Keeping healthy the simple way....

It is Wednesday, and a beautiful fall day in my little hamlet....I have been up since early morning, for when that rooster begins to crow outside my window, and my dogs begin to stir, it's really hard to stay asleep...dogs and roosters.....arghhhh....
I have been fighting a cold these last few days, and yesterday I went to buy my supplements, hoping to ward off whatever is trying to get its hold on me. I have started my regimen of Bovine Colostrum, Colloidal Silver, Zinc and vitamin C ester. I have found this combination will take care of just about anything, the Colostrum and Silver are natural antibiotics used long before doctors got their hands on the antibiotics of today. To quote CNR "Standard over the counter medicines do not cure colds or flu; they just mask the symptoms so that we feel better until our immune systems deal with the viruses that cause the illness. Antiviral medications have limited or no effectiveness and often come with side effects that are worse than the illness they’re supposed to treat".  http://www.icnr.org/info/index.htm 

Bovine Colostrum, has many applications that can boost your immunity, and in the case of some of the newer flu strains, it regulates your bodies ability to fight off the virus, keeping it from overreacting which is what leads to death.
I am no health expert, but I have learned to listen to my body, and to use the internet effectively...I have gone many years with out the "benefit" of health insurance.  I am probably one of the many who have survived without relying on todays health system or Insurance companys.  I am proactive with my health, trying to eliminate what we all know hurts us, and supplementing my diet with foods and supplements that enrich my life,  hopefully ensuring freedom from illness long into my "golden" years.

I work out about 7 hours a week, eat mostly vegetables, supplementing with meat occasionally, drink lots of water, and alcohol only in moderation.  I meditate, and spend lots of time outdoors either gardening, or just doing whatever strikes my fancy.  

Stress is the number one cause of illness...I know myself when I begin to let things bother me it usually manifests itself as some kind of skin malady....a breakout, or hives...not pretty at all!!  So, I know to be proactive about my "mental" health too...keeping it all bottled inside will leave me not only feeling crappy, but with one heck of a rash :).  It is important to find an outlet for whatever is bothering you.  For me, I write, or clean....my son knows to stay out of my way if I am cleaning a closet....it is a sure indicator I have something on my mind that I need to work through.

I do not take prescribed medications, or over the counter drugs either....what I try to do is look for natural alternatives-- herbs, supplements, and healthy detox theraphys--just keeping it simple.  Mmmmmmm....the best cure all, as we all know is a good dose of chicken soup....

Chicken soup for the Simple soul....

1 large stewing chicken halved and placed in a large pot.  Cover with cold water and a lid and boil until chicken begins to fall off the bone.

While the chicken is cooking slice up one yellow onion, three celery stalks including leafy top, three carrots, one small bunch of parsley, and two pods of garlic.  Saute all of the veggies in 4 tablespoons of butter, or olive oil.  Saute until the onions are clear and set aside.  Once your chicken is ready, remove it from the pot and let cool.  Add the cooked veggies to the chicken broth and bring to a boil....taste the broth, it probably needs salt and pepper.  I like to add a bit of sage, thyme and maybe a bay leaf or two. At this point you can also add some frozen veggies...corn, peas and green beans work well.  Continue cooking until the vegetables are to your liking.

When the chicken is cool enough to handle remove all of the meat and discard the bones.  Add the meat to the broth-stir and taste again.  Now here you need to decide if the soup is fine as it is, or whether you are going to add one of the following,

Rice

pasta

dumplings

Wild rice, makes a nice addition, I like the texture and flavor it adds to the soup, especially in the not so chilly spring and summer months when you are craving soup.  But my favorite is dumplings....the epitome of comfort foods, dumplings floating like little clouds in a bath of savory chicken broth is heavenly.
You have two choices when it comes to dumplings....you can pull out the bisquick and follow the directions-they make up some fantastic dumplings, or you can make them yourself easily.

Dumplings

Heat soup to a slow steady boil. In a medium bowl,  combine 1 Cup of flour, 2 tsp of baking powder, and  1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in 1/2 Cup of milk, and beat until stiff. Drop batter 1 tablespoon at a time into the boiling soup. Cover, and cook for 10 minutes.

Immediately serve the soup with the dumplings, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended to provide education about topics of general interest in the nutritional and nutraceutical areas. It is not intended as medical advice.  I encourage all readers to discuss questions about information contained in this web blog  with their health care practitioners.