If you want positive change - start with your daily routine.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step", "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today" There are lots of time tested saying and proverbs that have a similar theme. Small changes made now add up to big changes across time.
How to fortify your day with #ArmoredCoffee.
Try this - make your favorite cup of coffee. Add one dropper of Liquid Concentrate, stir and drink.
Choose from any one of the Liquid Concentrates for your needs and taste. The Turmeric containing products also contain Black Pepper to maximize the time the Turmeric remains available for your system.
View full article →Google Search Trends show that "Our digestive systems could use some help"
It would seem that we are facing a rising wave of upset stomachs (pardon the poor pun)...
A number of studies starting in 2005 have continued to show that Turmeric and the Curcumin it contains can do a good job of supporting your bodies healthy immune response including our digestive system.....
For people with health challenges the right gift can make a big difference
The holiday season provides us with an opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives. In a special way, your gift choices can bring joy to people with health challenges both big and small.
We founded Verdant Kitchen on the belief that some natural foods have an outsized ability to help promote wellness and to have a positive impact on our lives. We have had the great fortune to help improve the quality of life for so many people over the past few years.
"Chemo patients need these. Nice tin for carry in chemo bag or handbags." Denise H on Ginger Bites
A few days ago I was feeling unwell. I had picked up a chest cold on my trip to the SEMA show in Vegas a few weeks back and try as I did, I could not get rid of it. A course of heavy antibiotics quickly got it under control but let me feeling very nauseous - a few pieces of Bare Ginger every 3 hours I felt no nausea. My problem was a small and temporary one, but it reminded me how disruptive pain, discomfort, nausea, and exhaustion can be. Health issues, even small and temporary ones, can rob your quality of life.
"They make most queasiness during a flight go away without medication for me, which is helpful, but I also keep them in my desk just for snacking." Michelle E. on Turmeric Dusted Baby Ginger.
As excited as I am about great flavor I am more excited to develop products that help build and maintain strong active lives.
Here are a few ideas for you. Our food, supplements, and collections can be a gift in themselves but also consider building your own gift box around your Verdant Kitchen selections. These include simple items you can pick up at any grocery or drug store. Think of things to help stay warm, moisturized, entertained and relaxed. Warm socks, scarves, and soft blankets. Natural ingredient based moisturizes and lip balm. Books and magazines or audio books and subscriptions are always appreciated.
Rather than come up with an exhaustive list, here are some starting point suggestions. Think about your friends and family who may be putting on a brave face but would really appreciate a gift that made them feel brighter and better able to cope with the holidays.
Prescription medications and chemotherapy often cause nausea, low appetite and a rejection of many familiar tastes.
"Ginger Syrup was the only thing that got me through my breast cancer treatments" Meredith on Ginger Syrup in water as a drink to sip.
for higher levels of Ginger consider our Farm Fresh capsules
People who suffer from Motion Sickness - for those who suffer from motion sickness, it can ruin travel. Ginger can help reduce nausea that is the result of motion sickness.
I loved this quote from Katie M
"..not the flavor for me AT ALL, but when I read it’s helpful for morning sickness, I had to give it a try! these are in tiny tolerable pieces and seemed to tame the nausea a bit."
Pregnant Moms often have a unique battle with nausea. We have so many moms tell us that our ginger products really helped them.
Ida M on nausea she suffered during pregnancy.
"Got this to help fight my pregnancy nausea. Love being able to use a natural remedy. The sugar makes it super tasty."
Ida chose the Ginger Bites, but similar items include Bare Ginger and Crystallized Ginger.
For people battling various arthritic diseases, consider warm Ginger Turmeric Green Tea and Turmeric Infused Honey as individual items or gift collections.
Check out more ideas in gift giving from our blog The Six Essentials for Great Gifts
How to Grow Turmeric at Home - 5 key steps for the best results
5 Steps to Growing Turmeric at Home
- Get three pieces (each about 1 inch) of fresh Turmeric root from the grocery store. Make it organic if you can.
- Fill a 5-gallon plastic pot or container 3/4 fill with well-drained potting soil. The extra room will be needed as the turmeric root grows later in the season and fills the container
- Place the turmeric pieces 1 inch under the top of the soil and cover them and keep it damp but not wet
- Place in a sunny warm location where the temperature stays between 70-80 degrees F. We like to cover the top of the potting mix with a 2 inch blanket of mulch like pine bark or straw to reduce evaporation and keep it warm. Now be patient - it is going to take a while for them to shoot.
- 5. Shoots will appear in 2-4 weeks. Add a general purpose fertilizer every 6 weeks
Enjoy the journey - Ginger can prevent and relieve nausea associated with motion sickness
Let's start with a few dictionary definitions. I'm going to use the word "vomiting" (1) only four times because I don't know now about you but even the saying the word "vomiting" (2) will make me want to (refer to Mr. Barf).
"Nausea - definition: a stomach distress with distaste for food and an urge to vomit (3). I'm not even going to use up my last time with a definition of what comes next. We kind of all know what that means. All jokes aside, when this happens to you, it is anything but amusing. But there's a lot you can do to stop it before it ever starts.
There are a number of things that can cause nausea including food poisoning, a bad taste or smell, fear, drug interactions such as chemotherapy, and motion sickness.
For this conversation, we are going to focus on motion sickness.
NASA is one group that has spent a lot of time studying motion sickness. As a pilot or team member in a critical flight or space mission, motion sickness is not just an inconvenience, it can be life threatening.
James Locke, flight surgeon at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, has been studying the causes of motion sickness. In a recent Scientific American article, he said of his research:
"Despite decades of research, scientists are still not sure exactly why motion sickness occurs—or how. The currently accepted theory is that sensory conflict is to blame.
"Information from both our visual and vestibular systems is processed by the brain to match it all up. Your vestibular system—your inner ear—is tuned to a terrestrial, 1G environment," Locke says. "When you move [yourself] around, changes in your vestibular system match up with what you're seeing. But [riding] in an airplane or car, your inner ear signals that you're moving, but your eye says you're sitting still" because your body is not moving in relation to its immediate environment—such as the seat you're sitting in, the back of the seat in front of you and the floor beneath your feet.
From reviewing a good cross-section of scientific literature it also seems that motion sickness impacts each of us differently. Perhaps 1/3 of people are unaffected. Unfortunately for those who suffer from migraines, they are also more prone to suffer from motion sickness. For others, it depends on the circumstances and someone not usually impacted can suddenly succumb to nausea and vice versa. In addition, there are ways to reduce nausea and as it turns out ways to reduce the likelihood that nausea progresses to vomiting (4th and I'm done).
Things you can do to delay, reduce and deal with the nausea symptoms.
There are both positive actions we can take and foods, supplements, and drugs that act to reduce the feeling of motion sickness and the unfortunate end result if left unchecked.
Adaption - in many tests people can be trained to reduce motion sickness. Exposure to small and increasing levels of motion can allow people to reduce and delay nausea. I think that if you are a pilot, a professional fisherman, or astronaut this is probably a good idea, but if you are taking a flight or a vacation cruise or are a passenger in a car or bus, adaption therapy may not work for you.
Sync your senses - Since motion sickness is linked to times when our eyes are not in sync with the inner ear, then try and get them back in sync. Try closing your eyes, go to sleep or get where you can see the horizon.
Drugs - There are prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements that have proven effective for motion-related nausea. These include Dramamine and scopolamine among others. While they have shown positive effects, they come with side effects including drowsiness and dry mouth.
Ginger - (botanical name Zingiber officinale) is harvested from the edible underground roots or rhizomes of the perennial, herbaceous plant. Ginger takes around 10 months to grow in subtropical climate conditions. The ginger roots are a complex blend of many bioactive compounds including gingerols and shogaols, which give ginger its warm taste, and resins and oils that give ginger its distinctive aroma. Both sets of compounds have a part to play in reducing motion sickness.
Ginger has undergone extensive testing (and 5,000 years of cultivation and consumption) including peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials (the best standard) for a wide range of conditions that lead to nausea. Some investigations have shown strong impacts on nausea, some have shown it to be at least as effective as the leading drugs, but without the side effects, and some have failed to show effectiveness. As we now better understand the variation in nausea from person to person and across time, this is not surprising.
The exact method of nausea relief is not fully understood, but it does appear that ginger affects the tone and motion of the stomach together with a number of key pathways that cause a positive effect by their impact on the brain and nervous system.
The consensus is that ginger is recognized as safe and prevents and relieves nausea and vomiting (oops, an extra one) caused by motion sickness.
Ginger is available fresh, pickled, candied and as cookies, tea blends, preserves, ginger ales and supplements. Each has a different level of ginger and in addition the ratio and absolute levels of gingerols and shogaols. Shogaols tend to be higher in dried ginger, and in studies, shogaols may have a large anti-nausea impact.
There is no established FDA Daily Value for ginger, however, many of the clinical trials use a daily dose of 700-1000 mg of dried ginger powder. With this as a guide, it would equate to the following:
- Ginger, dried supplement Capsules 700-1000mg - 2 capsules approx.
- Ginger, fresh root - 1/4-1/2 ounce
- Candied ginger - 1/4-1/2 ounce or 1-2 large pieces or 6-8 small pieces
- Ginger tea - 4 cups
Try to take the ginger 30 minutes to an hour before travel.
Ginger Side Effects - ginger is a potent bioactive spice. Pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, people on blood thinners and other prescription drugs should seek medical advice before use.
Happy travels!
Verdant Kitchen
Disclaimer - This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Treating Allergies with Natural Nutrition
The days get warmer, the trees bloom, and with that comes a deluge of pollen that can often make us miserable with allergies. There are natural foods, however, that can help reduce the impact of these allergies and the need to reach for synthetic drugs with their many unwanted side effects.
To better understand what is happening in our bodies, and how we can help, let's look at how our immune system works and responds.
The National Institutes of Health has an excellent publication (NIH Publication No. 03-5423) that provides a clear explanation of how our immune system works.
"The most common type of allergic disease occurs when the immune system responds to a false alarm. A normally harmless material such as grass pollen or house dust is mistaken for a threat and attacked. Allergies such as pollen allergy are related to an antibody known as IgE. Like other antibodies, each IgE antibody is specific; one acts against oak pollen and another ragweed."
Our amazing immune systems have fast response mechanisms. Once we encounter an allergen such as a pollen, our B cells make specific IgE antibodies. These antibodies attached to mast cell. These mast cells are the bodies fast allergy storm troopers. Inside them they have granules of histamine and heparin - chemicals that the body uses to speed the diffusion of white blood cells into muscle to help fight against infection. The next time these primed mast cells encounter the same pollen, they release their payload of histamine. When this happens in a cascading way, we can suffer from a major allergic response out of balance with the threat.
There are a wide range of chemicals both artificial and natural that can mediate the action of these mast cells to reduce over-reactions to common allergens. Nature has produced broad classes of chemicals that are particularly effective at stabilizing the mast cells.
Foods high in flavonoids and polyphenols are of special interest. These are some of our favorite brightly colored foods. They include Quercetin, which is found in high levels in the skin of apples, berries and capers; Resveratrol found in grapes, red wine and raspberries; and Curcumin, one key active ingredient in Turmeric.
A lot of study has focused on the role Turmeric can play in the mediation of allergies and inflammation. In recent studies, Curcumin has been found to suppress the IgE-mediated allergic response. It appears that Curcumin has anti-allergic activity - it significantly inhibited antigen-induced degranulation of the mast cells and the release of their histamine.
The effect of Curcumin appears to function to mediate the Mast cell at low concentrations. The Curcumin is naturally manufactured in the rhizome of our organically grown Turmeric and provides its bright orange color.
With this knowledge, we can create allergy-fighting menus that can keep levels of naturally occurring Quercetin, Resveratrol and Curcumin in our blood stream while enjoying delicious, nutritious and healthful foods. Our suggested menu is enhanced for spring with the addition of Turmeric Capsules. It includes allergy-fighting raspberries, ginger, turmeric, onions, capers and apples that will keep you satisfied and ready to face these spring days.
A Daily Menu Packed with Allergy-Fighting Natural Goodness
Breakfast - Organic Oats, Ginger and Seasonal Berries + Ginger Turmeric Green Tea + Farm Fresh Turmeric capsules
Snack - Peanut Butter Energy Balls with Turmeric Infused Honey + Ginger Turmeric Green Tea
Lunch - Lox and Bagels with onions and capers
Snack - Red Apple + Ginger Turmeric Green Tea
Dinner - Green salad with pomegranates, olive oil and Turmeric Infused Honey dressing. Spicy Turmeric Hummus. Fresh peaches + Ginger Turmeric Green Tea + Farm Fresh Turmeric capsules
Turmeric Ginger Green Tea - complex & intense, fresh whole body wellness
I wish we had the ability to share aromas online. Today we are fresh grinding our USDA Organic, USA Grown Ginger and Turmeric from our Savannah Organic farm for a batch of Ginger Turmeric Green Tea that will be produced this week in our Organic kitchens in Atlanta, GA.
But back to how it smells. I can't share the aroma, but let me try and describe it.
Our USDA Organic spices, including Ginger and Turmeric, are grown in sandy loams near the coast. They have that terroir. We grow over nine varieties of Ginger and four varieties of Turmeric (and several varieties of Galangal) and each has a unique flavor profile.
Careful processing does not mean low tech. Once harvested and washed, the spices are sliced and carefully raw food dehydrated in atmospheric-controlled rooms. They are then ground in air flow, all designed to minimize heat and maximize the existing essential oils, polyphenols, phytochemicals and other nutrients and functional products. The assault on your senses comes in no small part due to the careful way we prepare the ingredients. At Verdant Kitchen® we believe strongly that the end product can never be better than the ingredients used to make it. Take this concept and walk backward through the process. You come back to the soil, the farm, the seedlings, the irrigation, the harvest, and worry and work to make it the best it can be at every step.
The Ginger - intense citrus, but much more complex. Perhaps a reminder of Bergamot in a morning cup of Earl Grey. Sweet like a Hungarian Pepper. Something complex underneath, something that makes you feel happy, but what is it? Your mouth waters, ginger has that effect. Suddenly you feel it more than smell it. The essential oils are being absorbed and connecting with your brain. You almost sneeze and smile.
The Turmeric - carrots, is it carrots? No not carrots, but perhaps carrots mixed with butternut squash and something else. Savory, similar to the sea breeze from the marsh near the fields. Fresh pepper, a hint of camphor like your Grandma's old cupboard. Something familiar and friendly.
The Green Tea - grassy, fresh a little bitter. We speak a lot about the benefits of Ginger and Turmeric, but Green Tea especially when consumed several times a day has well proven positive impact including clinical research on the reduction of the development of Prostate Cancer. Here is a link to our blog and video on Green Tea and Prostate Cancer.
Together they are a potent blend of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and polyphenols that can provide joy and wellness benefits across a broad range of critical body functions.
Making a cup of this tea could not be simpler. Here is a video where I have used our office Keurig. Use really hot water and let it steep for a few minutes. Some of the active ingredients, especially in the Turmeric, have limited solubility in cold water. The hot water will extract the oils and essential chemicals and provide you with enhanced bioavailability.
Ginger and Turmeric under the Live Oaks - Verdant Kitchen USDA Organic Farm Savannah, GA.
An Early Spring continues a 30-year trend - the Bees already knew
A lot has been said about the trend in warming weather. You can choose to call it climate change or not, but what is fact is that we have seen warming average temperatures for the last 30 years.
Looking across the US we can see this trend as increases in average mean temperatures by state.
You can customize you information at this NOAA site
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/temp-and-precip/state-temps/
If seems like every other person I have met in the last week has a cold of some sort. Changing temperature profiles changes disease spread. To focus on immunity and recovery, see FightBack5
We will hear a lot more about climate change and sometimes it seems a bit abstract and difficult to apply to your daily lives. On the farm it is only too obvious. Planting and harvest times are keyed to last frost, first frost and average temperatures. The temperatures and associated rainfall drives insect emergence, which has a very direct impact on quality and yield. Crops that have never been grown in a region suddenly become possible, while long-term staple crops become uneconomic.
Last week in mid-February on the farms at Verdant Kitchen in Savannah GA, the camellias were finishing their flowering. The azaleas were finishing a big bloom. It was 79 F. The weed seeds had shot and clover was 6 inches high and lush.
Farms worry about lots of things, but above all they worry about uncertainty. Uncertainty generally means reduced yields and increased costs. These are costs that in the end are borne by the consumer. We should understand climate change and all do our part to reduce the impact. The consequences of changing climate will hit our pockets and our environment.
We can watch our graphs and first and last frost almanac dates - but just go stand by a flowering shrub. The bees will tell you when it's spring.
What the Research Shows: Green Tea & Prostate Cancer
Green Tea contains high levels of polyphenols that have been shown in research to contribute to anti-cancer impacts. Prostate Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the USA, and up to 30% of men 30-40 years show precancerous lesions. Can Green Tea help to reduce rates of death from Prostate Cancer? We will look to see what the research shows. Click here for products included.
How To: Brew a great cup of Ginger Turmeric Green Tea
In 60 seconds or less, you can brew a delicious cup of USDA Organic tea. If you only do one thing today to step toward wellness - make a cup of green tea. The process of steeping tea in hot water goes back thousands of years. The gentle and enjoyable process helps release the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals in this blend of natural products in a way that is easy for our bodies to absorb.
