What do you get when you draw 20,000 people together for a big parade, Mardi Gras drummers and street dancing in a cool city like Burlington? Check it out! And don’t miss our photos and parade video of the Mardi Gras.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Light Therapy

Many of us that live in the northern climates (or far south of the equator) have a reality to deal with during our long, cold dark winters. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) According to the Mayo Clinic, “Light therapy boxes can offer an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder.”

The light box can be made from a couple of full spectrum bulbs that shine light on your face for at least 30 minutes a day.  Mayo says that the minimum light intensity should be 10,000 Lux, which translates to about 929 lumens and your distance to the light should depend on the intensity of the light and the time of exposure. For example, for 10,000 lux, 30 minutes of exposure at one foot distance is recommended and if you are two feet away from the light, 60 minutes would be recommended.

We wanted to see if light would wash away the winter doldrums in the white on white snowy winter of northern Vermont so we made our own light box to see. Glenn cut some 1/2 inch pine scraps to make a 6 inch by 6 inch by 12 inch box, with a back, and a piece of opaque plexiglass on the front to distribute the light evenly. A couple of light fixtures and a switch and voila! A happy SAD light box.

Our light box has 3 full-spectrum CFL bulbs that only use 26 watts of power each! Yet they shine over 10,000 lux of light to brighten your day. The light box definitely provides a warm feeling on those cloudy days of winter. We will send you our plans for free upon request, with a $5.00 donation to COTS, Spectrum or Vermont Foodbank, three of our local partners that support cold and hungry people. We think it is well worth the money and a bright idea.

Interested in getting our plans to build your own or in  buying a SAD light box from us? Let us know now! And also be sure to visit our Foodies category for healthy food recipes.

Garlic (allium sativum) is part of the “lily” family and closely related to onions, shallots and leeks.  Native to Asia, it is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world.  Currently, there are 300 known varieties of garlic.  One of the most common and most flavorful, is the papery white-skinned garlic grown in California.

Garlic has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries.  Flavorful, nutritious and healthy, garlic is incorporated in native dishes worldwide.  France, China, Mexico and Italy are particularly known cuisine using garlic.

How you prepare garlic determines the final flavor in cooking.  The more juice and oil extracted from the bulb, the stronger the flavor. Pressing fresh garlic releases the most oil, which provides that pungent flavor. Crushing garlic also releases considerable oils resulting in a strong flavor.  Prepare garlic this way when you want a strong kick of garlic in your food.  Mincing garlic provides a moderate release of juice and consequently a modest flavor.  This method is perfect for flavoring oil for sautéing.  Chopped and sliced garlic does not cook down or dissolve completely so the end result flavor is mellow.  This prep method works well in soup making.  Finally, roasting garlic produces a mild, nutty flavor delicious as a spread or pureed and added to sauces.

Roasting is simple.  Any baking dish, muffin tin or aluminum foil will do.

Cut off a half inch off the top of one or several bulbs of   garlic.  You just want to expose the tips of the bulbs. Remove any loose papery skin but not all of it as you want the bulb to stay intact for roasting purposes.

Place the bulbs in your cooking dish and generously drizzle with olive oil.  Season with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

You can add ½” of water to your baking dish or leave dry. Cover tightly with foil and bake at low temperature (325degrees) for about an hour or until tender when pierced with a fork.  Cooking time will depend upon the size of your garlic bulbs.  Do not jack up the oven temp; high heat and olive oil is not a healthy combination.

Serve roasted garlic on slices of wonderful bread—just squeeze the cloves onto the bread and thin out with a knife.  Roasted garlic paste is excellent in sauces, soups, dressings and dips.  You can also spread garlic paste under the skin of poultry before roasting or mix garlic paste with butter to produce a flavored butter.  A thin slice of chilled flavored butter is wonderful on grilled steak, baked potatoes or steamed vegetables.

Garlic is a rich source of Vitamin C, vitamin B and manganese. Also packed with sulfur compounds, garlic contains powerful antioxidants, antibacterial and antiviral agents.

Regular consumption of garlic is said to lower blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol and may play a role in reducing stroke and heart attack risk.

Purchasing organic is best but however you buy garlic, make sure the bulb is firm to the touch and shows no signs of sprouting or mildew/mold growth.  Store in a dry, dark place for about a month.

We would love you to comment or share your own garlic favorites. And be sure to see the rest of our healthy food recipes in our Foodies category.

All photos by Allison

Several months ago, I wrote on the benefits of dry skin brushing as both a preventative measure and a treatment plan.  While one may think dry skin brushing may not be a good idea during the dead of winter when one’s skin is dry, it actually is the best time to help the skin exfoliate itself.  When the skin is dry and flaky, it clogs the pores and slows down the natural rejuvenation process. A light brushing, even during the winter months, can do wonders for your skin.

There was an interesting article in the New York Times Style section last month  expounding on the number of spas and salons jumping on the dry skin brushing bandwagon.  It seems brushing has become the IT treatment at day and luxury spas all around the United States.  Like anything else, be aware of grandiose claims.  Dry brushing will not help you lose weight, fit into your skinny jeans or cleanse your system after binge eating.  Dry brushing will help exfoliate dead skin cells, increase circulation, assist the lymph system and make you feel energized.  Expensive treatments and costly products are not needed to yield results.  My routine of light brushing takes only five minutes pre shower aided by a superior, modestly priced natural bristle brush from Day Break Lavender Farms, an organic lavender and herb farm located in Ohio.  If you go to Amazon you will find a nice collection of dry skin brushes from well-known companies such as The Body Shop and Home Naturals, both of whom are interested in natural, organic products.  In addition, there are numerous books detailing the history of skin brushing as well as current trends and research in this healthy body treatment.

Take a look at my two favorites:

Photo: striatic/Flickr
As we break into deep January, it’s not too late to think about what a crappy year 2010 was and how we can improve things in the year ahead. If you are optimistic about the future, another way to look at it is: what are some things you can do to muff it up?

Don’t watch the weather reports

If the volcanoes, New Year’s Eve tornadoes, California mudslides, Australian floods, polar air of minus 40 degrees or century blizzards haven’t grabbed your attention yet, they will soon. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, predicts that one of the impacts of climate change will be larger, more unpredictable weather ahead. Even the insurance industry is beginning to take notice of the potential for its ability to keep up. We may not see out-of-season tornadoes or another Katrina for awhile, but then out of nowhere — kablooey! You get walloped!

Buy that gas-guzzling car you’ve secretly wanted

Oil experts are predicting we’ll pay $5 for a gallon of gas within a year or so. You don’t believe it? Oil reserves are being used up while demand and oil prices are rising with the economic recovery. Tree hugger environmentalists say it’s one impact from “peak oil,” the point where half of the Earth’s oil has essentially been depleted. (It’s explained by the old supply and demand equation.) And when oil and gas prices go up, transportation, durable goods and everything from food to fertilizer — anything that is made from crude oil, which is pretty much everything — costs more. Unless you are one of those people who can afford anything, or you are living off the land, now is a good time to think about living more efficiently. If you plan ahead, you will be glad you bought that greener car.

Stay apathetic about our genius leaders in Washington

American voters just elected a new freshman class in the House, but don’t be so sure much will change anytime soon. Why do normally positive folks like us take a skeptical view on this? Because the same laws and regulations that bring us influence-peddling in the name of free speech, high self-awarded congressional salaries and benefits, and earmarks (even by a different name) persist. It’s time to get politically active if you want change to happen!

Ramp up your couch potato exercise routine

Heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity remain public enemies to personal wellness, which is the absence of illness. The longer the human body goes without regular exercise and a good diet, the more prone to chronic disease it becomes. The more consistently we do 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day, the less disease we have. Start getting exercise now to improve the quality of the rest of your life.

Leave retooling your résumé to chance

From China to Mexico to the U.S., the global marketplace is changing the employment picture. Our demand for affordable stuff fuels economies in parts of the world where hourly wages are much lower than in the U.S. The careers of the past are being replaced by more automation and more competition with lower wages elsewhere. When jobs disappear, employees will have to relocate or retrain if they want to find or create new jobs and careers. The green energy sector will continue to be a growth area if you are looking for a job.

Put off learning sustainable gardening

There is a growing library of literature showing that our water and food supply is increasingly unsafe, not nutritious, and not sustainable. This is a result of peak oil, environmental degradation, climate change, political instability and other reasons. All of these factors (and more) will create more uncertainty in safe water and plentiful safe food production, and result in higher water and food prices in the future, to say the least. A political conflict could create disastrous consequences, since all 7 billion earthlings need food and water on a regular basis. It is high time to learn how to grow your own food and conserve water.

This article was written by Glenn Fay and appeared on MNN.com last week.

Want to save thousands of dollars in 2011 on energy in your home? Check out our ebook, How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Energy in Your Home for only $6.99.

Spicy and aromatic, ginger is renown for its use in culinary arts and in medicinal applications.  It has been used a spice and as a medicine for over 2, 500 years in China.  Alleviating gastrointestinal distress and curbing nausea are the two health benefits that immediately come to mind when one thinks of ginger.  However, medical researchers are now examining ginger’s role in reducing inflammation (such as arthritis, ulcerative colitis and nasal congestion), preventing blood clotting (anticoagulant properties protect blood vessels) and attacking newly formed cancer cells.  Studies continue and much more research is needed before the benefits of ginger to treat disease can be touted.

Ginger, classified as an herb, is referred to as a root although technically it is a rhizome, an underground stem.  Its botanical name, Zingiber officinate, derived from the ancient Sanskrit word “singabera” meaning horn shaped, accurately describes its main physical characteristic, as the ginger root is knotted and gnarled.  The root has light brown thin, papery skin while the flesh ranges in color from white to pale yellow depending upon the type and site of cultivation.  Fresh ginger can be stored up to three weeks in the refrigerator as long as it remains unpeeled. Gingerol, the main active ingredient and the one giving ginger its hot, spicy taste, is the compound is responsible for reducing inflammation and providing relief from the discomfort of swelling tissues.

Suffering from upper respiratory ailments, I was game when my mother suggested trying ginger shots—freshly juiced ginger root.  I used organic ginger purchased from a local health food store.   A one-and-a-half inch unpeeled chunk from the root processed in the Breville juicer yield about an ounce of pure juice.  The liquid was pungent and I drank it in one gulp, immediately feeling warm and flush.  The shot was spicy but bearable and within minutes, I felt less nasal pressure and less nasal congestion.  I continued juicing every morning for a week and really felt less discomfort.

Take a look at this book for more information on juicing:

While ginger is considered safe, non-allergenic and non-reactive with other substances in the body, it is best to consult with your health care provider before embarking on a short-term medicinal treatment.

Dog Training For Dummies

Dogs can turn a house into a home in many ways. Ginger, for example is constant companion, in the office, the kitchen. on a walk, or even on the bed. She is never too proud to lick crumbs off the floor and never talks back no matter how grumpy she is. She has gone on runs with Dad on a leash, walks in the woods off the leash, and makes it known that anywhere outdoors is her preferred location.

We rescued Ginger five years ago from a hovel with four other canines and an uncertain future. She has taken the edge off adolescent years, warned us of intruders, warmed our laps and eaten a pan of lemon squares destined for Christmas dinner. After the first week in our house she opened up the lazy susan in the kitchen and munched on crackers and other treats, chewed through the christmas tree light cord and ran around on the kitchen shelf, and considering her legs are a foot long at best, that is Olympian high-jumping. Ginger’s bladder control may belong in the Guinness Book of World Records for she is able to “go around the clock” without relief, and then some… Ginger was supposed to have been neutered when we got her and was supposed to have been from Missouri or Arkansas or, “we’re not really sure”. One thing is for sure, she is a pretty good girl and we are glad she is here.

But pets come with a lot of responsibility. First, dogs operate on a slightly different social structure than we do. My dog-expert friend told me that it is important to establish early that you are “top dog” with your pet so s/he will understand that the bottom line is that you are the boss. You can do this by getting them to lie down and putting your hand on them and holding them down for 5 minutes. Big dogs may require you to actually lay on top of them! This establishes your dominance and will pay off with everything you ever do with the dog. House training is usually easy with newspapers and rewards. Training dogs to not bark is easy too if you are clear and consistent. We used squirt guns or bottles and other people we know use magazines. There are lots of great dog training tips in the book below.

The dark side? Oh of course there is a dark side… Once Ginger at some chocolate cake out of one of the kids backpacks (and didn’t require hospitalization). Another time she was overcome with the overpowering desire to roll in a rotting Carp by the lake. It took months to wash the wretched stench out of her thick fur. One night while getting out of the car, instead of running into the house, she chased the skunk under the car and… you guessed it- got hosed right between the eyes and the rest of her body too… On occasion she will eat unknown things (most likely inanimate, formerly living parcels) and will be so cramped up for days that she will have trouble hobbling up and down stairs. She has no fear of cars and as a herding breed probably thinks she can herd them around like so many sheep.

On the cool side? Her nose is so sensitive, it can differentiate thousands of different scents and a quick walk around the block always seems to turn into a stroll in the country. He enormous ears can hear sounds we can’t even imagine. She doesn’t bite and gets along wonderfully with Franky the white cat. We have found that a spoonful of canned pumpkin  keeps her long digestive tract regular and happy, and the pumpkin is the highlight of her day. I say anybody who can get along with everybody, enjoys life in the outdoors is definitely worth a little dog food and a few vet bills.

Thinking about owning a dog? Here is a excellent book for beginners:

Lavender has been used throughout history for its energizing and restorative properties.  Some interesting historical anecdotes include:

• Egyptians used lavender in the mummification process as well as in massage oil and in perfumes.
• The ancient Greeks dedicated lavender to Hecate, the goddess of enchantment and anointed their feet with it so their entire body would be enveloped in the scent.
• The early Romans burned lavender over hot coals to show compassion to a mother and her newborn.
• Lavender field workers during the middle ages survived The Black Death because lavender protected them from the lethal bacteria.

Lavender is one of the most widely loved and used herbs known today.  Related to the mint plant, lavender originated in Europe but now grown all over.  Both the flowers of the plant and the essential oils extracted from the leaves can be used in a variety of ways.  Thought to be an antiseptic, a natural antibiotic and a sedative, lavender is primarily used in aromatherapy and folk medicine.  Additional uses include effective insect repellant and delicious cooking additive.

Lavender is a natural relaxant, calming your nerves and relaxing you into slumber.  To wind down after a hectic day, add a few drops of lavender essential oil into a warm bath.  The scent will sooth frayed nerves.  Lavender-scented bath salts, soaps, body oils and lotions help induce relaxation.

Lavender also has the power to stimulate the immune system and aid the body’s natural healing process.  Lavender is commonly used for anxiety and depression, mental exhaustion and insomnia, skin conditions, bruises and wounds, headaches and digestive ailments.  To prevent dandruff, add a few drops to the final rinse water after shampooing.  To use as a disinfectant, add a few drops to bottled water and spray on doorknobs, light switches and counter surfaces.

The uses of lavender are varied.  Lavender is a natural alternative to bug sprays.  Lavender sachets deter moths in your sweater closet and ants in the food pantry.  Lavender has many culinary uses such as in infused teas, baked goods and lavender ice cream as it adds a unique flavor. Hang a bundle of lavender in your hall closet for a nice scent every time you open the door.Tuck lavender sachets into the toes of your sneakers and your footwear and gym bag will smell clean and fresh.   Toss a sachet into the dry with your newly washed sheets; you bed will smell divine when you make it up with the clean sheets.

Lavender-scented bath salts, soaps, body oils, lotions, sachets, essential oil, and dried lavender bundles are commonly available from established companies such as Daybreak Lavender Farm or Winding Brook Estate Farms.  Check out the http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/search.html?keywords=lavender&current= for plants to grow your own.  Just remember, lavender needs full sun, good drainage and slightly alkaline soil.  Lavender does not require fertilizers and is rather drought tolerant so you need to water the plants only weekly.

Try some lavender today as it will boost your spirits and rejuvenate you!

There was a great piece about the medicinal powers of cranberries on the morning edition of National Public Radio several weeks ago.  The show’s host discussed how Native Americans and the Pilgrims considered cranberries as medicine. The Pilgrims ate the berries to prevent scurvy while the Native Americans used the fruit in paste form to treat skin infections and wounds. Log on to NPR’s site for Allison Aubrey’s complete article.  It’s a good read.

Packed with vitamin C and other compounds, cranberries fight against inflammation and inflammation is the precursor to all infectious diseases as well as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer.

My task this thanksgiving, as it has been every other year, is to make the cranberry sauce.  Over the years, we’ve made cranberry sauce with citrus, cranberry sauce with ginger and cranberry sauce with apples but the recipe we like the best is made with champagne and currants.  We discovered it on the cooking site: www.seriouseats.com.  I’ve enclosed the recipe here should you feel like trying something new. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons dried currants
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup champagne

Procedure Serves 4-6.  Eat and Enjoy

Pour the champagne into a medium sized pot and add the sugar and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Dump in the cranberries and currants.  Bring back to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.  Cook for 5 full minutes.

Stir.  Remove from heat and let come to room temperature. Store in glass or plastic container in refrigerator.

Did you like this? Check out our other recipes in our Foodies category and tell your friends about us!

The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book by Jessica Black, ND is chocked full of delicious recipes to control inflammation and to bring you back to good health. 

Rebounding is a great indoor sport done for fun or to become super fit.  While rebounding grew out of the sport of trampolining, there is a difference between the two.  A person with little fitness or athletic ability can use a rebounder with ease and confidence, thus a wide range of people can reap the benefits of rebounding.  In some rehab programs, the elderly or handicapped patient sits on the rebounder while someone else does the bouncing.  The sitting patient will still get a lymphatic massage!  The gravitational pull on the rebounder is only 4 G’s—meaning four times your body weight and that ensures you won’t have that out of control feeling you do when jumping on a trampoline.  More control means less chance of slipping or falling and hurting yourself.  All in all, rebounding is a safe, healthy choice of exercise.

The most important benefit of rebounding is flushing out the lymphatic system.  The lymph system is responsible for removing toxins and even the “health bounce”, a soft, feet barely leaving the mat type of jump, flushes the lymph system, reves up the cardiovascular system and strengthens every muscle in the body.  The gentle movement of the health bounce helps remove toxins and strengthens the muscles. To read more about the health benefits of rebounding log onto: http://www.wellnessbounce.com/rebounding.html

At the top of the bounce, you are weightless but when you land back on the mat you are coming down with a force four times your body weight.  This impact stimulates all the cells, all the muscles in your body.  This tons up muscles, reduces fat deposits, increases agility and provides and effect aerobic workout.

Dr. Morton Walker and Albert Carter from the American Institute of Reboundology, Inc. state that rebounding benefits the body in 33 different ways.  Circulating more oxygen to tissues, assists in the production of red blood cells, helps prevent chronic edema, lowers cholesterol and slows down atrophy in the aging process.   For a complete listing log onto: http://www.reboundair.com.

I am doing a 10-minute cellular exercise program.  It starts with the health bounce then moves into walking, then twisting and jumping.  Before the end of the ten minute routine, I’ve included jumping jacks, a fast walk or jog and abdominal exercises.  Log on to : http://exercell.com/rebounder_10min.html for a complete visual of the exercise program. Or buy a video on Amazon:

There are many good rebounders in all price ranges to choose from. The Swiss or German made ones are the most expensive.  I chose a moderate priced rebounder; feel confident in the equipment and enjoy my routine.  The immediate effect I experienced was a deeper sleep.  Jump and enjoy the health benefits!