How to Clean, Fillet and Cook a Fish

Photo courtesy: recipe-update.blogspot.com

So.. you've caught a beautiful trophy fish for dinner. Congratulations! Once you're done bragging and sharing pictures on facebook, here's what you'll need to do:

Cleaning.

1. Rinse the fish thoroughly with cold water.
2. Remove the scales using a sharp knife.
3. Insert your knife into the vent, and using a fluid motion, slit the fish up to the head. (See diagram below)

Photo courtesy: fao.crg

4. Remove the entrails.
5. Cut off the head, tail and fins. Note: for smaller fish, you can leave the tail on.
6. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove any debris or bone fragments

Fillet

To fillet, use a sharp fillet knife and gently run it along the backbone of the fish, starting at the tail and working your way up to the head. Remove.

Cooking Tips:

Fish (all types) should be cooked quickly and gently over low heat. You'll know your fish is done when the flesh flakes easily with a fork. The best methods for cooking fish are to bake, fry, broil or poach. Fish should never be stewed, as the juices will make the meat tough and not very palatable.

For some insanely fun, interesting recipe DIY's.. visit:

http://www.nickpiercefood.com/

Until Next Time..

Be Well!

Choosing Eco-friendly flooring

photo courtesy: csowp.com

Choosing environmentally-friendly flooring for you home is becoming a little easier these days, thanks in part to a growing number of new products on the market. One of the most popular Eco-friendly flooring options is bamboo. Bamboo is durable, natural, biodegradable and because the plants grow so quickly (they can grow up to a foot or more in a single night!), highly sustainable. Bamboo holds a nice finish and adds a unique decorative flair. However, bamboo is a soft wood, making it susceptible to scrapes and damage from heavy furniture and traffic. That being said, bamboo is best suited for low-traffic rooms such as bedrooms. Engineered and stranded bamboo are two types of bamboo products which combine real bamboo with adhesives, making it much more durable. These might be a better option for higher traffic rooms. Bamboo is not recommended for areas that are consistently damp or in regions with high humidity, as moisture can cause the bamboo warp. For those areas, laminate flooring is a good option. Laminate flooring is made from wood chips and paper infused with melamine. The bonus to laminate is that it is highly durable, moisture-resistant and cost-effective. The downside, is that once installed, it cannot be refinished, and lowers the resale value of your home. Melamine, the plastic component of laminate is toxic and was the ingredient responsible for the injuries of more than 300,000 babies in China in 2008, 6 of whom died. Though generally considered safe in it's resin form, there is a growing debate about the relative safety of melamine in household products.

Cork flooring is another favored option because it's not only biodegradable and naturally mold and mildew resistant, it also provides a softer cushion under foot than hardwood or laminate flooring. The downside to cork is that it is a lot more expensive, is prone to damage from heavy furniture and can become discolored over time when exposed to ultra-violet light. 

Tile and stone are two wonderfully natural alternatives to flooring. All natural, durable and biodegradable, they add real charm to any room. Tile and stone are particularly favored in bathrooms and kitchens because they are easy to clean and allergen-free. The only real downside to tile or stone is that they can feel cold, especially in climates where it gets below freezing. 

Last but not least, carpeting has been the source of some real debate within the green community. Many carpets contain formaldehyde, which is a known potent carcinogen. Additionally, carpets are perfect breeding places for dust mites, mold and mildew, making it a poor choice for people with allergies or breathing issues such as asthma. However, for those who just love that soft padding, there are some newer carpets being created using natural and/or  post-consumer materials. PET carpets are made from recycled plastics and are a great way to help the environment. Corn Carpets are being marketed as natural, however, though they do contain some starch made from corn, the fibers mainly contain polymers, which are essentially plastics. And since most of the polymers are not post-consumer, it makes this type of flooring a poor green choice. 

When considering flooring for your home, there are three things you need to consider before deciding on which green option works best for you: Climate, traffic and health. Weigh your options based  on where you live, how you live and your overall general health. For example, if you have young children and live in a humid region, cork and bamboo flooring may not be an option for you. Tile, stone, carpet or laminate would be your next best choices. However, if one of your children suffers from allergies or asthma or if you are concerned about the health effects of long-term exposure to toxic chemicals, you might want to limit your flooring choice to stone or tile. As with any investment, do your homework and make your choice based on what works best for you and your family.

Until next time, 

Be Well!

sources: 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/254487-is-melamine-dangerous-for-children/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine

http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/20/2/245.full

http://homerenovations.about.com/od/floors/a/artengineerflr.htm

http://www.carpetsforless.ca/2011/10/pet-carpet-made-from-recycled-materials/

http://www.carpetsforless.ca/2011/10/pet-carpet-made-from-recycled-materials/

http://www.thefloorpro.com/community/carpet-q-and-a/3247-carpet-made-from-corn.html

http://www.corncarpet.com/

The Smart Eco Shopper - 5 Habits That Will Save You $ and Help the Environment.

Photo courtesy: openclipart.org

1. Make a list before you go shopping. Take your time. Before you write something down, ask yourself these questions: “Can I live without it?” “How important is it? On a scale of 1 to ten, ten being a life-or-death item, how would I rate this item?” If it's less than a 5, consider holding off and trying to find a greener alternative.
2. Take a break for a few minutes, then go back over your list and cross off any items that you can make out of reused or recycled items in your home. These include organizers, furniture, cleaners, decorations, simple gifts, toys, linens, etc. Surf the internet and look for DIY project ideas. Have fun with it!
3. Once you have a list of things you need to purchase, circle the items that can be purchased in bulk and stored and/or used in smaller containers you already have, such as old spaghetti jars, baby food jars, shampoo bottles, etc. Make it a point to try and buy those items in bulk.
4. Stick to your list! Leave your card at home and carry enough cash to cover what's on the list and nothing more. That way, if you're tempted to make that impulse purchase, you won't be able to.
5. Give to get. Before you go shopping, go through your shopping list and make a resolution to get rid of one item for every item you intend to purchase. So, if you intend to purchase a new coat for the winter, for example, you have to get rid of one clothing item to make room for it. When grocery shopping, pull items off your shelves our out of your fridge that are about to expire and make a menu that will include using those items first before the fresh food.   

What You Need to Know about Citronella

photo courtesy: livinggreenwithbaby.com

With the warmer weather fast approaching, many folks are already making natural insect repellents to have on hand for that impromptu outing or cookout. One ingredient commonly used is Citronella essential oil. Citronella is derived from the lemongrass plant and has been used throughout the world for decades in perfumes, soaps, candles, cleaning products and even incense. Citronella extract has a delightful lemon tang that is used in food and candy flavorings. Generally considered non-toxic, Citronella has a number of uses besides that of a bio-pesticide. For starters, Citronella, like Tea Tree oil, is a potent anti-fungal. It is also a calmative for dogs and has been used by trainers and pet owners the world over to deter dogs from chewing on household furniture and personal items. Sprayed around the garden, it also helps keep small animals such as squirrels, mice and rabbits away as well.

As an essential oil, Citronella is typically made using either cold-press or steam distillation process. However, some citronella oils are manufactured using turpentine which can irritate the skin, cause severe eye irritation, and if used in a concentrated amount or over a period of time can cause symptoms ranging from dizziness to liver damage, heart palpitations, damage to the central nervous system and kidney damage among others. Always check the MSDS before buying a particular brand to make sure it's safe, especially if you're planning on using it on or near small children. As with any new personal care product, be sure to test in on a small patch on the inside of your arm before use.

Though most citronella oils are considered safe for topical use, they are not intended for internal consumption. Only citronella labeled as “Food Grade” extract is safe to use in food or food flavorings. NEVER use an essential oil internally. If accidental ingestion occurs, call the poison control center (In the US: 1-800-222-1222.) or 9-1-1 right away. For internal consumption , you want to use extracts only. Extracts are manufactured differently and under strict food safety guidelines regulated by the FDA.

As always, know what your buying before you buy it. Citronella is generally considered safe, however there are a growing number of oils on the market that are unsafe for regular use. Be sure to check the label and the MSDS before using any kind of essential oil.

Until Next Time,

Be Well!

Using Essential Oils

photo courtesy: essentialoilshoppe.com

Using Essential Oils

Over the past few decades, the use of essential oils in the home has grown dramatically. The delightful fragrances are welcome addition to all sorts of home-made items ranging from beauty products and aromatherapy to cleaners and deodorizers. As more people discover the how versatile the oils are, they are giving up synthetic, manufactured products in favor or more natural, homemade ones. But are essential oils really more natural?

Thanks to a lack of industry standards, confusion over the quality and even the very content of essential oils has become rampant. Terms like “Pharmaceutical Grade” and “Therapeutic Grade” only add to the confusion. Even worse, is the fact that companies are allowed to use terms like “all-natural” and “Pure” even if the product is completely synthetic as long as the word “ingredients” doesn't follow the term. So you can find essential oils whose labels say 100% pure Pharmaceutical Grade and the oil may in fact be totally synthetic.

So how does one find natural, quality essential oils? When choosing essential oils, there are a few things you want to look at. First you want to see how the oils are manufactured. Steam distillation is the most natural way of manufacturing essential oils. It uses steam to extract the oils from the plant material. The next method is what's called “cold press”. In this method, the oils are essentially “pressed” or squeezed out of the plant material. Citrus and Olive oils are typically cold-pressed. Both steam distilled and cold-pressed oils are made naturally. Some oils cannot be manufactured this way due to their content. Those oils are extracted via solvents such as benzene. These oils are best suited for perfumes and use in candles, potpourris and cleaners as the solvents can be irritating to the skin and in some cases, even toxic.

The next thing you want to look at when choosing essential oils, is whether or not the oil contains dilutants, carrier oils or other additives such as preservatives. Many companies dilute their essential oils with what's called a “carrier” oil. Carrier oils are cheaper oils such as Jojoba, coconut or olive oils that blend well with the essential oils but still allow them to carry their scent. Some carrier oils, such as olive oil, will reduce the shelf life of the essential oil, so if you're looking to keep the oil around for a long time, it's best to use oils that are not diluted in any way. Additionally, some additives may be toxic and should be avoided if possible. The best way to really know what's in an essential oil or any product for that matter, is to read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on that product. That way, you'll be able to see exactly what's in the product as well as any risks involved in its use. A quick test you can do if you don't have time to read through an MSDS to see if an oil has been diluted, is to place a drop or two on a piece of construction paper or paper napkin. A pure essential oil will evaporate quickly, while oils that have been diluted will leave a ring where the drop was placed. NOTE: this test will not work on oils made from resins or absolutes.

Once you find the oils you are looking for, there are a few guidelines you should follow in their use.

1. Essential oils are highly concentrated. That being said, they can irritate the skin and eyes. Always use caution when using essential oils in beauty/health care. Like anything else, essential oils can cause allergic reactions in people, so it's best to test the oil on a small spot in the inside of your arm before using it.
2. Essential oils may be flammable so use with caution around open flames and other heat sources.
3. Oils that contain solvents, such as tea tree oil should never be disposed of down the drain. Instead, fill the container with cat litter or sand and discard in the trash. Large spills must be treated as a hazardous waste spill.
4. Never use essential oils on babies and children or while you are pregnant or nursing
5. Remember that if you are allergic to the plant or food, you are also allergic to the oil.
6. Never take essential oils internally. Essential oils are for topical use only. Some oils such as clary sage, can cause drowsiness when used in aromatherapy. Use caution driving or operating heavy machinery after using it. In fact, you should give yourself at least an hour before you have to get on with your day.
7. Essential oils should NEVER be used for emergency medical care. Essential oils WILL NOT treat snake bites, sever allergic reactions of any kind, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding or any life-threatening medical emergency . If you or someone you know experience any of these, please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room.
8. In case of accidental ingestion, call the poison control hotline or go to your nearest emergency room. Poison control number in the US is 1-800-222-1222.
9. Poison control for pets: 1-888-426-4435 Please note that the ASPCA may charge a fee for this service.
10. . There are other numbers that will charge a fee for service, but this one is supposedly free.

Now that we know how to use them, let's take a look at some essential oils and their uses.

Bergamot – is antiseptic, antiviral and antimicrobial. Great for household cleaners

Cinnamon – great for candles, potpourris and room deodorizers. NOT recommended for use on the skin as it is highly irritating.

Clary Sage – soothing scent. Widely used in massage oils and aromatherapy.

Eucalyptus – Mixed with boiling water to clear sinus passages Also good when combined with Camphor.

Frankincense – used for thousands of years in perfumes and incense blends.

Ginger – strong, invigorating scent. Combined with Rosemary in a cream to prevent wrinkles and smooth the skin.

Hyssop – mildly antiviral, it is most often used in combination with either orange or lemon as a mood lifter to treat depression.

Jasmine – beautiful, floral scent. Used in soaps, perfumes and beauty products. Excellent when combined with Gardenia.

Lemon – antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial and antidepressant. Best all-around oil to have in the home. Used in combination with Orange or Hyssop to treat depression. Combine with olive oil to use as a furniture polish and with salt water or Bergamot as a cleaner.

Patchouli – warm, earthy scent. Used in perfumes, soaps, incense blends and room deodorizers.

Rosemary – great as a beauty aid and for treating hair, especially hair that is dark in color.

Tea Tree – anti-fungal. Used to treat fungal infections such as tinnia versicolor. Also combined with citronella oil to repel mosquitoes and ticks.

Essential oils are a great alternative to cleaning and beauty/health products for the home. As with anything, it's always good to do your homework before buying or using a product.

Until next time,

Be Well!

Facts About Alternative Medicine

Facts About Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine is a term used to identify medical practices that are used to maintain good health. It refers to practices that include those that have been practiced and proven for thousands of years such as Accupuncture. The first recorded document that references accupuncture dates back to roughly 100 BCE. Herbal medicine is a form of Allopathic medicine (not alternative) and has been practiced by nearly every culture for thousands of years and is the very foundation of modern Pharmacology.

So if Alternative Medicine has been around for thousands of years, why are some people claiming it's unsafe? Most forms of Alternative Healing such as Accupuncture, Reiki and Therapeutic Massage are incredibly safe. However, a rise in misinformation about Alternative medicine and herbal healing has lead to some debate about the saftey of their use. Unlike Western Medicine , Forms (Modalities) of Alternative Healing are practiced as a way to preserve health as opposed to simply treating symptoms of disease (also called Allopathic Medicine). Since Western culture doesn't view health as a daily practice, this has lead to some people mistakenly believing that alternative healing should be used in place of allopathic medicine. The result is that diseases go untreated which in some cases, can have serious consequences. They forget that Alternative medicine is not intended to replace medical care for illness. Many Alternative Healing Practioners will tell you that their methods are meant to be practiced in tandem with Allopathic medicine as opposed to it.

To add to the confusion, herbal medicine (a form of allopathic medicine) has been lumped in with Alternative healing creating even more misinformation. The view that because something comes from nature, it's “alternative' has created a dangerous and very misleading precedent. Herbs are simply chemicals in a natural state. Salicylic Acid is still Salicylic Acid regardless of it's form. A hundred years ago, herbal remedies were the norm and handed down from generation to generation. As pharmaceutical drugs became widely available, people gave up their family wisdom in favor of a quick pill they could get at the local pharmacy. To compound the issue, pharmaceutical companies began a century-long campaign of building mistrust in natural remedies, creating terms like “Old wive's tales” and “Hippie Cures” to denegrate anything that wasn't sold by them and so the modern era of “Medicine” was born.

Today however, people are slowly beginning to realize that their ancestors were right about a great many things, including how to treat the sick. The danger arises when people, who have lost all touch with old wisdom, try to recapture it for themselves without any real study. To compound the problem, mass media has created the false image that if something is “Pure” or “Natural” then it must be safe. What's missing are the important facts about drug interactions, dosing and contraindications that our ancestors were aware of. We have become so complacent about our health care, that we have forgotten the most basic rules of medical care. In the United Sates in 2011, there were 98,518 deaths resulting from FDA-approved drugs and a whopping 573,111 serious injuries*. While to date, there has only been a handful of injuries resulting from Herbal Medicine. Still, even one injury is one too many. The key to using any type of medicine safely is to know what you're taking, the potential side-effects and why you need to take the medicine. If the risks of taking a particular medicine (herbal or prescription) outweigh the cure, don't take it.

If you are considering using any type of herb or herbal remedy there are a few things you need to know to keep yourself safe. The first, and most important thing to remember is that herbs are medicines just like the pills your doctor prescribes. In fact, many of the drugs on the market today, come from or are synthesized from herbs, so it's vitally important that you check with your doctor before using any herbal treatment, especially if you are taking prescription medications. Drug interactions can be deadly! Second, NEVER assume that more is better when it comes to any medicine, either herbal or over-the-counter. Proper dosing is essential to treating and maintaining your health. Remember, too much of anything can be dangerous, even water! Third, if you are harvesting herbs for yourself, remember that in many cases, the growth stage of the plant determines the medicinal value. Some herbs/roots can only be harvested when the plant is in a particular stage of growth so be absolutely certain you know EXACTLY what part of the plant to harvest and when before using it. And finally, always check with your doctor and be sure that you know what your condition is before taking any herbal supplements, including vitamins. Some supplements can actually make certain conditions worse. Ginger for example, though an anti-inflammatory, can aggravate symptoms in someone with Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Bottom line is that Alternative Medicine is simply another tool we have in maintaining our health. Proven over thousands of years to help keep the body running optimally, it's a great choice for those wanting to maintain and/or improve the quality of their health. It's important to remember however, that it is just that: A tool to maintain health and used as complementary care to treat illness. It is not used to replace standard medical care. Herbal medicine is another form of allopathic medicine and is not an alternative form of healing. Just like pharmaceutical medince, it has it's advantages and risks. Yes, there have been instances where someone attempted to treat themselves with an herb and ended up getting sick. But there are also instances where people have died taking over-the-counter medicine. It all boils down to common sense and education. The more you know and understand about your own health, the more likely you are to make safe decisions regarding your care. Just because something says it's “Natural” doesn't mean it's safe and just because a doctor prescribes a pill doesn't mean it won't kill you. Do your homework. Be informed and most importantly, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it's not.

Until Next Time,

Be Well!

*Source: “AERS Patien Outcomes by Year” Food and Drug Administration (Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, March 31, 2010).

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Surveillance/AdverseDrugEffects/ucm070461.htm

The Truth About Rainwater Collection

Photo courtesy: motherearthnews.com

From China to India to South America, rainwater collection has been and still is an ongoing practice. In some arid regions, it is a necessity. But until recently, rainwater collection in parts of the United States was intensely restricted. In Colorado, for example, it was believed that people who collected rainwater for personal use were stealing it from those who had rights to watershed areas. In 2007, a study revealed that nearly 97% of rainwater thought to be reaching watershed areas, never did. The water was lost to evaporation and plant use long before it ever got near a watershed area. As a result of the study, the laws were changed in 2009 to allow people who meet certain criteria permission to install rooftop water collection systems. Still, in Colorado you cannot drill a well unless you own 35 acres of land or more. Other States, however are much more reasonable. In fact, in 2012 the State of Oklahoma passed new water legislation that encouraged water conservation. So much so, that their goal is to 

"work toward a goal of consuming no more fresh water in the year 2060 than is consumed statewide in the year 2012." - section 2 of the Water for 2060 act.

Not bad! Ohio and Texas however, are leading the nation in their practices. Water collection is allowed even for potable purposes. In parts of New Mexico, rainwater collection has become mandatory for new dwellings to stave off water shortages during dry seasons. Some states such as Rhode Island and Texas offer tax credits on the purchase of rainwater collection materials. Virginia even offers an income tax credit to any person or company who collects rainwater. For more information on pending legislation, visit the NCSL website at: http://www.ncsl.org/research/energy/energy-environment-legislation-tracking-database.aspx

So why does any of this matter anyway? Water is our most valuable resource. Without it, we die. As the world continues to desertify at an alarming rate and our drinking water becoming more and more contaminated with pollution, we are forced to rethink our water usage. Conservation today, could save lives in the years to come. Definitely something to think as you work out your own water conservation plan. 

Until next time,

Be Well!