You get home from work and almost before your coat is off and the keys are hung up, the radio is on.
You go to a friend’s for coffee and the TV is on in the background.
You sit in your car and give in to an almost physical need to tune in to your favourite station or listen to some music.
What’s going on? [Read more…] about Why Are We So Scared Of Silence?
How To Prepare Horseradish Roots And Leaves
Horseradish roots and leaves are edible, both raw and cooked.
But get it wrong and you’ll have a spice explosion on your taste buds.
So here are some top tips and simple recipes for making the most of fresh horseradish.
[Read more…] about How To Prepare Horseradish Roots And Leaves
How To Grow Horseradish Roots And Leaves
The humble horseradish root has many health benefits for us.
But buying fresh, good quality horseradish (without it being part of a sugary, pasteurised jar of sauce) can be difficult. Luckily it’s easy to grow your own roots and fresh leaves.
Here’s an essential step by step guide to growing your own horseradish (Amoracia rusticana). It’s easy to do – though it can commandeer your garden, if you don’t keep it in check. 🙂
The Many Health Benefits Of Horseradish
Horseradish (Amoracia rusticana) is a perennial herb, native to Europe and Asia.
It’s pungent, spicy taste is famous – or perhaps infamous – and many a taste bud has been shocked into submission by too liberal a helping of this humble white root.
But, prepared correctly, it not only adds a special extra zest to your food, but brings with it numerous health benefits.
The Health Benefits Of Horseradish
Horseradish roots and leaves have been well known to bring health benefits for hundreds of years. Here are some of the reasons why it has such a great reputation.
Note: this does not constitute medical advice and you should always consult your chosen medical professional, if you are unsure abut whether horseradish wild benefit you…
It clears your sinuses!
Anyone who has munched a chunk of raw horseradish root knows this to be true!
In fact, my Nanna used to chew raw horseradish whenever she had a cold.
The effect is near-instant, but it’ll make your eyes water 😉
It helps your digestive system – in moderation!
Horseradish is known to stimulate your appetite. It also helps your gastrointestinal tract to produce more digestive enzymes.
A word of warning, though: too much can act as an irritant – especially if your digestive system is sensitive or you have an ulcer.
it’s used to treat worms and parasites!
Ok, so it’s not all that nice thinking about little things creeping around in your insides, but if you have picked up worms or parasites (which many of us have), then the anti microbial properties of horseradish can help get rid of them…
It’s got lots of vitamin C
I once read a report that said 100g of fresh horseradish root contains 40% of the daily recommended dose of vitamin C . But, frankly, consuming anything like that amount would be crazy. Not only would your taste buds scream at you, but your intestines would consider going on strike.
So it’s got lots of vitamin C, but that doesn’t mean you should eat too much of it 😉
It’s antibacterial
It has been used for centuries to help with lung infections, such as bronchitis, and to deal with bladder infections. Of course, of you want to try this out, please consult a qualified herbalist, to make sure you’re getting advice tailored to your individual needs.
It helps the liver detoxify cancer cells
Researchers at the University of Illinois found in 2004 that 1g per day of horseradish root may help your liver to detoxify carcinogens, as well as slowing the growth of tumours. This is due to the compounds in horseradish called glucosinolates. Wonderful news!
So the humble horseradish root has many health benefits for us, when consumed in moderation.
Here are some ideas and recipes for cooking or preparing horseradish roots and leaves.
Buying fresh, good quality horseradish (without it being part of a sugary, pasteurised jar of sauce) can be difficult. Luckily it’s easy to grow your own,
Here’s an essential step by step guide to growing your own horseradish roots and leaves. It’s easy to do – though it can commandeer your garden, if you don’t keep it in check.
Do you enjoy eating horseradish?
Has it helped you to feel healthier?
We’d love to hear your views, via the comments box!
[rfjnewsletter]
Are You Trying Too Hard To Meditate?
Who do you believe: those who tell you that meditation should be enormously hard work? Or those who tell you it should be effortless?
Discover the secret problem that most beginner meditators encounter and how you can fix it – right now – easily. [Read more…] about Are You Trying Too Hard To Meditate?
5 Minute Mindful Breathing Meditation
Mindful breathing
Here’s a really simple mindful breathing meditation that you can do whenever you’re feeling tense and stressed.
- Stop whatever you are doing and take a deep breath in to your belly. Breathe out with an ‘ahhhh’ sound, as you relax your body and mind. Do this 3 times.
- Now allow your breathing to settle into a natural rhythm.
- Bring all of your focus to your breathing. Allow your mind to rest, watching, listening to and feeling the physical sensations of your breath.
- As you breathe in, you might like to mentally say something like, “I breathe in.”
- As you breathe out, you might like to mentally say something like, “I breathe out.”
- If you are feeling particularly stressed, you might choose phrases such as “I breathe in relaxation; I breathe out stress and worry.”
- If your mind wanders, that’s ok. Gently bring it back to following your breath.
- Repeat this for at least 10 breaths. Do it in a relaxed way, with a gentle smile on your face.
This technique is a wonderful, fast de-stressing tool, as well as being useful mindfulness practice.
Even if you’re not feeling stressed, you can still benefit hugely from regular practise of mindful breathing throughout your day. It can help you move into the present moment much more easily. And the more you practise, the easier it gets. It has a subtle, yet profound, impact on all aspects of your experience of life. 🙂
If you’d like to find out more about meditation and mindfulness, you might enjoy taking part in the 28 Day Meditation Challenge and my book – 52 Mindful Moments – contains simple mindfulness exercises you can do in under a minute, to go from stressed to smiling.
Do you have your own favourite mindfulness-based or other types of de-stressing techniques? We’d love to hear from you, via the comments box!
x Clare