Saturday, December 10, 2011

COLE SLAW: my corner post for healing

Have you ever looked closely at Slaw? Probably not; why should you? It’s basically shredded cabbage. However, when you start to research that unpretentious, long keeping, little vegetable you find it to be a nutritional storehouse. Cabbage is extremely high in calcium. Most nutritional specialist sing the praises of broccoli as the leader in organic calcium. Yet, cupful to cupful cabbage leads as the best organic source of  this important mineral.

Other notable qualities found listed on the cabbage nutritional profile are the B vitamins: Niacin (B3), Riboflavin (B2)  and Thiamine (B1).  Stress, alcohol and sugar destroy B vitamins. People dealing with stressful conditions, illness or post surgery need extra amounts of these B’s.These three B’s aid digestion, stabilize emotions, relieving irritability and depression while generally aiding the entire nervous system. They are even more effective when combined with calcium and phosphorus. The combo helps prevent constipation or edema and assist the urinary system.  What a master plan that cabbage would naturally be very high in those minerals as well.


Cabbage also contains high levels of potassium and organic sodium (not the same as table salt) which are beneficial to heart function and problems like arrhythmia. These nutrients along with high levels of antioxidants, and Vitamins A&C make slaw a wonderful food for your over-all health. Add some carrot to your slaw and you’ve doubled the available vitamin A and organic sodium. 


My rabbits and I eat slaw almost every day. I shred up a half gallon container twice a week. Having this in easy reach in the refrigerator means that no matter what I serve there a fast easy salad slaw to enhance the meal.My rabbits, Patch and Magic, like their slaw  plain, but I vary the dressing I mix into it day to day. Sometimes a bit of mayonnaise and lime juice, or some olive oil, agave nectar and celery seed, or maybe just some sweet onion vinaigrette.

I learned from my rabbits, Patch and Magic, not to eat slaw that is over 3 days old. I’m not sure why they refuse it on the 4th day, but animal wisdom is often greater than ours, so I watch, learn and follow. One more difference in the way we eat slaw is that I always top mine off with some Honduran Chimol…a salsa type relish popular in this part of Central America. It is another one of my corner posts for good health. Watch for the recipe in a future blog piece or contact me through a comment here or on my website: www.wisdompathway.com

Monday, December 5, 2011

Start Small to Stay on Track

The best time to make a change is at the beginning of some landmark: a new week, month, a birth date or the ever popular, new year. However, internet research states that only 12 percent of Americans successfully achieve their New Year's resolutions. Did the desired improvement lose importance or was the goal too big?

What keeps those remaining 88% from achieving their goals can be as varied as the folks themselves. Some may have just forgotten their intent, with others it could be procrastination or ‘failure to launch.’ However, I bet if the goal began as one smaller and easier to reach, each small success would have rolled into another to create a giant victory.

 Another ingredient to overcoming hurdles to change is having a circle of close friends or others with similar goals that will support and believe in what you are trying to achieve.  Over the years, I have coached and supported people in numerous areas of the world to overcome their fears, hesitations and moments of discouragement.  All alone, the decision to  turn their lives around can sometimes feel overwhelming and a bit frightening. Visit my website www.wisdompathway.com/free.htm to read testimonies. You might consider enrolling in my free “Empowerment Group” to stay on-track with your goals. Each member receives 3 positive messages a week. I send one on Mondays to help set your course. The second one will be in your e-mail box on Wednesday to help you over the hump while the final one will show up each Friday, helping you stay on-track for the weekend.
 
It took big dreamers to see the possibility of a transcontinental railway connecting each coast of the United States. But it was the daily focus of laying one rail after another that made it happen.