The BEST cure for constipation

Yep, you read that correctly … the best cure for constipation is revealed here.  No worries because I’m not selling anything!

For years I’ve had intermittent constipation.  After my hysterectomy I thought my constipation was cured … nope.  It was only a temporary reprieve that didn’t last.

Constipation is the most common digestive complaint in the United States, outnumbering all other chronic digestive conditions. ~ Epidemiology of constipation in the U. S., Sonnenberg A. Koch TR., 1989.

And I’d bet constipation is also a huge problem in Canada, England, Australia and other industrialized countries as well — probably all the countries where we have the luxury first world problem of overeating, while complaining, “Waaah, I’m so full!”

If you are from Haiti (or some other country plagued by starvation) (WARNING — the photos on that link are quite graphic … you’ve been warned!) my apologies as I’m not trying to belittle the gluttony vs. hunger problem.

By the way, eating bananas cause me constipation!  Along with rice and concrete.

Reasons I’ve decided to share this cure about constipation on the blog about hysterectomy:

• Nearly every woman who has a hysterectomy has constipation sometime in the recovery process.
• If you’ve had a surgery with anesthesia constipation is not your friend … but it’s not your enema either!
• Constipation just plain sucks!

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Who knew I would be sharing recipes here! My blog is really useful … someone should read it.

I think the French have been hiding this secret dish from us — us meaning the entire world.  I recently discovered shredded carrot salad from one of my very French friends.  I have two (or deux) French friends … both are from France but one sounds very French and looks very French … while the other one only educates me on wine with his accentless accent.

One evening the super French friend was telling me how he makes shredded carrot salad every week for he and his family of four.  I can’t say shredded carrot salad sounded yummy but I was drawn to the mystery of its purported popularity.  Apparently, this is a French thing.  Who knew?  I’ve never been to France and my accentless French friend has never revealed this French secret … I will have to discuss this with him when he’s back from his Caribbean sailing excursion.  And isn’t the word Caribbean odd?  Like I thought for sure it was spelled with two Rs.

It always struck me as odd The Pirates of the Caribbean DVD has a piracy warning.

On to that shredded carrot recipe that will fix your constipation … I’ve been making it for weeks now and my poops is great!  Is that TMI?!  How many times do I have to remind you that you’re on a hysterectomy blog and anything health and bodywise goes?  Don’t worry, I won’t be posting any photos of my great poops … you’ll just have to take my word.

Grated carrot salad is a favorite dish for French kids. They eat it regularly for school lunch, and it’s popular at home as well. Even adults enjoy it as a starter. As a testament to its popularity, you can even find grated carrot salad pre-packaged in supermarkets.

Carrots are one of the few vegetables that French people regularly eat raw. For some reason, they tend to prefer most of their vegetables cooked.

~ From another WordPress blog

My super French friend didn’t tell me about grated carrot salad to fix my constipation woes … it is only by eating it regularly I discovered this.  I’m not sure how we got on the topic of carrots, but the last time I spoke with him he told me how he makes homemade mayonnaise.  I’m not going there because it sounds like way too much work.

More about carrots …

[R]aw carrots contain unique fibers that bind toxins, particularly excess estrogen, in our intestines while not feeding unhealthy bacteria (similar to what a charcoal supplement would do.)

One study showed that daily consumption of a raw carrot at breakfast for 3 weeks reduced serum cholesterol by 11%, increased fecal bile acid and fat excretion by 50%, and modestly increased stool weight by 25%. This suggests a [positive] change in bacterial flora or metabolism. The changes in serum cholesterol, fecal bile acids, and fat persisted 3 weeks after stopping treatment.” – American Journal of Clinical Nutrition … The effect of raw carrot on serum lipids and colon function.

Additionally, Dr. Ray Peat found women reduced their problematic estrogen levels by the daily consumption of 1 medium size carrot. Less estrogen generally means less inflammation and liver stress, and better thyroid health [my emphasis].

~ From MamaNatural

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There are many, many, many variations on this shredded carrot salad.  I keep it simple. The current recipe I like to make is:

Carottes Râpées* or Grated Carrot Salad

• 8 large carrots (peeled and shredded … use a food processor or you’ll be shredding by hand for a long time!)
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil (I use light olive oil … I found the extra virgin greenish olive oil was waaaaay too strong tasting)
• 1 Tablespoon of honey or juice of an orange (OPTIONAL — most of the time I leave this out)
• 1 Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (you can also use lemon juice, but I like the digestive health bennies of the ACV)
• 1 bunch of chopped parsley (I usually use dried parsley and this works just fine, and you really can’t overdo the parsley)
• Salt to taste (be careful not to oversalt … strangely you don’t need much salt)
• Black pepper to taste

Mix everything together and then put it in your mouth!  Depending on how fast you eat this, you can probably keep the salad up to a week in the fridge.  Also, you can add a spoonful or two of these carrots to soups, mix it in salads or simply eat it straight up!  This carrot salad also goes well with plain yogurt and your digestive system will thank you.

*Do NOT pronounce this as “carrot rapes” … please, please don’t say it like that. People will look at you strangely and certainly won’t want any part of your salad. Say it like this: CLICK HERE.

I love, love, love this recipe … in fact I’m going to go eat some carrot salad now and will be right back!

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Should you want to get all Frenchy fancy pants you can make the recipe like this video:

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So, the secret is out … let me know if you try it and how your constipation improves.

Here are more tidbits. If you carrot all you will read them:

• Carrots are a root vegetable that originated in Afghanistan. They were purple, red, white, and yellow, but never orange.
• Carrots are related to parsley … and also the poisonous water hemlock!

parsley family
n.
A large family of aromatic herbs, the Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae), characterized by compound leaves and small flowers grouped in umbels, and including vegetables such as carrots, celery, dill, and parsley, spices such as anise, coriander, and cumin, and poisonous plants such as the water hemlocks.

• A baby carrot isn’t exactly a baby. Baby carrots come from a large carrot that has been rolled over blades and thrown around in a metal cage to be rubbed down to a short, round-ended baby carrot.  WHAT A WASTE!
• The Ancient Greeks called the carrot a philtron, which translates to “love charm.” They believed the carrot made both men and women more amorous.
• People first grew carrots as medicine, not food, for a variety of ailments.
• Cats can eat carrots.

Can cats have carrots? The answer: Yes! Though cats are obligate carnivores, and therefore do not require any fruits or vegetables to meet their nutritional needs, carrots are perfectly (and maybe even somewhat beneficial) safe for cats. Carrots are not at all toxic to cats, so there is nothing to be worried about if your cat has been munching on these beloved root vegetables.

• Mel Blanc, the voice of cartoon character Bugs Bunny, reportedly did not like carrots.

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You didn’t think I’d leave you high and dry without at least one more cat photo, did you?

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