Food for Thought

by Vickie Gelardi, Medicinal Food Consultant

Announcing something NEW from Lotus Blossom Clinic! For lovers of food and natural medicine, we are always excited to share the science and the practical usage of Nature’s powerful toolbox to help alleviate the pain of all types, reverse diseases and create radiant health! Now we are taking things to the next level.

Starting this month will be an ongoing article series as part of our monthly newsletter, which we call our “e-zine”. It will be short, like a blog. It’s focused on connecting with you… and responding to what you want to learn from us concerning health, lifestyle, and food. This monthly column will, at times, focus on a particular disease and how to help reverse disease by making changes as you embark on a path to good health. Here’s a “Taste” (yes there’s food involved!):

BAKED SWEET POTATO WEDGES

“Sweet potatoes are more than just a food….they are a superfood, packed with an abundance of vitamin B, C & A. High in antioxidants, they are also anti-inflammatory, since they contain choline which is important in taming inflammation. Choline is also good for a good night’s sleep and important for learning and memory along with muscle improvement. This food is one of the highest sources of potassium and magnesium, and low on the glycemic index, which is good for the diabetic. Sweet potatoes contain fiber and folate and are a good source of protein, especially for the vegetarian.” – Vickie Gelardi

See the Recipe section below to make these for yourself! Or sign up for our next Food as Medicine Class on June 19, 2021, and request that we include baked sweet potato wedges on our sampling menu for the day.

IT’S NOT JUST A COOKBOOK!

Dr. David and I have written a cookbook called “It’s Not Just A Cookbook” which will soon be published. I will take bits and pieces from the cookbook and share them with you in our new column. We welcome and request that you send us any questions you may have by responding to this email.

I will share with you information from my 40 years of knowledge and experience in helping people just like you who might be suffering from any type of disease, or might just want to be on a healthier path. In our cookbook I share my background, how I became involved as a Medicinal Food Consultant, and how it all started by growing up in a family who ate whole foods…organic foods.

I came to Lotus Blossom Clinic almost eight years ago for acupuncture with Dr. David. His treatment helped me tremendously. As I continued treatment I became familiar with the clinic and knew this was an environment that suited me and was where I could share my experience and knowledge and help people just like you. Dr. David, Deb Martin, and I all received training in the Conquering Any Disease program and that program added more knowledge to what I have learned and been practicing personally for years. And for the last 7 years, I have worked under the guidance of Dr. David to help his patients improve their health.

Future columns will contain information such as how do you detox from the bombardment of chemicals in our food and air? What foods to avoid if you have digestive issues and which ones help? And what about autoimmune issues and what helps with the pain of RA? You might even find a pertinent recipe on a particular disease at times. These are only a few of the future topics. My intent is to keep the articles informative but not too lengthy.

So here we are, beginning a new column on how to eat healthily and be healthy. I hope you will enjoy these monthly articles. I know I will enjoy writing them! Email me with questions and I look forward to any feedback.

Vickiegelardi@gmail.com.

RECIPE – BAKED SWEET POTATO WEDGES

Ingredients

6 teaspoons olive or coconut oil
4 sweet potatoes
¼ tsp. paprika
¼ tsp. each salt & pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush baking sheet with 1 tsp. oil. Slice unpeeled potatoes lengthwise into wedges.

Combine remaining oil and paprika in a large bowl and add potato wedges. Stir to coat. Place on baking sheet. Bake 35-40 minutes turning once halfway through bake time, or until tender. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Tips: Coconut oil gives this dish a delightfully sweet taste whereas olive oil gives the potatoes a more savory flavor.

Let Food Be Thy Medicine,

Dr. David Martin & Vickie Gelardi
…and all the Practitioners at Lotus Blossom Clinic
www.LotusBlossomClinic.com
239-277-1399

Serving the Greater Fort Myers area with Natural and Holistic Medicine, including Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Massage, Science-backed Food as Medicine, Energy & Transformational Sessions…and Community Classes & Events both Virtual and (carefully) In-Person!