…what you put on your body counts as well.
A phone client and spa owner told me last week that Americans ingest an average of 5-7 pounds of chemicals via their skin each year.
Shortly thereafter, a reader here in Seattle sent me a link to this Cosmetic Safety database offered by the Environmental Working Group. It rates common cosmetics on a numerical scale of safety based on standards that would satisfy the most hyper-sensitive, hypervigilant consumer. Information available includes ingredients listed by potential toxicity, possible side effects, and reference for specific studies indicating hazards.

Check it out!

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This recipe comes from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. If you don’t have or feel like skewering these vegetables, they will be just as tasty simply oven-roasted. Enjoy!

With the weather cooling considerably and the days shortening, my bones have been aching for some steel cut oats. Not just any steel cut oats, but my tea-soaked steel cut oats (a genius discovery last winter). Steel cut oats have staying power far superior to oatmeal and provide all the benefits of whole grain oats in a thick, warming porridge with more substance than Quaker will ever have.
The problem with steel cut oats (and why most of you have never had them) is cooking time. I certainly don’t have 45 minutes in the morning to stand over a stove and cook fresh oats! I pondered a plausible solution — if my rice cooker can cook and keep rice warm, can it cook and keep oats warm?
Answer: YES! A resounding yes!

Aside from my Vitamix, the kitchen tool that makes me the happiest is the Sanyo ECJ-D100S 10 cup rice cooker. It will cook and keep rice warm until gone. Period. How ever many days it takes, you will have hot rice. It is the modern kitchen maven’s secret to easy, available whole grains.
I’ve made brown rice, wild rice, and oats in mine. I can use the keep warm function to keep quinoa and other quicker cooking grains hot and ready when I want them. I wake up every morning and have hot whole grains in my bowl in less than 45 seconds. It’s the next best thing to being fed by family.

Ah, is that the sound of sniffles in the air?

Cold and Flu season has arrived! Normally I squeak by unscathed, but this fall I can’t make that claim. I’m just sick enough to be a little cranky and low energy, but not so ill to feel comfortable taking a rest day. After whining for a spell, I’ve realized that I’m going to nip this in the bud quicker by doing less, dosing up on my favorite remedies, and getting some extra sleep. This is somewhat of an amazing feat as it counters a multi-generational attitude in my family (on both sides) of “toughing it out” through illness and injury.

I know many get struck with the cold or flu every time it comes around. While long-term nutrition strategies for a healthy immune system are the best way to counteract this, individual consulting is the best place for that discussion. So I’m going to share some of my favorite “helpers” to recover from illness quickly after you’ve been bit.

1) EHB: One of NF Formulas most popular concoctions, this herbal and vitamin support for immunity cuts the duration of illness significantly. This coupled with the Master Cleanser (below) enabled me to knock out Mononucleosis in 3-4 days about a decade ago. I’ve been a faithful supporter ever since!

2) Master Cleanser: This recipe, adapted from Stanley Burrough’s notorious fasting beverage, will knock out just about any cold, flu, or infection you may be experiencing.

• juice of one lemon
• 1 tbsp grade B maple syrup
• 2-3 small cloves garlic
• 1″ fresh ginger root, peeled.
• cayenne pepper or cayenne tincture, to taste
• 1/2 cup water
• hot water

Blend lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, cayenne, and half cup water until smooth. Pour into a 24-32 oz. mug and top off with hot water. This is most effective at night after a hot bath and before bed. Alternatively, it can be nursed throughout the evening. Use as much cayenne as you can tolerate. It tastes much better than it sounds, believe me!

3) Sweat it out! Saunas or hot baths increase the core body temperature will often kill off unwanted invaders. This is essentially creating a feverish environment within the body. Drink plenty of water during and after your bath or sauna. Also, wrap up in warm clothes and blankets afterwards to draw out the sweating potential.

4) Soup’s On! Mom’s chicken soup, a bowl of steaming pho, or your favorite broth-based soup rich with vegetables and protein will help boost your immune system, retain heat, and sweat out invaders. Garlic, ginger, cayenne, thyme, shiitake mushrooms, and licorice root can be added to further support the immune system and fight viruses.

What is your favorite way to combat colds and flus? Do you have any family recipes or tips that you’ve used to hasten the duration of a cold? I’m always open to suggestions and would love to hear what you have found helpful for you! Please share your favorite tips and recipes with me. If published, I’ll be sure to give you credit for your thoughtfulness!