Keeping the Air Clean with Plants
Did you know that plants work 24/7 to filter common pollutants, release oxygen and moisture to improve the quality of the air we breath immensely.
Nasa research scientist Dr. Bill Wolverton states to get the maximum benefits he recommends we place at least one houseplant for every 100 square feet of living space.
He discovered that houseplants absorb up to 87% of volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs) like ammonia, formaldehyde, and benzene that is found in most homes and offices. These toxins are absorbed into the roots and turned into nutrients.
Some plants work nocturnally including Epiphytic Bromelaids and Orchids which make attractive additions to bedroom decor. Snake plants, Broad Sword Ferns, Rubber Plants, Chrysanthemums, Gerbera Daisies, and Spider Plants are among the the best air purifiers during the day.
A study done in Norway found that a plant in each workstation in offices has been proven to reduce headaches, respiratory ailments and fatigue up to 25%. Plants that work well in these areas are Palms, Ferns, Spathiphyllum, Golden Pathos, and Heart Leaf Philodendron.
All in all planets are a green, inexpensive and beautiful alternative air purifiers.
Photograph by Dawn Turner.
Are Plastic Containers Safe for Food?
Rachel Gibson, a health advocate and an attorney for Environment California recently wrote an article about the various plastics in use in households today. Here is a breakdown of the plastics by their recycling codes.
- Code 1, 2, 4, 5 are reasonably safe for food that you buy or store in containers but it is still wiser to use stainless steel or glass containers instead.
- Code 3 is a PVC and it’s found in food packaging and shower curtains. This plastic contains phthalates that make it soft and pliable. Phthalates also disrupt hormones which may cause premature breast development, testicular cancer and lowered sperm count.
- Code 7 contains a chemical that makes this plastic rigid. Unfortunately the chemical disrupts hormones which may cause impaired learning, brain damage, early onset of puberty, altered immune systems and prostate cancer.
Ms Gibson also advises that plastic should not be put in the microwave or dishwasher as heat degrades the plastic and allows the chemicals to leach into the contents.
Photograph by Michael Lorenzo.
Did You Know: From Eggs to Frozen Vegetables
Another round of facts that are part of a series we call Did You Know.
- That brown and white eggs have the same nutritional value. They just come from different colored hens?
- Canola oils have the least amount of saturated fats and is the highest in cholesterol lowering fats of all the oils including olive oil?
- 80% of cholesterol in your blood stream is produced by your liver not dietary intake?
- Broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower and the “strong” vegetables help the liver detoxify cancer causing substances?
- Alcohol has the highest amount of calorie intake second only to fats?
- Pink grapefruit has more lycopene and 30 times the beta carotene than white grapefruit?
- Skim milk has the same amount of essential nutrients as whole milk, 2%, or 1%?
- There is no scientific evidence that sugar induces hyperactivity in children?
- Mixing alcohol with diet sodas allows the alcohol to enter the blood stream more rapidly?
- Fresh and frozen vegetables are pretty much equal in vitamin content. Frozen products may have more nutrition because they are picked and processed in their prime?
Thanks to Canadian LIving Magazine for the information.
Cantaloupe Citrus Pops
Good on a hot summer day.
- 1/2 cantaloupe diced
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup yogurt
Place ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds or small paper cups with popsicle sticks or plastic spoons inserted.
Photograph by amberdc.
Yogurt Helps Curtail Bad Breath
Did you know that eating 90 grams (3.2 ounces) of yogurt twice a day promotes all around mouth health, reduces dental plaque, tongue coating bacteria, cavities, and the risk of gingivitis and as a result eliminates bad breath according to WHFoods.
Photograph by Kanko.
Berry, Banana and Green Tea Smoothie
An antioxidant-rich smoothie that tastes great on a hot Summer day. Let’s get started.
Making the Smoothie
- 1/2 cup of frozen or canned whole cranberries
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 5 frozen strawberries
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup of brewed and chilled green tea
- 1/4 cup yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of honey or brown sugar
Blend all the ingredients together until the texture is smooth and serve immediately. This recipe should make about two full glasses.
Nutritional Value
- Cranberries: antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C and K
- Blueberries: antioxidants, fiber, folate, vitamin K
- Blackberries: fiber, folate, vitamins C and K
- Strawberries: antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber
- Banana: potassium, folate, fiber, vitamin C
- Green Tea: antioxidants
- Yogurt: iodine, minerals, vitamins B2 and 12
Good stuff.
Photograph by Toots Fontaine.
Your Garden can be Poisonous!
Many of the plants in vegetable plots, houses and flower beds are toxic and can provide symptoms that are truly uncomfortable if not lethal. If you have children or pets especially, it might be a good idea to make a note of which ones to pay more attention to.
Garden Plants
- Red Pepper fruits are extremely irritating to the gastrointestinal regions, eyes and skin.
- Chrysanthemum, Daisy, Feverfew, Marguerite stems can cause dermatitis.
- Crocus, the whole plant is toxic. One flower can be lethal.
- Hydrangea flower buds are the most toxic. It can be a few hours for symptoms of abdominal pain, lethargy, sweating occur.
- Iris leaves and rootstock can cause severe pain in gastrointestinal areas, including severe diarrhea.
- Sweet Pea, the entire plant is toxic if eaten and causes permanent paralysis, weak pulse, tremors and convulsions.
- Daffodil, Jonquil, Narcissus bulbs cause gastrointestinal irritation.
- Tulips cause nausea, vomiting, increased salivation and heart palpitations.
- Rhubarb leaves cause severe gastrointestinal pain, headache and backache. Death occurs rapidly if large amounts of the leaf are eaten.
- Potatoes are toxic if they are eaten with green unripe areas — also the sprouts can cause gastrointestinal pain, dilated pupils, circulatory and respiratory depression, shock and paralysis.
- Tomato leaves, vines, and sprouts can cause subnormal temperatures and depression of circulatory and respiratory systems.
Ornamental Plants
- Bleeding Heart can cause dermatitis.
- Holly berries cause nausea, sweating, diarrhea.
- Magnolia flowers can cause headache and depression.
- Oleander causes pain in gastrointestinal areas.
- Avocado leaves, bark and seeds cause nausea and diarrhea.
- Azalea, Rhododendron leaves and sap cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Yew, most of the plant and seeds cause dilation of the eyes within one hour followed by abdominal cramps and salivation.
- Wisteria pods and seeds cause severe gastrointestinal pain, dehydration and collapse.
Houseplants
- Elephant’s Ear leaves will cause painful burning in mouth and throat.
- Caladium plant causes burning in mouth an throat.
- Dieffenbachia leaves cause burning in the mouth and throat.
- Snow on the Mountain leaves, stems and milky sap cause burning, fainting and diarrhoea.
- Poinsettia leaves, stem and sap can cause dermatitis.
- Philodendron leaves cause burning of throat and mouth.
- Jerusalem Cherry berries cause intestinal and gastric pain.
- Calla Lily leaves causes intense mouth and abdominal pain.
These are the more common plants that I recognize but since I am not a professional gardener it might be worthwhile to check out a few websites. One for animals is the Humane Society and there is another extensive list here to find further information.
Photograph by Bill Davenport.
Chocolate is Good for You!
The latest research is showing that chocolate is not only good for you but also it makes you feel good.
First, chocolate works well as a cough suppressant. According to The Independent, the Scientists at Imperial College London have found that the theobromine in chocolate is one third more effective than codeine in quelling a persistent cough.
Chocolate that has 70 percent or more cocoa solids promotes healthy cell tissue (flavonoids), and helps prevent cancer producing free radicals (antioxidants). Chocolate contains five times more flavonol than apples.
Also, according to The Independent: the nation with the lowest obesity rate and coronary disease is Switzerland which has the highest per capita chocolate consumption and in an area of South America where natives drink several cups of cocoa a day, there is a lower incidence of cancer and heart diseases.
All of that is good news… but for many the most important quality is the taste of the chocolate itself. There might just be a hidden reason for that.
Chocolate in its purest form contains over 400 different compounds (including caffeine, serotonin, endorphins and phenylethylamine) that promotes energy and a feeling of well being.
So now you know!
Photograph by Jeff Belmonte.
Apple Juice is Imported from China
Did you know that up to 30 percent of the apple juice you buy in the United States is imported from China? Given China’s record so far, I think that’s a scary thought.
What do you think?
Photograph by Esther Groen.
Squash and Pear Soup
This is a thick and spicy puréed soup that has as much flavour as it does colour. Served with a modest salad, this makes an awesome dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup soft cubed tofu
- 2 cups of onions
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of coriander
- 1 teaspoon of thyme
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 6 cups of peeled butternut squash
- 2 cups of peeled/chopped pears
- 2 cups peeled/chopped sweet potato
- 4 cups of water
Preparation
- Sauté the onions in the butter for about ten minutes until soft.
- Add the spices, salt, squash, pears, sweet potatoes and water to sautéed onions
- Bring to a boil than lower the heat, cover and simmer over low heat until all ingredients are cooked and tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in the tofu
- Purée until smooth, add water if soup is too thick
- Reheat if necessary and ladle into shallow bowls
Serve and enjoy.