When is a Potato Not a Potato?

That's easy. When it's a Spud from Idaho.

There's an old Irish saying: Only two things in this world are too serious to be jested on, potatoes and matrimony.

Well, I don't know about matrimony (I think that's worthy of a few jokes) but potatoes are one of the greatest sources of potassium, and that's no joke.

Max Gerson M.D., the great natural healer of degenerative diseases, said, the two things necessary in preventing degenerative disease are a healthy liver and a high level of potassium.

Do you eat potatoes? So many people don't. Potatoes get a bad rep from those who avoid carbohydrate and yet, these same people will eat french fries. The nutrients of the potato are lost when it's fried and it's a real bummer to the liver. Most of the minerals and vitamines are in the skins so you get the greatest value from potatoes when steamed or baked with the skins.

A good way to get all the value of the potato is to cook slowly (with skins) in a small amount of water with a chopped leek and red pepper. Then mash everything together with the water. I know, sounds like a lot of night shades but the Gerson clinic uses this recipe and serves potatoes once a day in their cancer cure.

I remember when we were kids out hiking, we'd build a fire, wrap "spuds" in green wild-leaves and bake them in the coals. OMG what a feast. We always ate the skins. The best part.