better
HEAL
TH
home remedy
pepperm int
tonic for
your tummy
For all of recorded history, humans have turned to
peppermint as a trusted herbal healer fo r stomach
upsets, including indigestion. If your tum m y troubles
you, start by brewing a cup of peppermint tea. If that
doesn’t do the trick, you might like what James A. Duke,
author of
The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods
suggests: Make a mint julep. Alcohol extracts more of the
plant’s medicinal oils than water. To make a mint julep,
start by imagining you’re at the Kentucky Derby. Then
place 2-4 sprigs of fresh mint and one teaspoon of sugar
in the bottom of a glass. Crush the mint and sugar
together with the back of a spoon. Add one ounce of
bourbon and a splash of water, then stir until the sugar
dissolves. Top off the glass with crushed ice, stir again,
and sip slowly. — BROOKLYN PRESTA
freebie
The American
Academy of
Dermatology
offers free
skin cancer
screenings
year-round.
Go to
a a d .o rg
to find one in
your area.
Is there any way to tell if your own breath is bad?
ANSWER: Sure—ask your spouse or a close friend to have a quick smell. If they aren’t available or
ungraciously decline your request for help, there is a method you can do on your own. When no one’s
looking, lick the back of your hand using as much surface area of your tongue as possible. Wait 30
seconds, then take a whiff. A slight scent is normal. A sulfurous or rotten smell is not. If you find yourself
with frequent bad breath, see your dentist. It could be a sign of gum disease.
five to buy
d e l i c i o u s , n u t r i t i o u s c r a c k e r s
In this season of party plates, lookfor crackers that won’t add to your bottom line (so to speak). We chose these five, all
made without unhealthy hydrogenated oils. And they’re low in salt and high in fiber. — EDIE SHAW-EWALD, R.D.
1. WASA
CRISPBREAD
These flatbread-
style crackers
look great on a
platter and
don’t get soggy
when you put a
spread on them.
2
. RYVITA
SESAME RYE
Only three
ingredients:
whole grain rye
flour, sesame
seeds, and salt.
Two large
crackers have
just 80 calories.
3. KASHI TLC
HONEY SESAME
TLC stands fo r
“ tasty little
crackers” and
they truly are.
Caution: They
can be addictive.
*
4. BLUE
DIAMOND
ALMOND NUT
THINS
Great with
cheeses, these
crispy crackers
are made from
rice flour and
are gluten-free.
5. CHRISTIE
TRISCUITS
Try the “ Hint of
Salt” version,
which doesn’t
sacrifice taste
or texture
despite being
low in sodium.
V
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252 DECEMBER 2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
PHOTOS: (CRACKERS) MARTY BALDWIN; (TEA) VEER MARKETPLACE
