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Gingerbread House

Pumpkin Bars

As an aid to digestion, ginger starts out in the mouth by stimulating the flow of saliva. In the stomach, it promotes bile secretions from the liver and gastric secretions from the stomach. It also has an easing influence on the stomach by supressing gastric contractions. In the intestines, ginger raises muscle tone and increases peristalsis thus promoting a more rapid elimination.²

Ginger is also a great protector of overall health. It has important anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation can contribute to several serious health conditions including heart disease and arthritis. The anti-inflammatory action is accomplished by reducing the production of leukotriene and prostaglandin in the body. It also inhibits thromboxane production which can be helpful for migraine sufferers.³ Muscle inflammation can also be eased with ginger. A study of athletes given ginger experienced a 25% reduction of exercise-induced muscle pain.⁴

Ginger further protects the circulatory system with its anti-lipid properties. In clinical studies, rats given ginger had a reduced degree of atherosclerosis.⁵ Another study showed favorable results in reducing the symptoms of a cold by combating the rhinovirus.⁶ More anti-microbrial properties are indicated with results showing a reduction in the number of Helicobacter pylor, the bacteria responsible for gastric ulcers, in persons who had been given ginger.⁷

Can Ginger Prevent Motion Sickness and Ease Nausea?

Adding Ginger to Your Diet

Honey Ginger Pork and Pasta From kitchen to table in 1 1/2 hours (includes time to marinade). Serves 4

8 sprigs fresh cilantro 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated 3/4 cup rice wine vinegar 3/4 cup honey 4 boneless pork loin chops 1 teaspoon sesame oil 4 cloves garlic 4 cups water 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup frozen peas 6 ounces pasta

Directions

1. Chop cilantro and place in a container with a tight lid. Add grated ginger, rice wine vinegar and honey. Stir to mix. Put pork chops into container, seal and shake vigorously to evenly coat marinade over meat. Place in refrigerator and allow to marinade for at least one hour. Shake and turn two or three times during marinading to keep all the meat covered.
2. Heat water in a large pot on boiling for pasta.
3. Pour sesame oil into a skillet and turn heat on to medium. Remove pork chops from marinade, but reserve liquid. Brown pork chops in hot oil until no longer pink in the middle, turning halfway during cooking time.
4. While meat browns, crush and mince garlic. Remove meat from skillet and set aside, covered. Brown garlic in meat skillet and then add liquid from marinade.
5. Dissolve cornstarch in water and add to skillet, turn heat up to medium-high, cook and stir for two minutes. Add frozen vegetables and reduce heat to medium-low.
6. Cook pasta in boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and rinse.
7. Turn heat under skillet back up to medium high and cook while stirring until sauce is thickened. Pour over pasta and serve with pork loin chops.