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Gifts of Health
By Lena Sanchez
'Tis the season to think about gifts. No better gifts can be
found than those given from the heart that are healthy and
inexpensive but says to that person that you think they are
really special!
This time of year there are a lot of people that end up in the
hospital or with a housebound illness and would truly
appreciate thoughtful useful gifts that is going to help them
get better and keep them healthy. Those special gifts are
Herb butters that can be made by anyone, even a child!
Herb butters are easy and elegant. You may add the butter to
any fresh cooked vegetable for a lovely dinner dish. Try grilling
ears of corn for your guests and offer them several different
butters for seasoning. If you need to bring something with you
to a dinner simply wrap a loaf of fresh Italian or French bread
and a nice bowl of herb butter. It will always go well with
whatever your hostess is having for lunch or dinner. Best of
all, the herb butters are simple and inexpensive; yet they add
an elegant touch to your table and palate.
At the end of this article you will find special ideas for gift baskets
with these easy simple but elegant gift butters.
Now down to business making those elegant butters.
Basil Butter
Ingredients are:
Combine 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup shredded leaves. Refrigerate
at least 3 hours. Use on vegetables, chicken or fish. You can
also use to cook scrambled eggs.
Basil has been shown to lower blood sugar in double blind
studies as well as reduces cholesterol levels. Used as a
treatment of infected wounds as well?
Other basil gifts: Stalks of basil can be added to bottles of
vinegar and used on salads. Use a good quality wine vinegar
and allow the vinegar/Basil to steep for at least 2 weeks
before using. You can do the same with a bottle of olive oil.
Basil leaves can be dried and crumbled and used just like
the store-bought varieties. Fresh Basil leaves can be
packed into the bottom of an airtight container, covered
with olive oil, and stored in the fridge for a month or 2.
Don't freeze your Basil! Freezing will render it useless.
Sage Butter
Ingredients are:
Cream together 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup minced sage leaves.
Refrigerate at least 3 hours. Wonderful on seafood or chicken,
on fresh green beans or hot biscuits.
Sage has one of the longest histories of use as a medicinal herb.
It has been employed to treat cancers and excessive perspiration
and to dry up milk when a woman is no longer going to breast-feed.
Based on this anti-perspiration and drying effect, sage is also
used for women who are sweating due to menopause. Sage
was also used, along with rosemary and thyme,
to preserve a number of foods, including meats and cheeses.
Also known to help clear up colds and sore throats. Women
have used it to bypass menopausal symptoms for centuries.
Touted for preventing gingivitis (gum disease).
Cilantro Butter
Ingredients are:
2 garlic cloves, unpeeled 1/2 cup butter, soft, 1/2 cup minced
cilantro, 1 tsp.... lemon juice
Blanch garlic in boiling water for 10 minutes, remove, cool and
peel, then mince. In small bowl cream the butter and add other
ingredients. Pack into small container and refrigerate. This has
many uses such as spreading on fresh warm tortillas, mini
corn muffins or baguettes.
Cilantro: the natural chelator that has been shown to rid the body of
heavy metals and amalgams from dental fillings. The herb is an
antioxidant. Antioxidants are chemicals that, among other things,
help prevent animal fats from turning rancid. Cilantro and coriander
also contain substances that kill meat-spoiling bacteria, fungi and
insect larvae. Some studies suggest that cilantro/coriander has
anti-inflammatory action, suggesting it might help relieve arthritis.
Mixed Herb Butter
Ingredients are:
1/2 cup soft butter, 1 TBS. chives, 1-TBS. parsley, 1-TBS. tarragon,
1-TBS Chervil
Chop the herbs fine, mix with butter. Place in container. This is
great on most vegetables, fish or French bread.
Let's take one herb at a time. Chives: A member of the onion and
garlic family that has an antibiotic effect. An antimicrobial fighter.
Parsley: For more than 2,000 years, it has been known as a
medicinal herb. The ancient Greeks valued the seeds and roots
of the plant for their soothing, diuretic effect on those with
kidney and bladder ailments. Today parsley is still used
primarily as a diuretic. In addition, it strengthens the digestive
system and helps alleviate stomach and liver problems. In folk
medicine, parsley is recommended for women who have
irregular menstrual periods. As a diuretic, it may also ease
the bloating that some women experience before their periods.
In addition, parsley leaves are a good source of many vitamins
and minerals - including iron, which is important for the proper
formation of red blood cells, potassium and vitamin C.
Tarragon: Aromatic licorice flavor. Some believe the herb was given
this name because of its supposed ability to cure the bites of
venomous reptiles. Although alluded to briefly in the 13th century
as a seasoning for vegetables, a sleep-inducing drug, and a breath
sweetener, tarragon did not become well known until the 16th century.
The Roman scholar Pliny refers to its use for preventing fatigue.
Chervil: A pleasant tasting herb with mysterious whispered
medicinal properties but never quite defined.
Special Butter for Fish
Ingredients are:
?cutter, 2 tsp.... lemon juice, dash of salt and pepper, 2
TBS. chopped fennel leaves
Combine and refrigerate. Can be used on baked fish.
Other Herbs: You may use the basic mix of ?cup-softened butter
with other herbs in your garden or from the produce department.
Chives make a wonderful butter that can be used on steamed or
microwave summer squash, corn or muffins. Don't forget
Marjoram or Oregano for fresh Italian or French bread!
Fennel: These drought-hardy plants will grow anywhere, even in the
gravel next to your driveway. The delicious seed is best harvested
while still green. Is known for an antiseptic, expectorant, spasmolytic
and carminative, it counter-effects the cramping caused by taking
laxatives. Gentle enough for babies -- specific for treating colic
and is a flavoring agent.
Herb Butter Gift Basket Ideas!
Even though butters are refrigerated you can give a fresh basket
for someone recovering at home from an illness or operation, or
someone returning from a trip where the refrigerator may not be
stocked; a housewarming present or a special anniversary. By
placing one or two herb butters, herbed vinegar or herbed olive
oil, a baguette, dried pasta, colorful napkins, chocolate and even
candles. Place in a nice wicker basket and you have a one of a
kind, handmade gift!
Give to improve health and make someone happy at the same time!
Lena Sanchez a retired Medical office nurse/administrator/consultant
Short bio at http://www.envirodocs.com/lenas_bio.htm is a business
consultant and alternative health matters coach helping to totally round
out lives http://www.envirodocs.com Editor of ¡°Natural Environmental
Health & Business Facts,?newsletter subscribe
at http://www.envirodocs.com/newsletter.htm |
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