Health Notes #5

The Incredible-Edible Bulb

What's hot tasting and smelly, but good for you? Garlic!!! It is true that of all foods, garlic is one of the most odorous. But not only is it pungent smelling and powerfully flavored, it has been discovered to be miraculously healing.

Garlic inhibits viral multiplication and was found in a study in China to have an anti-viral activity against the influenza virus. Garlic stopped the growth of the parasite that causes nearly 400 million cases of dysentery diarrhea in the world each year.

Garlic was found to raise the HDL (good) cholesterol while decreasing the LDL (bad). However, on those whose diets consisted largely of steak, pastries and ice cream, garlic made little difference.

It has provided a tremendous relief to many who have suffered from allergies and studies have shown that garlic can prevent carcinogen-induced cancers.

Kyolic, an odorless garlic product, available in health food stores, can be used if you don't wish to chew the "tasty" bulbs or add them to your cooking in daily amounts.

Kyolic garlic capsules have been shown to kill 159% more tumor cells than the natural killer cells of those who did not eat garlic.

Using garlic for treating illness may sound a little different, but in the light of the brief information given above, I hope you will give it a try.

(The above was taken from a book worth buying, Garlic For Health, by Dr. Benjamin Lau, available from Light Bearers Resource Center P.O. Box 1888, Malo, WA, 99150, Cost: $3.95.)

What about your breath when you eat garlic? Try serving fresh parsley or chew on some dill seed after your meal. Or, the other alternative, get your friends to try the garlic habit too.

Did you know? If one is eating enough of a good variety of plant foods to maintain ideal weight, that individual is getting enough protein. There are more dangers and problems connected with too much protein than too little.

Animal protein appears to produce a greater loss of calcium than does plant protein. Hip fractures around the world actually occur more frequently in populations that consume higher levels of calcium derived mainly from dairy products. Populations with more hip fractures are those that have higher intakes of protein.

Salad ideas

Marvelous Marinated Carrot Salad

1½ lbs. carrots

½ c. finely chopped onions

½ c. finely chopped green peppers

½ c. water

¾ c. tomato sauce

¼ c. olive oil

¼ c. honey

¼ c. lemon juice

1 Tbs. soy sauce

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. dill weed

Cut cleaned carrots into ¼" circles. (about 4½ c.) Steam until crisp-tender. Rinse in cold water and drain. Put into a bowl and add onions and peppers. Blend remaining ingredients well and add to carrots. Stir, cover, and chill. Fix several hours before serving. Stir once or twice before serving to mix flavors.

Cucumber Salad

½ c. chopped onions

2 c. chopped tomatoes

3½ c. chopped cucumbers

2 Tbs. lemon juice

1½ tsp. dried mint (opt.)

¾ tsp. dill weed

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. garlic pwd.

¼ tsp. celery seed

1 Tbs. oil

1 tsp. onion pwd.

Mix all ingredients gently but thoroughly. Serve immediately or chill first. Scrumptious!

One of the most nutritious greens for your salad is sprouts. Mix them with your lettuce for nutrition and variety. You can find them at most grocery stores -- or grow them at home!

• Forgiveness is the perfume that flowers breathe when they are stepped on.

• One reason for doing the right thing today, is tomorrow!