Artichoke Hummus

Try to find unsalted garbanzo beans and artichokes. If you use salted, adjust the additional salt that you add accordingly. For best results, use the frozen artichokes and not the canned ones in oil – they will be much fresher and healthier.
¾ tsp dried Oregano
1 Tbsp Hemp Seeds
1 Tbsp Chia Seed Sprouted Powder
1, drained, 15 oz. can unsalted Garbanzo Beans
6 oz frozen artichokes (thoroughly thawed)
3 Tbsp Lemon Juice
3 Tbsp Olive Oil (or Flax Oil)
1 minced large clove Garlic
3 Tbsp Tahini
2 Tbsp thinly sliced Scallions, white parts only
Combine all ingredients in a food processor, and puree until smooth. Refrigerate for up to one week. Makes 3 cups.

Selenium

Although needed in small amounts, the trace mineral selenium is vital for human health. It is needed for a healthy immune system and helps prevent diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and thyroid. Selenium may help prevent osteoarthritis, infertility, and certain forms of cancer. It is mainly attained through our diet; however, the amount of selenium in our food depends on how much of this mineral was in the soil the food was grown in. Selenium can also be destroyed during food processing. Unprocessed whole foods such as fish, wheat, and poultry are good sources.
A deficiency of this mineral is rare but can cause muscle pain, weakness, and loss of pigment in the hair and skin. If you eat a well-balanced diet, you should not have to worry about a selenium deficiency. Supplements may be needed by those who smoke, take birth control pills, or have a disease that prevents the body from absorbing selenium. Consult your healthcare provider if you are going to take more than the RDA; too much selenium may increase the risks of diabetes and high cholesterol.
-Natural Choices Magazine, August 2014

Gluten-Free Flour Mix

1 1/4 c brown or white rice flour
3/4 c potato starch(do not use potato flour)
1/2 c tapioca flour or arrowroot flour
1/2 c sorghum or garbanzo bean flour
Combine rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, and sorghum flour in a large bowl. Mix together with a whisk until thoroughly combined.
Transfer flour mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. This gluten-free flour mix will keep for 4 months in the refrigerator.
-The Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free Kitchen: 150 Delicious Dishes for Every Meal, Every Day by Denise Jardine

Easy Way to Reduce Cholesterol

Try eating a small serving of beans or other legumes each day
to reduce cholesterol, which results in a lower risk of heart
disease. An analysis of 26 studies found that consuming 3/4 cup
of peas, chickpeas, lentils, or beans per day lead to a 5 percent
drop in LDL cholesterol. John Sevenpiper, MD, PhD, who led
the review, said the LDL reaction would translate to a 5 to 6
percent drop in the risk of cardiovascular disease. He also said
the average American diet includes less than an ounce of legumes
per day. "We have to think of this as one more way of lowering
cholesterol and achieving cardiovascular benefit."
-Natural Choices Magazine, August 2014

Watermelon

Did you know that the inner, pale-green rind of watermelon contains
chlorophyll, a pigment that helps prevent bad breath and body odor,
and the black seeds (try them toasted) are good sources of B vitamins
and several minerals.
-Natural Choices Magazine, Issue 8

Gluten Free Support Group

August Meeting

Agenda: Informational meeting. Topics include: What does gluten free mean? How do I know if I have celiac? Where do I buy gluten-free food? What are common myths about celiac and gluten sensitivity? Meet others with years of gluten-free experience – many with celiac disease.

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2014

Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am.

Location: Public Safety Complex at the Clark County Fairgrounds, 505 NW 179th Street, Ridgefield. ½ mile west of I-5, Exit 9.

Cost: Free admission

For Information: Contact Catherine at 360-606-7359 or celiaccat@gmail.com or Maureen at 360-571-8998

Coconut Oil

DIY Skin & Beauty Care with Coconut Oil

by Sarah Shilhavy
Health Impact News
Coconut oil is often praised for its many health benefits and its versatility in cooking and baking. While these many benefits may have gotten you to commit to always keeping some coconut oil in your pantry, coconut oil has a big place outside of the kitchen as well.
Coconut oil’s healing, antibacterial, and cleansing properties take on an entirely new personality when used topically, making it the ideal multiple-products-in-one item to add to your skincare and personal grooming regimes. Since coconut oil is gentle on the skin and not laden with chemicals and ingredients you have to watch out for (like most of the skin and beauty care products sold today), this is a safe and easy oil for anyone to use and experiment with.
Here are 4 popular ways coconut oil can be used to replace the dozens of pricey, and often ineffective, products sitting in your bathroom.

1. Cleansing with Coconut Oil

Many facial soaps and cleansers on the market are made with harsh chemicals and an overabundance of alcohol that will strip your skin of its natural oils, causing an overproduction of oil that can lead to skin issues such as acne and clogged pores. Coconut oil is the perfect cleanser for any skin type, even oily, as it will gently wash away all dirt, impurities, and even the toughest makeup, but not every last bit of your natural oils. This will leave your skin soft and moisturized but clean, with enough of your own oils left to stop your skin from going into panic mode.
How to use coconut oil as a cleanser: take a small, 1/2 measuring teaspoon amount of coconut oil and emulsify between your fingers and massage gently into skin and wash off with warm water using gentle circular motions until all dirt is washed away. Pat dry. Adjust coconut oil amount used as needed.

2. Waterproof Makeup Remover Using Coconut Oil

Removing waterproof mascara and eyeliner can be one of the most irritating things about the end of your day, and even worse, good waterproof makeup removers are pricey and the knockoffs with reasonable price tags just don’t do the job well. Not only that, but if you take look at the ingredients list, you will find a plethora of ingredients that you cannot pronounce and definitely wouldn’t eat. So why let you skin eat it? Coconut oil, however, will wash off even the most stubborn, clingy, waterproof makeup with ease, as well as moisturize and condition the skin and lashes.
How to use coconut oil to remove makeup: for eye makeup, coat and cover lashes and eyelids with coconut oil and gently massage for a few seconds to loosen makeup, or apply and wipe with a cotton pad. Wash off in warm water and repeat steps for skin.

3. Moisturizing with Coconut Oil

Coconut oil makes a great skin moisturizer on its own, with a blend of other oils, or as a carrier for essential oils. Additionally, this can also be added to lotions and creams that need extra moisturizing properties. For the same reasons that coconut oil makes a great cleanser for all skin types, it also works as a moisturizer for any skin type. The key is to know how much your skin needs and how. Oily skin may need drier carrier oils such as argan or olive, while dry skin will probably drink coconut oil all up.
How to use it to moisturize your skin:
Face: rub a small amount between fingers and pat on to freshly washed skin, adjusting amount used as needed. If you’ve used the coconut oil cleansing method and have plenty of oil left on your skin after washing, you can simply pat dry and skip the additional moisturizing step.
Body: emulsify oil between palms until warm and melted and apply to skin, or melt down and add to your favorite lotions and creams before applying.

4. Shaving with Coconut Oil

Shaving creams, foams, and gels all have an alarmingly long list of ingredients and are full of toxic chemicals that you do not need on your skin. These products may be extremely convenient, but there are healthier alternatives that work just as well and are safe for highly sensitive areas, namely coconut oil. This method is best used with wet shaving after the skin has been run under warm water to soften the skin and hair. Not only will coconut oil give you a smooth, close shave, it will also save you a lot of money on pricey cans of shaving gels that run out so quickly with daily use.
How to use coconut oil for shaving: apply enough oil to coat skin and shave as usual.

Summary

Using coconut oil as a facial cleanser, makeup remover, moisturizer and shaving “cream” are just small samples of all the harmful (and expensive!) beauty care products you can replace with coconut oil. If you’ve been fighting skin issues, have highly sensitive skin, or just need to cut back on the spending, give coconut oil a try and see if the results aren’t worth it for yourself.
Note on type of coconut oil: use a high quality virgin coconut oil. Refined coconut oils (non-virgin) could have chemical residues.