Tag Archives: appetite

Fennel Seeds to Restore Health

Fennel field typical in Mediterranean Countries

Across the fields of the Mediterranean country of Italy, yellow-flowered green feathery leaves gently move in the breeze. The “Florence Fennel” or Finocchio (feen o key oh) produces a vegetable and seed commonly used in promoting digestion at kitchen tables within Europe, India, Southeast Asia and North Africa.

Foeniculum Vulgare (genius) is listed under the species Apiaceae, or hollow stemmed plants, grouped with other family members including: anise, carrot, caraway, cilantro, cumin, dill, parsley and parsnip.The fennel seed is both green (soft and easy to chew) and yellowish in color (used in cooking) and full of nutrients.

Fennel seeds promote digestive healing. Limited to 1/2 tsp per day.

A dozen fennel seeds chewed on at a time will soothe and relieve various ailments in both men and women.

  • Breath freshener
  • Ease gum soreness
  • Assists in digestion
  • Combats acid reflux
  • Relieves flatulence, gas, stomach ache
  • Creates bile to promote bowel movement. Unclogs liver.
  • Due to their “expectorant properties”, fennel seeds ease coughs and treats bronchial congestion,  asthma
  • Reduces menstrual cramps, hot flashes, night sweats, water retention. Functions as a phytoestrogen and improves libido.
  • Curves stress eating!  ( 12 seeds 3x’s a day) Fennel Seeds or Flax Seeds are a natural “Appetite Suppressant” contributing to weight maintenance, or weight loss
  • Used to improve anxiety and depression
  • Lowers Blood Pressure
  • Fennel seeds can be purchased in the grocery isle that sells herbs and spices.
Eaten raw, steamed or boiled, fennel is encouraged to be part of ones nutritional intake. The texture of the smooth white fennel bulb when sliced releases a gentle aroma of lemon and licorice. The mouth feel of the vegetable is similar to celery. Full of fiber, it is an easy snack to pack, or consumed as an after dinner palate cleanser. Gently boil sliced fennel and green leaves for about 10 minutes. Pour water from pan into a mug and slowly drink water to promote intestinal healing.

Fennel can be eaten raw, steamed or boiled

FENNEL’S Nutrient Composition: “Fennel seeds contain antioxidants, dietary fibers, vitamins A, B and C. Minerals that promote healing are also present: copper, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc and magnesium. Its active components anethole, limonene, fenchone, anisic aldehyde, chavicol, myrcene, cineole and pinene are what make fennel seeds effective in their many restorative and curative functions in different body systems like the digestive system, respiratory system and the female reproductive system.”
WARNINGS: Fennel seeds oil is considered volatile. Those who experience plant allergies should approach fennel consumption with caution. Consult with your doctor before consuming fennel seeds if: pregnant, experience allergies or before giving to a child or baby.  Important to note that research has not proven fennel’s ability to calm colic in babies.
By: Kimberly Crocker-Scardicchio

Weightloss Tips

Curving Your Appetite when hunger hits and you don’t want to break your momentum and cave into temptation; focus on ways to keep your hands and mind busy:
  • Do your favorite hobby.
    Participate in sports.
    House Cleaning
    Play with your children
    Drink milk in place of water and have your water at meal times. Adults need an 8 oz glass of milk 2-3 times a day. It has more satiety than water and may hold you over until you next snack or meal.
    Exercise. Brisk Walk, Jogging, Yoga, Swimming.
    Talk with your support system: family or friends.
    Plan your daily meals for the next day.
    Eat your favorite fruit or vegetable. (Excellent fast food or on the go nutrition!)
    Review your goal chart and applaud yourself for the great job you’ve done.
    Eat a SMALL portion of your temptation.

What are Healthy Fats?
Healthy Fats and Oils(nothing solid at room temperature.)
EVOO (extra vergin olive oil),
Smart Balance omega 3-6, Canola, Avocado, Peanut oilfor
salad dressing: olive oil 1/4 cupbalsalmic vinegar 2 tbsp1/2 tsp oregano1 minced garlic clovepepper flakes

What about Salt?
Substitute Salt….Avoid salt, or reduce sodium. Instead spruce up meals with herbs and salt substitutes.
Watch out for Meats and Meat Substitutes. Include them in your daily sodium count. Sodium or saline water is often injected into meats for etended shelf life and meat preservation.
Prepared frozen foods.
Canned foods.

Other Good source of Protein
Eat Fish!! Fresh caught fish is higher in omega 3-6 fatty acids, because the fish can eat algae necessary for making the omega’s. This contributes to higher HDL intake. (also found in healthy oils and various nuts.)
Tofu
Nuts. Almonds and walnuts have the highest fiber at 6 grams /1 oz.

Fiber Intake (fat and sodium reducers!!!)
Fruits high in fiber are a great way to promote weightloss.
Avocado
Papaya
Guava
Cantaloupe
Orange
Apricots (dried, unsulfured)
Pear with skin
Apple with skin
Mango
Strawberries (organic)
KiwiGrapefruit (pink or red)
Tomato

Vegetables high in fiber are excellent calorie burners.
Baked Potatoes
Corn
Peas
Broccoli
Carrots
Brussel Sprouts
All Legumes
Portabella Mushroom Breads and Cereals High in Fiber
Aunt Millies multi-grain breads
Bran
Flaxseed

About Nuts
Even healthy fats need to be monitored in the right amounts.
Enjoy them in small amounts, 1 oz per day 4 x’s/ wk. They also contain great fiber and are high in Mono/Poly unsaturated fats. Hickory, cashews, black walnuts, filbrets, macadamia, peanuts, pecan, pine nuts, pistachio.

DRINK Lemon Water.  It is a natural laxative used to rid your body of toxins.


http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtgs01.htm

By: Kimberly Crocker