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The White House announced on Saturday that President Joe Biden granted the Presidential Medal of Freedom to leftist billionaire George Soros and longtime politician Hillary Rodham Clinton. The nation’s highest civilian honor, which is usually given to “individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of...

Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi, a Jordanian national, has been identified as the suspect responsible for the hours-long shutdown of Interstate 85 near Greenville, South Carolina. He violated the terms of his legal immigration and is now here illegally. Democrats will fight to keep him here. ABC7 News called him an Oak Lawn truck driver. This […] The post Jordanian Here Illegally Called in the Bomb Threat appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Have you heard about the benefits of fire cider? Fans of this natural herbal remedy claim that it helps them stay healthy during the cold and flu season, working to support the immune system and feel better faster. But some people wonder: does it really work?Truth be told, I am one of those fans. We’ve been making fire cider for years! In fact, our fire cider recipe was one of the very first articles I shared on this website. So to dig a little deeper, I decided to chat with a registered dietician and certified nutritionist about the proclaimed fire cider benefits.In our interview with the nutritionist, she shared her expertise on the science behind the health benefits fire cider may offer, as well as some wise words of caution to consider.RELATED: Come learn how to make fire cider, or how to make homemade apple cider vinegar – the key ingredient! Our easy elderberry syrup recipe is also fantastic for natural immune support.Meet the Expert: Anne Dottai, MS RD, graduated with a Master’s of Clinical Nutrition from Bastyr University. She also owns and operates Grilla Bites Cafe, a natural food restaurant in Snohomish, Washington. There, she shares her passion for organic, healthy, and sustainable food options with her community.What is Fire Cider?Fire cider is a spicy, tangy herbal tonic used to naturally support the immune system. It is made by infusing numerous healthy ingredients in raw apple cider vinegar for several weeks, including things like ginger, garlic, onion, chili peppers, horseradish, herbs, honey and more. After a few weeks of infusing, the finished liquid is strained and bottled.Loaded with probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, “it’s essentially a superfood“, Dottai explains.Fire cider is highly concentrated and should only be consumed in small amounts, such as a 1-ounce “shot” or mixed with juice. See more information about how to take and use fire cider here.NOTE: The information provided in this article is not intended to be medical advise. Please consult with your physician as needed.Fire Cider BenefitsThings like apple cider vinegar, ginger and garlic are already good for you on their own right. When combined, the all-star ingredients used to make fire cider come together to offer some pretty potent antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and antioxidant properties.According to a nutritionist, here are a number of benefits that fire cider may provide, and why:1) Immune Support Several fire cider ingredients aid in a healthy immune response. Dottai explains that garlic and onion are especially high in allicin, a bioactive sulfur compound that stimulates the production of white blood cells in your body, who in turn fight against invaders like harmful bacteria and viruses (among many other benefits). Garlic, onion, horseradish and ginger are also naturally antibacterial. Antioxidants also play a key role in supporting the immune system; something fire cider is far from lacking! In addition to garlic and onion, ample antioxidants are found in apple cider vinegar, chili peppers, and honey. We also like to add oranges or other citrus to our homemade fire cider, and according to Dottai, Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants for immune support.Your immune response is key in both preventing illness and in recovering more quickly.2) Eases Congestion and CoughsFeel the burn… in a good way! Thanks to the spicy, pungent nature of fire cider, it can help to open airways, loosen mucus, and ease congestion. In fact, almost ALL of the ingredients in fire cider are included on this list of foods that relieve sinus congestion, such as hot peppers, horseradish, garlic, ginger, turmeric and more. That relief extends to related sinus headaches, head pressure, coughing, stuffy or runny nose, or post nasal drip. 3) Improves Circulation and DetoxificationIn a similar manner that spicy foods help with congestion, they also get your blood moving! The heat behind hot peppers, garlic, and horseradish stimulate your circulation to increase blood flow, body temperature, and digestion to flush out cold and flu bugs via increased sweat and urination to expedite healing. Don’t forget that antioxidants (such as those found in fire cider) are also essential to support your body during detox too, reminds Dottai.4) Supports Gut Health Fire cider boasts a number of benefits for the digestive system. Raw apple cider vinegar (with the “mother”) is full of prebotics, probiotics, and antioxidants that support gut health. “We know that gut health is directly tied to total body health, and can even influence mental health”, says Dottai. Even more, fresh horseradish can stimulate digestion while warming ginger is excellent for nausea and soothing stomach aches.5) Fights InflammationMost of the ingredients in fire cider are naturally anti-inflammatory, including raw apple cider vinegar, ginger, peppers, onion, and citrus. Beyond fighting cold and flu bugs, Dottai explains that there are “endless benefits to curbing inflammation in the body”! Inflammation is intimately tied to a wide array of health outcomes, ranging from cardiovascular disease and diabetes to arthritis and cancer.6) Curbs Blood Sugar SpikesAnother one of fire cider’s many benefits is it’s ability to help maintain more steady blood sugar levels. Acetic acid, a key component of apple cider vinegar, is known to reduce blood sugar spikes after eating a meal (aka postprandial glucose levels). “But to see the benefits, things need to be done in the right order”, reminds Dottai. More specifically, a small dose of fire cider or apple cider vinegar (about 1 Tbsp) should be consumed at least 15 minutes before eating to reap the rewards. Curbing blood sugar spikes keeps you feeling satiated longer, and experience fewer energy crashes.7) Soothes Sore Throats Last but not least, fire cider may help to alleviate a sore throat. Dottai explains that ginger and honey are especially useful to coat and soothe sore throats. Plus, the anti-inflammatory properties of all fire cider ingredients combined can help ease pain and help your throat feel back to normal faster. Does it really work?While there haven’t been many scientific studies about fire cider specifically, the health benefits of its ingredients are well-known and documented. “In my professional opinion, fire cider certainly has real potential to help support the immune system, among the other benefits we’ve explored” says Dottai.Is it a magic cure for every cold, flu, or sniffle? Maybe not. But it’s also not a bad idea to sip on fire cider when you’re feeling crummy! (See exceptions and precautions below.) I know I always feel better when I have a bottle in the fridge, especially during cold and flu season. The nutritionist emphasizes that it’s also important to stay hydrated, nourish your body, and get good rest to expedite healing.Precautions with Fire CiderFire cider should be well-tolerated by most people when consumed in moderation. The recommended serving is 1 to 2 tablespoons per day. However, the spicy and acidic nature of fire cider could cause issues for folks with acid reflux, GERD, IBS, or other similar gastrointestinal sensitivities, warns Dottai.Our nutritionist also happens to be a retired dental hygienist, so she advises “it’s a good idea to swish your mouth out with water after consuming fire cider, vinegar, or other acidic beverages” to protect tooth enamel.Always read ingredients and be aware of any personal food allergies, medication contraindications, or other restrictions. For instance, it’s not recommended to consume horseradish if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Similarly, it is not advised for kids under two years of age to consume honey.Fire Cider Benefits by IngredientRenown herbalist Rosemary Gladstar uses seven key ingredients in her traditional Fire Cider recipe – garlic, onion, horseradish, ginger, cayenne, honey, and ACV, as featured in her book “Medicinal Herb’s, a Beginner’s Guide”. However, making fire cider is a flexible and creative process! We often add other things like citrus, turmeric, and fresh herbs from the garden – which all offer their own unique nutritional benefits as well.Raw apple cider vinegar is full of probiotics and antioxidants that support gut health and whole-body wellness. It’s active ingredient, acetic acid, can also help reduce blood sugar spikes and blood pressure, has anti-carcinogenic properties, and boosts the immune systems in those who regularly consume it. Garlic is a very medicinal herb, known to support the immune system. Garlic stimulates the production of white blood cells in your body, who fight against invaders like harmful bacteria and viruses. The sulfur compounds in garlic also increases blood flow and circulation. Raw garlic is especially beneficial as it contains the highest levels of allicin, an immune-stimulating compound. Onion, like garlic, contains allicin to supports the immune system and circulation. Onion is also high in quercetin, a plant pigment often used for allergy symptom relief as it can reduce histamine response and inflammation. A University of Michigan study described quercetin as a “promising treatment for the common cold”, exploring its antioxidant and therapeutic properties, such as the ability to reduce viral replication and lung inflammation. Horseradish is a hot, pungent root vegetable. It can increase blood flow, body temperature, and digestion to flush out cold and flu bugs via increased sweat and urination. It also has antibacterial properties to fight sinus infections, and can help stimulate your lungs to assist with coughing and keeping your chest loose and “productive”. Ginger is wonderfully warming and decongesting. Enzymes present in ginger reduce inflammation, is used to ease nausea and stomach aches, activates your immune system, and soothes sore throats. Fresh is best! Cayenne or other hot peppers contain capsaicin, a compound that makes chili peppers hot and spicy. Capsaicin also stirs up your circulation system, warms your body, and serves as a decongestant, expectorant, and pain reliever all at once. Chili peppers are also high in vitamin C and A – good friends to have around when you’re sick. Raw honey brings balance to make this spicy fire cider more palatable, but that’s not all. Honey is loaded with antioxidants, and coats and soothes sore throats. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down! The citrus, turmeric, and fresh herbs we add to our fire cider recipe add an extra boost of vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits. And that concludes this lesson!All in all, fire cider is a great addition to your natural medicine cabinet. We are grateful Ms. Dottai took time of out her busy schedule to help share more about the benefits of fire cider with us. If you aren’t up for making your own, you can buy organic fire cider here. (And, save 15% off with code “deannacat”!) It’s made in small batches by my friend Sarah of TC Elderberry, a small woman-owned business who also specializes in elderberry syrup. Truth be told, her fire cider tastes better than what we make at home!You may also like:Easy Fermented Garlic Honey Recipe + Benefits and Uses Radiant Rose Hips: How to Harvest, Dry and Use Rosehips Easy Elderberry Gummies Recipe (How to Make Elderberry Gummies) How to Make Medicinal Herb Infused Oil: Two WaysThe post 7 Awesome Fire Cider Benefits, According to a Nutritionist appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

Perfection. We pretend to love it, but we despise it. It’s the most miserable state: inhuman, unforgiving, untouchable. There is only one way for it to go from that point. How can something perfect become more perfect than perfect? It cannot. But it can become imperfect. The perfect human body, the perfect night’s sleep, the purest diet: living not for life, but living for perfection. And it will, make no mistake. And so we teeter at that terrifying point where we wait in anticipation of the fall, knowing that sooner or later the perfection that we hate — but pretend to love — will die. Table talk But oh, thank God for that moment. That first scratch on the table. That first blemish. That first tear. That first problem. All those mistakes release us from that awful vise, that wretched conundrum of hopelessly hoping for perfection. Dying to keep everything just right. Giving anything to make sure it all stays just as it should be. We may pretend to mourn the mistake, but deep down we thank God for the blemish. We thank God for releasing us from that prison of perfection. This isn’t really about a table. This is about life. It’s about everything. We, in our era, are stuck in this futile pursuit of perfection. It’s part of consumerism, of course. When something gets dinged up, we can just go buy another one. If we don’t have the cash, we can bust out the card. We can’t have that ding, can we? It would look so much nicer if it weren’t there. We need a new one, and a perfect one is just within reach. It’s also about social media. We look at our phones and see perfection. We see beautiful beaches and beautiful people. We see lives that we wish were ours. And my, how ours are so imperfect. “Look at how clean that house is in that reel. Ours is a wreck.” Now we are unhappy. We thought we had enough, but we don’t. We thought it was nice, but it isn’t. We need it to be perfect. Off-camera chaos And of course, it’s all a facade. In social media, we never see what’s off camera. The clothes on the floor, the pile on the couch, the dust in the corner, the garbage bags next to the door. We are all part of the problem, too. See? Perpetrators and victims at the same time. It’s also about the quest to live forever. Extended life spans. Health monitoring and obsessive testing. If I get all the numbers just right, I can live forever. No one really says that last part, but there is some implication there. The perfect human body, the perfect night’s sleep, the purest diet: living not for life, but living for perfection. Worship and fear. That hated perfection. How many people never live the life they wish to live because they are afraid of failure? How many don’t take the chance? Make the move? Ask the girl? Do the thing? How many people live their lives perpetually hedging every last bet? Only the safest option is the smart option. Best to live with fewer mistakes. Yes. That’s closer to perfection. Bless this mess What a prison. What a terrible thing. It is the anti-life, the anti-action. Benjamin Franklin said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” I say, “In this world, nothing is certain but chaos and drama.” Or, to put it another way, “In this world, nothing is certain but imperfection.” Coming to grips with this — accepting this as reality — is the first step to actually living. Living not in fear of mistakes, but living in pursuit of a life that is yours. We only have one, after all. I know that sounds trite, but it’s true. It’s not going to be perfect; it’s going to be messy, there are going to be ups and downs, twists and turns, and that’s okay. It's all a part of it. And that’s the beauty of it. Overcoming the modern addiction to perfection is key to taking control of one’s life. It’s strange that letting go (of perfection) is key to taking control (of what matters). It’s about properly ordering things. It’s about coming to accept the reality of life. In the past, this reality was much harder to avoid. Perfection? Try survival. But for many of us in our technologically coddled society, it might take a conscious effort to see through the illusion. That new table and that first scratch. It’s hard before the blemish, but it’s easy after that. And it only gets easier. With every scratch, perfection fades, far off in the distance. It’s there in the rearview mirror, getting smaller and smaller now. Soon you can’t see it any more. Goodbye. Finally, we are left with life. Beautifully imperfect life.

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