Happy Saturday!
What are you up to this weekend?
Photo Credit: Tumblr.com – StillLifeQuickHeart
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We're staying pretty close to home
My husband had a terrible bout with sickness this week. When he got home from work on Tuesday, he was looking pretty green, and by Wednesday was completely down for the count.
It was the kind of sick where you just want to stay in bed. The kind of sick where the pets rally for snuggle duty. The kind of sick that makes you break out the extra-comfy pajama pants that are eight sizes too big, but they're comforting when your body hurts all over
So I've been making lots of soup and smoothies, washing my hands (a million times!) and praying it doesn't come my way
While he's resting, I'm also hoping to sneak away for a cello concert. A nine-year-old that we know and love is a wildly talented player. We've been cheering him on since the days when his cello was bigger than him(!)
Whatever you're up to, I hope you have a good one
A continuation today of a short series about the lymphatic system
In Part I: A bit about my journey with lymphedema. Also an overview of its primary purposes, and how fluid is returned to our circulatory system
In Part II: The secret weapon of some of the most beautiful women in the world, and my introduction to lymphatic massage. Also, how the lymphatic system acts as part of our immune system, cleansing bacteria from our bodies
My favorite visual: Picture a city; the circulatory system is the maze of streets and alleys, whereas the lymphatic system is the network of sewer pipes running underground
Photo Credit: Inside a Lymph Node – Lymphocytes attacking a cancer cell – via LiveScience.com
What Happens when our Lymphatic System Becomes Stagnant?
Because of lymph nodes and the lymphatic network, our immune cells can travel around fighting pathogens (think bacteria and mold) .. and preventing disease.
Certainly, we don't want to live in fear, but it's important to recognize that to stay healthy in today's world, we need to take care of bodies in a different way than our grandparents took care of theirs
There are so many more toxins in our day-to-day. They're in everything from our food, air, cosmetics, cleaning products, the water supply, not to mention the natural metabolic wastes our bodies produce that need to be flushed daily.
That's why keeping our lymph system functioning at its best is vital for our overall health.
Of course, all is good, that is until it's not, and it's easy for our lymph system to become stagnant. (Which is a big issue with lymphedema because the body isn't able to move the lymph and cleanse itself like it needs to)
Unlike blood, our lymphatic system doesn't have a pump. It relies instead on the relaxation and contraction of our muscles and joints to keep it moving.
Sluggish lymph flow can be the root cause of disease, cellulite, chronic pain, fluid retention, the inability to lose weight, low energy, low immunity, digestive troubles, mood swings, brain fog, arthritis, PMS, swollen glands (the list goes on)
Video Credit: YouTube.com – Self Lymph Drainage Massage by MassageByHeather.com – Heather Wibbles, LMT in Louisville, KY
The good news is that keeping the lymph moving doesn't take much, and it's never too early to practice prevention, especially when we know it will keep our skin looking radiant and cellulite-free(!)
Remember too that it's not only about prevention, but as we practiced at our house this week, if we're sick getting the lymph moving will help us get better faster.
For example, those who struggle with seasonal allergies (or if you're fighting a head cold + sinus pressure) may enjoy the video above. Heather Wibbles shows us how to bring the fluid down out the head.
Pretty cool stuff
What are some tips and tricks that will keep our lymph system moving? Are there supplements and herbs that can be very beneficial?
A simple and delicious recipe for the weekend – Cobb Salad.
Like any food with a long past .. there are legends about how it came into being
In the late 1930s, Hollywood's famous Brown Derby restaurant owner Bob Cobb went to fix a late-night snack for Sid Grauman, the owner of Grauman's Chinese Theater. He took leftovers from the refrigerator and chopped them up fine because Grauman was suffering from a toothache. Grauman loved the salad so much that the salad became a staple on the menu and eventually, an American classic
This is a salad filled with color and flavor. Great for an evening in with a glass of bubbly and a slice of sourdough bread.
The dressing is the best part of the salad. Instead of an overly rich and creamy dressing that's often served with Cobb salad, it's light, yet satisfying
Enjoy!
xoxo
ps: To read more about the history of Cobb Salad: here and here
How to make perfect hard-boiled eggs
The best way to cook bacon
pps: You can read more about Lymphedema in Part I | Part II | Part IV of the series
References used for this series include The One Simple Thing Podcast – Julia Loggins .. Lymphatic System (Human Body Systems) by Julie McDowell and Michael Windelspect .. How the Immune System Works by Lauren Sompayrac .. LiveScience.com .. National Lymphedema Network
— — —
~ Adapted from Cravings by Chrissy Teigen
Cobb Salad with Honey Mustard Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- Chicken and Corn
- Olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¾ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp thyme leaves
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (~ ¾ - 1 pound)
- 1 ½ cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp honey
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Salad
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large avocado, cubed
- 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
Instructions
- Baked Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 350° F
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with oil.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon oil, paprika, salt, cumin, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Rub the seasoning all over the chicken.
- Place the chicken on the baking sheet and bake until cooked through but still juicy (~ 15 to 20 minutes)
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and when cool enough to handle, cut into small bite-size pieces
- Charred Corn
- Arrange the corn on a separate baking sheet that's been lightly coated with oil
- Change the temp on your oven to low broil
- Broil the corn until just slightly charred (~ 5 to 6 minutes). Keep a close eye on them, so they don't burn
- Remove from the oven and let cool
- Dressing
- In a small bowl, add the mayo, buttermilk, mustard, honey, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk to combine
- Refrigerate until ready to use
- Salad
- Arrange the lettuce on a serving platter or in a big salad bowl.
- Top with the tomatoes, avocado, bacon, roasted corn, eggs, and chicken.
- Drizzle the dressing to taste over the salad
- Serve immediately.
- Any leftover dressing keeps in the fridge for a week or so.
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