In BalanceGoing Bananas!By Carol DeanYes, that was me pushing the grocery cart behind the mountain of greens, veggies <strong>and</strong> fruit at the market every week since March 25th. Wesure did go through a ton of greens <strong>and</strong> bananas <strong>and</strong> are still going strong! What started as an experiment has turned into a life choice for a higher levelof health because the benefits are so vast <strong>and</strong> we have only just begun to tap into them. Here are just some of the benefits that we <strong>and</strong> other 30 dayplus experimenters have been enjoying: increased energy, C<strong>and</strong>ida <strong>and</strong> nail fungus disappeared, sex life improved, wanted less or no coffee,fingernails became stronger, depression lifted – suicidal thoughts gone, weight loss, less blood sugar fluctuation, more regular bowel movements, ‘PMS’symptoms went away, acne cleared, eczema healed, d<strong>and</strong>ruff disappeared, better sleep, B-12 levels normalized, improved digestion, cancer improved<strong>and</strong> healed (after three months), cravings for sweets <strong>and</strong> junk food disappeared, clearer thinking, clearer eyesight, calmer mental state, warts <strong>and</strong>allergies disappeared (after a few months) <strong>and</strong> the list goes on. Even arthritis, gout, diabetes <strong>and</strong> hypertension have been reversed after a short time.The best part is that you can receive benefits just from adding green smoothies to your existing diet –that’s the power of plants!Some may ask how we get our protein. It’s a well kept secret that greens such as kale, spinach, parsley, carrot tops, beet tops, d<strong>and</strong>elion <strong>and</strong>collard greens among others are an abundant source of protein in the form of amino acids which are easier for the body to utilize than complex proteins,especially when the cell walls are broken down by a high speed blender. Greens have sufficient protein to build dense muscle in grazing animals like thebuffalo, antelope <strong>and</strong> deer so why not us? And the protein from greens doesn’t have cancer as a side effect. Plus, your body gets all the important plantfiber, abundant minerals, vitamins <strong>and</strong> protein in a usable form just minutes after drinking. Children love green smoothies <strong>and</strong> so does our dog!Is it expensive? When you consider the cost of a doctor visit, a hospital stay, medical insurance, loss of work time out, declining health or lossof a loved one – you decide. We decided to join the Green Smoothie Revolution!For more information go online:www.rawfamily.com, www.creativehealthinstitute.com,or go to Amazon for “Green For Life” by Victoria Boutenko.Nothing will benefit human health <strong>and</strong> increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.~ Albert EinsteinRose <strong>Canyon</strong> FloraRubber Rabbitbrush(Chrysothamnus nauseosus)By Arlene JohnsonRabbitbrush or, in Spanish “Chamisa”, is dominant along Rose <strong>Canyon</strong> Road with its broom shaped growth <strong>and</strong> its yellow, late summerblooms. Even after a series of drought years, the runoff along the road provides enough water for the plant survive.This plant is usually found in ab<strong>and</strong>oned farmsteads, fence rows, <strong>and</strong> disturbed sites <strong>and</strong> along roads. Rabbitbrush found on range l<strong>and</strong> canbe an indicator of overgrazing. Because of its deep root system, Rabbitbrush resprouts readily after a fire <strong>and</strong> it survives brutal attacks from mule deer.(And we have had several). The seeds are abundant <strong>and</strong> will rapidly reseed with a little ground moisture. There are several subspecies in the westernstates that have adapted to a variety of soils, micro climates <strong>and</strong> plant communities.Rabbitbrush is also called “Rubber Rabbitbrush” because of the latex in the stems. Native Americans of the Great Basin chewed it to relieveboth hunger <strong>and</strong> thirst. The rubber shortage during World War <strong>II</strong> stimulated research into mass producing rubber from this plant. It did not pan outbecause of the large amount rubber needed compared to the amount of rubber that could be produced. There has also been research into theproduction of hydrocarbons from its biomass <strong>and</strong> using its resin for polymer plastics. Tea has been produced from Rabbitbrush; however there is thepotential for an allergic reaction. The Navajo use the seeds to make bread or mush. The plant is also used for dyes.The plant develops an extensive root system enabling it to tap the underground water reserves. Specimens growing near Los Alamos, NewMexico exhibited a concentration of radioactive strontium-90 300,000 times higher than a normal plant. Their roots had reached into a closed nuclearwaste treatment area, mistaking strontium for calcium. The strontium was drawn from the underground waste containers to the plant above ground.(Masco, Joseph. The Nuclear Borderl<strong>and</strong>s: The Manhattan Project in Post-Cold War New Mexico. Princeton University Press, 2006). Moral to the story– Do not plant Rabbitbrush near your septic tank, drainage field or any water piping system.In a drought period, low moisture prevents the seeds from germinating but once there is a wet winter, the seeds sprout <strong>and</strong> rapidly grow a taproot. After this past wet winter, there are several newly sprouted seedlings by my house. These came from a lone plant that has survived the last tendry years growing on the edge of a fence. In an attempt to relocate some seedlings to another location, I discovered they had already grown a 12 inchtap root by late April.2
Recipe of the MonthThis month’s recipe is from Nora Somers. Nora lives in area C with her husb<strong>and</strong> Kevin <strong>and</strong> their son Gus. Kevin says this so<strong>up</strong> is really good <strong>and</strong>makes a great meal all by itself!SERVES 4THAI CHICKEN SOUP1 tablespoon vegetable oil1 garlic clove, finely chopped2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (6 ounces each, chopped)1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric1/4 teaspoon hot chili powder1/4 c<strong>up</strong> coconut cream3 3/4 c<strong>up</strong>s hot chicken stock2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice2 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter1 c<strong>up</strong> thread egg noodles broken into small pieces1 tablespoon chopped scallions1 tablespoon chopped cilantrosalt <strong>and</strong> ground black pepper(optional) dried unsweetened coconut <strong>and</strong> finely chopped red chili to garnish1 Heat the oil in a large pan <strong>and</strong> fry the garlic for 1 minute, until lightly golden. Add the chicken <strong>and</strong> spices. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.2 Pour the coconut cream into the hot chicken stock <strong>and</strong> stir. Pour onto the chicken <strong>and</strong> add the lemon juice, peanut butter <strong>and</strong> egg noodles.3 Cover the pan <strong>and</strong> simmer for 15 minutes. Add the scallions <strong>and</strong> cilantro, season well <strong>and</strong> cook for 5 minutes more.4 Meanwhile, heat the coconut <strong>and</strong> chili in a small frying pan for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the coconut is lightly browned. (actually the so<strong>up</strong> isgreat without this if you don't like coconut!)5 Serve the so<strong>up</strong> sprinkled with the dry-fried coconut <strong>and</strong> chili.<strong>Hi</strong>-<strong>Country</strong> <strong>Estates</strong> Phase <strong>II</strong> Real EstateBy Walt HoffmanSince recent surveys rank the economy as American’s number one concern, <strong>and</strong> the direction of the real estate market is on the minds of many peoplelately, I would like to report on the local real estate market activity in HC<strong>II</strong> during the first 4 months of 2008.There are currently ten homes in HC<strong>II</strong> listed on the MLS®, ranging in price from 429,000 to 1,800,000. Five homes are listed under 500,000, <strong>and</strong> fivehomes are listed with a listing price over 500,000.There are currently 14 lots listed for sale on the MLS in HC<strong>II</strong>, ranging from 78,000 to 379,000. The average listing price of lots currently for sale is224,000.MLS statistics show that no homes or lots were sold or are under contract in HC<strong>II</strong> during the first four months of 2008.Looking at the Salt Lake County market of which HC<strong>II</strong> is a part, MLS statistics show thatDuring the first quarter of 2008, home sales in Salt Lake County fell 42 percent compared with the same quarter last year, with the median selling pricevirtually unchanged at 242,000.Some good news shows that job growth in Utah in the year ending in March was 2.1 percent compared with a national average of .4 percent, <strong>and</strong> theunemployment rate in Utah was 3.3 percent compared to the national average of 5.1 percent. In other positive news for the Utah real estate climate,Forbes magazine recently ranked Salt Lake City #1 on their list of Best Cities for Jobs In 2008, <strong>and</strong> #6 on their list of Most Recession Proof Cities.The 42 percent drop reported in the number of homes sold in Salt Lake County during the first quarter is significant <strong>and</strong> may affect prices in the secondquarter as sellers compete to sell. Buyers, Sellers, <strong>and</strong> others interested in the local real estate climate will likely be anxious to see the second quarterstatistics, which come out in July. I will report on second quarter activity in the July issue, third quarter activity in the October issue, <strong>and</strong> fourth quarter aswell as year-end activity in the January 2009 issue.If you would like more specific information about past or current market activity or listings, feel free to call me at 808-2299 or e-mail me atwalt@walthoffman.com or walthoffman@hotmail.com3