Not only is this a simple tuna salad Mediterranean style, but it is also an extremely healthy one. No processed ingredients are used and best of all, the top stays firmly on the mayo jar! This recipe will provide enough for several large plate servings where it is the main attraction or for many more where it is part of a larger catering operation such as a buffet. Of course if it is just for yourself then scale back accordingly. This salad is best made before going to work as the flavors really intensify while it is stored.
Photo: Taste.com.au
To make the dressing:
4 Tb good olive oil.
Juice of 1 whole lemon.
1 Tb Dijon mustard.
A few finely chopped tarragon or basil leaves, to taste, or 1 ½ tsp dried tarragon or 1 tsp dried basil.
Fresh ground pepper & Kosher salt to taste.
Then Stir dressing into a salad mix made up of:
2 finely shredded medium sized carrots.
24 oz canned tuna, drained and crumbled.
½ bell pepper, chopped.
½ small onion, chopped.
½ c pitted and chopped olives.
2-4 oz crumbled Feta cheese.
The salad can be eaten immediately after preparing but the combining of all the different flavors is the thing that really makes this dish work. Admittedly it is a little bit more involved than just slapping some mayo and the contents of a tin of tuna into a bowl and stirring in some chopped onion but your taste buds will really thank you for the small amount of extra effort. Serve on a bed of crisp lettuce or with cut tomatoes.
Herbs were widely used by our ancestors long time ago and now, they still hold the same value as before. Herbs are very popular especially in the kitchen. They are used for various reasons. Mostly, they are added to dishes to make them more flavorful and aromatic. Some like to grow herbs indoor because of their beautiful foliage and fragrance. In addition, herbs contain properties that make them excellent remedies for common ailments.
Sage herb is one of the most popular herbs around. Herb lovers prefer using sage and growing them at home.
Here are some information that make sage herb one of the most favorite herbs around:
It has a unique history It symbolizes domestic virtue, wisdom, skill, self esteem, longevity, and good health. It is also believed to possess some magical powers that can help protect those who grew them in their homes. People of long ago planted sage herb to ward off evil spirits with its strong scent.
It is easy to grow Sage herb is one of those herbs that thrive in warm climates. You can grow them in your backyard garden where they can have lots of sun. Just make sure you keep the soil moist to help your sage grow faster and healthier.
It can be used fresh or dried Nothing can be more delicious than having fresh sage added into your recipe. Sage has a strong pungent odor that can tickle your taste buds. On the other hand, sage still retains its aroma and flavor even if it is dried.
Benefits of Sage Herb:
It has culinary value One of the main reasons why people love sage herb is that it can be used to add flavor to your favorite dishes. It can be sprinkled over your dishes or add in your chicken or turkey stuffing. It also gives off a wonderful aroma that can make mouths water.
It has aesthetic value If you want to have a purposeful plant in your house, you should consider growing sage herb. It comes in various colors of pink, fuchsia, purple, blue, white, and red foliage. The attractive colors of sage herb can add color to your kitchen and yards. Placing them in pots of different colors, shapes and sizes can surely make them beautiful ornaments in your home.
It has medicinal properties Studies proved that it contains antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties which make it an excellent remedy for some common illnesses. Long before the production of toothpastes and gargles, sage herb was used to clean the teeth and keep the mouth fresh and protected against harmful bacteria that can cause sore throat or inflammation of the gums. It is also used to treat upset stomach, excessive sweating, and colds.
Knowing the important information and benefits of the sage herb will help you realize just how useful it is. It has a rich history, it can be grown easily, and can be used fresh or dried. It can also be used to decorate the house, enhance the flavor of food, and of course, as medicine for some common ailments.
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant, has generated significant interest among scientists and physicians in recent years - but how CBD exerts its therapeutic impact on a molecular level is still being sorted out. Cannabidiol is a pleiotropic drug in that it produces many effects through multiple molecular pathways. The scientific literature has identified more than 65 molecular targets of CBD.
Although CBD has little binding affinity for either of the two cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), cannabidiol modulates several non-cannabinoid receptors and ion channels. CBD also acts through various receptor-independent pathways—for example, by delaying the “reuptake” of endogenous neurotransmitters (such as anandamide and adenosine) and by enhancing or inhibiting the binding action of certain G-protein coupled receptors.
Here are some of the ways that CBD confers its manifold therapeutic effects.
Serotonin Receptors
Jose Alexandre Crippa and his colleagues at the University of San Paulo in Brazil and King’s College in London have conducted pioneering research into CBD and the neural correlates of anxiety. At high concentrations, CBD directly activates the 5-HT1A (hydroxytryptamine) serotonin receptor, thereby conferring an anti-anxiety effect. This G-coupled protein receptor is implicated in a range of biological and neurological processes, including (but not limited to) anxiety, addiction, appetite, sleep, pain perception, nausea and vomiting.
5-HT1A is a member of the family of 5-HT receptors, which are activated by the neurotransmitter serotonin. Found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, 5-HT receptors trigger various intracellular cascades of chemical messages to produce either an excitatory or inhibitory response, depending on the chemical context of the message.
CBDA [Cannabidiolic acid], the raw, unheated version of CBD that is present in the cannabis plant, also has a strong affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor (even more so than CBD). Preclinical studies indicate that CBDA is a potent anti-emetic, stronger than either CBD or THC, which also have anti-nausea properties.
Vanilloid Receptors
CBD directly interacts with various ion channels to confer a therapeutic effect. CBD, for example, binds to TRPV1 receptors, which also function as ion channels. TRPV1 is known to mediate pain perception, inflammation and body temperature.
TRPV is the technical abbreviation for “transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V.” TRPV1 is one of several dozen TRP (pronounced “trip”) receptor variants or subfamilies that mediate the effects of a wide range of medicinal herbs.
Scientists also refer to TRPV1 as a “vanilloid receptor,” named after the flavorful vanilla bean. Vanilla contains eugenol, an essential oil that has antiseptic and analgesic properties; it also helps to unclog blood vessels. Historically, the vanilla bean has been used as a folk cure for headaches.
CBD binds to TRPV1, which can influence pain perception.
Capsaicin—the pungent compound in hot chili peppers—activates the TRVP1 receptor. Anandamide, the endogenous cannabinoid, is also a TRPV1 agonist.
GPR55 - orphan receptors
Whereas cannabidiol directly activates the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor and several TRPV ion channels, some studies indicate that CBD functions as an antagonist that blocks, or deactivates, another G protein-coupled receptor known as GPR55.
GPR55 has been dubbed an “orphan receptor” because scientists are still not sure if it belongs to a larger family of receptors. GPR55 is widely expressed in the brain, especially in the cerebellum. It is involved in modulating blood pressure and bone density, among other physiological processes.
GPR55 promotes osteoclast cell function, which facilitates bone reabsorption. Overactive GPR55 receptor signaling is associated with osteoporosis.
CBD is a GPR55 antagonist, as University of Aberdeen scientist Ruth Ross disclosed at the 2010 conference of the International Cannabinoid Research Society in Lund, Sweden. By blocking GPR55 signaling, CBD may act to decrease both bone reabsorption and cancer cell proliferation.
PPARs - nuclear receptors
CBD also exerts an anti-cancer effect by activating PPARs [peroxisome proliferator activated receptors] that are situated on the surface of the cell’s nucleus. Activation of the receptor known as PPAR-gamma has an anti-proliferative effect as well as an ability to induce tumor regression in human lung cancer cell lines. PPAR-gamma activation degrades amyloid-beta plaque, a key molecule linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This is one of the reasons why cannabidiol, a PPAR-gamma agonist, may be a useful remedy for Alzheimer’s patients.
PPAR receptors also regulate genes that are involved in energy homeostasis, lipid uptake, insulin sensitivity, and other metabolic functions. Diabetics, accordingly, may benefit from a CBD-rich treatment regimen.
CBD as a reuptake inhibitor
How does CBD, an exogenous plant compound, get inside a human cell to bind to a nuclear receptor? First it has to pass through the cell membrane by hitching a ride with a fatty acid binding protein (FABP), which chaperones various lipid molecules into the cell’s interior. These intracellular transport molecules also escort tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the brain’s own marijuana-like molecules, the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2AG, across the membrane to several targets within the cell. CBD and THC both modulate receptors on the surface of the nucleus, which regulate gene expression and mitochondrial activity.
Cannabidiol, it turns out, has a strong affinity for three kinds of FABPs, and CBD competes with our endocannabinoids, which are fatty acids, for the same transport molecules. Once it is inside the cell, anandamide is broken down by FAAH [fatty acid amide hydrolase], a metabolic enzyme, as part of its natural molecular life cycle. But CBD interferes with this process by reducing anandamide’s access to FABP transport molecules and delaying endocannabinoid passage into the cell’s interior.
According to a team of Stony Brook University scientists, CBD functions as an anandamide reuptake and breakdown inhibitor, thereby raising endocannabinoid levels in the brain’s synapses. Enhancing endocannabinod tone via reuptake inhibition may be a key mechanism whereby CBD confers neuroprotective effects against seizures, as well as many other health benefits.
CBD’s anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects are in part attributable to its inhibition of adenosine reuptake. By delaying the reuptake of this neurotransmitter, CBD boosts adenosine levels in the brain, which regulates adenosine receptor activity. A1A and A2A adenosine receptors play significant roles in cardiovascular function, regulating myocardial oxygen consumption and coronary blood flow. These receptors have broad anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body.
CBD as an allosteric modulator
CBD also functions as an allosteric receptor modulator, which means that it can either enhance or inhibit how a receptor transmits a signal by changing the shape of the receptor.
Australian scientists report that CBD acts as a “positive allosteric modulator” of the GABA-A receptor. In other words, CBD interacts with the GABA-A receptor in a way that enhances the receptor’s binding affinity for its principal endogenous agonist, gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. The sedating effects of Valium and other Benzos are mediated by GABA receptor transmission. CBDreduces anxiety by changing the shape of the GABA-A receptor in a way that amplifies the natural calming effect of GABA.
Canadian scientists have identified CBD as a “negative allosteric modulator” of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, which is concentrated in the brain and central nervous system. While cannabidiol doesn’t bind to the CB1 receptor directly like THC does, CBDinteracts allosterically with CB1 and changes the shape of the receptor in a way that weakens CB1’s ability to bind with THC.
As a negative allosteric modulator of the CB1receptor, CBD lowers the ceiling on THC’s psychoactivity—which is why people don’t feel as “high” when using CBD-rich cannabis compared to when they consume THC-dominant medicine. A CBD-rich product with little THC can convey therapeutic benefits without having a euphoric or dysphoric effect.
Herbs cure the root cause of the disease and improve the body immunity system. Read this article to find commonly available herbs having wondrous therapeutic power.
The healing power of the herbs was not considered to be effective enough by the medical personnel in treating various diseases even few decades back. But the advanced scientific researches duly supported by statistics have come out with amazing results regarding the healing power of the herbs. Herbs cure the root cause of the disease, improves the body immunity system involving lesser cost and almost without any side effects. From the commonly used kitchen-garden herbs to the rare species; every herb is singular in their healing properties.
Few are the names of the commonly available herbs having wondrous therapeutic power.
1. Basil, the commonly available herb generally used for culinary purpose improves appetite and reduces fatigue. This herb from the mint family acts as carminative aiding in digestion. It is also used as an aphrodisiac and treating depression.
2. Cinnamon widely used as spice, is used in treating a number of diseases starting from indigestion to diabetes. Regular intake of cinnamon powder reduces blood sugar level to a great extent. It is also helpful in treating Candida yeast infection.
3. Clove is another common herb used as spice in various dishes. Clove oil is beneficial in treating bacterial and fungal infections, a good pain killer in reducing toothache and treating other gum diseases.
4. Garlic is one of the most inexpensive herbs must be used liberally either in dishes or eaten raw. It helps in reducing blood cholesterol and high blood pressure as it helps as blood thinner. It is also used in treating various viral and fungal infections.
5. Neem is the native of India and its oil is rich in Vitamin E and has essential fatty acids. So it is used to treat a various number of skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, scabies, acne, ordinary scars and athletes foot.
Neem leaves
6. Tea tree oil is used in a number of antibacterial treatments. Treating Candida yeast infections, herpes, abscess and boils tea tree oil finds extensive use. Moreover it helps in boosting the immunity system of the body.
7. Cedar wood oil is used for treating skin problems and reducing respiratory complaints. It reduces itching and treats severe skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema.
8. Aloe Vera is rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and essential acids. Apart from skin tonic it helps in digestion, treats chronic ulcers and good for kidney, gall bladder.
There are numerous such herbs with their unique healing properties. Those under medication of chronic diseases must be cautious enough while taking the herbal concoctions or supplements as these may interfere with some drugs. In that case it is advisable to consult an expert before starting herbal therapy.
High blood pressure is one of the most common health problems and is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease. While there are various medications to lower blood pressure, many people prefer to take herbs for high blood pressure instead. This is because herbs are easily absorbed by the body and have little to no chemical content, reducing the risk of side effects.
Herbs for high blood pressure may be added to food or taken as tea, tincture, or supplement capsules. However, not all herbs for high blood pressure may be safe for everyone, and patients should seek medical advice before taking any. Here are some commonly used herbs for high blood pressure and tips on using them correctly.
Garlic
Though it is not the most effective herb, garlic lowers both blood pressure and cholesterol levels, making it an excellent guard against heart disease. Studies show that taking garlic over several weeks can lower blood pressure by 5% to 10%.
Ginseng
Siberian ginseng is an adaptogen - it helps the body adapt to physical, chemical, and biologica stress. It also increases blood oxygen without raising it to toxic levels, as some medications tend to do. Take three to 15 grams of ginseng powder or 10 to 50 drops of tincture daily. Note that Chinese ginseng is only half as effective as Siberian, and tends to promote hypertension.
Seaweeds
Extracts from seaweeds like kelp and laminaria contain histamine and other blood pressure reducing chemicals, and are used in certain hypertension drugs. A Japanese study shows that kelp extract can significantly lower blood pressure without any side effects.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn helps regulate heartbeat, remove water buildup around the heart, and stimulate the cardiovascular system. It is also an excellent heart tonic, making it ideal for those who suffer heart palpitations. Hawthorn can be taken as a tea using the dried leaves and flowers, or as a fluid extract or tincture.
Lemon balm
Also a mild heart tonic, lemon balm calms the nerves and improves blood flow. It can be taken as a tea or added to food.
IMPORTANT: Herbs for high blood pressure are not as strictly regulated as conventional drugs, so not all products may be safe. Some herbs for high blood pressure may contain additives such as silica, starch, sugar, or gluten, which can have adverse effects on your health. Buy only products that are GMP-compliant to avoid such products, and make sure they do not contain any artificial colors and flavors.
Summer is here and with it comes summer gardens. These summer gardens are not only a delight for the eye, but for the body too. Now is the time to put on the finishing touches. If you did not put out seeds then plants are still a viable option. There are many great plants available. Greenhouses and nurseries offer a wide variety.
Even if you are a little late in the planting season you still have plenty of time for reaping. The later planting only means more watering for some plants and finding a shade for others. Consider what you are planting then go ahead and take a step out.
Herbs do well in well drained soil and lots of sunlight. Herbs include thyme, basil, oregano, tarragon, and mint. These will thrive well in small areas or containers and make a great addition to your recipes.
Tomatoes are available for just about every climate. Most tomatoes thrive in mild temperatures, but need lots of direct sunlight. Some tomatoes are more heat and drought resistant. Know your climate and plant accordingly.
There are so many peppers it would take pages just to name them. Peppers are also available in plants. I have found peppers are about the easiest plant to grow. They do well in direct sunlight and can withstand the afternoon sun. However, for me, the best produce is during the fall. Don't get me wrong, peppers produce all summer, but when fall comes. . .WOW can they put out!
Cucumbers are also a great garden plant. There are so many things to do with these delights. Eating them raw is just one option. If you are into canning they make great pickles. These can be canned without a lot of trouble.
Peas and green beans come up from seed rather quickly and put on fruit almost as fast. If you have never tried fresh peas or green beans you have missed out. These little wonders can provide the body with much needed nutrition such as vitamin A and calcium. Fresh peas can provide one of the best colon cleanses available. For this reason eat fresh peas and beans with care. You may enjoy the moment, but despise the after effect.
If you live in a cooler region, you can plant lettuce. It is a cool weather plant and fresh lettuce is a real treat. If you have a green house with a shade, or an area with lots of shade you can still get by with planting lettuce even in the summer time.
One of my favorite vegetables is okra. This plant tolerates heat well and is usually planted in May and ready to harvest around July. Okra provides many great vitamins, minerals, and is a source of protein and fiber as well. Okra is one that needs to be planted from seed. It does not transplant well.
There are so many plants available for a great garden. Some I didn't mention include: squash, melons, and eggplant. Enjoy your summer and add some freshness to it with a great garden. It not only provides a great meal, but also a great work out!
Growing your own herbs, fruits and vegetables is a very easy task and can be done in very different places and various ways, you just have to be creative, dedicate some time to take care of your plants and nature will reward you with amazing, fresh and home-grown produce that can be used for your health, nutrition and beauty purposes.
Potted sweet peas
No matter if you own a house with a large outdoor space or live in the smallest of apartments, you can have your garden adjusted to your space and needs. In apartments - balconies and even windowsills can be used as little gardens where herbs or smaller vegetables, e.g., mini tomatoes, lettuce, peas or beans can be grown. Larger spaces will allow you to plant all kinds of fruit and veg in designated veg and fruit raised beds, you will have enough space to plant also fruit trees and even have your own greenhouse.
Greenhouse
The simplest way to start a garden is by obtaining potting soil and plant containers from local garden centers or from neighbors who already do some gardening. This will work the best for people who want to grow their own herbs and veg but does not have enough space.
Raised veg beds for carrots (in front), garlic (to the right), spring onion and scallions (at the back)
Last weekend I spent some time in Waterford, visiting my family and had a great chat with my Dad who is a proud gardener with huge experience growing his own food. He walked me through his garden and we had a great chat about different herbs, fruit & veg he is growing this year. Watch the video to see my Dad's garden and find out how easy it is to grow your own food and how little you really need to start your own little garden project:
Feeling very inspired myself and might give it a try. I am keen to start growing my own herbs for tea and food, especially sage which is super great for the health of your skin & body, has anti-inflammatory effects for rosecea skin and acne, and is just really tasty and adds lots of flavour to your food.
