Natural Weight Loss Secrets - Natural
Health Zucchini Cleanse
By Gary Scott
How do you feed a dog zucchini? Or how necessity is the mother of invention
that created a recipe for good health.
Two of the greatest things about living on a farm in summer are the garden
and the chickens. Each morning we walk out the kitchen door with an empty
basket, hear the soft sigh of the creek, feel the cool cleansing of mountain
mists and smell freshness from dew laden trees and grass.
Ambling to the barn if its spring or summer, we’ll stop and pick a
few fresh raspberries and strawberries, eat them sweet off the vine and watch
the morning sun rising over the ridge. What a morning start! The chickens
come running and in their nests we find a clutch of brown and speckled, eggs,
some still warm.
Heading back to the kitchen we’ll pick vegetables for the day when
they are ripe. Along with the berries, the garden bristles with onions, potatoes,
sweet peppers, tomatoes, beans, peas, corn, several kinds of lettuce and
greens, spinach, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli, sunflowers, cucumbers,
zucchini, gourds, numerous squashes and a variety of pumpkins from pie makers
to large French ridges that will make humongous Jack O Lanterns this fall.
Of course in the winter its more like eating in the city. We have to depend
on the stores for our food.
Here is the crunch. When the vegetables ripen, they all seem to make themselves
ready to eat at once! We space our planting in the hopes that the crops will
mature over a longer period but we still sometimes have a huge pile of fresh
vegetables and other times none. Sometimes we have a zucchini crunch with
dozens of fat, ripe zucchini laying in the garden.
Since we get nearly a dozen eggs a day so we have perfected the art of bestowing
food gifts on our neighbors and friends, but one of our mainstays in this
field is our dog. Eggs are great in a canine diet. But how do you feed a
dog zucchini?
This is why we all need a three season diet plan so we can be healthy even
when we do not have fresh, organic food.
We especially need a good food plan for holidays during times when there
is no shortage of food at all. We need ways to eat that can help us avoid
getting off our best laid nutritional ideals.
When winter arrived we had to find some other way. Enter
necessity as the mother of invention and three aspects of good nutrition:
alkalinity, seasonal eating and protein-carbohydrate-fat balance. We learned
over the years the importance of keeping our protein carbohydrate-fat balance
at about 3 grams of carbohydrate to two grams of protein to one gram of fat.
(a good book on this subject is "Mastering
the Zone" by Barry Sears Ph.D.
Then we learn in the three season diet developed by Dr. John Douillard to
modify this balance having less fat in spring, more carbs in summer and more
protein during winter.
Yet there is a third aspect we were taught while living with the Shamans
and their apprentices in the Andes. Our diets should promote alkalinity in
our bodies.
The modern Western diet is far too acid and excess acidity can create a
list of ailments that are almost bewildering. Acidity allows bacteria, yeast
(Candida), fungus and mold to thrive in our systems.
Acidity sets the stage for chaos opening the door to sickness and disease.
Over acidification of body fluids and tissue underlies all disease. The body
is only vulnerable to germs when in an acidic state. Acid imbalance creates
health problems including skin eruptions and moles, headaches, allergies,
colds and flu, sinus problems, fatigue, mental confusion, depression, muscle
cramps, inflammation of the joints, irritability and lung congestion, plus
urinary infections and frequent and urgent urination.
In addition (as if this is not enough) excessive acidity is a key factor
in early aging. In fact according to the book, "The pH Miracle" written
by Robert Young Ph.D. and Shelly Young, acid waste and disposal could also
be called the aging process." In other words the
more acidic we are the faster -old we get!
Enter zucchini! One of the greatest ways to reduce acidity is by eating
large amounts of greens and some of the best sources are, lettuce, greens,
mustard, turnip and collard greens, spinach and zucchini.
Add these together, an overload of zucchini, our desire to eat right, all
we have learned from the three books mentioned above and our years of living
with health experts, mix in a bit of the mother of invention, get us in the
kitchen and presto a new, fast, easy to prepare, healthy, delicious recipe
is born.
Before sharing these recipe, let me introduce some secrets from the farm’s
kitchen. Merri is an incredible cook who loves preparing delicious but healthy
meals. She is a long haul food preparer loving the process of cranking out
breakfast, lunch and a light dinner every day. This is not work for her and
as you can see this from the raves about food at the postscript to this message
below, she is good. So she gets and deserves almost all the credit for our
meals here at the farm.
Yet it is little known fact that I am also a bit of a closet cook, especially
when it comes to the sauce. In fact you could even say I am a bit saucy!
So when Merri told me about the curative alkaline value of zucchini and
I looked at our growing supply in the garden, my mind went to work keeping
protein balance and seasonal eating in mind. Merri was serving us a meal
with cucumbers and quinoa, so I thought about creating a zucchini sauce.
Here is what I chose to prepare for the two of us...and I must admit it was
delicious!
1 cup Cottage cheese for protein.1/2 cup milk for liquidity in the blender.
Half a medium, washed, unpeeled, raw zucchini as an alkaline cleanser. Salt
and pepper to taste.
Throw the ingredients in the blender and whip it up. Mine was medium thick
sauce and it was delicious and creamy, though it only took me about five
minutes to prepare.
This consistency is perfect for pouring over pasta, barley, rice, in a baked
potato as well as over other grains such as quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat,
and teff. We use quinoa often as it’s the only grain that
is a complete protein (more on this in moment). However thinned down just
a bit this blend also makes a delicious chilled soup! You can reduce the
milk to thicken the blend a bit and it becomes a wonderful summer dip for
serving with vegetables or (naughty - naughty) potato chips and such.
This blend is a protein balanced, alkaline inducing combination. Dr. Douillard
in his book describes all the ingredients as summer foods when he writes.
"Zucchini is a blood purifier and a mild diuretic and refrigerant,
making both the yellow and green varieties vegetables. In spring and winter
they should be well cooked.
We used Quinoa for the protein in this case but this was prepared before
I thought of the sauce. With the cottage cheese this may have been a bit
of protein overkill, but if you are having heavy carbohydrate holiday treats,
this does help to balance the meal.
Another great way to cut down on the holiday carbs is to switch rich sweet
pies with the wonderful blackberry cobbler that Merri whips up. Pie is not
an unhealthy food if you don't overload it with sugar and white refined flower.
Merri and I often even have a nice piece of this cobbler instead of dinner.
If you use half soy or protein powder and half for the crust and stevia
(go to www.stevia.net) as a sweetener, you have a delicious, balanced, low
calorie meal.
Keeping your caloric intake down is one of the most important things you
can do for good health and longevity. This has been scientifically proven.
Insulin is one of nature's great balancers.
Insulin is created by high amounts of blood sugar levels in the body. Lots
of insulin is a signal that there is plenty of food supply and hence there
will be plenty of population growing. Consequently insulin becomes an agent
to decrease longevity, nature's way of keeping the population in check.
Less insulin in the body signals that there is not so much food so the body
may be needed to stay around longer to contribute to the gene pool! Hence
those who consume less, live more. Consequently the protein balanced, low
carbohydrate, blackberry cobbler recipe below is a perfect and tasty alternative
to a heavy evening meal.
Enjoy the treat and be healthier.
Here is the recipe.
Take fresh cleaned blackberries and add just a bit of stevia…it sweetens
yet does not raise the blood sugar level. You can squeeze a bit of lime over
them.
Then add a low carb low calorie crumble top. The crumble is made from equal
parts of flour and protein powder with some organic milk to moisten. Cover
the top of the blackberries with this mixture, then add just a smidgen of
clarified butter.Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly.
We enjoy a cup of mint tea (from the mint that grows wild on the banks of
Little Horse Creek) with this at day's end.
Wild Strawberry Pancakes
We also do not want to miss breakfast as starting the day with the balance
and amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat is important.
Remember a good balance is three grams of carbs for each two grams of protein
and one gram of fat.
One way Merri and I accomplish this in the morning is to substitute protein
powder for part of the flour we cook with in waffles, and pancakes.
We use NRG protein booster which contains soy, egg and whey. A cup contains
1 gram of fat, three grams of carbohydrates and 21 grams of protein. This
turns pancakes which are normally a nutritional disaster from high glycemic
food into a balanced protein meal that also happens to taste lighter and
better.
In the spring the farm is covered in wild strawberries. Normally we see
a few, but the birds get most of them. Then we grew smart and threw down
nets. This brought us a bumper crop, so we want to share a recipe for the
wild strawberry pancakes we so much enjoy!
These small, sweet, succulent drops of strawberries are so delicious, plus
they are fun and beautiful to pick and eat!!!
Ingredients:
#1: Several acres of wild strawberries set deep in the woods.
#2: A clear sunshiny spring day.
#3: A couple of hours to stroll deeply intent on looking for tiny red morsels
hidden amidst green.
#4: Wild strawberries.
Obviously these first four ingredients are the most wonderful but must be
optional unless you are visiting us or some other farm in the spring. Replace
with canned or fresh strawberries bought at the store. Here’s
the rest.
#5: Bit of natural sweetener (stevia as with the crumble or we also use
succanat).
#6: A touch of lime.
#7: Half cup of flour.
#8: Half cup of NRG protein powder.
#9: Enough milk to mix it all up to pour.
#10: A touch of olive or coconut oil (organic preferred).
To cook.
#1: Substitute any fresh berry for items 1 to 4 if they are not available
we often use wild blackberries or skip the fruit altogether. You can also
add in a handful of slivered almonds or pecan pieces.
#2: Mix the flour, protein powder, milk, olive oil, natural sweetener together.
Then spoon the mixture into the skillet frying pan or waffle iron. Cook until
brown.
This creates a delicious, low calorie treat that everyone loves when we
serve it here at the farm.
If you are a fresh cream addict, join the club, but use only a dollop.
Better still add just a touch of low fat sour cream.
We hope you find the report easy to use and useful and wish that all
your treats be healthy and good!
About Merrily Farms
Here is what a few of those who have joined us for retreats at the farm
have said about the food.
"Hello Merri and Gary- I just wanted to thank you two for a relaxed
time on your farm. The food was really wonderful and the atmosphere was gentle
and disarming." JB Texas
"Merri, your wonderful cooking deserves very special thanks.
Everything was delicious. I'm now using close to your ingredients but I
miss a lot in the result and long for a recipe or two." NH Ireland
"We've decided to change our eating patterns since we came home because
we so enjoyed our meals at the farm and how we felt physically. Thanks so
much. With love" JJ, New Chicago
"After eating all that delicious food I gained 3 lbs but it must be
in muscle weight as my pants fit loosely!" RV New Mexico
"The international flavor and attitude of the group was very stimulating,
particularly when we split up into discussion groups.
Those groups, taking walks together, eating such delicious healthy food
outside in the fresh air, rooming together, allowed us to get to know each
other on a personal level." BR California
"A special warm "thank you" to Merri for the wonderful cooking
and the "feel at home" atmosphere!" EV Florida
"The food was so delicious and I thought I ate a lot, but during the
week I lost six pounds!" WB Australia.
The Triad Has a Sanctuary On our Farm
Beginning streaks of forest crimson, winked with orange and gold in a crystal
dawn. Winter's bite works through boots that tread over fields of frosted
grass in a mixture of morning stillness, frozen in the day's beginning, scolding
the sleeping grasses and woods.
This is our sanctuary here at Merrily Farms, beautiful in all seasons, magnificent
with its eternal change and peaceful in nature's never ending turmoil.
This is why after thirty years of successful city living Merri and I moved
here for a simpler life here at Merrily Farm. Because you may have similar
desires we have created a sanctuary of peace, quiet and green that you can
now share here on the farm.
Plus we have cooking classes and many types of workshops and courses on
health and wealth you can attend.
If you have been yearning for a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle
of modern life day don't be surprised. Simple living is a growing trend.
A USA Today front page article, entitled, "Tech's tyranny provokes
revolt" highlights this fact and points out that 108 million investors
no longer desire to get onto the internet. 60% of consumers have stopped
buying the latest high tech gadgets and devices. 42% of PC owners believe
that technology is advancing too quickly. 40% of PC owners believe that technology
is too complicated and that last year 29 million adults stopped using the
net.
The article tells of one Silicon Valley executive who despite a big salary
and Wharton MBA lives in a one bedroom apartment furnished only with history
books and used TV. This executive drives a ten year old Nova and he and his
wife sleeps on the floor on a comforter and two pillows. This family feels
that technology is a tool to make things of lasting value, not something
to enslave them. The article tells of another high tech employee who has
cut back on T.V watching, stopped carrying his cell phone and shifted from
auto commuting to riding his bike five miles to work each day.
As the world's pace quickens and multi-tasking overwhelms the majority,
others are moving in the opposite way. All of us want to escape sometimes.
Simplicity is in. We all need a sanctuary where we can immerse ourselves
in nature and recharge our batteries.
Merri and I love the isolated splendor here in North Carolina farm and at
our plantation in Ecuador. We have traded our BMWs, Audis, Rolls, Bentleys
and Mercedes for a farm truck. Our million dollar Florida beach house was
nothing compared to the peace and quiet of our humble farm house.
We have no TV and not even much radio. At night the Milky Way and clear,
bright stars replace the nonsense of the media and screen.
Their message is so much more clear!
Our water is pure, spring fed. No chlorine from these mountain springs guaranteed!
Cell phones don't work up here, unless you climb the highest ridge. The most
high tech thing we see or hear is a distant tractor.
After living in some of the fastest paced cities in the world, (Hong Kong,
London and lastly Naples) this peace, quiet, green and purity is total glory.
There are sirens though (once in the last two years) and most mornings our
roosters and geese work much better than an alarm. The soothing sigh of the
creek, crickets and frogs have been traded for the whine of traffic. We take
a gentle hike over the creek and through the woods to the office in lieu
of commuting and road rage. Perhaps we scare up the Great Blue Heron that
lives at the end of the creek.
Instead of waiting in long lines at the super market we stroll through the
garden and pick up thick cucumbers, crisp, fresh lettuce and sweet ears of
corn. We love this simplicity and bet (have bet and are betting) that some
of you will too.
You want to spend some time with Merri and me, you are invited to join us
at the courses we conduct here on the farm.
If you can't attend a course, but need to get away and want to enjoy a peaceful,
quiet of farm life, we have farm houses, cabins and a wonderfully converted
guest where you can stay.
Rustic Guest Barn
Our rustic guest barn, overlooking Little Horse Creek, is a studio that
sleeps up to three (one King size and one single), with snack preparation
only cooking accommodations.
Johnny Appleseed Cottage
For larger groups the Johnny Appleseed cottage sits at the conflux of Mossy
Creek and Little horse Creek and has four bedrooms. Perfect, with a picnic
table out front, for cool summers, the cottage is also cozy in autumn. The
full kitchen is a perfect place where a couple or family can prepare country
meals together for dining on the old round oak table in the dining room.
Blackberry Cabin - This cozy, rustic log cabin sits on top of blackberry
hill and has scenic views of our water fall.
No Electricity Guaranteed - For a totally rustic experience
stay in our rustic cabin. Sitting high on Fawn Meadow, the
super comfortable king size bed is perfect for two. The isolation guarantees
absolute silence except for the roar of the pot bellied wood stove. This
assures a good nights sleep. There is a bathroom and running water (but not
hot). Stay a Night or a Weekend. All accommodations are available for three
nights or on a weekly basis.
Ashe County & Three States
Merrily Farms sits near the borders of North Carolina, Tennessee and
Virginia. Nearby recreational facilities include the Virginia Creeper
(a forty mile wilderness bicycle path) , the Appalachian Trail, New River
Kayaking and Canoeing, shopping in Blowing Rock and of course hiking on the
farm, through deep forest, open meadows and up to mountain views.
We are open May Through October. You can see beautiful images of Merrily
Farms at www.littlehorsecreek.com
For more details about courses at the farm go to garyscott.com
P.S.
R & R at El Meson. The week includes
a tour of sacred indigenous places such as Peguche Waterfall where
there is a sedate park and enormous stands of eucalyptus. Unwind
in the evening with fresh made juice and a roaring, pungent eucalyptus
fire. After specially prepared dinners enjoy an hour long
full body massage. If you prefer, you can roam
the numerous lakes for fishing and adventure sports. There
is a pleasant nine hole golf course to enjoy. The
climate is dry and averages 68 degrees F so you can also just soak
in the sun. This five day, six night therapy
includes travel to and from Quito airport, six nights stay at El
Meson, de las Flores, the Shmanic healing session, visits to Chachimbiro
spa, Cuicocha Lake, the world famous Otavalan, Cotacachi and San
Antonio de Ibarra markets plus 11 specially prepared Andean health
meals and exercise lessons and four full hour long massages. DETAILS
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