Live Positive Today .Org: November 2010

Monday, November 29, 2010

Kappa Maki (Cucumber Sushi Roll)

Kappa Maki (Cucumber Sushi Roll)

Ingredients for about 4 rolls:
* 2/3 cup short grain brown rice
* 2 1/3 cups water
* 1 dash sea salt
* 1/2 cup quinoa
* 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* 2 tablespoons organic sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
* 4 sheets nori
* 1 cucumber, cut into thin strips
* sesame seed

Other options: You could add shredded carrot, avocado,crab meat, shrimp, salmon, ETC.

Directions:

1. Rinse and drain your short grain brown rice. Add the rice to a medium size saucepan along with the dash of salt and 2 1/3 cups water. (Yes, thats too much water for the rice, but you'll add the quinoa to it as well later on). Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Set your timer for 30 minutes.

2. While the rice cooks you can mix up the vinegar(s),sugar, and salt. I like to heat this up so that the sugar and salt fully dissolve. Set aside.

3. Also while the rice cooks you can cut up your cucumber. Set aside.

4. At the 30 minute mark, add in the quinoa and give it a quick stir. You may have to bring it back up to a boil to maintain the heat, then reduce back down to low and cover again. Set your timer for 15 more minutes. At the end of the 15 minutes both the rice and the quinoa should be tender and nicely cooked.

5. Remove your rice mixture from the pan. You can turn it into a large mixing bowl, or even onto a cookie sheet. Spread it out so that it cools more quickly. Mix in the vinegar mixture, carefully folding it into the rice. Adjust the seasoning if need be, adding more vinegar if you like. (I wouldn't add more salt because you generally serve with soy sauce).

6. After about 10 minutes the rice should have cooled off quite a bit and be ready to work with. (You could prepare this far in advance, remembering it's best to work with the rice at room temperature).

7. Cover up your sushi mat with plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag (I put it inside a large Ziploc). Place a sheet of nori on your mat (shiny side down).

8. Eyeball your rice mixture into 4 equal portions and place one portion on your sheet of nori. Pat it down with damp hands to cover the lower half of the nori sheet with rice. There is usually a picture on the back of the nori packaging to show you how to spread the rice and roll it up. I like to keep a mug of water nearby to dip my fingers into.

9. If you wish, sprinkle the rice with sesame seeds at this point. Place your fillings in a straight line across the middle of your rice. Lift the sushi mat and fold over and roll, to form a log. This might take practice if it's your first time, but basically connect the bottom of the sheet closest to you, to the top of the rice mixture, which should result in your filling being perfectly in the middle (or not! -- still tastes good!). Use the mat to help you tighten up the sushi log then release it.

10. Repeat to use up all the rice and you should have 4 sushi logs. With a very sharp knife - end dipped in water, cut each log into 6 or 8 equal pieces.

11. Serve with wasabi, ginger and light soy sauce if you like. Enjoy!

EAT BETTER. PLAY HARDER. LIVE HEALTHIER. LEARN EASIER. WELLNESS IS A WAY OF LIFE! FEEL SOUL GOOD! http://www.facebook.com/AlternativeHealthSolutionsofNJ

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Michelle Leonard

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©2008-2010

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Yummy Yogurt Salad Dressing

Yummy Yogurt Salad Dressing

Ingredients

* 1 (16 ounce) container plain no fat Greek yogurt like Chobani
* 2 teaspoons lemon juice
* 1 package Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing seasoning mix
* 2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
* 2 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
* 2 teaspoon minced onion
* 2 teaspoon chopped chives
* 2 teaspoon chopped dill
* 2 teaspoon minced garlic

Directions

1. In a small bowl, beat together yogurt, seasoning package, and lemon juice until smooth. Stir in herbs. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tofu Turkey Roast (Step-by-Step)

Stuffing: Roll stuffing (of choice) into a rounded log about 25 cm (10") long.

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. On the counter or a large cutting board, lay down 2 pieces of non-stick baking paper about 45 cm (18") long, overlapping about 10 cm (4") along the long edges. Over the top of this, lay down another piece of baking paper, centered along the overlapped edges.

3. On the top layer of baking paper, evenly spread the tofu "turkey" mixture to about 30 x 25 cm (12" x 10").

"Turkey"
four 320 g packets (2 3/4 lb total) very firm or hard tofu (not silken)
4 tablespoons (5 1/3 US tbsp) arrowroot
8 teaspoons savoury (nutritional) yeast flakes
3 teaspoons agar powder
4 teaspoons Massel chicken-style stock powder
4 teaspoons sage
1 1/3 teaspoons thyme
1 1/3 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/3 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/3 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
shake of black pepper
A. Divide the ingredients evenly into 2 or more lots depending on the size of your food processor.
B. In a food processor, puree all ingredients in lots. You may need to keep stopping to mix the mixture so it all processes evenly.

4. Place the stuffing log on to the center of this.

5.Carefully lift the edges of one end of the paper, and thus the tofu, up and over the stuffing. Gently pull paper away from tofu and lay flat again, leaving the tofu around the stuffing.

Repeat with the other side.

The tofu mixture should meet at the top and wrap all the way around the stuffing.

6. Gently press the edges of the tofu mixture together and smooth over.

Press the tofu over the ends of the stuffing log, and smooth this over also.

7. Brush the entire top of the roast with marinade. (Keep the remaining marinade for basting later.)

Marinade Mix
•1/2 cup sesame oil
•1/4 cup tamari
•2 tablespoons miso paste
•2 tablespoons Worchester sauce
•5 tablespoons orange juice
•1 teaspoon honey mustard
•3 teaspoons honey
•1/2 teaspoon orange zest
•3 sprigs fresh rosemary

8. Wrap with all the layers of the baking paper. Twist the long ends to close. Wrap with an additional layer of baking paper, if desired.

Wrap again with several layers of foil (extra wide foil makes this easier).

9. Gently place on a baking tray. Bake for 1 hour.

10. Remove foil and baking paper (the easiest way is to simply tear it away from the top). Put this back in the oven -brush with remaining marinade every 10 minutes for around 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Cranberry Spinach Salad

Cranberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients:

1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite
-size pieces
1 mixed bag of baby greens
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (or walnuts)
1 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

Apple Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 cup apple juice
3 tablespoons virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste.

Directions:
1. Place salad greens in a bowl.
2. Top with cheese, cranberries and pecans.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the vinaigrette.
4. Toss with salad just before serving.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thanksgiving Butternut Squash Soup

Gingered Apple Butternut Squash Soup In Your Crockpot

1 tbsp olive oil
1 very large butternut squash (see below for instructions on how to prepare fresh squash)
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
2 tart apples, peeled, cored and diced
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp salt
3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken)
1 cup apple cider
1 tbsp honey

If using a whole butternut squash:
Peel squash with vegetable peeler then cut in half and scoop out seeds and discard. Dice sections in to small 1 inch cubes.

For soup:
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Add squash, onion, garlic and ginger to bowl and toss with olive oil. Spread out on baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes.
When vegetables are ready, add to crock-pot. Peel, core and dice apples and add to pot along with the remainding ingredients. Heat on low for 6 hours. When ready use either a hand mixer or potato masher to puree soup.

Acupuncture in Army Health Care

Nov 1, 2010 Ashley Bateman Reports from army.mil

Acupuncture in Army Health Care
(USAG Bamberg)BAMBERG, Germany -- Health care, as defined by Merriam-Webster's dictionary is, "efforts made to maintain or restore health especially by trained and licensed professionals." Webster's online dictionary further describes alternative medicine as "the practice of medicine without the use of drugs; may involve herbal medicines or self-awareness or biofeedback or acupuncture."

Within the realm of alternative treatment lies acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice of using needles inserted in the skin on different parts of the body to relieve pain. Although experts still disagree on the exact physiological process by which acupuncture relieves pain, studies have shown positive quantitative and qualitative results of the treatment.

Army health care providers have been using this ancient Chinese technique for active duty Soldiers downrange for several years, since Air Force doctor Richard C. Niemtzow was credited with developing Battlefield Acupuncture nearly 10 years ago. The healing method is not available to most military community members and TRICARE has yet to approve coverage for acupuncture from off-post providers.

However, times are changing. According to an Army News Service article published June 25, a report released by the Army's surgeon general June 23 recommended more than 100 changes in the Army's health care system.

The article stated that "The Pain Management Task Force's final report, which was initiated by Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker in August of 2009, addresses the lack of a comprehensive pain-management strategy across the Army, and suggests alternative treatments to medication such as acupuncture, meditation, biofeedback and yoga.

Also noted in the report is the fact that pain management has changed very little since the discovery of morphine in 1805.

"This and further concerns about combining medications in drug therapy have led to an increase in alternative medicine throughout Army health care communities. I believe that the 'spread' going on reflects the fact that more and more physicians are pursuing training in acupuncture," said Lt.Col. Larry R. Patterson, Bamberg Health Clinic commander. "Treatments become more available because of a larger pool of trained physicians."

Warner Barracks is one of a few Army health clinics to respond to the pain-management strategy with the use of auricular acupuncture for mild Traumatic Brain Injury patients. Auricular acupuncture refers to points located on the ears.

Dr. Kuno P. Zimmermann, a licensed acupuncturist who has practiced for more than 12 years, is administering this method treatment.

"Magnets and metal pellets, gold, silver, stainless steel, are preferred over ear needles because they are noninvasive and can be left on for several days," Zimmermann said. "Specialized ear needles, known as asp needles, can also be left in for several days, but carry a small risk of infection which is not worth taking with patients who may be spending extended time periods in relatively unsanitary or outdoor conditions."

Though an approved treatment for mTBI patients, auricular acupuncture has yet to extend to the greater community.

"Currently, the mTBI clinic offers auricular acupuncture only, to mTBI clients only, as an alternative to pharmacological treatments for problems commonly encountered after concussions," Patterson said. "Expansion of the MTBI services to include body acupuncture is not planned, as the physical plant currently cannot accommodate it."

The offering of auricular and/or body acupuncture to the broader Bamberg Health Clinic populations requires management decisions and resource allocations from a higher level, he said.

Dr. Natalia Whitman, a neurologist and medical director of Vilseck's mTBI clinic, is planning on attaining credentials in acupuncture. The research she has seen in the past years has convinced her that this method of treatment would greatly benefit patients suffering a variety of ailments.

Whitman said that often patients receive medications through a pharmacy from multiple providers.

"I'm always looking for something nontraditional," Whitman said. "Many medications may have interactions."

Drugs dealing with neurological issues or prescribed by a behavioral health physician, may interfere or interact with some pain medications, so having drug-free options to manage pain is important, she said.

"I'm trying to avoid interactions with other medications, side effects and for young, Army strong men to remain Army strong," she said.

Whitman is encouraged by findings published in "The American Family Physician." Volume 80, number five of the journal published Sept. 1, 2009 reads, "Acupuncture was found to improve headaches and health-related quality of life when added to medical management in patients with chronic daily headache."

"I plan on expanding to include acupuncture when I receive the classes," Whitman said. "Ninety-eight percent of my patients have headaches."

As policymakers review American health care practices, cutting costs is a top priority. According to a study published by the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, acupuncture and other alternative treatment methods are extremely cost effective. Studies are convincing some medical professionals that implementation of acupuncture could greatly reduce costs and benefit their patients. According to studies, acupuncture saves approximately $15,000 respectively for headaches, lower back and neck pain, each per year, Whitman said.

Acupuncturists still hope to push new legislation to incorporate acupuncture into regular and reimbursed pain treatment. If passed, a new policy, entitled Bill HR 646, could greatly affect availability of acupuncture services in the United States. Issue 51 of "The American Acupuncturist Journal," published last spring, discussed the bill.

"Passage of this Bill HR 646 will provide federally endorsed national recognition of acupuncture as a reimbursable modality when practiced by a licensed acupuncturist," the journal reads. "From this vantage point, acupuncture will become more accessible to the public and health professionals, encouraging integration and utilization where indicated. We found acupuncture to be highly cost-effective...considerably less that the current threshold at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence."

The NICE, according to the article, has a set threshold of cost. Treatment costing below this threshold is considered worth paying for. The determined incremental cost of acupuncture is just a fifth of that threshold amount, well under it. In conclusion, the article read, "A short course of traditional acupuncture for the treatment of lower back pain in primary care confers a modest health benefit. The use of acupuncture care for the treatment of lower back pain therefore appears highly cost-effective."

Until a bill is passed, patients should not expect to see insurance coverage of acupuncture, but those most in need are receiving consideration for care at some Army health clinics.

"A lot of it is a time constraint, if you have a really busy provider," Whitman said. "It's really hard to fit it in the treatment plan."

Multiple doctors at the Landstuhl Regional Medical center are qualified to perform acupuncture and are doing so through the Anesthesia Interventional Pain Management department there. Several other Army mTBI clinics have begun utilizing acupuncture or hope to do so in the near future.

EAT BETTER. PLAY HARDER. LIVE HEALTHIER. LEARN EASIER. WELLNESS IS A WAY OF LIFE! FEEL SOUL GOOD! http://www.facebook.com/AlternativeHealthSolutionsofNJ

If you are thinking of Alternative care for yourself or if you’d like more information on what alternative care can do for you today:

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Email us at alternativehealthsolutionsnj@gmail.com

Call us 732-664-9348

Be a Fan of Alternative Health Solutions of NJ on Facebook

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Have a Wonderful day

Michelle Leonard

:0)

©2008-2010

Finally healthcare that is “Soul good for you”

The kindness thank you is your referral. Please pass on the gift of health.

To receive more information join our mailing list!

Fill out my form!

Check out our other projects at:

http://www.facebook.com/SoulsationalMusicWellnessFestival

http://soulsational.webs.com/

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http://greendirectory.webs.com/

Are you on the Jersey shore? Alternative Health Solutions of NJ thinks you should become a member of The Jersey Shore Network and receive exclusive discounts from local businesses and providers! Discounts range from 10%-50% off! You will receive a personalized membership card which you can present to any of the participating businesses and providers. The Jersey Shore Wellness Network Do it TODAY! (ask me for the discount code)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Yoga & Acupuncture To Treat Pain In The Army

Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, Army surgeon general talks Yoga & Acupuncture To Treat Pain In The Army

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 25, 2010) -- The Army's health-care system may soon see changes in how Soldiers are treated for pain, according to a report released by the Army's surgeon general Wednesday which recommends 109 changes.

The Pain Management Task Force's final report, which was initiated by Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker in August of 2009, addresses the lack of a comprehensive pain-management strategy across the Army, and suggests alternative treatments to medication such as acupuncture, meditation, biofeedback and yoga. Also noted in the report is the fact that pain management has changed very little since the discovery of morphine in 1805.

Schoomaker explained that with the increasing numbers of Soldiers returning from combat with severe wounds, reports of medication abuse and suicides with pain as a possible factor are troubling.

"While these issues might not be directly related to pain management, I felt a thorough evaluation and assessment of current pain-management practice was indicated," Schoomaker said.

He said part of the problem is that severely injured Soldiers, like those in Warrior Transition Units, are often prescribed multiple medications and sometimes seen by several different doctors, which can cause inconsistencies in care. But he maintained that this is not just an Army problem-it's a problem throughout the U.S. healthcare system.

"This is a nation-wide problem ... we've got a culture of 'a pill for every ill,'" agreed Brig. Gen. Richard W. Thomas, assistant Army surgeon general.

"As a physician, the hardest thing to deal with is patients with chronic pain," said Col. Jonathan H. Jaffin, director of heath policy and services, Army office of the surgeon general. "So many of us went into medicine to relieve suffering, and chronic pain is frustrating because we want to relieve that pain."

The task force visited 28 military, Veterans Affairs and civilian medical centers between October and January to observe treatment capabilities and best practices. Schoomaker's said his goal is to form a pain-management strategy that is holistic, multidisciplinary and puts Soldiers' quality of life first.

"This is an opportunity to change medical care and the way we take care of patients," noted Thomas.

Schoomaker stressed that Army practices have always been in compliance with America's medical regulations, but he thinks the Army can do better.

"Everything we do in the Army, even managing a toothache, is all in compliance with national standards ... what we want to do is set the bar higher," Schoomaker explained.

Schoomaker's higher standards include offering treatment alternatives that might not yet be prescribed in average doctor's offices, but which patients are already seeking out on their own, such as acupuncture. He said the Army has looked at research on the effectiveness of complementary techniques, and he would like to see them integrated into traditional medical treatment.

"Programs such as biofeedback and yoga have been subjected to scientific randomized trials and have been proven to be effective," Schoomaker said.

Biofeedback involves measuring body signals -- such as temperature, heart rate, muscle tension and brain waves -- to help patients with relaxation techniques and pain reduction.

Schoomaker said he is hopeful that Soldiers will be receptive to alternative methods of care once they see that the treatments work.

"Seeing success is the best way to convince people of the usefulness and the need for other approaches," agreed Jaffin.

The 109 recommendations are divided into four areas: to provide tools and infrastructure that support pain management, build a full spectrum of best practices, focus on Soldiers and families, and synchronize a culture of pain awareness, education and intervention.

Schoomaker said the recommendations that can be put into policy under his authority will be implemented in the coming months, and the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act asks the secretary of defense to integrate a pain-management policy into the military health-care system no later than March 2011.

EAT BETTER. PLAY HARDER. LIVE HEALTHIER. LEARN EASIER. WELLNESS IS A WAY OF LIFE! FEEL SOUL GOOD! http://www.facebook.com/AlternativeHealthSolutionsofNJ

If you are thinking of Alternative care for yourself or if you’d like more information on what alternative care can do for you today:

Contact http://www.alternativehealthsolutionsnj.com

Email us at alternativehealthsolutionsnj@gmail.com

Call us 732-664-9348

Be a Fan of Alternative Health Solutions of NJ on Facebook

Check out the Alternative Health Solutions of NJ MARKETPLACE

Have a Wonderful day

Michelle Leonard

:0)

©2008-2010

Finally healthcare that is “Soul good for you”

The kindness thank you is your referral. Please pass on the gift of health.

To receive more information join our mailing list!

Fill out my form!

Check out our other projects at:

http://www.facebook.com/SoulsationalMusicWellnessFestival

http://soulsational.webs.com/

http://www.facebook.com/TheLittleGreenDirectory

http://greendirectory.webs.com/

Are you on the Jersey shore? Alternative Health Solutions of NJ thinks you should become a member of The Jersey Shore Network and receive exclusive discounts from local businesses and providers! Discounts range from 10%-50% off! You will receive a personalized membership card which you can present to any of the participating businesses and providers. The Jersey Shore Wellness Network Do it TODAY! (ask me for the discount code)