Cranberries For Health

Sunday, 08 November 2009 Gayle Eversole

Elena Elisseeva/iStockphotos.

Cranberries are high in vitamin C and fiber. Filled with lots of other great nutrients, and especially high in antioxidants, cranberries also fight free radicals.

These tart berries have been found to contain 25 to 36% anthocyanosides, so you'll find most supplements containing about 25% of these cyanide compounds as well as quercetin, tannins and health promoting alkaloids.

Cranberries are useful in treating heart disease, lowering cholesterol, and in fighting bladder and yeast infections. They are also useful for preventing plaque build up on teeth and gum disease. Cranberry has proven to be helpful for vision health, preventing retinopathy, in rheumatoid arthritis, emphysema, reducing inflammation, fighting breast cancer, prostate cancer and slowing the growth of some tumors.

These small, round, red fruits are edible, but tart. They can be dried and eaten like raisins, used to make cranberry juice, or cooked to make jelly. Cranberry is a member of the same family as bilberry and blueberry.

Used for a very long time by North American Indians, cranberries were made into a hardy dish called pemmican. Combining dried deer meat, cranberries and melted fat, creating one of the first convenience foods (today you can get a cranberry-buffalo based food bar called Tanka Bar, made on the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation). The juice was used for dye and cranberry poultices were used to draw poison away from wounds.

Cranberry leaves can also be made into a tea that helps prevent infection.

Cranberry Elixir

You can make your own cranberry elixir by mixing 1 cup water with 1/8 cup unsweetened cranberry juice. Drink this elixir three times per day for one week every three months for the best results as a blood cleanser and health promoting liquid. The juice may also help improve your ability to absorb the very important vitamin B12 that is at risk as you age and also if you are using any stomach acid reducing medications.

Cranberries blend well with other foods like oranges, apples and pears to make tasty treats. They also blend well with wild rice and are a great addition to salad greens. With a glycemic load of two they can be used with many food choices.

Holiday Cranberry Tea

Put 1 package of fresh cranberries into a pot with 3 quarts of water and bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 cups sugar, the juice of two oranges and two lemons, 12 whole cloves and 2 cinnamon sticks. Steep 1 hour or longer.

Enjoy this tea as is or use as a base for punch by adding plain club soda, cider or…

Gayle Eversole, DHom, PhD, MH, NP, ND, is a natural health educator and advocate. Celebrating 50+ years blending science and the natural healing arts. Sign up for her herbalYoda newsletter at: http://www.leaflady.org/ and for more cranberry recipes send an e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not take the place of a consultation with a qualified health care professional. Always consult a physician or other qualified health care professional before taking any herbs or applying any therapies. The reader must assume full responsibility for verifying any information or therapies with a qualified physician or health care professional.

http://www.greenmuze.com/blogs/natural-notes/1789-cranberries-for-health-.html

Tanka Bars available nationwide

By Staff reports

Story Published: Oct 5, 2009

Story Updated: Oct 5, 2009

KYLE, S.D. – Nearly two years after launching its Tanka Bar buffalo and cranberry snack, Native American Natural Foods is fast approaching a big milestone in its short history – coast- to-coast distribution.

The tiny company, based on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, has signed agreements with three major national distributors.

The top two national natural foods distributors, United Natural Foods, Inc. and Tree of Life, and the leading food service distributor, Sysco, will now be distributing Tanka Bars, Tanka Bites and Tanka Dogs. Between them, the three distribution companies represent more than $41 billion in sales in the U.S. food industry.

“This has been an unbelievable two years,” CEO Karlene Hunter said. “The way natural foods consumers have embraced our products has been wonderful. Now that we have launched our Spicy Pepper Blend of Tanka Bars and Tanka Bites, as well as the Tanka Dogs, we have a large enough line to attract the major natural foods distributors.”

Until now, the company has worked with small regional distributors or distributed its products directly to retailers. As a result, Tanka products are for sale in natural foods stores and groceries in 49 states. West Virginia is the only state without a Tanka retailer.

Tanka Bars and Tanka Bites, which are available nationally at more than 3,000 retail locations and at TankaBar.com, are a modern artisanal take on a traditional Native American recipe for “wasna” or “pemmican.” The all-buffalo Tanka Dogs are available to food service establishments, such as restaurants and cafeterias.

According to Mark Tilsen Sr., president of Native American Natural Foods, the past two years have been full of hard work and a large learning curve.

“It took us a long time to figure out how to access the food distribution industry. Now, we finally have the relationships in place to move our brand to the next level in terms of sales and exposure.”

Tilsen said Native American Natural Foods is also working with Natural/Specialty Sales, a division of Acosta that specializes in natural, organic, gourmet and ethnic foods, and with National Sustainable Sales, a national account food service agency that focuses on food service menus and college campus convenience store sets.

Tilsen said the new distribution relationships are anticipated to add about 200 percent in sales growth for the company in 2010.

Hunter said signing the distribution contracts represents an entirely new chapter for the company.

“It is thrilling to see our products, which we originally envisioned appealing mostly to the Native American community, being embraced by natural foods consumers across the nation.”

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/business/63537102.html

One Last Hurrah (Giveaway Post)

Today was a very long and busy day, but thankfully tomorrow I’m off to go to our wedding cake tasting! I get to “sleep in” which means getting up at probably 7:30.

On my way home, I realized that while a black bean burger (the original planned dinner) sounded OK, a ground beef burger sounded even better! I stopped at the grocery store an ended up with an odd conglomeration of toppings. More on that later.

When I walked in the door, I was greeted by THREE packages! One I was expecting, and two I was not. The one expected package included this lovely golden flaxseed from Tropical Traditions:

You know what it means when I get something from Tropical Traditions… it means that soon, YOU can get something from them!

The second (and smallest) package contained a lovely Mexican ceramic box that I won from KP at To Be The Whole Package:

And lastly, I opened the largest of the packages. It was from none other than the amazing and generous Veggie Girl, who was quite distressed in our last conversation that I’d never tried anything from One Lucky Duck. In this amazing package was quite possibly EVERY snack food that the company offers, as well as a school-perfect bright red tote bag:

This box contained grawnola, chocolate macaroons, blonde macaroons, cinnamon crispies, chocolate crispies, cheese quackers (crackers) and rosemary quackers.

Thank you SO VERY MUCH Miss VG!!! I’m beyond appreciative!!

Dinner was a simple summery dinner, kind of as a last summer hurrah. I made my “summer burgers” without the bread crumbs, and ate it on an Arnold’s bread thin. But the random toppings that I ended up with? Yeah, those would be garlic and herb Laughing Cow light cheese, jarred roasted red peppers, and avocado. Just check this out:

SO VERY DELICIOUS!!!

And this brings me (in a very non-sequitur sort of way) to the giveaway. A few weeks ago, I was sent some samples of Tanka Bars to try and review. They were both intriguing to me, as well as a bit scary. Why scary? Well, they’re not your average snack bar. Tanka bars are made from 100% organic grass-fed buffalo mixed with organic dried cranberries. There’s a spicy version as well, which I got to try in “bite” form. When I finally did try the bars, I was pleasantly surprised! There was a very beef-jerky smoky type flavor, as well as a nice sweet/tart contrast from the cranberries. I couldn’t eat very much of a bar at any one time, as they were quite chewy and satisfying, and the “hot” flavor of the bites was QUITE spicy!

The lovely Linda at Tanka Bar offered a whole box of 12 Tanka bars to one lucky What’s For Dinner reader! All you have to do? Comment below! That’s it! Winner will be announced at tomorrow’s dinner post, when I’ll be announcing the NEXT giveaway! It’s apparently giveaway week…

Don’t want to wait to win? Linda and Tanka Bar have created a special coupon JUST for What’s For Dinner readers that will grant $5 off a box of regular Tanka Bars from today through October 31! Just enter the code “IMADEDINNER09″ at check out.

Have a great Monday night and a fabulous Tuesday!

http://www.imadedinner.net/2009/09/21/one-last-hurrah-giveaway-post/

Taliman: Native women entrepreneurs: Good business for Indian country

By Valerie Taliman

Story Published: Sep 4, 2009

Story Updated: Sep 3, 2009

As I leave the nonprofit world to return to my own company, I’m inspired by Native women who’ve built successful businesses and created thousands of jobs in Indian country. Their leadership has shaped a path for others to follow, and our communities are benefiting from their vision and fortitude.

Most people are surprised to learn there are more than 90,000 privately held companies owned by Native American women. These businesses generate more than $12 billion in annual sales and employ some 130,000 people, according to a 2004 survey by the Center for Women’s Business Research. That’s no small thing in Indian country.

On a national basis, more than one out of 11 Native women own a business. We also have the highest rate of entrepreneurship among major ethnic groups (9.2 percent compared to Caucasian-6, Hispanic-4.2, and African American-2.8 percent.) Business ownership increased by nearly 70 percent between 1997 and 2004, and new data due out in 2010 is expected to show further increases.

Raised among strong Navajo women who historically made decisions about land, livestock and family finances, I’m not surprised by the numbers. Many of us grew up on reservations where half the population couldn’t find work. For decades, Navajo Nation unemployment rates have hovered near 50 percent, and have exceeded 70 percent on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Finding a job is simply impossible at times.

Under these conditions, many Indian women are compelled to mesh innovative ideas, hard work and heartfelt concern for their families and communities to create businesses that bring money and jobs to tribal economies.

At a recent conference of Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations held on the Fort McDowell Reservation, a panel of successful entrepreneurs shared knowledge and offered advice about mentors, networking and quality services.

“Find your passion and a good accountant,” said Patricia Parker, president/CEO of Native American Management Services, a multi-million dollar firm she founded in 1989. “As a non-financial type, it was much easier to pay more attention to the passion than the practical. But to succeed, it’s critical to find someone that can help you understand the language of business – accounting and finance.”

Parker, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is considered an expert in mentoring others on how to secure 8(a) certification with the Small Business Administration to help minority firms compete for federal contracts. She balances the bottom line with the philosophy and dedication to public service.

“It’s that desire to make a difference and be of service to Indian country that really drives me,” Parker said. “It can be difficult at times, but you just have to put all the negativity aside and tell yourself ‘I can do this.’”

Karlene Hunter, CEO and co-founder of Native American Natural Foods and Lakota Express, has more than 25 years experience in economic development on the Pine Ridge Reservation where her businesses are based. She was one of several business leaders troubled by all the capital flowing off the reservation.

“We knew that within 72 hours of money hitting the reservation, it was gone, mostly to border towns. We needed to create more private sector growth on the reservation, so we formed a chamber of commerce and began working together.”

What a difference it made. Twenty years ago, there were only two Native-owned businesses on Pine Ridge – today there are more than 200.

Hunter has won national awards for her entrepreneurship. Her latest product, the Tanka Bar, made from a traditional Lakota wasna recipe, is sold in more than 2,400 stores in 42 states. The business has created 22 full-time and 40 part-time positions.

Margo Gray-Proctor, the newly elected board chair of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, is on a mission to develop the American Indian private sector as a means to help communities become self-sufficient.

Gray-Proctor, an Osage citizen, is president of the Horizon Companies which include civil engineering and design services for commercial developments. She’s urging tribal governments to create better legal and government environments enabling Indian businesses to thrive on reservations. And she’s crafting more opportunities for women.

In partnership with NCAIED and WEWIN, the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development is sponsoring free entrepreneurial development training tailored to Native women. “Creating Business Excellence” is being offered through Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business from Sept. 14 – 17 in Tulsa, Okla. Slots are open and participants only pay airfare and lodging.

The training will cover financing the business, growing in scale and profitability, improving competitive position, achieving financial stability and penetrating markets. For information, contact Pat Parker at (571) 323-5657 or pparker@namsinc.org.

We should all be proud of the many hard working Indian women who are succeeding in business, helping to build tribal economies, and fostering the next generation of Native entrepreneurs.

Valerie Taliman, Navajo, is president of Three Sisters Media, which offers publishing, social media and public relations services. She is also an award-winning journalist specializing in environmental, social justice and human rights issues. She is based in Albuquerque, N.M. Contact her at valerietaliman@gmail.com.

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/57010012.html

Tanka Bars: Buffalo…the ‘other’ red meat

August 5, 2009 -

Have you ever eaten buffalo? Until this week, I had not.

*Tanka is graciously giving away one box of traditional bars ($30.99 value with shipping included). Comment below for one entry. A winner will be selected in 1-2 weeks using random.org.

Thanks to another twitter hook-up, Linda and I met through the wonderful world of tweets. She mailed me a few samples but they did not arrive. Evidently there is a high rate of ‘disappearance’ of food related shipments. This disappoints me as postal workers are held to a code of ethics stating ‘no tampering with mail.’

Kindly, at her own expense, Linda shipped a second batch of samples to me.

When I was told “Tanka Bar products” were coming my way, I did assume that meant power bars. When I opened the package I exclaimed, “Oh! It’s like beef jerky! Only it looks to be much…much…MUCH healthier.”

My husband, knowing I am not a super adventurous eater, said: “You do know you are eating buffalo, right?”

My jaw dropped. Ummm. No. I opened and ate before even reading THAT part.

My two-year-old daughter ran in and said, “Mommy! I have a bite? Please? Please? Please?” I gave her a bite sized piece. She came back three minutes later. “More please. Tastes good.” She came back for a third round.

Fine. If my two-year-old can eat buffalo, so can I, dang it.

I’ve gotten over my initial shock…envisioning the native and revered buffalo roaming the land - only to be turned into snack packs. Goodness knows what junk lies within the innards of a 711 Slim Jim and I’ve eaten THAT more than once. Not sure I can go back now.

My husband tasted the spicy Tanka Bites (I am too wimpy to eat spicy food so I tested the mild bites, of course).

The Tanka Bars and Bites are both thick and are made with two main ingredients: low-fat, high-energy American buffalo meat and cranberries. What’s more, their production supports Native American wellness traditions.

S0 - bring on the buffalo.

From the Tanka web site we read: The 70-calorie Tanka Bar delivers a slow, powerful protein punch by mixing two primary ingredients: low-fat, high-energy American buffalo meat and tasty cranberries. This combination is no accident.

It really is a great combination. The bars and bites are both terrific - my husband and I really enjoyed them (as did our ten your old son who tried the bites last night). Try it for yourself! Tanka products can be purchased online or at a number of brick and mortar locations around the country.

When ordering online you may also enter code MOMMYPERKS at checkout to save 10% off any regularly priced merchandise: through September 30th.

And…don’t forget to enter for your very own box of traditional Tanka Bars by commenting below. Never again will you be able to down a Slim Jim.



http://www.mommyperks.com/vip/?p=1941

New Intern, Jason Stover.

Jason's responsibilities include updating social network websites, including MySpace and Twitter, as well as writing, photography and production for Tanka sites.
Personal: Single and with two younger brothers, Jason plans to finish a degree in Native American Studies at Oglala Lakota College.
Free time: During his free time, Jason likes movies, pool, darts, bowling and paint ball. He also likes to lift weights, fish and play video games.

Press Release of Senator Johnson

Johnson Joins CDFI Announcement in Kyle

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Kyle, SD—Today, U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) joined U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund Director Donna J. Gambrell and Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin at an event in Kyle, SD to announce $8 million in financial assistance awards for Native CDFIs committed to serving economically distressed Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities across the nation.

CDFIs provide financial services to underserved communities with the goal of bringing those communities into the economic mainstream. CDFIs include loan funds, banks, credit unions/associations and venture capital institutions. They tend to pair their loans and other financial services with financial training and other assistance, in order to boost their customers’ prospects for financial success. The Treasury Department reports that every federal dollar invested in a CDFI leverages 27 private dollars.

CDFI’s Fund’s Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program is designed to encourage the creation and strengthening of certified CDFIs that primarily serve native communities.

“These community-based organizations can better serve the needs of Indian Country with targeted banking services, so that they can find funds to start businesses and buy homes that meet their needs,” said Johnson. “The CDFI funds and services that these grants help provide are an example of that kind of investment that will help all aspects of the community.”

A total of $11.3 million in grants was announced today nationwide with $8 million coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the remaining $3.3 million coming from the CDFI Fund’s annual appropriated budget.

The five SD awardees will receive grants worth $2.9 million today. Three are receiving financial assistance (i.e., lending capital) via the stimulus: $873,600 to First Nations Oweesta Corporation of Rapid City; $876,060 to the Lakota Fund in Kyle; $870,153 to Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, Inc. of Pine Ridge.

Two organizations will receive technical assistance awards from annual appropriations: $131,451 to Four Bands Community Fund, Inc. of Eagle Butte; $148,316 to The Harvest Initiative, Inc. of Fort Thompson.

The President's budget requests $243.6 million for the CDFI Fund – a 127 percent increase over the $107 million appropriated for FY09. Johnson, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has pledged to work with the Administration on reaching this funding level this coming fiscal year.

http://johnson.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=315293