SO VERY HEALTHY - DELICIOUS HOMEMADE SOFT DRINK/WINE

While interacting on Social Media with  health experts who publish real life health issues, a particular story made strong impression. It was how constant loss of appetite and anaemia was due (mainly) to iron nutrient  deficiency. 

 This confirmed something and led me to do more findings about blood leaves - Justicia secunda. It contains iron and does even far, far more than dealing with loss of appetite but also inflammatory issues especially from the food we often have to buy in the market and eat which have health hazards. 

Most processed foods to even fresh foodstuffs grown/preserved with chemicals such  as tomatoes, peppers, onions, some fruits vegetables etc have inflammatory effects on the body and  they are precursors or triggers to most health challenges people have. 

But ensuring we have certain nutrients in the body can help to deal completely with, or at least reduce the health problems that may have been experienced.   

There are medicines and supplements people can take to get needed extra nutrients to boost immunity though. But not many of us like swallowing synthesized nutrients in form of tablets or capsules.

We would rather try as much as possible to have the nutrients needed by the body in natural forms  in our regular foods and drinks and prevent problems of inflammation and other health challenges.

How can food cause inflammation?

According to Healthline, certain foods, particularly those high in processed sugars, unhealthy fats, and refined carbohydrates, can trigger or exacerbate inflammation. 

Healthline further reveals  that inflammatory foods can include processed meats, sugary drinks, refined grains (like white bread and pasta), and foods high in trans fats. 

Why is this important?

Chronic inflammation can be linked to various health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers. 

What can be done?

By limiting the consumption of inflammatory foods and focusing on anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, individuals can help manage their inflammatory response and potentially improve their overall health, according to Healthline. 

But as I mentioned earlier, we cannot even guarantee that these seemingly   healthy foods are actually healthy because of the harmful growth boosters they have been produced with. 

How many foods can one possibly avoid? You can’t grow or produce all the foods you need, can you?

So knowing the many health benefits of Justicia secunda   brought an idea. It is an edible leaf which is packed with iron . It helps in increasing red blood cells production and formation of haemoglobin thereby boosting blood flow – good for male and female. 

Blood leaves have been  used in treatment of  menstrual  blood related issues like amenorrhea and dysmenorrhoea in Africa. 

It can help deal with harmful bacteria and fungi preventing their attacks on the body.

 I read that research also points to the  potential benefits of blood leaves in managing arthritis, diabetes, liver diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders and cancer prevention.

But like many people I don’t really like taking medicines especially when I am not sick. Since Justicia secunda is edible and medicinal, I need only very small quantity of it to make a  regular drink. 

So I use just a few of the leaves with about half a milk cup of dried zobo leaves. To improve the taste and health benefits, I pluck few mango leaves, some lemon-grass leaves (as much as desired. You may also add mint leaves).

I boil all these leaves and sieve the juice, then add honey or date powder to sweeten. If you have sweet fruits like oranges or grapes you can also  use as sweetener. 

Though it can be taken as tea but if chilled, it can be taken as soft drink. Due to other ingredients in the combo, it wont  really taste like zobo anymore, it will taste like an exotic drink.

If you allow it to ferment a little, add more sweetener like honey and refrigerate, the taste of wine will be heavenly.

In fact, I am perceiving that when Apostle Paul told Timothy  in1st Timothy 5.23 – ‘No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities’ it must be this kind of wine he was talking about. 

You can take this drink before and/or after meals. Once a while if you feel like a snack but concerned about the health palaver, take this drink as you munch on the snack, it will help subdue the inflammatory effects from eating such. 

Nothing like this drink on a hot sunny day! Refreshingly healthy!

USING FISH BLOOD TO GROW GARDEN CROPS

Well, I don’t know how many people still observe or have ever observed not eating meat on Good Friday  - in remembrance of the day our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. 

Though I don’t think eating or not eating meat on Good Friday affects one's faith as a Christian. 

But today I am reminded to pen down something I have been observing - if you check up on some of my writings, you will know I have cause to believe that eating healthy can solve majority of the health challenges people have. 

There is even biblical basis for this stance which are proven by scriptures – I’ll explore those some other times. 

So let me share now one of my recent findings:

Most households eat fish from time to time or very often and trash all the wastes including the fish blood. Some time ago I discovered fish intestines if boiled a little can be fed to chickens and its such delicacy to them. 

But like you all, I have been disposing the fish blood until recently  - about two or so weeks ago, I started using fish blood to manure the soil of some of my garden crops growing in containers. 

I noticed that some  plant leaves  previously turning yellowish turned back to green especially scent leaves (basil) and  chilli pepper plant.

After observing a few times, as usual I did more findings by reading up on it.  Nothing is really new.

 According to Research Gate online, ‘Fish waste can be a good source of manure and fertilizers. Crops chiefly require nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium for growth as essential nutrient elements which can be mainly drawn from fish wastes.’

Walter Libi on Quora, a blogger who lives  in Australia says, ‘There is so much goodness in the fish waste it makes most of the plants to shoot up and sing with joy ( If they could sing, that is). Libi noted that though not all plants will respond to it well as some plants prefer more than normal acidity (I will write on this later). 

Libi further said, ‘basically, for what we grow in our home gardens, fish blood is good for it’. 

He then explained that some commercial farmers already use it as well, as he had seen such in Bulgaria and Romania.  

‘With fish waste, or fishmeal which is made out of dried and shredded fish, the soil is enriched with minerals and elements which the plants need. It is the same with blood and bone fertilisers...’ he added. 

Smith Garden Centre, UK,  explains online that ‘If the focus in your garden is to use organic methods, you can begin to sprinkle Blood, Fish & Bone on top of your soil once the weather begins to warm up. Blood, Fish & Bone contains a lot of nitrogen and phosphate.'

 

Another blog, Quick Crop, UK says, ‘the ratio of NPK in Fish, Blood & Bone is 3-9-3 with a high phosphorous for root development. This is an ideal fertilizer for use when planting seedlings or bare root fruit plants. Fish, Blood & Bone can be applied prior to sowing or planting and as required throughout the growing season.’