Wednesday, October 28, 2015

How-To-Tuesday Elderberry Solutions





My husband travels and in the wee hours of the morning he came home SICK.  No telling where this bug came from, but it doesn't matter.  ELDERBERRY to the rescue.


 Here's my favorite elderberry recipe for supporting the immune system; it's TIME TESTED AND NANA APPROVED:
Elderberry syrup: 3 cups filtered water,  ½ cup dried elderberries, 1 cinnamon stick, five cloves, 1 Tbl ginger.  Bring to boil then simmer covered to reduce by ½ - usually 20-30 minutes.  Add 1 cup honey.  Store in frig for up to 2 weeks.  If infected take 1 TBL per hour; for prevention take 1 TBL per day.
PS-great on pancakes!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

How-to-Tuesday Magnesium Spray & Body Butter


Most of us are not getting enough magnesium; in fact studies show that as many as 80% of us are deficient.  And, to compound the matter, your blood test will not show a deficiency, if indeed you do have one.

Only 1% of the magnesium stored in your body is in your blood; therefore, obviously a true deficiency will not show on the test. There's a reason it's called the SILENT DIFICIENCY.

Most magnesium is stored in your bones and organs. Magnesium is a mineral used by every single organ... especially by your heart, muscles, and kidneys. If you are tired or weak without a good cause, if you have abnormal heart rhythms, muscle spasms or eye twitches, low levels of magnesium could be the culprit.

One clue is if you go to bed at night and your leg is twitching or your monkey brain will not shut off, there's a good chance you are not getting enough magnesium.  I know this from experience.

The recommended daily amount for women is 310-320 mg and for men 400-420 mg.  JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE RDA's ARE THE BARE MINIMUM TO SUSTAIN LIFE.  However, it's a good sleep-aid to take it just before bedtime.

To read more check out this book:  MAGNESIUM MIRACLE by Dr. Carolyn Dean.  She lists 22 diseases that magnesium deficiency causes or triggers.

There are several KINDS of magnesium and they differ in their absorption rates and the quantity of magnesium that is ACTUALLY in the supplement.   Dr Mercola has EXCELLENT ARTICLES on magnesium:   HERE'S ONE.

There's a chart that lists all the different types of magnesium and their pros/cons.
Magnesium can be taken as a supplement (tablet or powder), used in the bath (or foot bath) or used as a spray.  Following is a HOW-TO make the spray.



 How-to Magnesium Spray   (this is typically called Magnesium OIL--I know, there's no oil in it.  Go figure)
 4 cups of  magnesium chloride flakes and 2 cups hot water (SO SIMPLE!!) 
  Mix thoroughly and spray away.  Leave on  for 30 minutes and rinse off.  Some folks do not rinse it off and that's ok as long as you don't begin to itch.  If you trend toward DRY SKIN you may want to go ahead and do the rinse.


OR  if a BODY BUTTER sounds luscious and irresistible, here ya go:

How-to: Magnesium Body Butter

1/2 cup coconut oil  1/2 cup cocoa butter 1/4 c magnesium spray 
Melt oil/butter in double boiler, remove from heat and add magnesium spray. Let cool then (here's the best part) WHIP!!  Store in air-tight container.  Apply to skin.  Now THIS FEELS GREAT to even the driest skin.    Shelf life: 6 months.

OR the absolute simplest way to UP your magnesium intake (besides popping a pill) is to take an EPSOM SALTS BATH.  Pour 2 cups into a warm bath, RELAX and count your blessings!!   This is a sure-fire way to get to sleep.  :)





Saturday, October 17, 2015

Basil -- Not Just For Pesto!



OCIMUM BASILICUM

I LOVE the aroma of basil.  Right this moment I have a vase of basil fresh picked from my herb garden on my kitchen table.  Brushing against it as I set the table for dinner and again when I clear the table it just makes me smile.  Often I find myself just standing there in the middle of the kitchen inhaling deeply just for the sheer pleasure of it.

When I'm working in the garden I bury my face in a basil plant to take a break from the heat, the sun, the back breaking work of tending large gardens.  I plant basil not only in the herb garden, but in the vegetable garden along side tomatoes.  Tomatoes love basil, too.

It is no accident that I have this response to basil.  Part of it's therapeutic value is it's ability to clear the mind and calm anxiety.  Is it any wonder it makes me smile when it's constituents are known to release nervous tension, reduce mental fatigue and lift the spirits.

But, what if you don't grow basil?  Or you don't have a mom who grows basil? What if it's winter?

The answer lies in tiny fluid droplets: essential oil.



Picture
Basil essential oil is the ESSENCE of the basil plant; it's the very life blood of the plant.  The essential oil can been used in cooking--just add a couple drops and enjoy the fresh taste and health benefits of garden grown basil.  It's great in salad dressings to splash on tomatoes--it makes them happy and you, too!

Some of basil's actions are antidepressant, antiseptic, carminative, febrifuge and expectorant.  In other words it lifts the spirit, kills germs, soothes tummy pains, calms a fever and gets the phlegm out.
Basil actively works to inhibit the identical enzymes that anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen and Tylenol do.  It's antibacterial action protects against pathogens, even those that are resistant to antibiotics.  That's a lot of ACTION for a drop of oil or a few leaves.

Basil essential oil can be diffused, applied topically or taken internally. (NOTE: not all essential oils can be taken internally.  YOUNG LIVING is my oil of choice for a basketful of reasons and can safely by used as a dietary supplement.)


 
To use the plant, infuse in hot water to make a kind of "tea" or infuse in a carrier oil to make massage oil or salves, or chop the leaves to retrieve the "juice".  To use the essential oil simply put drops in the water or the carrier oil.

Here are a few ideas:
  • Diffuse basil into the air by using an essential oil diffuser or put a handful of fresh leaves into boiling water and simmer.  This is good for any respiratory problem like bronchitis, coughs or sinusitis.
  • For the digestive system: dyspepsia, flatulence or nausea.  Dilute a drop or two of basil essential oil in a Tablespoon of carrier oil (Young Living V6 or coconut oil or olive oil) and massage into tummy and abdomen. 
  • Apply essential oil to tip of nose, on temples and on location of stings and bites.   Or, rub leaf directly on bite.
  • For mental fatigue, inhale first, and then apply to crown of head, forehead, heart and navel.
  • Essential oil may be added to food or rice milk as a dietary supplement.
  • For muscular and joint aches and pains, gout or arthritis apply dilution of couple drops basil essential oil in carrier oil.  Or, infuse leaves in carrier oil for 2 weeks, strain and use oil.
  • Dilution recommended for both topical and internal use. Dilute before using on sensitive areas such as the face, neck, genital area, etc. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid using on infants and very small children.
  • Contraindications:  Because of the multicultural use of basil to promote menstruation, pregnant women may be wise to limit their use of basil to culinary amounts.  Do not use if you have nephritis or acute kidney inflammation.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

THIEVES!!





Lavender essential oil was my favorite for years..













then I went to JOY.....












 now I'm in love with THIEVES.

 It is a POWERHOUSE of PUNCH in fighting germs/mold.  Our next herb class is ALL ABOUT THIEVES.  Tuesday, October 20 at 6 pm.   This is a FREE one hour class just to give you the basics of using THIEVES.     See full class schedule in HERB CLASSES tab at the top.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

How-To-Tuesday CHIA!!



How To yellow


 CHIA! CHIA!    When my kids were small we heard that little phrase a lot.  TV was replete with ads for growing chia seeds on terra cotta figures.  Wow, were we missing the boat.  Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods in the world.  The name chia is a Mayan word for strength.  I'm all about nutrition, especially if it TASTES good.  Here's a couple of recipes I think you'll love as much as I do.  JAM AND CHOCOLATE PUDDING.  YUM,


Chia Jam
Makes 1 1/2 to 2 cups
2 cups chopped fruit
1 - 2 Tbl lemon juice, to taste
1 - 2 Tbl honey, agave, maple syrup, or raw sugar, to taste
2 Tbl chia seeds (more if needed)
Remove stems, pits, seeds, and skin, as needed. Chop large fruits into small pieces--berries can be left whole.
 Cook fruit until it starts to break down: Transfer to a saucepan--cook until the fruit breaks down and becomes syrupy, 5-10 minutes. Mash fruit with spatula or a potato masher, make it as smooth or as lumpy as you like.
 Stir in honey and lemon juice: take off heat, stir in honey and lemon juice. Taste and add more honey or lemon juice to taste.
 Add chia seeds.
 Let stand 5 minutes until thickened: It will not be the firm consistency of regular jam, but it will thicken nicely.  If you want a thicker consistency, add more chia seeds 1 tsp at a time.
Transfer to a jar when the jam cooled to room temperature. Store in the fridge; keeps 2 weeks or so. Jam will thicken further when completely chilled. Can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in fridge before use.
Notes
No-cook jam: Mash fruit with until pulpy and juicy, stir in other ingredients. Or combine all ingredients in a blender, or use an immersion blender, and blend until the jam completely smooth. Uncooked chia jam is a bit looser than stovetop version; if you want thicker add extra chia seeds.
 If you don’t want visible chia seeds in the jam ,divide the jam,  add chia seeds to one portion, puree jam  until you have the chuckiness your prefer, then add both portions together.  

Chocolate Kefir Chia Pudding
  8 ounces kefir  (you can use plain or coconut milk kefir)
 1 Avocado peeled / chopped
 1/2 cup raw sugar
  2 Tbsps rounded cocoa powder
 2 Tbsps rounded chia seeds
 1 tsp vanilla
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor for 30 seconds or until well blended and thick like pudding.
Extra stuff:  Add: 2 Tbl peanut butter or any nut butter, blend for 30 seconds, or 1/2 of banana OR ¼  tsp cayenne!  Wooo Hoooo!

Can also top with: Chopped nuts, shredded coconut, cacao nibs or a sprinkle of Celtic or Himalayan sea salt.

 


A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of chia seeds contains
  • Fiber: 11 grams.
  • Protein: 4 grams.
  • Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s).
  • Calcium: 18% of the RDA.
  • Manganese: 30% of the RDA.
  • Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.
  • Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA.
  • They also contain a decent amount of Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B2.


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