Natural Ange - Recent News

GMP and the concerned brother in law

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:40:00 +1200

Hi Ange, Firstly, like all Aucklanders I have been a massive fan of yours for years. I bought a bottle of your magic juice (never having tried it) and sent it to a friend in the UK who swore it gave him the best nights sleep he had had in years. So I bought an industrial size bottle before I left NZ last week to top him up (I live in Amsterdam). But horror of horrors his brother in law turns out to be some pharmaceutical big wig and expressed concerns about the regulation of naturopathic medicines. Now my friend won't touch the stuff and says you have no way of knowing what actually goes into it if it's not regulated and it may actually be bad for you. I have had rather heated discussions about the ingredients being all natural and good for you, but unfortunately telling him the last big bottle was mixed up while I waited added weight to his argument. No one in NZ would worry but it seems the Brits are more circumspect. Can you give me anything reassuring to pass on? best regards Hi ... The herbal medicines are bought from Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd which are made under the strict guidelines of pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), the code of practice adhered to by the global pharmaceutical industry. Phytomed in fact holds current GMP certificates from both Medsafe the NZ regulator, as well as the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) in Australia. Australia has in fact had GMP certification as a requirement for herbal medicine manufacturers for nearly 20 years, much longer than has been required by the equivalent regulator (MHRA) for British manufacturers (only the past 1-2 years, and still not being very well enforced). As such, a TGA GMP certificate is internationally regarded as the most robust in the world. At Phytomed all herbal plants are identified by a PhD botanist using validated methods so it is confirmed that it is the right species. Also that foreign matter and adulterants are absent. I am a registered medical herbalist who has been trained how to prescribe herbal medicine and dispense. Along with all the medical science subjects too. We have a dispensary, just like any pharmacist out the back. There is nothing wrong with making it up on the spot, in the dispensary – just like a pharmacist can. It is a dispensary and not a garden shed! Considering that the herbal medicines are certified under Good Manufacturing Practice So we do know exactly what goes into it, the General Manager of Phytomed is a Pharmacist and a medical herbalist. Medical herbalists are well aware of the risk of adulteration to products and this is why Phytomed are so stringent in their production and adherence to the code of GMP. It is not bad for you, chamomile, californian poppy, passionflower and a small amount of licorice for flavour have been used for many years with out causing harm...unlike some pharmaceutical drugs!!! thanks for your support cheers Ange

Recipe Chia Seed Porridge

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:04:00 +1200

I made the yummiest porridge today with Chia seeds. So nice and just sits well with the digestive system smooth, satisfying and sooo nutritious and super easy. 1/2 cup Chia Seeds, 1 1/2 cups rice milk, 1 Tlsp Runny Honey, 1 tsp cinnamon, Mix all together and let it sit over night. Serve with Clearwater cream top yogurt and organic fresh fruit chopped all over the top . Yum. We had it cold but Im sure you could warm it through for a winters morning too!

Better Sleep Sooner

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:38:00 +1200

Hi All, Aaron is a colleague of mine, who used to work at Harvest Natural Health Centre with us. He has recently released this book, which I have just read this afternoon. It is available as a free download PDF. There are some very useful tools in here, really simple – have a go! www.bettersleepsooner.com <http://www.bettersleepsooner.com/> then click on Download Free eBook Now. best wishes Ange

Recipe Spiced Apple Cake

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:19:00 +1300

Spiced Apple Cake 125g butter / or 125ml oil + pinch of salt 225g tin of cooked apples (about 2-3 apples) 1 cup of sugar 1 egg 1 ¼ cups flour 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp each nutmeg, allspice, and salt ½ sultanas Melt butter / pour oil and combine in a bowl with the apple sugar and egg. Leave to stand for 5 minutes. Sift dry ingredients. Add with sultanas to the apple mix, stirring just to blend. Spread the mixture into a greased 20cm cake tin and bake at 150 degrees c for 50 minutes. Sprinkle with icing sugar when cool

Recipes- Thai Beef Salad

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:43:00 +1300

Flavoursome, healthy salad with lots of protein to keep you satisfied . Asian dressing : crush 3 cloves of NZ garlic, add 2 tsp sugar, 1/4 cup of lime juice, 1 tsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp tamari /soy sauce, 1 large red chilli sliced, 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tsp of Hoisin sauce mix the dressing and set aside Build a large salad on each plate, use a nice crunchy buttercrunch or iceberg lettuce, carrots cut into julienne sticks. You can use any steak you wish, but scotch or sirloin are fantastic. Slice into thin strips, heat a plain oil, (grape seed is good) in your fry pan, then quickly saute your steak strips. Place on top of salad mix. Pour generous amounts of dressing all over decorate with 1/2 a lime or lemon which is squeezed over salad. Salt and pepper to taste... close your eyes and pretend your in Thailand.

Recipes-Braised Beef pasta sauce

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:51:00 +1300

We all have to eat Italian food, and here's one of our family favourites. From your butcher buy 3 or 4 pieces of beef shin. I love to cook with bones as it provides lots of minerals – rich in calcium, iron, zinc etc. Many cultures cook with bones for this very reason. In a large pot pour in 1/2 cup of Uncle Greg's extra virgin organic olive oil, available from Salumeria Fontana, Harding Road, Hoteo North, Wellsford. On a medium heat saute one large diced onion, 1 cup of chopped celery, 1 cup of chopped carrot, 2 cloves of NZ garlic 2 bay leaves. Add beef shins and brown both sides pour in a bottle of cheap red or white wine, a cup of water, salt and pepper to taste. Put the lid on and turn down low. – Slow food After after an hour or so, add a handful of finely chopped parsley, a sprig of rosemary, and fresh oregano. Put the lid back on... Slow food the longer this one cooks the better and the trick is to turn it off after 1 1/2 hours and let it cool scrape the marrow out of the bones and remove the meat. Set the meat aside, as this is eaten last with mustard and a salad. Reheat the sauce and pour over your favorite pasta. Pour a little olive oil on top with parmesan cheese and bon-appetito! Freeze portions if you have any leftover. It comes in handy if your late home!

The perfect no carb or coffee lunch

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:36:00 +1300

BIG SALAD AND PALM SIZED PROTEIN Don't let yourself get to the point of having to rush out of work and buy another over priced sandwich and unnecessary coffee this lunch time . Food bag to work to last the week A large bag of salad mix and a balsamic dressing add to this: A can of 'Oscar' Sardines or red salmon or 2 boiled eggs Some corn thins and mayonaise, An apple/ fruit and a nice cup of green tea. A decent hit of protein will carry you through the afternoon and offset the 4pm blues!

Recipes-Brown Rice Salad

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:12:00 +1300

Brown rice is so nutty and full of fibre and B vitamins, iron and magnesium . Some children who do not warm to Brown rice, often like this Brown Rice Salad. It is a great one to take to shared meals or BBQs. Some children need the rice to be soft, in which case, soak the rice for half an hour before cooking. Brown rice can be cooked in your rice cooker- it just takes a bit longer thats all. RATIO : 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water BROWN RICE SALAD Let the rice cool, then place in a bowl. Add handfuls of chopped red pepper, sunflower seeds, chopped parsley and currants. Add soy sauce and some oil until it looks and tastes good. Other options Sliced mushrooms, cashews, chopped rocket, olives, carrots, parsley, tomato and anything else you know will go down ! Some of these options then require a balsamic dressing rather than soy sauce. Balsamic Dressing 2/3 olive oil 1/3 balsamic vinegar garlic salt sugar and fresh ground pepper mix

Recipes-Brocolli salad

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:01:00 +1300

Use Organic Brocolli if you can and cut into small bit size pieces. In a large bowl mix the following ingredients: -Blanched brocolli – Plunge Broccoli into salted boiling water for 1 minute remove and cool drain -Finely dice some red onion and spring onion. -Crumbled dry Feta -Olives -Toasted walnuts -Diced red pepper and/or mild peppadew Pour over olive oil and balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. This salad keeps well, make a large amount as it makes a yummy lunch the next day.

Recipes Carob Peppermint balls

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:22:00 +1300

Carob peppermint balls (GF, DF, WF) These are great after a meal as they are light and the peppermint oil soothes the digestion. Ingredients: ½ cup honey ½ cup tahini, unhulled if possible 1 cup carob powder 2 teaspoons of cinnamon ½ cup ground almonds or pecan nuts 2 tablespoons of maple syrup 3-5 drops of peppermint oil Method: Over a low heat, warm the honey and stir in tahini and maple syrup. Then add the carob and cinnamon, peppermint oil, and lastly, the almonds. Roll into grape size balls. Roll the balls into a little extra carob powder to stop them sticking together. Put on a tray and refrigerate. This recipe will keep for up to two weeks.