OCTOBER 16, 2019 BOTANICAL BOOKS
I don’t know how I gained a vast knowledge of plants. Some is from my Integrative training in Arizona with Dr T Lowdog, and a lot is with 7Song at Northeast School of botanical Medicines. I have to say I read a lot
I have been reading a series of Botanical Books. Botanical, a new series from Reaktion, is the first to integrate horticultural writing with a broader account of the cultural and social impact of plants. The first book in the series was Oak. To date I have about 8 in the series- Birch, Rose, Primrose, Sunflower, Cactus, and my favorite Carnivorous Plants. I am awaiting the delivery of Bamboo. I just order Cannabis and Lily.
The book on Tulip reads like a novel “ A long time ago, you could only find them on the slopes of remote mountain ranges in Asia, but today they are the very symbol of modern genetics, a species unrivalled for the variety of colors and forms that breeders can create: tulips. In this book, Celia Fisher traces the story of this important and highly popular plant, from its mountain beginnings to its prevalence in the gardens of Mughal, Persian, and Ottoman
Makes a great Christmas gift for any plant lover
Until tomorrow…
OCTOBER 15, 2019 WILD PLANTS
Have you ever wondered what you could eat in the wild if you had to ? Many of us do not think of this nor do we have to. It would be for your survival.
We all know our market vegetables and fruits are trusted edible species, but what about wild plants? Here are a few common (North American) goodies that are safe to eat if you find yourself stuck in the wild There are many plants that you could eat. Some of these include:
wild asparagus
all berries ( mulberry, gooseberries, elderberries, and blackberries )
pine
dandelions
many nuts as walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory and even acorns)
A roadside herb called Plantain can be consumed Plantain is one of those plants that seems to thrive right on the edge of gardens and driveways, and it’s also edible. If you identify garlic mustard and watercress—these can be also eaten. I love chickweed as an edible herbs There are many books on edible plants . Unless you know about mushrooms and how to identify them I would not pick and consume wild mushrooms without a vast knowledge.
Until tomorrow
OCTOBER 14, 2019 GLUTEN
Is gluten toxic, a harmless indulgence, or part of a healthy diet? We know that people with medical conditions like celiac disease need to go gluten-free, but what about everyone else? How do you know if you’re gluten intolerant? Or gluten-sensitive? Millions of people around the world have gone gluten-free in the last decade. A 2015 Gallup poll FOUND that around one-fifth of Americans and many Europeans prefer gluten-free foods Some of the gluten free processed foods contain a lot of sugar and other ingredients for which you might be sensitive to.
Gluten is an umbrella name for proteins called prolamins (primarily glutenin and gliadin ) found in wheat, rye, barley and oats There are blood tests to determine if you have a gluten allergic and have celiac disease. These are antibodies for gliadin, endomysial and transglutaminase. These are very specific. Some gastroenterologists believe you must have a biopsy. I do recommend food allergy testing by Ig G not Ig E ( which is immediate sensitivity) Here is a small list of foods that contain gluten
Wheat: bread, pasta, baked goods, sauces, cereals, soups, roux (a mixture of flour with a fat like oil or butter, used as a thickening agent for soups and sauces), salad dressings, soy sauces
Rye: cereals, rye beer, rye bread (e.g., pumpernickel)
Barley: malt, malt extracts, malt vinegar, beer, soups, food coloring, Brewer’s yeast
Triticale: cereals, pasta, breads
At both Fratellone Medical and Connecticut Integrative Medical Center we offer comprehensive testing for gluten allergy and gluten sensitivity. We have trained professional staff as naturopathic doctors with specialty training in Nutrition to deal with your food sensitivities. Get the right test done
If you want to read a book about a life with Celiac Disease I suggest Jennifer’s Way : My Journey with Celiac Disease by Jennifer Esposito. Published in 2014 .
Until tomorrow…