Bodhi Bear Soup, a healing remedy for Coughs & Colds!

Leave a comment September 22, 2018 DrD4Health

After surviving a serious and traumatic case of Whopping Cough as a child, I always dive into healing mode when one of my younglings has a fever or a whooping like cough that is associated with Pertussis.

I created this “Bodhi Bear Soup” with a ton of Healthy goodness to strengthen my youngling’s immune system against “Winter Bugs”, especially Whooping Cough!

This soup is filled with chopped Carrots, which have tons of Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene, especially known for helping the immunity of children.

I made sure to add organic Avocado Oil, which is a good fat that works synergistically with Vitamin A absorption.

I also added organic minced Garlic, which contains Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Manganese & Selenium and other antimicrobial and antioxidant properties which can boost our immune system.

More over, Garlic is known to be super effective against toxic bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Next, straight out of my garden, I added many potent leaves of fresh Basil!

Basil has powerful antimicrobial properties, which has long been used in traditional medicine to fight bacterial infections.

In addition, Basil is known for it’s strong but natural anti-histamine properties… Wow, what a super hero herb!

To give this soup some hardiness, I added this beautiful mix of purple, yellow and red potatoes…

I specifically added purple potatoes for their free-radical scavenging and antioxidant capabilities, which is a natural medicine that has been used for ages and ages.

I also included Turmeric!
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in Turmeric. Curcuminoids have powerful anti-inflammatory effects and they are a very strong antioxidant.

Although acute, short-term inflammation can be beneficial, long term inflammation can become a major problem when it becomes chronic and inappropriately attacks your body’s own tissues.

Unbeknownst to many, Curcumin is such a strong anti-inflammatory, that it’s power matches or surpasses many anti-inflammatory drugs without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.

Turmeric and Curcumin really are healthy and powerful gifts from nature!

To give this soup a taste of home and just a little more healing power, I went back into my garden for some fresh Oregano leaves.

In addition to adding a comforting flavor and being an antiseptic, Oregano is a culinary and medicinal herb which has been used in medicine and cooking for thousands of years… How awesome is that!

In fact, many natural healers use Oregano for treating respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal (GI) infections, which can accompany many Winter Bugs!

So there you have it, my homemade Bodhi Bear Soup!

Will it work to heal you or your child?

Let me say this, when we follow these remedies at the first sign of symptoms, we tend to zap it in just 2-3 days! 😊

In full disclosure, in addition to giving my kids this soup, I also give them top quality gluten & dairy free probiotics three times a day, a Vitamin A capsule once a day, freshly cracked coconut water twice a day, then I apply a homemade mix of Tea Tree, Eucalyptus & Coconut Oil rub on their upper chest & back every morning and evening while symptoms persist.

I hope these natural remedies bring some nutritional comfort for you and your family this coming Winter!

Sending tons of healing vibes your way,

~Dr. Dee (aka Healthy.Desy)

Soup Ingredients:

2 T Organic Avocado Oil
1- 2 cups chopped Carrots
64 oz. of Organic Vegetable Stock, Homemade or Boxed.
1 cup of chopped Purple potatoes
2 cups of Red & Yellow Potatoes
4-6 cloves of minced Garlic
1 teaspoon of salt
10-20 leaves of Fresh Basil
¼ teaspoon of dried or 10 Fresh Oregano Leaves.
1 Tablespoon of Turmeric Powder

Soup Instructions:

In a large pot, add 64 oz of low sodium Vegetable Broth, along with Avocado Oil, mixed Potatoes, chopped Carrots, and Garlic. Heat to boiling, and then reduce heat to a simmer.
While mixture is simmering, add Oregano leaves and Turmeric, then continue to simmer for 30 – 45 minutes.
Add in the fresh Basil just before serving.

Wasabi’s 8 Healing Benefits! 🌱 Vegan Sushi Balls

8 Comments December 2, 2014 DrD4Health

Vegan Sushi Balls & Wasabi Sauce

Wasabi… What is it?!? You know that green mushy guacamole like stuff you have probably seen in Japanese Restaurants. Only thing is, it tastes nothing like Guacamole!

I moved from a small town in Texas to California when I was 17 years old, I had never been to a Japanese restaurant, let alone heard of Wasabi. When I was served wasabi and ginger for the first time, this small town girl assumed it was Guacamole and put the entire wasabi ball in her mouth, yes, me… I did that!

Real Wasabi

I literally thought I was going to die! I couldn’t breath, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t speak, I was in so much pain… all the while, a restaurant full of people were all really really laughing at me and I still had no idea what was happening! It was a great way to learn not to assume anything about anything- especially food!

So seriously… what is Wasabi?!? Does it really have healing properties?

Wasabi is a perennial herb plant and is a member of the Cruciferae or Brassicaceae family along with cabbages, horseradish, and mustard. The root of the Wasabi is often used as a condiment and has a very strong taste and aroma. The two types of Wasabi include Wasabi Daruma and Wasabi Mazuma. Wasabi has decent amounts of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium.

Although Wasabi is often known as a condiment in Japanese restaurants, there are some other great reasons to eat Wasabi. Now, when I say Wasabi is healthy, I don’t mean the processed kind you find in most restaurants, snacks, junk food, I mean the actual fresh Wasabi Plant (Wasabia japonica or Eutrema japonica).

The Wasabi most people have eaten may have gluten, is a mix of horse radish, a little mustard paste and green food coloring. Real plant Wasabi tastes like an herb, is pungent, but doesn’t sting like the horse radish. It is easier to eat and is actually a very powerful healing agent. Genuine fresh Wasabi is rarely found in the United States or Canada.

8 Top Healing Benefits of Wasabi:

Anti-microbial: Fights many forms of bacteria, yeast and mold. [8}
Anti-bacterial: Found effective in fighting E. Coli, Staphylococcus & H-Pylori. [6]
Detoxifier: helps the liver to get rid of toxins & carcinogens. [7]
Anti-inflammatory: may reduce arthritis, joint pain, asthma & Irritable Bowel Disease.
Anti-Cancer Properties: may assist the liver in neutralizing toxins & cancer cells. [3] [4]
Protects Heart: may reduce heart attack/stroke by preventing blood clots. [Dr. James Duke]
Improves Digestion: may help the intestinal tract get rid of toxins & is rich in fibers. [1] [6]
Fights Cavities: The leaves help kill Streptococcus Bacteria in your mouth. [Matsuda, 2004]

My favorite healing property about Wasabi is its possible effectiveness at fighting H-Pylori. According to a 2004 PubMed article by Shin, Masuda and Naohide, the AIT and other components in wasabi roots, stems and leaves were able to show bactericidal activities against H-pylori strain NCTC 11637, YS 27 and YS 50. If Wasabi can fight H-Pylori, imagine how powerful it is?!?

All these studies were conducted in a laboratory, as are the majority of studies, but Wasabi has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years, and there are many people who attest to its healing properties.

Real Wasabi is very expensive to buy and find because it is very rare to find fresh Wasabi, and it can also be difficult to grow Wasabi. Wasabi is naturally found in the mountainous wet riverbed climate of Japan and does not need a ton of sunshine, but nonetheless is a stubborn plant to grow and takes about two to three years to be ready for harvesting.

If you want to grow Wasabi, you most likely will need a water tower or aquatic system. The state of North Carolina, Oregon, the province of British Columbia, and the Countries of New Zealand, Taiwan and Korea have been the only other places besides Japan to really take on the difficulty of successfully growing large quantities of Wasabi.

If you are looking for ammunition in your natural healing arsenal, Wasabi is a standup Super Plant! If you can get your hands on some fresh Wasabi, please send me some… half kidding! 🙂

You can make fresh Wasabi by cutting the root, peeling the skin off and finely grating the green flesh to get a creamy like texture.

These Vegan Sushi Balls and Wasabi Dipping Sauce are so Yummy Yummy, you won’t eat just one, so here is a recipe for 17!

Vegan Sushi Balls

Ingredients for Vegan/Gluten Free Sushi Balls:

2 Cups of White Rice (short grain works best). I use GF Jasmine Rice.
3 Tablespoons of of Rice Vinegar
4 Tablespoons of Coconut Liquid Aminos (or Braggs or Soy Sauce)
2 Tablespoons of Sugar (I use Coconut Sugar)
1 1/2 teaspoons of Sea Salt
1/4 Cup Chopped Sea Vegetables
2 carrots (chopped)
5 Scallions (chopped Green part)
1/4 cup hulled Black or White Sesame Seeds (I mix both)
1 Garlic Clove
1 Inch of Fresh Ginger (peeled & sliced)

Instructions for Sushi Balls:

Cook 2 Cups of Rice according to package instructions
While Rice is cooking, Combine the Liquid Aminos (Soy Sauce), Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Sea Salt, Carrots, Scallions, Garlic, Ginger in a Food Processor/Blender until well minced.
Transfer the mixture to a large Glass Bowl or a bowl that is not plastic.
Place the Sesame seeds on a large flat plate and spread them out.
When the Rice is done, combine Rice & Mixture and fold it all in with a wooden spoon.
I tightly cover my Rice Mixture and let it sit for at least 2 hours.
After the rice is cool & sticky, make little rice balls & roll each one in the sesame seeds.
Put them on a baking sheet with was paper and refrigerate them for up to 2 days!

Wasabi Dipping Sauce Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon of Wasabi Powder (unless you can get fresh)
1/4 Cup of Spring Water
1 Large Garlic Clove
1 inch Fresh Ginger, peeled & thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil (room temp)
1 teaspoon of Coconut Sugar (or sugar of choice)
5 Tablespoons of Coconut Aminos (or Braggs Aminos, or Soy Sauce)
1 Tablespoons of Rice Vinegar

Wasabi Dipping Sauce

Instructions for Wasabi Dipping Sauce

Save a couple of strips of the Ginger on the side. Place the rest of the above ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until all the ingredients are very fine. Taste to see if you like to add more soy sauce/aminos or Wasabi… I always do 😉 put the Wasabi Sauce in a little dish and sprinkle some little Ginger slices on top!

Mmmm Yummy Yummy Baby! Stay healthy & happy, Dr. Dee 😉

[1] Suppressive effect of wasabi (pungent Japanese spice) on gastric carcinogenesis induced by MNNG in rats. Nutr Cancer. 1991;16(1):53-8.
[2] Dynamics of Nrf2 and Keap1 in ARE-mediated NQO1 expression by wasabi 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate. J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Nov 23;59(22):11975-82.
[3] Selective sensitivity to wasabi-derived 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate of human breast cancer and melanoma cell lines studied in vitro. Cancer Detect Prev. 2005;29(2):155-60.
[4] Tumor cell proliferation and cyclooxygenase inhibitory constituents in horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) and Wasabi (Wasabia japonica). J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Mar 9;53(5):1440-4.
[5] Colon cancer proliferating desulfosinigrin in wasabi (Wasabia japonica). Nutr Cancer. 2004;48(2):207-13.
[6] Bactericidal activity of wasabi (Wasabia japonica) against Helicobacter pylori. Int J Food Microbiol. 2004 Aug 1;94(3):255-61.[7] Anti-influenza virus activity of extract of Japanese wasabi leaves discarded in summer. J Sci Food Agric. 2008;88:1704–1708.

[8] Suppressive effect of hot water extract of wasabi (Wasabia japonica Matsum.) leaves on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Food Chem. 2010;118:239–244.

Vegan Coconut Yogurt Recipe: Probiotics Benefits You & Baby!

2 Comments November 25, 2014 DrD4Health

What Are Vegan Probiotics?

Probiotics are living microorganisms, that scientific research has shown to benefit our health. Most often they are good bacteria, but they may also be other organisms such as yeasts.

Vegan Probiotics are similar, or the same, as the “good” bacteria already in your body, especially those in our tummy, but without allergens such as dairy products. These good bacteria are part of the trillions of microorganisms that already inhabit our bodies.

This community of microorganisms is called the microbiota. Some microbiota organisms are known to cause disease and others are known to aide in digestion and good health.

Some Foods with Natural & Dairy-Free Probiotics:

Homemade Coconut Yogurt, Miso Soup, Kambucha, Sauerkraut, Pickles, Tempeh, Kimchi & other fermented food. As you can see in the list and the photos, foods that have natural probiotics are not foods babies or children can or would like to eat… This is why is important to learn about Probiotic supplementation for infants & kids.

The two kinds of Bacteria used most often in Probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These GOOD BACTERIA are also far more abundant in infant poop then in adult excrement.

Each group of bacteria has different species and each species has different strains. Different strains have different benefits for different parts of your body. Most importantly, in order for Probiotic Bacteria to work, they must survive the acids in the Digestive Tract.

It is important to buy good quality REFRIGERATED probiotics, which can not be found at regular grocery stores!

Why Babies feel better with Vegan Probiotics!

They Boost immune system by enhancing antibodies to vaccines.
Prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to gut lining & growing there.
Send signals to cells to strengthen mucus in intestines
Helps mucous act as a barrier against infection.
Inhibit/Destroy toxins released by “bad” bacteria.
Produce B vitamins necessary for metabolizing food
Reduces anemia caused by deficiencies in B6/B12.
Maintains healthy skin and a healthy nervous system.

Other Possible Benefits of Vegan Probiotics for Babies:

Prevention of necrotising enterocolitis (death of intestinal tissue).
Prevention of fevers & diarrhea.
Increased immunity in infants infected with Rotavirus & Diarrhea.
Reduces chances baby will develop atopic Eczema & Asthma.

Signs your Baby/Child may need Vegan Probiotics!

Colic
Eczema
Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloody stools
Mucous in stools
H-pylori in the family
Repeated respiratory infections

Possible Consequences of a Damaged Digestive Tract:

If the mother had an undiagnosed vaginal infection during a vaginal birth, it is possible the baby’s gut could have been damaged by this infection.

If your baby was adopted or was not breast-fed then your baby did not receive all of the natural and healing properties that are in breastmilk. According to Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, Neurologist & Neurosurgeon, if your baby has a damaged digestive tract, it will further damage the integrity of his or her gut wall. This damage allows Pathogenic microbes and all sorts of toxins and microbes to flood your child’s bloodstream, and then enter the brain and disrupt development. This can result in ADHD, GAPS, Schizophrenia, Autism and Mood Disorders.

Which Probiotics are best for Baby?

Vegan Lactobacillus Species

Lactobacillus casei Shirota: Supports the immune system & move food.
Lactobacillus bulgaricus: Relieve symptoms of lactose intolerance.
L. rhamnosus increases colonic B. breve & matures immune system.
L. paracasei produces L(+)-lactic acid & antagonizes Rotavirus, Staphylococcus Aureus.
L. gasseri is native to the human gut & is in breast milk.
L. salivarius in intestinal tract, helps calcium absorption & helps intestinal barrier.

Vegan Bifidobacterium Species:

B. breve promotes growth of B cells in Peyer’s patches in the ileum
Antagonizes rotavirus & reduces intestinal anaerobic Bacteroides & Clostridium.
B. infantis reduces the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in babies.
B. lactis enhances normal immune function
Modifies gut microflora against allergic inflammation.
B. bifidum suppresses total & allergen-specific IgE secretion.
B. longum regulates immunity to respiratory antigens & inhibits neutrophil elastase.

Vegan Lactobacillus and Vegan Bifidobacterium are the two species designed to safely meet the metabolic and intestinal support needs of infants up to the age of 2 years. It is important that Infant Probiotic Formulas produce predominantly L(+)-lactic acid that can be safely metabolized by infants. An infant’s gastrointestinal tract is not fully mature at birth and cannot metabolize the D(-) isomer of lactic acid produced by many lactobacilli.

Secondly, studies show that using a multi-strain, allergen free Probiotic that has some or all of the strains listed above, work best to bring healing and digestive support.

Dairy-Free (Vegan) & Gluten Free Probiotics are Best!

Many babies are allergic to dairy and gluten so it is best to use a probiotic that is cultured on a Vegan growth media that is free of common allergens, including dairy, wheat, gluten, egg and soy. It is also important to make sure that the label states:

No Dairy
No Egg
No Sugar
No Artificial Sweeteners
No Coloring
No Flavors
No Preservatives.

Where To Buy Good Vegan Probiotics! Klaire Labs, Prothera, Designs for Health are some of the good ones! Consult a Natural Care Provider. It is important to buy Probiotics that are ALIVE & KEPT REFRIGERATED and not dead and can sit on a shelf.

Many tests have been conducted and the refrigerated kind are a lot more active, powerful and effective! Dosage of Probiotics: It is critical that you follow the instructions that are on the bottle of the Probiotics, however, it is also important that if your baby is having serious gut issues, you should be working with a person who is very aware of how to use dairy-free probiotics.

According to an Australian study published in BMC Medicine on August 2, 2011 by the Department of Neonatal Pediatrics in Nepean Hospital along with several other Australian hospitals, the following guidelines are best for premature babies: The probiotic should be diluted with breast milk or water, to about 1.0 to 1.5ml per dose. • Neonates less than 32 weeks gestation: 3 x 109 cfu/day (“cfu” stands for colony forming units) • Extremely low birth weight neonates (ELBW): 1.5 x 109 cfu/day until they reach enteral feeds of 50-60 ml/kg/day.

When to Start and Stop Your Baby on Vegan Probiotics!

According to Dr. Mercola, Probiotics should be started as early as possible, before pathogens can colonize your baby’s intestinal tract and before antibiotics destroy his natural flora. Dr. Mercola reported that in most scientific trials, probiotics are typically started with the start of enteral feedings, but they have been started as early as in the first four hours of life. In addition, many mothers start probiotics during pregnancy if they themselves have stomach problems, allergies, reflux or other intestinal dysbiosis.

Recipe for a Vegan Probiotic filled Yummy Yummy Coconut Yogurt!

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 24 hours Makes: 1 quart Ingredients:

11 ounces of Homemade Coconut Milk or 2 cans full-fat Organic Coconut Milk 2 Probiotic Capsules Instructions: Blend coconut milk with contents of probiotic capsules. Transfer to a 1 quart glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store somewhere warm, like an oven or a window sill. After 24-48 hours, it should smell like yogurt. It may be runny, more like kefir than yogurt. If you prefer, leave it out longer. After 48-72 hours, it should be thick and have a more tangy flavor. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

*** Side notes:

Use an oven light to help create more warmth.
If you want a sweeter yogurt, mix in Coconut Nectar or Fruit.
Some Probiotics work better than others. please experiment.
The homemade coconut milk doesn’t work as well, but BPA free.
If you are ok with BPA, canned milk works really well & is thicker.

Stay Healthy & Happy! ~ Dr. Dee

How does your food stack up? 8 Natural Remedies for Flatulence!

2 Comments November 18, 2014 DrD4Health

There is a form of perfection within each of us… But smelly flatulence is not one of them!

Yes, passing gas is totally organic and normal, but if your gas is often foul smelling, it is important to investigate the cause of it!

It may seem like males pass gas more often than females, but really they are just typically more overt about it… Both the typical male and female pass gas about 15 times a day.

Stack of Fruit Blocks

In our house, we stack wooden blocks AND fresh fruits & vegetables… We have learned which Fresh Foods stack up well in our particular body, so we never have flatulence! Lol… Not really, hahaha… but truly, this is a subject that needs to be discussed.

Having a toddler in the house, we often stack blocks and food… He has learned that in stacking his blocks, the blocks don’t have to look perfect, but they do have to be strong and balanced! Life and our stomach health are like these blocks, everything runs more smoothly when our food and life are balanced every step of the way.

Like these wooden blocks, balance really is key for so many aspects of our lives, especially our Health, Food and Exercise.

One Group professes Raw is the best, another feels Vegan is the best, and another feels gluten free is the best and so on and so forth… Each of these may definitely be the best for some people, but as a nutritionist, I have learned that each of us has our own Unique needs and that it is important to really study and investigate what food works best for our own genetic code!

Important questions to consider:

Have you ever kept a food diary and recorded how your body & mind react after eating meat, dairy, gluten, etc?
Does your family have unknown food allergies resulting in Eczema, Psoriasis, Snoring, Itchy Skin?
Are you sensitive to foods high in Sulfur, like Broccoli, Asparagus, Meat, Cauliflower, Kale and Brussels Sprouts?
Are you sensitive to certain fruits that cause a lot of mucous in your poop or leave it floating in the water?

If you are experiencing regular nasal congestion, mucousy poop, snoring, itching, yellow eyes, diarrhea, constipation, joint pain, any of these may be Food Allergy Related and/or related to a leaky gut or some sort of Stomach Dysbiosis that needs to be addressed!

Tops Signs of Stomach Dysbiosis:

Stinky Gas, Belching or Bloating
Constipation or Diarrhea
Indigestion, Heartburn, GERD
Undigested Food you can see in your poop
Fatigue after a good nights rest

If you consume a diet regimen abundant in foods that you do not realize you are allergic to or have a sensitivity to, such as meat, dairy, beans, eggs, gluten, high fructose, your gas will certainly have a stronger odor, but if the odor is excessive and you have other symptoms along with the odor, it may be time to consult a Functional Medicine Doctor/Holistic Nutritionist/Naturopath to review your symptoms and get a proper assessment.

8 Natural Remedies for Flatulence:

Fennel: Chewing 1/2 spoonful of fennel seeds after meals can help prevent bad gas.
Ginger stimulates digestion and causes the stool to pass smoothly and quickly, which relieves gas.
Caraway seeds can reduce acid indigestion, bloating and gas. Add a tsp of caraway seeds to a cup of steaming water and steep for 10 minutes. You can also eat the seeds or add them to your meal.
Peppermint contains menthol which may help reduce gas and bloating. * Caution if you have acid reflux it may sting.
Apple Cider Vinegar can offer instantant relief from acid indigestion and gas by sipping a Tbsp in a glass of warm water or take an ACV tablet as an alternative.
Cardamom helps digest food and reduce gas. Cardamom can be added to tea, boiled water or simply chewed.
Cinnamon can offer instant gas relief by warming up a cup of non-dairy milk & 1/2 tsp of Cinnamon.
Papaya: The Proteolytic enzymes in papaya have the ability to break down protein which makes it easy for the stomach to digest food.

All of these remedies above, can definitely help you minimize your flatulence and odor, however, it is important that you understand how to permanently heal ongoing foul flatulence and understand why you are having it.

Possible Issues to Consider:

Low Digestive Enzymes – Gluten Free/Vegan Enzymes help digest food.
Non-dairy Probiotics & Prebiotics to help heal your gut lining.
Stomach Bacteria like H-Pylori or Candida needs to be detoxed.
Mineral, Vitamin & Amino Acid levels tested for deficiencies.
Heavy Metal testing due to Food, Dental Work, Environmental Toxins
DNA testing for Polymorphisms & Microdeletions
A total Elimination Diet for everything you consume.

Although your essence is perfect, the type of food you are eating or not eating may leave you feeling and smelling imperfect! You only get one shot at this life, invest the time and dedicate yourself to clean health and Yummy Yummy Food for you and your Baby!

Lemon-Ginger Nectar Tea, a recipe that will soothe your tummy and keep you warm & cozy!

Lemon-Ginger Tea

Lemon-Ginger-Nectar Tea:
2-3 Lemons (small/medium)
1-2 Ginger Nuggets (approx 4 inches long)
1/2 Tablespoon of Cloves
3 Cinnamon Sticks
Coconut Nectar (to taste)

Instructions for Tea:

First thoroughly wash your Lemons & Ginger.
Thinly slice both lemons and place in pot.
Thinly slice your Ginger about 1/8 inch, place in pot.
Next add the Cloves to the Pot.
Add 3 Sticks of Cinnamon
Add 8 cups of Spring or Alkaline Water to your pot.
Simmer on low/medium heat for 30 mins.
If you see a nice yellow tint, your Yummy Tea is ready!
Use a ladle and pour some into your cup.
Add about 1 tsp of Coconut Nectar to your cup, get comfy & cozy… enjoy!

Peppermint Soothing Tea

1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers

1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves

1 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly smashed

1/2 teaspoon dried cut ginger

6-8 ounces of hot water

Coconut Nectar to taste (optional)

Combine the chamomile, fennel, ginger and peppermint in a tea pot or cup. Pour very hot water over mixture and steep for 8-10 minutes. Strain the tea and sweeten with Coconut Nectar if desired.

Both of these teas are Yummy Yummy Baby… Enjoy! ~ Dr. Dee

Super Moist Vegan Raspberry Pumpkin Spice Cake: Healing Benefits of Raspberries

9 Comments October 28, 2014 DrD4Health

When things in life look really really bad… it’s time to get to work!

Did you know that when Ludwig van Beethoven discovered he was going deaf at age 26, he didn’t give up composing his music? Beethoven started working more diligently and told people he knew there was work he was born to complete…

When our newborn son was diagnosed with H-Pylori, a bacterial infection of the stomach, we were told there was nothing we could do but give him antibiotics and synthetic medications that would cause all sorts of horrible side effects and probably not cure his infection. So our choices were to give up or be inspired by Beethoven!

Helicobacter pylori or H pylori is a bacteria that causes peptic and duodenal ulcers and many other types of stomach inflammations that cause burning, pain, nausea, bloating and extreme distress. In some people, some strains of the bacteria do not cause any symptoms, while other strains develop life threatening conditions like stomach cancer.

Inspired by Beethoven, instead of believing there was nothing I could do, I went straight to work and was more determined to find some relief for our 8 month old infant. I started researching what people around the world were doing to naturally cure H-Pylori.

This mom on a mission discovered so much more about fruits which have strong antibacterial qualities and are potent in treating Helicobacter pylori and many diseases. Fruits heal because they are also rich in phytonutrients which are antibacterial, anti carcinogenic, and antiviral in nature.

In addition, I discovered there are many other natural powerhouses that can help slow down the growth and pain associated with the ulcers and bacteria, which gives the gut a chance to heal. Some of these natural remedies are: Tumeric, Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar, Fresh Wasabi, Baking Soda, Broccoli Sprouts, Mastic gum and of course, Raspberries. Luckily, Bodhi’s favorite remedy is Raspberry.

Raspberries are considered a Super-Fruit and really carry a lot of healing power in every little berry.

Tests conducted at the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina have revealed that the human body benefits from raspberries in so many ways.

The Medical Benefits of Raspberries:

Raspberries have Ellagic acid, an anti-inflammatory, kills Cancer cells & kills H-Pylori Bacteria.
Raspberries do not have any fat, saturated fat, sodium or cholesterol.
They are high in Fiber, Vitamin C, potassium and folate.
Raspberries contain antioxidants such as Quercetin & Gallic acid.
Gallic acid fights against cancer, heart and circulatory disease and age.
They are also high in polyphenolic compounds which also fight cancer.
The Anthocyanins in raspberries are antioxidants that protect against heart disease & mental decline.
The oil from raspberry seeds is rich in Vitamin E & Omega-3 fatty acids.

Raspberries can be eaten any way you like: fresh, frozen, cooked or preserved, the ellagic acid remains intact even after cooking or preservation. Make sure that you have a continuous supply of ellagic acid in your diet to prevent the recurrence of the H-Pylori condition, which is very common.

When Beethoven lost the majority of his hearing and his greatest love… he composed Immortal Beloved, When life handed me tart raspberries… I made Sweet Raspberry Cake! 🙂

Today, I’m sharing a recipe for Raspberry Pumpkin Cake… a Yummy Yummy dessert that is so soft and moist, it’s filled with healing raspberries, and is just one big tasty holiday party in your mouth! This cake has all of your favorite holiday spices, but with a frosting that has a twist!

Yes, there is sugar, but it is super Moist, Vegan and Gluten Free! Shhh your guests and family will never ever know!

Vegan & Gluten Free Raspberry Pumpkin Spice Cake:

Cake Ingredients:

3/4 Cup homemade pumpkin puree
1/8 teaspoon of Fresh Ginger Shavings
1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
1/3 Cup Coconut Oil, melted.
1/4 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk, room temp (or coconut, rice milk)
2 Tablespoons Coconut Nectar (or Molasses, Agave)
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 teaspoon of All Spice
3/4 teaspoon of Ground Cloves
1/2 teaspoon of Ground Nutmeg
1 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons Gluten-Free All-purpose Flour
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
pinch of Sea Salt (optional)

Instructions for Cake:

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 3 medium ramekins with cooking spray.
Wash your sugar pumpkin and clean it inside and out.
Dry pumpkin, cut a round cap, then cut pumpkin into slices & squares.
Remove pumpkin skin, then boil Pumpkin Meat squares until soft.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients, whisk to combine.
In a separate bowl, combine room temp milk & melted coconut oil.
Once Meat is boiled, place in a high speed blender with Ginger, blend.
Now add all the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
Evenly pour the batter into each prepared ramekin.
Bake about 28-30 minutes, until center is set & toothpick comes clean.
Allow cake to cool in ramekin, on top of a wire rack, for at least 30 minutes before placing on the rack to finish cooling completely. While cake cools, make the frosting.

Frosting

1/4 Cup softened Coconut Butter (or butter of choice)
2 Cups Confectioner’s Sugar
3-4 Tablespoons of Coconut Milk (or milk of choice)
In a large mixing bowl, combine vegan butter, 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 3 tablespoons Vegan milk of choice, and beat with an electric mixer on medium high speed until smooth. If needed, drizzle in more milk until desired frosting consistency is reached. If frosting is too loose, add a bit more confectioners’ sugar or milk until you have desired consistency.

Raspberry Garnish

3 packages of Raspberries
Set 1/3 of the raspberries aside to garnish the cake.
Using a small knife, split the remaining raspberries down the middle so they can be opened flat.
Put one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with one third of the frosting and add one half of the split berries.
Add a second layer and repeat with another third of the frosting and the remaining split raspberries.
Top with the last layer of cake and remaining frosting, garnish top with the remaining raspberries.

Oh your house is going to be filled with the aroma of the holiday spirit! This will be an absolute hit with all your family and guests! Looking forward to hearing how much you loved this Yummy Yummy treat!

Stay healthy & happy ~ Dr. Dee