Susan M. Brooks, PhD

Health Educator

Autumn Harvest Soup

By

  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1-2 baby bok choy, cut into 1/2 inch slices
  • 1 Japanese Sweet potato or small cubed butternut squash (peeled)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • handful of fresh thyme leaves, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt (more to taste)
  • 1 tsp green curry paste (blend into coconut milk first before adding to soup)
  • 1 tsp fish sauce
  • 1 can regular coconut milk
  • 1 cup veggie or chicken beef stock
  • 1 lb fresh spinach, chopped
  • handful, chives

Method

[Read more…] about Autumn Harvest Soup

Boost Your Immunity

By

Now that cold and flu season is stalking us, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get serious about boosting our immunity. Here are reminders of the basics we all know, yet need to hear again and again. Most of the people incorporating a significant number of these wise lifestyle choices into their daily lives simply don’t get sick. And when they do, it’s mild and short-lived.

Eliminate Added Sugar
Do you notice the pronounced increase in school absences the week after Halloween and on through the holiday season? Eating and drinking sugar (syrups, honey, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, table sugar) decreases the ability of the white blood cells to kill germs by 40%. Also, consuming sugar decreases the responsiveness of the key infection fighters of the immune system, the neutrophils.

Stress
Emotional stress predisposes us to viruses because it is harder to fight off germs. Finding ways to manage our reactions to circumstances beyond our control will contribute to a strong and resilient immune system.  Studies in mind-body research (psycho-neuro-immunology)  have found that all aspects of immunity are diminished with both short term and chronic stress. Many colleges bring in puppies during final exams to help students relax and thereby boost their immunity. Some of my favorite stress relievers? Baths, cooking, yoga, listening to music, nature walks, being with friends, 5 minute micro-rests throughout the day. [Read more…] about Boost Your Immunity

Immune Boost Chicken Soup

By

Ingredients

  • 3 –3-1/2 lbs (1 whole) chicken, skinned
  • bay leaf
  • 1 large carrot, peeled
  • 1-1/2 stalks celery
  • 1-1/2 small onions, peeled and left whole
  • 6-10 cloves fresh raw garlic
  • 1 cup chopped fresh green beans
  • 1/2 medium turnip
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 bunch fresh thyme
  • 2-inch piece of fresh ginger
  • sea salt
  • freshly cracked black pepper

Method

Place the chicken in large soup pot (one big enough to later hold chicken plus all other ingredients, with at least 4 inches left at the top) and cover with water. Bring to a light boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to gentle simmer. [Read more…] about Immune Boost Chicken Soup

Be Healthy: Simple Self-Care for Vibrant Health

By

Let’s begin! For years I’ve wanted to create a vessel for sharing the compilation of my incessant and passionate health research, lifelong health practices for boosting energy, and inspiring personal stories that motivate you to get healing. Eckhart Tolle, a renowned personal growth author, purported that the higher the ‘pain body’ (mental, emotional and physical challenges and obstacles), the greater the likelihood for transforming our lives.

Most of you already have a treasure trove of practices for improving daily health. So what prevents you from implementing them?  Confusion about the latest conflicting health advice? Too busy? Inflicting self-guilt for taking too much time for your own needs? [Read more…] about Be Healthy: Simple Self-Care for Vibrant Health