfever and ADHD, as there are similarities in classroom symptoms.
Hayfever is in the same family as eczema and allergic asthma, and indicates an imbalance of the immune system. Most people are unaware that 70% of the immune system is in the gut, so digestive health is vital in the prevention and treatment of hayfever and other allergies – ensuring proper digestion and adequate bowel movements (sorry, but it needed to be said!) by getting plenty of raw fruits and veggies, water and exercise is important. Probiotics and digestive/anti-allergy herbs may also be need.
Another factor that has been found important in the immune system maturing properly is what’s called the ‘Old Friends’ hypothesis – that is, exposure to friendly micro-organisms in soil and worms – so get those mud pies cooking and don’t use antibacterial everything, which kills off all those lovely good bugs.
Diet can also create a state of immune imbalance and increased mucus production, predisposing to hayfever, and these dietary components do not necessarily give a positive reading in skin prick tests for allergies. Most typically, they are dairy products, white flour products, sugar, salt and yeast.

Brought to you by Janelle Moors, Naturopath/Remedial Massage Therapist
27 Yeaman Rd, Montrose, 3765 Ph: 0432 893 810 E: janelle.moors@internode.net.au

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Organic Date balls

1 cup raw almonds

1 cup dates

1/2 cup coconut flakes

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (plus extra for the coating)

In a food processor, first blend the almonds to a fine meal, then add the dates a few at a time. Next add the coconut flakes and vanilla extract and pulse a few times. Place the mixture in a small bowl and mix using hands. Form into 10cm balls and roll into the extra coconut flakes. Place onto a baking sheet lined container and refrigerate! DELICIOUS!

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Make a spring change

Spring is the best time to embark on a new journey, making for a lighter journey, healthier, cleaner, happier life. Reducing the toxic burden on your body can improve digestion, increase energy, clear up sinus problems, and make you feel better! So throw the windows open on your body, it doesn't have to be drastic, small incremental changes are the way to go…

BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO YOUR BODY

Throw out the sugars and fried foods, refined, processed, packaged, these foods rob your body of vitamins and minerals and give back very little in terms of health, energy and vitality.

If your mind doesn't know what it is you can be pretty certain that your body doesn't know what to do with it.. learn to read labels.

Drink WATER, this is the most important nutrient that we can intake, so get to it, drink regularly.

Increase your vegetable intake; try a new vegetable every week. Mix it up add vegetable to every dish that you eat.

Get active, go outside smell the crisp outdoor air, and improve your circulation, your head space and your ability to deal with problems.

Simple changes result in significant results, more energy and vitality, and a feeling of contentment.

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Chinese green Salad

4 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon organic soy sauce
1 teaspoon organic toasted sesame oil
3/4 teaspoon raw organic sugar
5 cups sliced, raw organic bok choy
2 tablespoons chopped organic cashews

Whisk together 4 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, and 3/4 teaspoon sugar in a bowl. Toss in 5 cups sliced, raw bok choy (any type; about 1 1/2 pounds). Top with 2 tablespoons chopped cashews

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Raw Cauliflower salad recipe

1 head small cauliflower, cut into small pieces
1 large head broccoli, chopped into small pieces
1 punnet cherry tomatoes
185 pitted black olives
220g feta cheese, crumbled
Italian salad dressing, to taste





In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, olives and feta. Add enough dressing to coat, toss and refrigerate overnight. It really is that easy and looks beautiful.