OCTOBER 24, 2023 DO YOU REMEMBER BOARD GAMES ?


Do you remember board games ?

Gaming had always been a form of family entertainment long before the invention of home computers and video game consoles. One type of game played for thousands of years is board games-especially throughout the 20th century. Unfortunately with technology, not many families still play board games.

Whatever happened to 'stick ball' , Hide and Seek, or Football Tackle. There are Board Games that have stood the test of time . Numerous board games have been created for the entire family to play. Children as young as six years old have been able to play some of these timeless board games.

Monopoly is one of the most classic of board games created in the early 1900s. Several updated versions of it have been created since Parker Brothers first produced it in 1935. The object of Monopoly is for one player to use both luck (roll of the dice) and strategy (careful financial investment) to become the most economically superior power. This action is achieved when the winning player is able to gain control over the most personal properties, utility companies, and financial opportunities. The game ends when one or more players go bankrupt. The history of Monopoly can be traced back to 1903, when an American woman named Elizabeth (Lizzie) J. Magie Phillips created a game through which she hoped to be able to explain the single tax theory of Henry George (it was intended to illustrate the negative aspects of concentrating land in private monopolies). Her game, The Landlord's Game,was commercially published in 1923. A series of variant board games based on her concept were developed from 1906 through the 1930s that involved the buying and selling of land and the development of that land. By 1934, the board  game  was called Monopoly.

This game  RISK, was created by Albert Lamorisse, and originally marketed in France under the name La Conquête du Monde (The Conquest of the World) in 1957. Risk was also published by Parker Brothers in 1959. The original game board of Risk is a map divided into 42 territories grouped on six continents, similar to the way the world was divided during the time Napoleon was alive. The object of this game is to conquer the world by way of opponent player elimination. I was not a fan of RISK. I rather play Battleship.

Scrabble is one of the most well-known letter crossword games. Earlier versions of it were created in the early 1930s, and then the name Scrabble was trademarked in 1948. This is by far, the game I enjoy the most next to Trivial Pursuit. I love words. This game finally became a success after Alfred Mosher Butts and James Brunot joined forces. By 1952 Scrabble had been licensed to Selchow & Righter Company. The main goal in Scrabble is to be the last person to be able to form words with remaining letter tiles. Points are given for every word formed, and the player with the most points wins the game.

This game, Trivial Pursuit  was first co-invented in 1979 by Scott Abbot and Chris Hanley in Canada. It showed up at a U.S. toy fair in 1982, and the game rights were sold to Parker Brothers in 1984. The main object of the game is to answer the most trivia points correctly, and to advance to the end of the game board There are many versions now. I enjoyed getting those colored Pies.   The games I remember vividly as a child in addition to monopoly were the following:   The board game Chutes and Ladders were invented in 1943. The Game of Life, also known simply as LIFE, is a board game originally created in 1860 by Milton Bradley, as The Checkered Game of Life (and later produced by the Milton Bradley Company of Springfield, Massachusetts. “Trouble" was invented by Kohner brothers in 1963. It was launched across the United States 14 months later in 1965


I want to do something this weekend that  requires no thought. It will require entering my 'craft room' and fumbling on the top shelf for a jigsaw puzzle. I then have to make the decision for which one- honeybees, herbal or Dali . John Spilsbury invented the jigsaw puzzle in 1767. Spilsbury was an engraver and mapmaker. The first jigsaw puzzle was a map of the world. Paint by numbers was invented in 1950 by Dan Robbins who was employed by the Palmer Paint Company

What will you do this weekend ?

OCTOBER 23, 2023 RAW FOODS

There are some individuals who still prefer to eat raw foods. This can be risky. I recently read an article about some raw foods that should not be consumed. One of these listed is milk. The article stated this “ fresh milk does not translate to milk directly from the camel, buffalo, sheep, goat or cow. Unpasteurized milk or raw milk could contain dangerous bacteria and other germs which could make individuals really sick. It could be fatal as well. It could result in severe infections such as E. coli, listeria, and salmonella. Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that outbreaks as a result of raw milk consistently threatens the health of individuals.

I totally disagree I have had raw milk from quality farms in both Connecticut and Pennsylvania without any harmful effects I gave my children raw dairy from these farms. I used www.westonaprice.org for quality sources. The individuals who wrote this should have investigated and read “ The Untold Story of Milk” and got educated. Yes there are risks if you did not do your research I as a doctor, parent and now grandparent would never jeopardize my family nor my patients

Yes there are foods you should be careful about if eating raw. Eating raw cruciferous vegetables is healthy but if you have thyroid issues - just be careful . I always find it amazing that someone can sell raw oysters of the Long Island Expressway 495, but it is illegal to sell raw milk in the State of New York

I used to write for a magazine called Radius. It was questions that readers wrote and the magazine wanted answers The magazine was very informative. I also thought it was progressive. When someone asked about raw milk - I answered like I am writing this blog. This was the LAST time I wrote for the magazine. I was dismissed I guess the magazine wasn’t as progressive as I thought— oh well

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 19, 2023 THE AGING PROCESS

I DO NOT WANT TO AGE , but it is out of my control Since we must all age I want it to be graceful and with health- in body , mind and spirit. I try to ensure that by eating properly, take supplements and herbs, exercise and keep my mind active by always learning something new. This past weekend I attended the 34th Annual American Herbal Symposium in Granby Colorado. I left with a good feelings of learning new topics, meeting old friends and colleagues and meeting new individuals Next year I will attend the 35th conference in Asheville, NC

I have my supplements compounded based on my current labs and my genetics. I feel this is the best way to make sure I am taking the right amount of supplements. I must tell you I feel younger. Some of these supplements in my mix are methylated B12 and folate, selenium, omega 3, coenzyme Q 10 and much more

Your health is one your greatest assets Do not neglect yourself

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 18, 2023 DOGS BEST COMPANIONS

I have always loved animals . I currently have 3 rescue canines- Chaplin- a hound/beagle, Boone- A labradoodle and Buddy - A sheepadoddle. These are large dogs ranging from 65 pounds to 125 pounds. A dog’s health is very important to me. In large dogs I worry about Osteoarthritis. It is chronic degenerative inflammation which they will experience as they get older. There are many supplements I give my dogs as they age. It varies from supplements to various herbs.

I utilize three supplements The first one is glucosamine It is used in my human patients to help alleviate arthritis It does provide a moderate level of comfort for my large dogs. Having the youngest dog, Buddy helps keep the others active in the yard and on walks. I also utilize MSM which helps joint discomfort, ease inflammation and assists in physical function of my best friend(s) Truly my dogs are my best friends- Their unconditional love is beyond any comprehension. The last supplement is PEA which helps in pain relieving properties. All can be given together with no side effects or contraindications. I sometimes use a tincture of the herb , Devil’s Claw

How a human treats his canine is the utmost importance to me. This is how I generally judge human’s character

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 17, 2023 NUTRIENTS FOIR THE LUNGS

There are many useful nutrients for the lungs. The most useful are the omega 3 fatty acids. These can be derived from food sources as fish, flax, eggs, walnuts, cod liver oil and chia seeds. You must have your veggies and fruits to get ascorbic acid or Vitamin C.
Get plenty of Vitamin A ( beta carotene and beta carotene) from carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, spinach, papaya and peppers.
If you do not like spinach for the folate ( folic acid) then eat some other dark leafy greens. You can also have asparagus, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, and lima beans
The vitamin of the last decade is Vitamin D. You need to get fish oils in the diet if you do not like fish.
You must also have a good quality fish without mercury.

There are many herbs for the lungs- elderberry, horehound, elecampane , and nettles. I utilize a tea from Botanical Bounty - SNIFFLY to warn away the colds and flu. We also give our homeopathic flu shot. In addition I tincture propolis from my own bees It will be ready soon Call Botanical Bounty

646 723 1823


I would suggest  www.vitalchoice.com for quality fish

 Eat sardines, mackerel and herring
As we age we need more dietary calcium from leafy greens, peas, beans, brazil nuts, hazelnuts and sesame seeds.
The only food source for bromelain is the pineapple

Until tomorrow...

OCTOBER 11, 2023 YOUR MEDICINE CLOSET


Some of us want to have antibiotics in the medicine cabinet--just in case. I feel everyone should have a home healing medicine cabinet. There can be an Ayurvedic medicine cabinet, a Chinese herbal medicine cabinet, an aromatherapy medicine cabinet and finally, my expertise, a western herbal medicine cabinet. There are two shelves in my hall closet filled with tinctures and dried herbs. My herbal closet has the following herbs (and a lot more):

1. Elder - for cough/sore throats

2. Meadowsweet - for indigestion

3. Stinging nettles - for sinus congestion

4. Valerian - for stress

5. Skullcap - for tension

6. Echinacea - for cold/flu and congestion

7. Chamomile - for nervous stomach and sleep

There is another type of medicine cabinet that has passed on from generation to generation even within your family. This is the traditional home or Folklore Remedy Medicine cabinet or "Kitchen cabinet"

1. Garlic - fresh garlic should be in every household. This is great for intestinal infections

2. Wild flower honey - As a beekeeper I find this essential. It is great for the flu. Great for sore throats, and can be applied to cuts and scrapes.

3. Celery - For those individuals with always feeling he/she has to go to urinate. This is called cystitis. You can use fresh celery or celery seeds. A colleague uses celery for headaches.

4. Cabbage leaves - great to apply to infected hair follicles, boils or carbuncles. The cabbage draws out the infection. Place a gauze pad over the fresh cabbage leaves over the wound. Cabbage can be crushed and applied as poultice to a hot swollen joint. Useful for the gouty joints too.

5. Cinnamon sticks - It is very useful for the patient with an unstable blood sugar . It is also used for colds and indigestion.

I am inspired by this blog as I leave for Granby Colorado tomorrow for the American Herbal Symposium I will be among friends and colleagues I am looking forward to this

Until tomorrow...

OCTOBER 10, 2023 NECK PAIN

I do see many older patients with degenerative arthritis of the spine especially the neck and lower back . In the younger patient I usually see a locked neck which is over strain of ligaments or muscle spasms caused by an awkward or sudden movement. It can be caused by an unusual position while sleeping

Some of us can take an aspirin, anti inflammatory, or a pain killers for the pain. Local heat does help tense muscles. If the pain is associated with nerves I usually ask the patient to drink celery juice. If I use an essential oil to be massaged into the area to ease the discomfort, I recommend rosemary.


There is one herb you may not think of using for pain as it has been associated with depression. This is St. Johns Wort . I feel this herb has been given a 'bad rap'. It has sedative and painkilling properties and can be drunk as an infusion or even applied to the area. To reduce inflammation I love ginger, white willow and vervain.

My homeopathic friends/colleagues usually recommend the fresh black root from the plant Cimicifuga racemosa.

One of the best treatments for neck pain is acupuncture We offer full-service acupuncture on Tuesday and Thursday with Dr Elizabeth Cruz, naturopathic physician and acupuncturist.

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 5, 2023 MYCOLOGY

Paul Stamets is one of the forerunners in the field of Mushrooms. His book 'Mycelium Running" (which he signed for me) is outstanding. It invigorates the mind. He is a visionary with the insight to try to save the world. He is doing just that. I cannot tell you how exciting this is. In a nut shell it goes like this. Microscopic cells, called mycelium (the underground part of a mushroom you do not see) recycle carbon, nitrogen and other essential elements. These mycelia break down animal and plant debris and create new soil. Paul has found that WE, THE EARTH MOTHER, can captivate this mycelium energy and power to decompose toxic waste (which is, by the way killing life as we know it on our planet). It goes farther than this. We can eliminate pathogens from our agricultural industry without traditional petrochemicals. By doing all this we can help forests and gardens to thrive. His possibilities for using mushrooms are endless. There are non harmful possibilities beyond our wildest dreams. The book is a must read for anyone. If you want to start simpler, read his Gourmet and Medicinal Mushroom book.

He is in my estimation the single most important person in the field of mushrooms. His lectures are always informative and real. Real in the sense that he loves what he does. He truly loves and gets excited about his field of mushrooms. He wants to save the Mother Earth. He is saving the Mother Earth with each new discovery and technique such as his new concept, the Life Box. It seems it takes our own government some time to catch on to this innovating, life saving and viable lesson to save our planet. Isn't this what we all should be doing? Not as intense as Paul, but in some way try to save the plants, the bees, the animals, and of course, yourself.

On Netflix watch the movie “ FANTASTIC FUNGI “ Not only will you see and hear Paul, but you hear and see Michael Pollan who discusses magic mushrooms His experience is discussed in his book “ How to Change Your Mind “ You till also hear Andrew Weil MD discuss mushrooms

When people hear about Paul's work with mushrooms, they might say what an interviewer asked Salvador Dali--

The question was "Are you on drugs?" Dali replied, "I am a drug."

Until tomorrow...