NATURAL PAIN RELIEF THE VERDAUD WAY
In keeping with our VERDAUD mission:
"... to educate and bring you the safest, most effective, head-to-toe body care made with organic ingredients, AND to share truth for whole body health and beauty", we now move forward from the VERDAUD Frightful Fifteen in personal care products to tips and hacks to improve whole body health.
What's heavy on my heart today is physical pain. I've had, and continue to have chronic pain that waxes and wanes between a 3 to a 10 on the severity scale, based on the weather and what I'm doing.
I'm positive I'm not alone.
There are risks associated with continued use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain, better known as NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen anf naproxen). Especially of concern are risks for high blood pressure, kidney injury, liver injury, heartburn, intestinal bleeding, stroke and heart attack. I choose to use more natural ways to keep my pain at bay.
Nothing is a miracle, but I found our VERDAUD Cryo Oil and the spice, turmeric, to take the edge off my pain.
I investigated the natural remedies for pain and curcumin, the beneficial compound in turmeric, came out on top of the list.
I tried curcumin supplements which helped, BUT (and this is a big but) I experienced terrible diarrhea after about 10 days of use. I was taking only one third of the recommended dose on the label. I researched the literature and sure enough, diarrhea was a true side effect with supplements. I also found studies that indicated liver injury with continued use of curcumin supplements with added piperine from black pepper. I was taking one of those.
Enhanced body absorption and bioavailability of curcumin is substantially increased with the addition of piperine. This could mean more curcumin is passing through the bloodstream and liver, which may increase the likelihood of liver injury. So I was out with that.
Supplements pack a punch of the active ingredient with 95% curcumin. Whereas, a safer alternative would be the actual turmeric spice that contains between 2-9% curcumin. So I researched the use of the turmeric spice in cooking which is a safer way to get the curcumin benefits.
Aside from adding to vegetable and protein dishes, I wanted a bread or muffin that I could grab for a quick breakfast. After tweaking a few recipes, I came up with my own that's gluten-free, dairy free, and loaded with flavor. I eat one muffin daily first thing in the morning to knock down the pain, really, before it even starts.
Here you go:
VERDAUD OAT TURMERIC MUFFINS or BREAD
BLEND TOGETHER DRY INGREDIENTS IN SEPARATE BOWL:
1 cup oat flour
1/2 cup almond flour
1 cup instant oats
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp turmeric
1 tsp ginger powder
A pinch ground nutmeg
A pinch ground cloves
A pinch black pepper
IN ANOTHER BOWL, BLEND TOGETHER WET INGREDIENTS:
3 eggs
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup applesauce
1/2 cup water
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a 12 slot muffin pan or standard size loaf pan and line with muffin papers or parchment paper.
3. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Blend well.
4. Distribute batter evenly into 12 slot muffin pan or pour into loaf pan.
5. Bake 30 minutes for muffins, or 40-45 minutes for bread loaf.
6. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove muffins from tin or bread form loaf pan. Cool an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour before eating.
7. Enjoy!
NOTE:
These are the products I use. The brands I use are well researched and very intentional. I receive no compensation from the companies. I just love these products because they perform well, are nutrient dense and some items, like the spices, are 3rd party tested. Most of these products are organic, certified gluten-free, free of glyphosate (Non-GMO) with very low levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium. It's impossible to avoid all heavy metals because they come from the earth. These brands were the lowest.
Certainly, regular products will work as well in this recipe. I like to ensure as much safety and goodness in my foods with the least exposure to toxins of any kind.
Here's the ingredients I use:
Oat Flour/Oats
• For the oat flour I grind One Degree Gluten-Free Sprouted Rolled Oats in my Ninja small food processor, then measure out one cup.
• One Degree Gluten-Free Sprouted Quick Oats.
Almond Flour
• Kirkland Super Fine Blanched Almond Flour from Costco.
Salt
• Eden French Celtic Sea Salt (higher in magnsium than other salts).
Baking Powder
• Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free, No added aluminum.
Spices/Vanilla
• Simply Organic brand.
Eggs
• Pasture-raised.
Honey
• Kirkland Wildflower Honey from Costco.
Applesauce
• Organic Go-Go Squeez Apple/Strawberry pouches from Costco. 2 pouches equals 2/3 cup.
Food is expensive. Here are the places I shop. I always compare where I can get the best deal/price:
1. Costco - can't beat bulk pricing.
2. Sam's Club - great price on pasture-raised eggs.
3. Vitacost.com - great percentage off at various times of the year and free shipping over $49.
4. ThriveMarket.com - free and fast shipping over $49, with annual membership.
5. Amazon.com - free and fast shipping with PRIME membership. Sometimes prices can't be beat, but not always.
When items are on sale I buy a large quantity and freeze my backup supply.
Further Notes:
In terms of vitamins and minerals, turmeric contains impressive amounts of manganese, iron, potassium, and vitamin C. Turmeric also contains compounds called curcuminoids—with curcumin being the most prominent and well-researched.
These compounds belong to a class of polyphenols and have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In fact, curcumin is largely to thank for many of the benefits turmeric boasts. Its antioxidant properties positively affect nearly every body system. It may help to fight against insulin resistance, diabetes, cancer, depression and help relieve pain from osteoarthritis.
Added fat and black pepper enhance body absorption of curcumin so add both of these when cooking with turmeric.
Couple turmeric with our VERDAUD Cryo Oil and you have a winning pair to help stave off pain and inflammation.
References:
Liver Injury Associated with Turmeric--a Growing Problem: Ten Cases from the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network. Accessed 06/21/2024.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9892270/
Turmeric Supplements Linked to Liver Injury in Rare Cases, New Research Shows. Accessed 06/21/2024.
https://www.health.com/turmeric-supplements-liver-injury-6830042
The Trouble With Turmeric: Associated Liver Injuries
Accessed 06/21/2024.
https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/your-health/living-well/the-trouble-with-turmeric-associated-liver-injuries#:~:text=Turmeric%2C%20Black%20Pepper%20and%20Liver%20Injury&text=%E2%80%9CWe%20saw%20a%20pattern%20of,Halegoua%2DDeMarzio.
NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
Accessed 06/22/2024
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11086-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-medicines-nsaids
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Accessed 06/22/2024
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547742/
Turmeric benefits: A look at the evidence.
Accessed 06/22/2024
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/turmeric-benefits-a-look-at-the-evidence