Happy National Allium sativum Day to you! Otherwise known as National Garlic Day.  This is one of my favourite plants to use in cooking and medicinally. It provides a lot of health benefits but this pungent plant is best known for three actions:
 

1. Antimicrobial, meaning it is really great at fighting off bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Some examples include upper respiratory tract infections, candida and intestinal worms.  How does garlic combat such a wide variety of microorganisms? It has a built in fighter called allicin. When you chop or crush garlic, an enzymatic reaction occurs that produces allicin, a sulphur-containing compound that is responsible for garlic’s pungent aroma and actions.
2. Hypotensive. Garlic can lower mild-moderate high blood pressure. Garlic causes the smooth muscle within blood vessels to relax, allowing the blood vessels to widen and reduce the pressure on the walls overall lowering blood pressure.
3. Hypolipidemic, that is, it can lower cholesterol. It is known as a natural statin (the class of pharmaceuticals given to lower cholesterol). It lowers LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides while increasing HDL (“good” cholesterol).  Therapeutic doses (not dietary) of garlic can increase the effect of anticoagulant medications as well as the antithrombotic action of aspirin and other anti-inflammatories. Always consult with your healthcare provider if you are on these medications before starting therapeutic doses of garlic.

 
There you have it…three reasons why we love garlic! If you are looking to better your cardiovascular health or fight off an infection be sure to add garlic into your diet. And if you already include garlic in your daily diet, double the dose because recipes never calls for enough!

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April is Cancer Awareness month and it is also the month where a lot of people start to do their spring cleaning.  With a lot of cleaning products containing known probable or possible carcinogens (chemicals that are linked to cancer) it would be smart to switch to some healthier cleaning products. We spend most of our time indoors so take a preventative approach to cancer and clean up the toxic chemicals in your home by making your own cleaners.  Water, vinegar, and baking soda are the foundation for a lot of cleaners and in the right proportions can handle a lot of common every day messes.  Here are some of my favourite recipes to get that clean sparkle.
 
All Purpose Cleaner:
 1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
Juice from one lemon
Baking soda
 
Mix together the water, vinegar and lemon juice in a spray bottle.  On surfaces that need a little more work, dust down some baking soda then spray with the solution.  Wipe away!
 
Window Cleaner:
 ½ teaspoon liquid Castile soap
2 cups of water
Vinegar
 
Mix the Castile soap and water together and use this to wash the dirt off of your window.  Follow this with a spray of even proportions of water and vinegar and squeegee away for a streak-free shine!
 
Tub Paste:
 ½ cup baking soda
1-2 drops Eucalyptus oil
½ teaspoon liquid Castile soap
Water
 
Mix together the baking soda, eucalyptus oil and soap.  Add enough water to form a paste. Scrub the paste into your tub and wash away with warm water. Watch as your bathtub sparkles. Eucalyptus oil is antimicrobial. It leaves a strong scent for some time after, but I’d rather breathe that in than nasty bleach.
 
Now you can get started on a cleaner, greener home!  Follow this up with a long soak in your squeaky-clean tub…Doctor’s orders! If you feel that you can’t make these cleaners yourself and want to opt for purchasing a healthier product, check out the Environmental Working Groups (EWG’s) Updated Guide to Healthy Cleaning, Spring 2016.