An Ounce of Prevention…

Garlic: It packs more than great flavor.

Almost two centuries have passed since Thomas Edison’s birth, but the Milan, Ohio-born genius was on to something when he said, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” The time for that “future doctor” is now, and it’s time to make sure an ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure.  

Beneficial lifestyle changes are key to preventing disease. That is, the elimination or modification of long-held bad habits, and the subsequent maintenance of improved habits over a period of months or years. It takes 21 days for the body to fully adopt a new habit, so you could be on the road to a healthy change in your body and mind in less than one month.

Sleep

None of us get enough of it. Sleep is the greatest revitalizer, and it can make or break us in terms of illness. The sleep we require should be brought on by your body’s natural desire to fall into a relaxing, deep sleep – that eight-hour sleep we remember hearing about. In an age of stimulants galore, including tobacco, drugs, coffee, tea, alcohol (at low levels), sugar, chocolate and cola drinks, it has become increasingly difficult to get that long, peaceful sleep. Try to eliminate or significantly reduce some of those stimulants, and observe your sleeping changes. Keep in mind that sleep is something that is earned (our body’s innate conscience), so if you’re not “earning” your sleep throughout the day via physical and mental activity, your body won’t “allow” you to sleep soundly. Put your body at ease, and get the activity it deserves during the day to attain the sleep you need at night.

Exercise

The second necessary lifestyle change is exercise. The perspiration expelled through the 96 million pores of your body can help rid the body of impurities, as the skin is the largest eliminative organ in our body. However, a sedentary lifestyle can be just as detrimental to your health as over-exercising. A daily walk, if nothing else, can de-stress and get the blood circulating. Some even consider the basic art of brisk walking to be the best form of exercise there is! 

Sugar elimination/reduction

I know – it’s hard. Let’s just at least reduce it. Why is this important for good health? One teaspoon of sugar can lower the body’s immunity for up to six hours. Remember, too, that you will derive most benefit from prevention by making these changes after the first signs of symptoms of a cold or flu. 

Fasting

Fasting is the oldest, most universal food-related healing technique, and all traditional cultures have used it for religious, spiritual and health reasons. When animals are sick in the wild, the first thing many do is stop eating. A simple 24-hour broth and juice (or water only) fast can be all your body needs to get itself back on track. Digestion takes up a significant amount of energy, so that energy can be put to better use, for instance, to fight against that lurking cold.

Garlic

Introduce some garlic to your diet. It’s been a favorite from the time of early Egyptian, Indian and Chinese civilizations, and for good reason. Garlic stimulates metabolism and has been used to help with chronic and acute diseases. It is anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic and antifungal. It lowers fever by increasing circulation and promotes the growth of healthy intestinal flora. Raw garlic is extremely pungent. If you want to try it raw, I suggest infusing it into an oil for your salad, throw it into a smoothie or juice, or just mix it into any prepared food, like a grain. I’ve also included a super-easy garlic soup recipe when raw is still too much. 

RECIPE FILES  

Garlic Soup

Ingredients:

10-12 garlic cloves, peeled (about 1 head)

4 1/2 cups stock OR filtered water

1 1/2 Tbsp white or yellow miso

2 slices whole grain bread, cubed

Directions:

In medium pot, simmer garlic cloves in stock or water for 13-15 minutes, partially covered. Remove from heat. Puree garlic cloves in blender with about 1 cup of cooking liquid and the miso. Pour back into soup pot. Serve in individual bowls over several cubes of bread.

Note: If a wheat,  gluten, or yeast allergy is present, manna brand is a good alternative, or rice crackers could also be substituted.