Limber Up

A remarkable young boy. Astounding medical intervention. The most amazing thing in our world - the Human Body!

Recipe: Zesty Lime Meringue Pie

Lime is great for refreshing the mouth as it has properties similar to alcohol and green tea. If you can manage it, suck on a slice of lime between courses or before a date. In the meantime, you can use two of them to make this delicious pie.

You will need:

175g/6oz frozen short crust pastry
40g/1 1/2oz cornflour
Juice and grated zest of 2 limes
75g/3oz sugar
2 large eggs, separated
A pinch of salt
100g/4oz caster sugar

Heat the oven to 200c/400f/gas mark 6. Line an 18cm/7inch baking tin with the pastry, prick the base thoroughly and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn heat down to 150c/300f/gas mark 2.

Measure 300ml/half pint of water and blend the cornflour to a smooth paste with a little of it. Heat the remaining water with the lime juice and zest then stir in the cornflour paste and bring to the boil stirring continuously.

Simmer for two minutes, remove from the heat and stir in the sugar and egg yolks. Cool then pour into the pastry case. Beat the egg whites, salt and sugar until stiff. Spread over the filling and ensure the mixture meets the edge, then make peaks with a spoon. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the meringue is crisp and golden.

Your Feet Will Thank You

The importance of wearing the correct footwear cannot be stressed enough. Particularly if you're a runner or, dare I say it, a lady who loves her Uggs. From experience, I admit that wearing the wrong shoes has done some damage to my body but since visiting a podiatrist and learning about the biomechanics of the feet, I've said goodbye to Uggs, ballet pumps and flip flops and now protect my feet with cushioning devices such as orthotics and Fitflops. I've suffered with plantar fasciitis for over a year as well as knees problems, hip problems and shoulder problems.

Simply by wearing the correct, supportive footwear, my symptoms often subside, occasionally disappearing altogether. If your feet overpronate, insufficient support can have a detrimental affect on your spine and therefore your hips and knees too. Women are the naughtier culprits, favouring ill-fitting shoes for fashion over comfort and health. Learn a few tips here...


 

Recipe: Fruit 'N' Nutty Chicken Curry

Obviously omit the nuts if they are too naughty for you!

This dish serves four people and contains coconut and mangoes, which according to Hindu wisdom are the 'fruit of heavenly joy'.

You will need:

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp plain flour
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
4 chicken breasts, cut into strips
100g/4oz unsalted cashew nuts
75g/3oz creamed coconut
600ml/1 pint chicken or vegetable stock
75g/3oz fresh coconut, finely grated
4 cardamoms
Cinnamon stick
Salt & Pepper
1 mango, peeled and chopped

Heat the oven to 150c/300f/gas mark 2. Heat half the oil in a large casserole dish and fry the onions and garlic until soft. Add the flour, ginger and cumin and stir in for another 2 minutes. Set these aside.

Heat the remaining oil in a frying pain and fry the chicken for about 5 minutes until lightly browned, then add the cashew nuts. Slowly pour the creamed coconut and the stock into the casserole dish, stirring constantly. Add the grated coconut, chicken and cashew nuts, cardamom and cinnamon. Season according to taste, cover and cook in the oven for approx 30 minutes.

Add the mango, stir thoroughly and return to the oven for a further 30 minutes.

Serve with steamed rice and enjoy with a glass of cool, crisp white wine!

Killer Massage

The Bee's Knees

If I were to recommend any substance, completely natural and the very best ingredient for your body inside and out, it would be bee pollen. I take two bee pollen supplements and use royal jelly face cream, the latter smells so divine, it is tempting to take a swipe and fill your mouth with it too!

Bee pollen is wonderful on every level, in fact, anything relating to bees, however much we want to swat them with a newspaper, can be used to our healthy advantage: royal jelly, manuka honey and propolis, the substance created by bees to keep their hives cleaner and more hygienic then an operating theatre.

Forever Living have created several beehive products using pollen and propolis as they contain really good stuff like protein, antioxidant bioflavonoids, selenium, zinc, iron and vitamins A, C and E. They boost the immune system and help to fight infections and damage from free radicals. Bee propolis can increase vitality and energy and I often take it when I have a long haul ahead.

Respect to bees!




Image courtesy of here

Hushabye Mountain - Michael Ball

Herts Holistic Hero: Fabrice Muamba

"Loving u is easy cuz ur the most God fearing man I know. U inspire me with ur strength. People, ur prayers are healing my soulmate" - Shuana Muamba on Twitter

Image courtesy of here

Homeopathy: Devil's Claw

One thing I love about homeopathy and herbs, aside from their healing properties of course, are their names. Devil's Claw! What on earth is it? And why is it so called?

This remedy is used for reducing inflammation and can be taken for prolonged periods which is a relief for anyone suffering from arthritis, rheumatism or gout. Its actual name is Harpagophytum procumbens, also grapple plant and wood spider. It is a seedpod found on the surface of desert sand, it contains a tuber that stores water and this is what keeps the plant alive and produces the healing extract. The name 'Devil's Claw' comes from the hook like appearance of the fruit it bears.

Anatomy & Physiology: Heart

The heart is your centre, responsible for transporting blood around your body as well as oxygen and nutrients through the arteries and de-oxygenated blood through the veins. As the heart is responsible for circulation, so too this reflects emotionally and spiritually with the heart representative of love and the circulation of love back and forth through the heart. Love, passion, gratitude, desire, hurt and joy are all expressed through your heart. There are tales of people who have died from a broken heart or suffered heart related problems, which when traced back, can be linked to emotional suffering and pain. For example, an irregular heart rhythm may indicate an area of your life that is out of rhythm, an area that requires more stability and security. High blood pressure might reflect a problem that is causing you to heat up, a pressure from an outside source or a fear that you are attempting to suppress. You must release negative, ego-related weight and free up your heart to receive love and gentleness.

Herts Holistic's Tasty Treatments

Inspired by the story of local toddler, Joshua Bond (4) who is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital for the treatment of Burkitt's Lymphoma, Herts Holistic is holding a day of FREE treatments at Elstree Film Studios in Borehamwood. The day will run from 10am until 4pm with three local therapists on hand to provide Hand Massage, Foot Massage, Indian Head Massage, No Hands Massage and Reiki. All we require is a donation, however small, for the wonderful hospital that works tirelessly to nurse sick children and provide support for their friends and families. We have drafted in the expert hands of Leora Leboff and Karen Bernard, who herself has fought and survived cancer.

Hot and cold drinks will be provided along with some snacks and the chance to speak to the therapists and visit the treatment room at Elstree Studios. You just need to book a time slot by texting 07904 110775 or emailing sarah@hertsholistic.com. All welcome to join us on Friday 18th May 2012.