Graham's Bread!

Graham is one of our customers; he buys his flour from us at Elixir Health Foods and lives in Bodmin, Cornwall. His talent for bread-making has brought him into demand with a local pub, where the customers have quite rightly fallen in love with his delightful loaves and buns. He brought me in a couple of his buns and I too became a fan of his. Totally unselfish, he happily provided me with his recipe.

So don your pinny and go for it:

TO MAKE TWO LOAVES OF GRAHAM'S BREAD...

500g Mixed grain flour
50g Oatmeal
300g Strong white flour
1 sachet of dried yeast (7g) or 30g of fresh yeast
1 and half teaspoons of salt
50g butter
1 egg
500ml of warm water
Two and a half teaspoons of sugar

Sieve flour into a bowl, add sugar and salt then mix.
Melt butter and add to the water, egg and yeast in a separate jug.
Create a well in the centre of the flour than add contents of jug.
Stir until all flour has absorbed into the dough.
Cover with cling-film for 20-30 minutes, until doubled in size.
Once risen knead well (add flour as necessary).
Divide dough into two equal parts, shape and leave to rise again for a further 25-30 minutes.
Bake for 20-30 minutes at 190 degrees celsius.
Bread is cooked when it sounds hollow when tapped on the underside.
Leave to cool on a cooling rack for 15 minutes - until done...

...and there you have it - Graham's bread - enjoy!

SOLGAR PM PHYTOGEN COMPLEX - THE ALTERNATIVE...TO MENOPAUSE MISERY

If you have ever lived with a woman as she is going through the menopause, be it your wife or your mother, you will be aware that it can be a tough time in a woman's life! Some women are fortunate enough to make the transition easily, but most experience at least one of a long list of symptoms which can range from hot flushes, disturbed sleep, stress, low energy and libido, bladder problems, osteoporosis, muscle and joint aches and pains, vaginal dryness, weight gain and IRRITABILITY! Well, who would be happy with all that going on?

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

There are several options in how to deal with all of this. You can try to persuade the body not to be menopausal by using hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but this is not suitable to every woman and is only postponing the inevitable. Some women are also understandably concerned about side effects reported in the press, such as an increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes and blood clots.

Many herbs have been given the status of 'miraculous', however, the little known herb Pueraria mirifica PM PhytoGen really does live up to its name - in fact mirifica is a Latin word meaning 'miracle maker'. PM PhytoGen experienced positive results immediately, and after six months every woman reported improvements in all 20 menopausal issues monitored in the study. It also has a long history of promoting youthful skin and hair, as well as strength and vitality.

AND NOW FOR THE SCIENCE BIT...

PM PhytoGen contains phytoestrogens which are also found in other helpful herbs such as Red Clover and Dong quai, but is unique in that it contains a nutrient called miroestrol. Miroestrol is similar to oestriol, a weak oestrogen found in the female body that plays a protective role in health, and it is thought that it is the action of miroestrol which is the key reason for the miraculous properties of PM, making it much stronger than other phytoestrogens in helping to relieve hot flushes, night sweats and headaches.

It is not hard to see how menopausal symptoms can make life a misery, particularly coming at a time when perhaps children are leaving home, parents are becoming old and frail, and at the same time realising that you are not getting any younger yourself. It is therefore important to know that there is help available even if you are not able (or willing) to take HRT. Pop in to our shops in Wadebridge and have a chat with one of our knowledgeable members of staff, and we might be able to put a spring back in your step!

To buy  Pm Phytogen Complex click on the link. If you wish to speak to a customer advisor, you an telephone us on 01208 814500 for further information.

By Randi Henderson

Milk Thistle and Liver Support

Consuming more than the usual amount of alcohol puts extra strain on our livers and the inevitable morning after feeling. Milk Thistle is a well-known herb with a traditional use for hangovers.

It's effective as a liver tonic, used as a fat metaboliser and to help treat psoriasis.The main constituent of Milk Thistle appears to be the substance known as silymarin. This has the unique function of being able to act directly on the cells of the liver, producing a liver-protective effect.Silymarin is able to prevent liver cell damage, through stimulating the function and regeneration of liver cells.

All these factors are important in overall health, with the liver acting as the most important avenue for the elimination of toxins found within the body. Milk Thistle may be one of the best presents you treat yourself or friends to on a night out or after boozy dinner party!

Available either in easy to take drops or tablet form.

A VOGEL PROSTASAN - THE ALTERNATIVE...TO PROSTATE PROBLEMS...

Did you know that 50% of men at 50 years of age already suffer with an enlarged prostate? We tend to think it's something that happens to really old men, but it's surprising how early it sneaks up on you.

The early symptoms of something being not quite right is needing to go to the loo more frequently - and if you are having to get up in the night, perhaps even several times, it is definitely time to get things checked out.

SO WHAT'S UP?

Well, the prostate gland is a little doughnut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder, surrounding the tube which carries urine out of the body (the urethra). The problems start once hormonal changes take place sometime after the age of 30 (yes, you guys get that as well, it's not just the girls!), causing the prostate gland to grow and squashing the urethra as it passes through the prostate. No wonder it's difficult to go to the loo!

The technical reason behind all this is that with age, increasing amounts of testosterone start being metabolised into di-hydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes inflammation. As the DHT accumulate the prostate gland gets bigger, leaving less room for urine to pass through and making it difficult to empty the bladder completely.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

Once you have established that you have an enlarged prostate gland, it is well worth trying a natural remedy before taking the more drastic step of drug medication or operation as these options carry the potential side effects of impotence and incontinence - not a cheerful prospect!

Saw Palmetto capsules on the other hand can be taken with hardly any side effects or adverse reactions, and the herb has been used by Native Americans for thousands of years. The berry of Saw Palmetto contains hormone balancing constituents which prevent testosterone from changing into DHT. It acts specifically on the prostate gland and does not affect any other organs, so no worries about impotence! The overall effect is less inflammation and therefore a reduction in the prostate gland, leading to to an easier, unrestricted flow of urine and no discomfort. It is also good to know that you can take it alongside most other medication you are on, for as long as you wish.

In a Swiss clinical trial carried out using A Vogel's Prostasan capsules, noticable improvements were found after only four weeks. This confirms the excellent feed-back we get from our customers at Elixir Health Foods, so if you (or the man in your life!) are suffering in silence, have a chat with us. Call 01208 814500 and any of our trained staff will be able to help.

To buy this product click here.

By Randi Henderson