Published: August 30, 2017

Using salt in recipes can be second nature to some. A little salt, a little pepper, and you’re favorite protein is seasoned and ready. But for those of you who are looking to step away from using high-sodium salt, you might want to look into some healthy herb alternatives that work just as well as salt.

Mastering herbs and spices is your next step to cooking tasty meals that are much healthier than using salt for flavor.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams (mgs) of salt a day and an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 mgs per day for most adults.

There are also many health benefits to a low sodium diet or cutting salt altogether. Reducing your intake of sodium, or salt, helps to reduce hypertension or high blood pressure and helps to prevent swelling of the extremities, such as your hands or legs. Reducing your salt intake may also lower your risk of heart disease.

So if you’re looking to better your health, try these salt alternatives and salt-free recipes that will have you saying, “Salt Schmalt!”

Natural Salt Alternatives

Garlic
Rosemary
Bay Leaves
Basil
Sage
Allspice
Thyme
Parsley
Paprika
Onion Powder

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Ja Y
After reading the article titled “The Center for Native and Pacific Health Disparities Research Walks Beside, Not In Front of, Diverse Hawaiian Communities to Control Diabetes,” it made me think about the good point that Dr. Marjorie Mau, a lead principal investigator of the Center for Native and Pacific Health Disparities Research, addressed on how they walk beside the community rather than in front of them. When trying to help the community, I think that it is best to make them feel like family; to feel comfortable and at ease with you. With the information we get about health issues in our communities, it definitely makes us want to address it and help those who may need some guidance. With this, we have to also remember that we can not just try to budge into their lives and take over, even if it is for good intentions.

The article mentioned how the Partnership for Improving Lifestyle Interventions (PILI) project addressed obesity by adapting an existing weight loss education program. They used local languages and examples that were relevant to those in the community. There was also a program added to help participants with the support of family members and the community; this program was culturally adapted based on its community. Personally, I have never thought about letting myself be apart of a research. The whole concept of trying to improve health by researching is amazing but when I think about allowing research programs work on my body, it just doesn’t sound too pleasing, depending on what it is. So after reading this article, I realized that maybe it isn’t too bad. Also, I loved how the research program approached the topic of research and what they were focusing on. Without a doubt, I think that their approach/idea on research and community can be applied to other things.

Dr. Mau and the Center for Native and Pacific Health Disparities Research definitely has good intentions to help the communities, mainly focused in Hawaii. The overall thought of walking besides them/the community and helping with issues they/the community care about can definitely help with the factor of gaining trust and opening up for help/guidance. Since our goal for the concept of Bicultural Healthy Living is to help support people in living healthily within cultures people adapt to, applying these ideas and strategies will greatly benefit the community and our goal.

Remember to lend out a helping hand but also remember to think about who those you help are as a person. Diversity is all around us but sometimes we forget that we live in a world where every culture is different but it is normal. Every community may be different so it is important to help with things that matter to them while making them feel like family.