Many of us have painful experience with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. I can’t think of anything much worse than seeing a loved one slip away, physically still present but mentally absent. Worse yet, many of us have seen loved ones’ personalities change, becoming combative and even violent as they slide inevitably toward a protracted death. … Read more
The holidays are here and it seems they are inevitably accompanied by packing on a few pounds. This doesn’t have to be the case if you follow a few very simple rules. Food should be pleasurable, but for many of us, the “stop” mechanism is broken. What’s wrong with a little cream puff or Swedish … Read more
Most of us think of sage as a savory addition to the kitchen spice rack. But now researchers say this herb’s silvery little leaf can help you stay healthy throughout your life by sharpening your memory, preventing heart disease and strengthening your immune system. Sage has been used for centuries to treat everything from snake bites … Read more
Here in the mountains of Western North Carolina, autumn has arrived. There’s a blush of gold across the mountainsides and the reds of the maples flare along the ridge lines. Fall always means apple time with a visit to the sweetly scented farm store and a bite into the freshest, crispest tangy Gala apple, juice … Read more
The idea of juicing seems to make the rounds in popularity and unpopularity, much like another other “health” regimens. On the surface, it seems like a good idea. It’s a way of getting a lot of nutrients all at once, perhaps taking care of your fruit and veggies intake for the day in one glass. … Read more
“Home-grown tomatoes, home-grown tomatoes, what would life be without home-grown tomatoes? Only two things that money can’t buy, that’s true love and home-grown tomatoes…” I hummed this favorite John Denver song to myself throughout the spring when I planted my seeds indoors, tenderly transplanted those little plants into my garden in May after the danger … Read more
As summer arrives, just a reminder that it’s always wise to limit your sun exposure. But who among us is always wise? Not me! Now’s the time to sing the praises of the kitchen plant — aloe vera. There’s nothing quite like the gel of this succulent plant to ease pain and speed the healing … Read more
If you’ve been reading these posts for any period of time, you’ve probably figured out that I am an enthusiastic coffee drinker. I don’t drink tons of it—maybe two or three cups a day—but, where once I couldn’t stand the taste, I’ve now become an aficionado. As it turns out, there is a growing body … Read more
If you’re like me, you enjoy a little glass o’ the grape or another adult beverage at the end of the day. Go for it! While we’ve known about the benefits of red wine for some time, recent studies how that all alcoholic beverages have health benefits mostly related to their anti-inflammatory properties. That’s no … Read more
Here’s something to warm the cockles of any chocolate lover’s heart: If you’ve had a heart attack, seriously consider eating chocolate at least twice a week to dramatically cut your risk of dying of heart disease. Researchers found that heart attack survivors who ate chocolate at least three times a week reduced their risk of … Read more