It seems like every year right about this time, my rear end seems to want to merge permanently with the couch. The after holiday “slouch past solstice” takes hold and I have a hard time getting in gear. It’s a perfect time to detox and boost your winter immune system, and parsley is the perfect herb for the job.

This year I had some left over from Thanksgiving that somehow stayed amazingly fresh despite being neglected at the back of the vegetable drawer. I decided to try it Tabouli style using the Wild Oats Quinoa and Brown Rice mix that I’ve been loving. The recipe is simple and bright, and was a nice afternoon pick me up just when I was needing exactly that.

Parsley is high in vitamin C (one cup has more than five oranges!) The high chlorophyll content helps to purify blood, and the flavonoids help with the formation of glutathione – which allows the body to detoxify and heal more effectively.

Parsley Enriched Quinoa Brown Rice Salad

• 1 cup Wild Oats Quinoa and Brown Rice
• 1 cup plus three tablespoons water
• 1 cup Wild Oats Chicken Broth
• 1/2 – 1 cup fresh Italian Parsley to taste
• ¼ cup of chopped sweet onion
• One large tomato – or a large handful of cherry tomatoes
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1/4  cup of Wild Oats Olive Oil (generous)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

1) Following the directions on the package cook the rice and quinoa until just done, replacing one of the cups of water with a cup of Wild Oats Organic Chicken broth. (It has a tendancy to want to get soggy when made with broth, so a little less water is good. Remove from heat and set aside – or in the fridge to cool.

2) Chop up the parsley, sweet onion and tomato.

3) Combine the olive oil, and the juice of one lemon.

4) Mix all ingredients together. Grind in some fresh black pepper and Sea Salt. Then enjoy!

If you like you can save the tomato and use it in wedges as a garnish with a scoop of the quinoa, parsley and rice mixture in the middle. The Olive oil and lemon is one of those can’t beat combos.

I think it gets better as it sits. Not sure how long it stores since I ate it right up, but I would imagine a couple days at least.

Cleansing properties of parsley

Parsley as a super food

Oh gosh, it is January 3^rd already!  Did you finish 2014 with too much celebrating on New Year’s Eve?  I hope not!  Yes, New Years is a special occasion … and “responsible drinking” is always a good idea!

In the world of cancer, “responsible drinking” equals “no drinking”.   I know that sounds extreme but it is the conclusion reached in the 2014 World Cancer Report  issued by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research in Cancer.  This is true for breast cancer … and several other cancers.

This huge report is actually a 630 page book.  It is the global authority on the subject.  The WHO (World Health Organization) declared alcohol as a carcinogen in 1988.  Back then it was specifically in relation to cancer of the esophagus.  Since then, it has been verified with absolute certainty that alcohol consumption can cause several other cancers.  The list of cancers that fall into this group are:  breast, liver, colon, rectum, esophagus, pharynx, larynx and mouth.  Cancers like pancreatic, renal (kidney) and many others are found to be associated with alcohol use but not necessarily caused by alcohol use.

OK, so alcohol causes breast and other cancers.  What about “light drinking”?  According to the report, the research team looked at 222 studies with 92,000 light drinkers and 60,000 non-drinkers.  Light drinking was associated with breast, esophageal, mouth and pharynx.  So, actually, with breast cancer, even light alcohol consumption increases our risk.

Now, please don’t think that alcohol is the only thing that can cause those various cancers.  It is a modifiable behavioral cause, but certainly not the only cause.  Heck, I’m a great example.  As an ER doc I’ve seen the impact of alcohol use and abuse.  That would be a turn-off by itself.  I am and always have been a total light-weight when it comes to alcohol. Half a glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve, a wine spritzer twice a year, and that’s about it!  And, with that … I was diagnosed with breast cancer over 20 years ago! So, in my case, I am confident that alcohol did not play a part in my diagnosis.  Other things that I had control over definitely did play a part in the issue.  These “modifiable behavioral risk factors” included diet, sleep and stress management  ….  to name a few.

When it comes to heart disease, not cancer, there is good data that light to moderate alcohol intake (preferably red wine) is good for the heart.  Many of my patients drink a glass or two of red wine with dinner on a regular basic  …. with my blessing.

In summary:
●   any intake of alcohol increases the risk of a breast cancer diagnosis  .. and some other cancers too
●   a small amount of alcohol daily can have health benefits for your heart
●   all our decisions come with consequences

So, what to do?  You’ve heard it from me before  … be aware and use good judgment.  It’s a New Year!  We’ll make lots of decisions  … some good  … some not so much.  Oh, the adventure of life!

For thousands of years, scientists have been taming the genetic traits of plants and animals. Wheat, corn and other grains have been selected primarily on the basis of yields. Cattle and poultry have been bred to pack on as many pounds of meat as possible in the shortest amount of time.

All of this domestication has come with some very expensive trade-offs. The rise of gluten and lactose intolerance are increasingly linked to the inability of many human digestive systems to process the genetic varieties of plants and animals that have been selectively bred over subsequent generations.

That’s why I was intrigued the other day to see some news coming out of the University of Copenhagen suggesting that perhaps it’s time to take a step back—or perhaps several steps back—in looking at new breeding techniques for crops and livestock. Wild varieties of plants and undomesticated breeds of animals in the ancient world carried traits that were naturally drought tolerant, resistant to diseases and harmful insects, and withstood harsh climate changes.

And, the human digestive system evolved as our ancestors consumed those ancient varieties. So, going back in time means restoring a balance that has been upset by many of the so-called advancements in agriculture.

A growing number of farmers are already ahead of the curve on this one. “New” products made from ancient grains like kamut and quinoa are being used in a variety of bakery products that are more easily digested that conventional wheat. Dairy farmers restoring some of the traditional milking breeds of cattle are bringing to market milk that can be enjoyed by people who have been diagnosed as lactose intolerant.

Perhaps the slogan for 2015 should be, Out with the New, In with the Old.

On New Year’s eve, I went over to my friend Danielle’s apartment and we started off the celebration with a small ceremony in which the four of us new friends each shared our very personal aspirations for 2015.

Danielle dimmed the lights, lit some candles, and we sat in a circle and each took turns being open and honest about our hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. We started off each goal with the term “I will… ” instead of “I want…”, which is a more empowering approach in verbalizing what we wish to accomplish.

I have to say when I verbalized my goals aloud to my new friends, I felt vulnerable. It’s not so often that you state what you really want as something that will definitely happen. It was really liberating in a lot of ways. I even cried a little bit, unintentionally that is, when I said what I expected of myself in 2015.

There was a common theme among us, one of us being male and the other three being female, that we all wish it in our own certain way to stop being so mean to ourselves. When you’re open and honest about your feelings with people that you don’t know all that well yet, it is then that you realize that we has humans share this commonality in our own personal lives that we truly expect a great deal from ourselves and we don’t treat ourselves with the same respect that treat our friends.

One friend will to be less disappointed in himself in terms of his work and career when things didn’t go as well as he planned. He will be as physically fit in 2015 as he can be, because he stated that when he’s physically fit, he is mentally his strongest. Another friend will finally write that book this year that she’s been meaning to write for very long time. She also will be in the best shape of her life, in whatever form that will come to fruition, whether it be physical, mental or emotional.  My other friend decided that she will no longer be angry at her family and forgive, and no longer be upset at herself over small mistakes.

I said I will no longer be mean to myself and that I will treat myself with respect. I will eat only good food, yet I will not beat myself up and obsess over my mistakes. I will try my best to ground myself this year, establish a firmer sense of self, and have more self-confidence because nobody’s perfect.

At the end of each of our verbalizations, we cheered, laughed and danced the whole way through into 2015! It WILL BE the best year yet!

Can you believe that it’s already time to say goodbye to 2014? As we enter 2015, check out some inspiring natural products that can help you keep your New Year’s resolutions and maybe even uncover new ones.

A Lot To Say
Find more unique ways to recycle by looking at the clothing you wear! Every single clothing item and accessory from this forward-thinking company is made from 100% Post Consumer Recycled Plastic Bottles that are broken down into incredible fabrics. (Just one single tee saves over 60 bottles from going to landfill). In addition, they use an exclusive No Water Dye Technology to save our precious resources. One traditional cotton tee takes over 700 gallons of fresh water to create. The combination of this technology means every item is 100% Toxin-Free, wears up to 6 times longer and will never return to landfill. Plus the clothes feature inspiring messages around love, peace and connecting to remind us all that we can make a difference. www.alottosay.com

Gaiam
Turn inward to make this year the best, yet! Gaiam provides a variety of healthy, eco-friendly products for stress relief and to stimulate your mind. For instance, The Still Point Inducer provides gentle pressure on the “still point,” a quiet pause in the rhythm of the craniosacral system that safely allows a feeling of remarkably deep relaxation. Also, the Relax and Restore DVD helps you to learn natural ways to slow your mind and refresh your senses. www.gaiam.com

Love and Toast
Why not start out the New Year, with a new inspiring fragrance that isn’t full of chemicals? Love and Toast believes in “natural not neutral.” Thus, they strive to create natural beauty formulas that are functional and vigorously tested for performance. You’ll find products loaded with the very best natural and organic ingredients that deliver a luxurious, skin-nurturing experience. Make sure to check out the Paper Flower and Mandarin Tea fragrances which are fresh, light, and uplifting. www.loveandtoast.com