Thursday, December 10, 2009

Tea, Please

BRRRRRR... It was 4 degrees when I got up today. Now that calls for TEA!! And I don't mean reach for the tea bags. There's something about preparing your own food, digging in and making something from scratch. It's satisfying. It's warm and fuzzy. And, we herbalists swear that when you make it yourself you are putting your own energy into it, making it your own, making it better, making it healthier.

So, how about Cinnamon Mint. It's good hot or cold, but especially HOT on cold days like today.

8 cups water
3 cinnamon sticks
dozen mint leaves or 3 TBL dried
Pinch of cinnamon powder

Bring water to boil, add cinnamon sticks. Simmer covered about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, add tea leaves and cinnamon powder and steep another five minutes. Strain and sweeten (honey, molasses or stevia are good choices), lemon optional.

Mint is an excellent digestive aid and great for upset tummies. Cinnamon is also good for digestion and is anti-septic, warming, anti-cloting, anti-microbial and helps with blood sugar control.

This planter is full of mint with some other herbs thrown in for good measure.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Rocky Creek Farm

I have been busy as a bee getting a Rocky Creek Farm facebook page up and running so this blog has taken the back seat in the old herb wagon. Bet you didn't know they had a back seat, did ya?!

The page will outline our vision of the Farm, keep you posted on our progress, show our products and host discussions. Please join us on facebook by clicking on the facebook badge on the right and become a fan. Check back often!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Fiber Up!

What is it about that word that makes half of us cringe and the other half giggle? Fiber should be your friend whether or not you have beFriended it or not. Fiber is first class for diets to loose weight as it fills you up not out. And, if you have a blood sugar problem you should embrace fiber; it will keep you well balanced and sane. Fiber helps ward off chronic diseases, cancer and cardiovascular issues. With all these things going for it you'd think we would flock to get on the fiber apple cart and yet most of us only get about 14 grams when we need 25-35 grams. And, it's readily available; not like you have to slave for hours in the kitchen. So, re-think your take on fiber, after all it is getting close to resolution-time.

Let's take apples. An American staple. Here's a photo of the only apple to "make it" from my apple tree. Apples have more fiber than any other fruit, in fact, twice as much. And if you have a problem with cholesterol, apple is your guy. Just don't peel it. An apple has 3.5 grams of fiber but if you peel it you cut that more than half. And, for heavens sake, don't drink the juice instead: JUST EAT THE APPLE!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Lemon-Garlic Marinade

I'm for getting garlic into you anyway we can. If you've heard me speak or read my writings you know garlic is my number one favorite for a couple of reasons. First, it's available! Anyone can get garlic. Sometimes herbs are not all that handy especially if you don't grow them; at best they require a trip to the grocer or the health food store at worst the one you want is so obscure you have to special order or go to the net. But, good ol' garlic is ubiquitous. Second, because garlic is antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, antiparasitic, antiprotozoan, antiviral, antifungal, anthelmintic, immune-stiumulating, hypotensive, diaphoretic, antispasmodic and a cholagogue it is sooooo good for everything! And, aside from grapefruit seed extract, garlic is the most powerful herb against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Gone are the times when you needed "a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down". Use more garlic in cooking and being healthy never tasted so good.

Here's a link to a video on making a lemon-garlic marinade. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEKjMzp82rM
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