Thursday, May 6, 2010

Of Apples and Vinegar

I used to consume apple cider vinegar religiously, at least once a day a few years back. Somehow I think I forgot all about it at one point and never got back to it.

Strangely, a few days ago I got thinking about apples and vinegar out of the blue and started doing some reading on the net about them. That of course reminded me of the bottle of apple cider vinegar that is still in my larder! I forgot how nice it taste with some honey and lemon!

I am now back to taking Bragg's apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon) with High Dessert's Clover Honey (1 to 2 tablespoon) with a drop or two of Young Living's lemon essential oil - a very potent and detoxifying concoction twice a day. It not only gives me a real pick up in energy but also helps with my immune system and digestion. I have read before that apple cider vinegar helps to return our internal system to a more alkaline state which is how a healthy body should be.

Apparently Hippocrates, The Father of Medicine, used it extensively (400BC) encouraging people to consume apple cider vinegar and honey. Vinegar was already in use in treatment as far back as the Babylonians of 5,000 BC, or more. The Samurai warriors used it for strength and health.

There are many information about its uses. I will list here some interesting websites that you might like to read further from.

A quick summary of its health benefits include:
* lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure
* keeping control of sugar level in diabetics
* eliminates fatigue
* home remedy for sorethroat
* helps to keep allergies away
* treating dermatitis
* fight fungal and bacteria infections
* guards against cancer
* protect against aging of the cells and the mind
* helps in weight control
* help to relieve joint pains
* helps cats, dogs and horses in many of their arthritic conditions, keeping fleas away, shines their coats
and many more...

This site, http://www.naturodoc.com/library/lifestyle/umeboshi_vinegar.htm, gives a good run down of the chemical chain of reaction in simple terms to understand why vinegar is such good stuffs.

One of my favourite sites, Buzzle.com has a good write up at http://www.buzzle.com/articles/health-benefits-apple-cider-vinegar.html. It says, "Apple cider vinegar is made from fresh ripe apples that are fermented and undergo a stringent process to create the final product. The vinegar contains a host of vitamins, beta-carotene, pectin and vital minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, chlorine, sulphur, iron, and fluorine." Now, with so much of goodness in apple cider vinegar, how can we ignore this "wonder vinegar"!


As the apple cider vinegar is easily available these days, consuming it is no big job. We don't need to plant an apple tree, wait for it to fruit, squash the fruit and ferment it! How easy can life gets these days?!


Do remember, though, that the best apple cider from the store would be those liquid that appears brownish tint with some cobweb-like substance floating in it.

Sources and sites to read:
1. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/health-benefits-apple-cider-vinegar.html
2. http://www.naturodoc.com/library/lifestyle/umeboshi_vinegar.htm
3. http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar.html
4. http://www.health.junkieyard.com/2009/05/22/is-the-apple-cider-vinegar-hype-backed-by-research/
(this site even gives you a link to make your own apple cider vinegar from scratch for the adventurous ones)
5. http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html
6. http://www.wellsphere.com/wellpage/apple-cider-vinegar-cholesterol (with info on how to use the apple cider and some articles on its uses)

Well, I wish everyone days filled with good health, joy and love! Ciao!


P/s - i just remembered, my mum used one or two tablespoon of vinegar into boiling water to scald peanuts and any nuts - apparently this was a tip she read from the newspaper sometime ago to get rid of some cholestrol contents especially in peanuts! How cool! Blanch, drain and remove from vinegar water, rinse and cook as normal. See ya!