Monday, June 29, 2020

Stuffed Cabbage with Cranberry Sauce

My oldest son (18) requested this old favorite and he said it is definitely food for the soul. I'm going to make it in a crockpot next time (see the crockpot and Instant Pot variation at the bottom). If you don't have a crockpot, the oven recipe is below and it turns out just fine.

Sauce ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
½ cup fresh cranberries (or another can of cranberries)
½ cup water
Juice of 1 lemon

Stuffing ingredients:
1 medium head of cabbage
2 pounds ground turkey or ground beef (or combo or create a vegan variation of your favorite veggies)
½ cup uncooked rice
Salt and freshly ground pepper (plus whatever other seasonings/herbs you prefer)
1 large egg (optional)
1 medium onion, grated
4 tablespoons ketchup

The sauce: Mix the cranberry sauce, 1 cup water, lemon in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; add fresh cranberries. Simmer for another 5 minutes. For a variation on the sauce, you may add ½ cup of raisins and/or diced apple. Turn off and set aside.
Prep the cabbage:
Core the cabbage and place in a large pot with water to cover. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, about 10 minutes or until wilted. Cover with cold water and drain. This makes the cabbage easier to stuff and roll.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and prepare the stuffing in a large mixing bowl:
In a large bowl mix the meat, rice, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, egg, onion, ½ cup water and ketchup, blending with a large fork or your fingers until well mixed.

Trim the ribs of the cabbage, remove the outside leaves, and line a large casserole dish with them. Pull out the inside leaves and place them one by one on a cutting board, outside down. Fill with two heaping tablespoons of the filling, depending on the size of the leaf. Fold up like an envelope, top first, then bottom, and then the two sides. Place seam side down in the line casserole. Repeat with the rest of the cabbage and the filling.
Pour the sauce over the stuffed cabbage and bake covered, for 2 hours on 300 degrees. Uncover and bake on 400 for one-half hour or until lightly browned on top.

Crockpot or Instant Pot variation:

Follow the above and set stuffed cabbage rolls in a large crockpot instead of a casserole dish and top with the sauce. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours in the crockpot with the lid on.
Use their recipe or the above ingredients for the instant pot variation. 

The Fountain of Youth...The 5 Tibetan Rites

Five Tibetan Poses | The 5 Tibetan Sacred Rites for Youth ...
Written by Kirsten Nunez on September 24, 2019
The Five Tibetan Rites are an ancient yoga practice that consists of a sequence of five exercises performed 21 times a day. (See the video link below.)
Practitioners report that the program has many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. These effects are thought to restore a person’s vitality and strength. Due to these benefits, the Five Tibetan Rites are traditionally known as the “Fountain of Youth.”
Let’s explore what the five rites are, how to perform them, and the benefits of this practice.

The Five Tibetan Rites are thought to be more than 2,500 years old. They were reportedly created by Tibetan lamas (monks), or leaders of Tibetan Buddhism.
In 1985, the rites were first introduced to Western culture in the book “Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth” by Peter Kelder. This book, which describes the program as “youthing,” explains the exercises in detail.
The practice of these exercises is based on the body’s energy. According to practitioners, the body has seven energy fields or vortexes. These fields are called chakras in Hindu.
It’s said that these fields control parts of the endocrine system, a network of glands and organs that regulate many of the body’s functions, including the aging process.
Practitioners say youth and vigor can be achieved when these energy fields spin at the same rate. People practice the Five Tibetan Rites in order to achieve this.
There’s limited research on the benefits of this practice. In general, they’re based on anecdotal reports by practitioners of the Five Tibetan Rites and the opinions of medical professionals and yoga instructors.
Reported benefits include:
  • relief from joint pain and stiffness
  • improved strength and coordination
  • better circulation
  • reduced anxiety
  • better sleep
  • improved energy
  • a youthful appearance
Like all exercise programs, the Five Tibetan Rites should be done with care. Start with gentle movements and a low number of reps.
Take extra precaution if you have:
  • Heart or breathing problems. Before trying these exercises, talk to your doctor to find out they’re safe for you to do.
  • Neurological disorders. Disorders like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis can cause poor balance. If you have one of these conditions, these exercises may not be safe for you to perform.
  • Conditions that cause dizziness. If you’re prone to dizziness, talk to a doctor before trying the first rite. The spinning motion may aggravate various conditions, including vertigo, circulatory issues, or nausea from medication.
  • Pregnancy. The spinning and bending movements may not be safe if you’re pregnant.
  • Recent surgery. The rites may cause complications if you’ve had surgery within the last 6 months.

The Five Tibetan Rites, or the “Fountain of Youth,” is a series of five yoga poses. It’s a traditional practice that’s been done for more than 2,500 years. People perform these rites with the intention of restoring youth and increasing vitality.
For best results, it’s recommended to regularly perform these poses. You can do them alone or with another exercise program.
If you have a health condition or are new to exercise, be sure to check with your doctor before trying these moves.
________________________________________________________________
You can also follow along on this video I have found helpful over the years:
Heather Brown
Licensed Massage Therapist
Holistic Health Coach
Frequency Specific Microcurrent Practitioner

The Vagus Nerve and Gut Feelings...




I've been fascinated with the vagus nerve this past few years and here's why I am so passionate about sharing more with you:


"The Vagus Nerve connects the brain to the various organs, including the gut. When you have a "gut feeling" about something, the message between your brain and gut is traveling along your vagus nerve. The vagus nerve isn't just conveying gut feelings, it is conveying all aspects of the gut and other organ health. The vagus nerve is also crucial for the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Healing the vagus nerve involves daily healing practices, and there are no easy fixes. However, vagus nerve healing exercises are easy and inexpensive, and the potential benefits are huge. Heal your vagus nerve, and heal your gut, your brain, and everything that is connected to both." Lisa Palmer


Top Ten Ways to Tone Up Your Vagus Nerve

1. Relationships -- Surround yourself with healthy, fun-loving friends and communities

2. Cold (showers or bath)

3. Gargling

4. Singing, chanting and humming

5. Massage

6. Laughter

7. Stretching

8. Breathing deeply and slowly

9. Exercise

10. Chiropractic adjustments

11. FSM (Frequency Specific Microcurrent) for leaky gut or other intestinal issues

12. Check for underlying health conditions with a functional medicine practitioner


Another important thing to note with the gut is understanding leaky gut syndrome:

According to Dr. Leo Galland, director of the Foundation for Integrated Medicine, the following symptoms might be signs of leaky gut:




  • Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas or bloating

    • Nutritional deficiencies
    • Poor immune system
    • Headaches, brain fog, memory loss
    • Excessive fatigue
    • Skin rashes and problems such as acne, eczema or rosacea
    • Cravings for sugar or carbs
    • Arthritis or joint pain
    • Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD
    • Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease or Crohn's


    There are many published books available about the vagus nerve if you are interested in learning more about this topic.

    Heather Brown, Matriarch Massage and Wellness
    Health Coach, Licensed Massage Therapist, and
    Frequency Specific Microcurrent Practitioner

    A Year of Learning Frequencies

    Working on knee pain again for Osgoods-Schlatters. Knee pain and cross country running season don't mix well.   One of many slide...