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natural remedies

Food for Good Health at the Farmers’ Market

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By Julia Howard

Squash Villa Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

The best way to stay healthy during cold and flu season is to take preventative steps before you feel that first sniffle. If you become sick, resting, staying hydrated, and getting proper nutrition are some of the most important things you can do to feel better and recover faster. Many locally grown and sourced foods can alleviate and support you during the healing process.

Pasture-raised chicken and grass-fed beef bones are available at the farmers’ market and can be boiled down to make nutrient-dense stock. Bone broth is rich in minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids and has many health benefits. To get started, place 1 gallon of water, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2-4 pounds of animal bones, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a large pot or slow cooker. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 12-24 hours. The longer it cooks, the better it will taste and the more nutritious it will be.

Vitamin C is largely associated with a strengthened immune system and may help to reduce cold and flu symptoms. Brussels sprouts, potatoes, tomatoes, and fresh herbs like parsley and thyme are high in vitamin C and currently available from local farms.

Gomez Veggie Ville, photo by Pattie Garrett

Freshly harvested leafy greens like spinach and kale can also help boost your immune system as they contain vitamins E and C. A green smoothie or a raw salad can offer a daily dose of essential, health-building vitamins.

Ballston Lake Apiaries, photo by Pattie Garrett

Whether you’re looking to alleviate a cough or boost your immune system, honey is the perfect food to consume on its own or in a cup of tea. Honey is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Bee products such as propolis and bee pollen, available at Ballston Lake Apiaries, are high in zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins.

Garlic has been used in alternative medicine for centuries. Scientists have found that plant compounds in garlic are immune-supportive and anti-inflammatory even when consumed raw in small doses.

While no food alone can cure sickness, eating the right foods may help support your immune system and offer relief from certain symptoms.

This week’s recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

Moon Cycle Seed Company Offers Naturopathic Remedies

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By Emily Meagher

Sarah Avery of Moon Cycle Seed Company, photo by Pattie Garrett

Growing up with six sisters, it’s no wonder that Sarah Avery took an interest in women’s health. In addition to being a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a focus in Women’s Health and Medical Therapeutic Yoga, Avery is also a vendor at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. Her business, Moon Cycle Seed Company, is a seed cycling subscription service to help women rebalance their hormones and establish healthy body cycles.

This might be your first time hearing about the concept of seed cycling – it is for many people. That’s why Avery loves to explain to customers how it works. “It made sense to come to the farmers’ market with this product; being at the market makes it much easier for me to answer customers’ questions in person. Those connections are invaluable.”

Avery’s first experience with seed cycling came forth out of her own struggles with women’s health issues including worsening PMS symptoms after discontinuing hormonal birth control. “A friend of mine told me about the practice of seed cycling which is an easy and natural way to get nutrients in the body to help women rebalance their hormones,” says Avery. Seed cycling helps balance estrogen and progesterone by supplying the nutrients of four seeds (pumpkin, flax, sunflower, and sesame) in a specific combination daily. The blend correlates with the phases of the menstrual cycle, follicular and luteal.

Avery’s symptoms were markedly alleviated by seed cycling, and she started sharing her practice with other women in her life. Because seed cycling involves grinding the seeds to help the body’s absorption of nutrients, some of her friends were hesitant to put in the effort. “I figured that I could make it easier for everyone, and so Moon Cycle Seed Company was born,” says Avery.

Moon Cycle Seed Company, photo by Pattie Garrett

The subscription service offers eco-friendly packages of pre-ground seeds for the two different parts of the cycle. All you have to do to reap the benefits is sprinkle the seed blends in dishes such as smoothies, yogurt bowls, salads, and soups. In the future, Avery hopes to venture into ready-to-eat seed squares and possibly hormone-balancing herbal teas.

At the farmers’ market, we know all about how a healthy, varied diet can benefit your health. Besides your purchase at Moon Cycle Seed Company, many of the natural, whole foods at the farmers’ market may contribute to a healthy hormone balance, such as leafy greens, fatty fish, and sweet potatoes – all currently in season at the farmers’ market.

 

This week’s recipe: Apple Cinnamon Smoothie