Heart Healthy Valentine's Day Meals

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

It has been said "the way to a loved one's heart is through their stomach". This Valentine's Day I've gathered some heart healthy foods to romance your loved one/s with and at the same time show them just how much you care.

Breakfast in Bed

Granola, Oatmeal with Red Goji Berries

1 cup rolled oats
ground cinnamon to taste
3 tablespoons raisins
1/2 cup skim milk or soy milk
2 cups water
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
1/2 cup goji berries
1/2 cup granola

1. Place the oats, cinnamon and raisins in a pan on the stove.
2. Add the water and warm and stir to a rolling boil.
3. Stir in the berries and granola when ready to serve.
4. Add berries and nuts

Strawberries Side Car

8-10 Strawberries
2 sprigs of mint

1. Cut and clean berries and stack them in a fruit dish
2. Garnish with mint
3. Add dollop of yogurt or light whipped cream on top

Juicy Valentine's Squeeze

3 oranges
1 lime
8-10 raspberries

1. Peel the oranges, wash raspberries and cut the lime in half.
2. Toss oranges and raspberries into a blender or juicer.
3. Pour into juice glass, with a squeeze of lime.

Chocolate Turtles

8 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 teaspoon oil (canola, sunflower, safflower)
2 cups walnuts or almonds

1. Line baking sheet with waxed paper.
2. Melt chocolates and oil in top of double boiler over barely simmering water, stirring frequently, until smooth.
3. Add nuts and mix until coated
4. Drop by small tablespoons onto waxed paper.
5. Chill in refrigerator until firm.
6. Serve directly from refrigerator

Dinner for Two

Seasoned Crusted Salmon

4 salmon filets (4-6 oz. each)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped pecans
1 teaspoon parsley
Wedges of fresh lemon

1. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper. Place skin side down on baking sheet.
2. Combine mustard and honey, brush on top of salmon.
3. Mix topping of breadcrumbs, nuts, and parsley and sprinkle over salmon.
4. Bake at 400 degrees 10-15 minutes or until flaky. Serve with wedges of fresh lemon.

Vegetable Love Medley

2 tablespoons water
1 cut thinly sliced zucchini
1 cup thinly sliced yellow squash
1 small carrot thinly sliced
1/2 medium green pepper, cut into strips
1 celery stalk cut into 2-inch strips
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/8 teaspoon dillweed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium tomato, cut into 8 wedges

1. Heat water in large fry pan. Add zucchini, squash, green pepper, celery and onion.
2. Cover and cook over moderate heat until vegetables are tender- crisp, about 3 minutes.
3. Sprinkle seasoning over vegetables. Top with tomato wedges.
4. Cover and cook over low heat until tomato wedges are just heated, about 2 minutes.
5. Serve

Pomegranate Parfait

1 sliced pomegranate
1/2 cup fresh fruit (think red or black berries)
1/2 cup low-fat or regular yogurt (flavor of your choice)
1/8 cup low-fat granola

Layer the different ingredients in a parfait glass and repeat layers.

Natural Antiviral Herbs

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

There are hundreds of plants used all over the world, which are used in herbal medicine as treatments for viral infections. Here are some of the most accessible and reliable.

Astragalus (astragalus membranaceus): has been in the Chinese Materia Medica for centuries and has shown to have immune boosting properties. This classic energy tonic has a warming and toning effect. Although not used as a treatment for acute illnesses, astragalus is believed to be very useful as an herbal remedy for treating viral infections, including those that cause the common cold and flu.

Echinacea (eucalyptus globulus): has long been used as an antiviral remedy for colds and flu. It appears to work by boosting production of interferon, the body's own antiviral fighter, as well as, stimulating infection-fighting white blood cells. Echinacea has three compounds, which are chicoric acid, caffeic acid, and echinacin. These three compounds have specific antiviral properties that can resist viruses.

Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) and Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) are the top choice in the Chinese Materia Medica for addressing heat toxins. Often used together, these flowers are the main ingredient in a formula called Yin Qiao San for treating viruses causing upper respiratory infections.

Garlic (allium sativum): Compounds that are rich in sulfur content are found in abundance in garlic and are active against the virus responsible for flu. These sulfur-based compounds have shown to be effective in clinical studies. A similar but less effective antiviral action is also found in the common onion, which is a close relative of the garlic plant.

Ginger (zingiber officinale): Phenolic compounds are responsible for relaxing the muscles of the stomach, and explains ginger's effect in easing motion sickness. Fresh or dried, the root has been shown to minimize vomiting. In addition, the phenolic ingredients act within the stomach as a sedative and painkiller, which helps to reduce over-activity of the gut. In stomach infections, the oil acts as an antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory. The gingerols alone are thought to be responsible for ginger's action as a liver protective.

Goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis): Berberine is the active compound in goldenseal that stimulates the immune system. douche of goldenseal is excellent for reducing yeast infection. Berberine increases blood flow to the spleen and stimulate the activity of macrophages, blood cells that are an important part of the immune system.

Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra): also used for centuries and found in the Chinese Materia Medica, this herb's potent antiviral action works against a wide range of viral agents. With eight active antiviral compounds, the most recognized being glycyrrhizin, these compounds inhibit as well as block the viral penetration of the body's cells and the multiplication of genetic material from the viral particle.

Milk Thistle (silybum marinum): is the top choice for all kinds of liver disorders such as hepatitis, cirrhosis as well as mushroom poisoning. Silymarin, the active ingredient, is also helpful in gall bladder disease.

Sangre de Drago or Dragon's Blood (croton lechleri): The antiviral properties of this herb have shown to help with viral sores caused during infection from the herpes virus. The compounds in this herb, including ds taspine and dimethylcedrusine have the ability to heal wounds and are have antiviral properties.

Essential Oils with Antiviral Properties

Use these oils externally by blending a few drops into a base oil of vegetable, sunflower, safflower or canola oils and massage into pulse points, chest, tops of feet and wrists. Do not digest these oils internally. Tea tree can be added to a half a cup of warm water and gargled then spit out for treating sore throats.

Eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus): this oil has compounds which include quercitrin, hyperoside, and tannic acid, which help eliminate viruses.

Juniper (juniperus): has an antiviral agent. Juniper contains a potent antiviral compound called deoxypodophyllotoxin. The herpes viruse, flu and many other types of viruses seem to be inhibited by extracts from juniper.

Lemon Balm (melissa officinalis): is a potent inhibitor on the herpes virus, among other viruses that lead to infection.