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Pine Vapor Balm 2022

This particular vapor balm has ponderosa pine resin in it.  The resin was collected in the high mountains or near central Oregon.  It was harvested in a way that does not hurt the tree. 

I highly respect this beautiful tree, just as I do all plants and tree life.   

If you plan to go out and harvest tree resin, such as the ponderosa pine, I ask that you respect the tree by making sure you do not take all the resin nor leave it bare underneath...  

Give thanks and an offering to the tree.  

What You Will Need:

1 quart jar

Corning ware pan

Towel

Oil of choice:  Such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil

4 tablespoons eucalyptus leaf

2 tablespoons thyme leaf

2 tablespoons peppermint leaf

Several Big chucks of pine resin.  About 7, 1 x 2 inch pieces. 

Clean containers to store your salve, such as tins or jars. 

Now it is time to infuse the herbs and pine resin in the oil.

Put the herbs and resin in the jar.  Now add just enough oil to cover it. 

Put the towel in the corning ware pan.  This keeps the jar from breaking.  It is my version (for this day) of a double boiler.  

Now add just enough water that when you put the jar in the pan  the water will not overflow.  

Infuse all day on low heat.  

Turn off and let sit over night

Next day turn it on and infuse for a few more hours.  Now it is ready to strain. 

To strain you will need a strainer and a cheesecloth.   Because you are using dried herbs and resin it is ok to squeeze it and get ever bit of oil that you can out of it.  

Now it is ready to make the balm, which is basically a salve.   

1/4 cup beeswax per 1 cup of infused oil.

I ended up adding about 1/3 cup beeswax to 1 1/2 cups infused oil.

When making salves., balms or ointments you want to add little bits of beeswax at a time.  Better to add little bits at a time then to much.  Test it as you go.  

I tested it by dropping a few drops of the oil with the beeswax on a spoon and I wait for it to cool off.  Then test it to see if you like the consistency.

1 1/2 cups infused oil

1/3 cup beeswax 

Now add: 

28 drops of orange essential oil

28 drops of pine essential oil

28 drops of eucalyptus

Now pour into containers of choice.  Cover but do not move until it has hardened.  

To Use: 

Rub on the tip of your noses and upper lip

Rub on chest

Have someone rub on your back

Put on your feet then put on a sock

Enjoy

Lavender, rose petals, chamomile and lemon balm tea, potatoes, cabbage, collard greens, beets, onion,rosemary, sage, oregano, kale, nettle, salad mix (lettuce, bitter lettuce,dandelion,swiss chard,lemon balm, queen anne's lace flowers and nasturiums), cucumbers, zucchini, brassica mix, wild food of the week is Queen Anne's Lace (flowers, leaf  and green fruit) and celery

Wild Food Of The Week:  Queen Anne's Lace

Once you know how to safely identify queen anne’s lace, it’s a pretty versatile plant in recipes.  In the spring and fall, the roots may be dug up and eaten in the same manner as domestic carrots.  While these are quite flavorful, don’t expect them to be as big or tender as their orange commercial cousins.

If you enjoy the flavor of the leaves, they can be used either fresh or dried as you would parsley. Young flower buds may be added to stir-fries and skillet dishes.  Or the tiny flowers can be scattered upon finished dishes or in salads.  

You can also eat queen anne’s lace fruit (the tiny green or red bits that eventually dry into seeds).  Harvest the fruit of queen anne’s lace after the flowers start to curl into birds nests, but before they go completely brown.  Queen anne’s lace fruit has a strong flavor that is like an explosion of parsley with a long finish of citrus.

Side Note: Queen anne’s lace  is not a good plant for beginning foragers to try simply because of the risk of mistaking it with poison hemlock.  Never eat a plant which you cannot properly identify.  No harm ever comes from walking away; just consider it a learning experience.

Queen Anne's Lace Fruit 

For more information on wild foods: 

http://www.meadowsandmore.com/foraged-flavor

http://foragingandfeasting.com/

Queen Anne's Lace Jelly: 

http://www.eattheweeds.com/daucus-carota-pusillus-edible-wild-carrots-2/

More Information and Recipes For Queen Anne's Lace: 

http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/queen.html

Side Note: One of the recipes looks like a yummy wild carrot cake.  Please modify the recipe.

 I would not use tofu or  vegetable oil/corn oil.   These items are Toxic GMO ingredients. 

I would use organic sunflower oil, coconut oil or olive oil.  For the tofu I would use organic cream cheese or try organic coconut spread.  

Sage Pesto

Recipe from Rosemary Gladstar's book:  Medicinal Herbs, a beginners guide 

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems

1/2 cup Queen Annes lace leaf fruit mix OR  parsley

1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh sage leaves, first time making it try the 1/4 cup version and if you would like it stronger than next time add more

3 cloves garlic

3/4 to 1 cup olive oil

1/4 to 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or walnuts or a mix

1/4 cup raw cheese (optional) 

Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt 

To make: 

Combine the herbs, garlic and olive oil in a blender or food processor and pulse until creamy.  Mix in the nuts or seeds and cheese (if using) and salt and pepper to taste.  

To use: 

Serve on toast or crackers, pasta, steamed grains, omelets, vegetables or organic meat.

Mushroom Lover's Special Treat:

Quinoa, Mushroom, and Sage Pilaf with Shiitake Crisps

The shiitake crisps are addictive, so you might want to make much more than theis recipe calls for 

For the shiitake crisps: 

1/2 lb shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and cut into 1/4 inch slices

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt and pepper

For the pilaf:

1 oz dried porcini mushrooms

3 tabls extra-virgin olive oil

2 large shallots, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced 

1/2 red bell pepper, cut into small dice

1/lb mixed mushrooms, such as white, chanterelle, shiitake, or cremini, coarsely chopped 

2 cups quinoa, rinsed

3 Tbls minced, fresh sage leaves 

3 cups organic vegetable broth or water

1/4 cup organic red wine

sea salt and  freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbls chopped fresh, flat-leaf parsley, for garnish ( you could use Queen Annes Lace leafs)

2 Tbls chopped chives, for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 

To prepare the shiitake crisps, toss together mushroom slices, olive oil, sea salt and pepper in a medium bowl.  Spread mushrooms in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Roast in the preheated oven until crispy, about 20 to 30 minutes.  They will look much smaller and dried out.  

Set aside. 

For the pilaf, soak dried porcini mushrooms in hot water for 30 minutes.  Drain, reserving soaking water.  Chop mushrooms. 

In a large saucepan, sweat the shallots, garlic, and red pepper until softened.  Add mushrooms, including chopped porcini, and cook until their moisture has evaporated and they start to brown.  

Add quinoa and sage.  

Stir well to coat the quinoa with oil.  Add in broth, 3/4 cup of the porcini soaking liquid, and wine.  

season well with salt and pepper.  Bring the liquid to a boil;  Lower heat to simmering.  Cover pot tightly and cook for 15 minutes.  Turn off heat and let sit for 10 minutes.  Fluff quinoa with a fork.  

Put in a serving dish, sprinkle with parsley (or queen annes lace) and chives.  

Top with shiitake crisps.  

Makes 6 to 8 servings. 

Antioxidant Superstars

Rosemary, sage, thyme, and oregano are about the most antioxidant-rich foods on the planet thanks to their aromatic phenols.  Though these four have slightly different medicinal properties, they're all anti-inflammatory, circulation-enhancing, and immune supportive.  

Try these interesting beverage combinations.  

rosemary-lemon balm

rosemary lemon

sage - ginger

thyme-oregano-spearmint.  

Fresh herbs often have superior flavor, but the health benefits get stronger as they dry. 

Remember when you make a tea or herbal beverage, that if you are using dried herbs, you always use less than if you you fresh herbs. 

Lemon Balm:  Did you know that by adding a few leaves of lemon balm to salad increases the salad's antioxidant activity 150 - 200 percent?  They work as a team to refresh one another, enhance absorption, and boost activity. 

Tea Of The Week

Place bag of herbs in a gallon jug, with warm filtered water or spring water.  Stir in 4 to 6 tablespoons  of honey.  

Let sit in the sun for 8 hours

Strain and enjoy

Tea Mix Recipe

14 cups of  warm spring water or filtered water

8 heaping Tbls. lavender 

8 heaping Tbls chamomile

8 heaping Tbls rose petals

1 heaping handful of fresh lemon balm

If do not have fresh lemon balm add 1/4 cup dried lemon balm and a few lemon wedges. 

4- 6 Tbls. local raw honey

Put all ingredients in a gallon glass jar.  Stir until honey is dissolved.  

Sun infusion let sit in the sun for 8  hours

Lunar infusion let sit throughout the night

Strain and enjoy

Where To Order Your Herbs: 

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

Zucchini Chips:  http://www.freshbitesdaily.com/zucchini-chips/

Zucchini chips are a great snack when you got the munchies! 

If you have not made these yet, I strongly urge you to go for it and try this recipe. The are really good.  My 16 year old daughter made them and they are incredible!  She made up her own spice blend, it was a combination of garlic, pepper, sea salt and Italian spices.  

 Weekly Wellness Box :

This weeks goodies:  ZUCCHINI (lots) collard greens, nettle, brassica stir fry mix,  sage, rosemary, tea mix of lemon balm peppermint, pineapple sage and a honey suckle flower, lettuce/flower mix, kale,  a mix of wild spinach, orch spinach arugula, swiss chard and a few mustard greens, fennel fronds,  a mix of garlic and onion chives, cucumbers, basil and a few green beans

If you do not have a membership with a CSA, it is time to hit the farmers markets.  They are all over the place with loads of incredible fresh food.  Make sure you are supporting local organic farmers or no spray farmers.  This is vitally important for your health, your family's and the earth.  

Here is a list of foods you should be (or at least try) adding to your life.  

Arugula, spinach, salads, kale, cucumbers, zucchini, basil, swiss chard, fennel fronds, sage, rosemary, lemon balm, peppermints, chives, celery, tomatoes (for some areas) collard greens, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, all sorts of brassica leaves, carrots, beets, green beans,onions, new potatoes, strawberries (organic only), blueberries (organic only) flower salads, mustard greens (almost at the end of the season, coming back for fall) and the wild foods, curly dock, yellow dock, cat's ear flowers, lambs quarters, sorrel, honeysuckle, raspberry leaves (for tea).  

As you can see this is a great list of many healthy foods that you can add throughout the day.

A great way to start on your path to longevity and being robust: 

Cut out ALL fast food (yes ALL)

Cut out ALL  Soda (yes ALL )

Cut out All artificial colors, artificial flavors, natural flavors

Cut out boxed food

Cut out crap meat, example hot dogs, deli meat, injected chicken breasts, canned meats, etc.  

Say NO to the junk food.   Bake things at home.  

(When I say bake, that does not mean open box of Betty Crocker!   Betty Crocker is not a food, it is an item that feeds cancer cells)

Shop your farmers markets, buy local organic food, local no spray food, and make sure the meat you purchase is grass fed/pasture fed and/or organic feed only 

Get rid of the word diet in your life, it as a negative connotation.  It is time to think about wellness, longevity, being robust and vigorous!  It is time to eat, eat, eat, but, eat the right foods.  

Make yourself healthly, your family and the earth  buy Piling those plates with massive green leafy veggies! 

Tea Mix:  lemon balm, pineapple sage, peppermint and a honeysuckle flower

Gallon glass jar

Spring or filtered water

Empty bag into gallon glass jar, pour water over herbs.

Let sit in the sun for 8 hours

Strain

Sweeten with honey (optional)

Refrigerate for a few hours and then enjoy! 

Pineapple Sage benefits:  digestion, heartburn, balance the nervous system, general tonic

Lemon Balm benefits:  sedative properties, lowers fever, improves digestion, relaxes spasms, antiviral, antibiotic, insect repellent,  helps anxiety, depression, nerve disorders and tension headaches.

More on lemon balm:  http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-melissa.htm

Peppermint benefits:  helps with morning sickness, nausea, digestion, gallbladder, bile ducts, 

More information on Peppermint: http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-peppermint.htm

Honeysuckle benefits:

In traditional Chinese medicine honeysuckle tea is used to treat ailments of the heart and lungs, fevers, and dysentery.

Honeysuckle tea is used to ease sore joints and reduce inflammation.

Honeysuckle tea helps improve circulation and relieve fatigue.

European honeysuckle can help treat coughs and colds.

Honeysuckle tea is used to treat upper respiratory tract infections and infection in the bladder. The tea is said to inhibit the bacteria that causes salmonella, strep, staph and tuberculosis infections.

Honeysuckle tea can help alleviate headaches.

Honeysuckle tea can help treat nausea and vomiting.

Honeysuckle tea can help make eyes brighter.

Rosemary:  http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-rosemary.htm

Rosemary is one of my most favorite herbs! Here is a recipe for apple rosemary coffee cake.  I actually made them as muffins instead and they were intoxicating! 

I used used honey instead of sugar.  I used about 1/4 cup of honey.

I never use baking powder so I just used 1 tsp. baking soda.  If you use baking powder make sure you are using one that is aluminum free! 

I used organic spelt flour.  

Awesome Apple Rosemary Coffee Cake Recipe

http://www.cauldronsandcrockpots.com/2012/10/apple-rosemary-coffee-cake/

Apple Rosemary Muffins

Honey Basil Simple Syrup:

1 Cup honey

1 Cup Water

1 Cup fresh basil coarse chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Stir ingredients together in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until honey is dissolved, but don’t boil
2. Remove from heat, pour through a wire-mesh strainer into an airtight jar or container, discarding leaves
3. Let cool completely before using
4. Store in a covered jar in refrigerator up to 2 weeks

Fruit Salad With Basil and Lime

This Weeks Goodies  

Pictured, self heal (purple flower), pineapple weed (daisy look a-like) and st. johns wort

It is time to start harvesting these items.  Take a nature walk and start picking.  You can infuse these in oil, make a tincture or dry them for later use.

Never pick anything that has been sprayed

St. Johns Wort is in the far right paper bag

This Weeks Wellness Box: Collard greens, lettuce, spinach,kale, mustard greens, garlic scallions, celery, onions, radish, wild greens mix, tea mixes,  sage, nettle, lemon balm, self heal, pineapple weed, st. johns wort

Self Heal: http://onlineathens.com/stories/071011/liv_854927721.shtml

The common name "self-heal" derives from the use of some species to treat a range of minor disorders. It is reported to have an antiseptic and antibacterial effect, and to be particularly good in cases of food poisoning. Highly revered herbalist Keewaydinoquay used self-heal to pull heavy metals out of the body.  On the physical body it acts as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, mild antiseptic, detoxifier, diuretic, haemostatic and vulnerary (a substance used to help heal external wounds). Its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties help as a gargle for sore throats and as a mouthwash for mouth ulcers and bleeding gums.A tea, diluted tincture or fresh plant poultice is effective topically to stop bleeding from cuts or wounds, reduce swelling from insect bites, and to reduce the swelling from varicose veins, hemorrhoids and eye inflammations (sties, conjunctivitis). Self-heal can be used internally and externally to help dissolve nodules in the neck (such as goiter), lymphomas (fatty tumors).

You can make a tea, tincture or an infused oil.  

Mayweed:  Make a warm cup of tea with this one.   Known as wild chamomile, it is not a true chamomile, but it does have similar properties.

St. Johns Wort:   The unique therapeutic benefits of St. John's wort may not appear for several weeks, and the remedy must be used for at least a few months to produce lasting effects. This medicinal herb is prescribed for mild to moderate depression and anxiety and is also applied externally to heal wounds and reduce inflammation.

In natural medicine, the herb St. John's wort is considered to be the psychological counterpart of arnica, which alleviates physical pain. The benefits can temper emotional discomfort, lift depression and calm the nerves.

St. John's wort is also very similar to some types of antidepressant medications. It's believed to raise the concentration of serotonin in the brain and enhance its activity. This neurotransmitter (or chemical nerve messenger) helps to regulate mood. You can also make a tea from this medicinal herb and is known to relax and soothe the psyche without causing sleepiness or addiction.

St. Johns Wort Infused Oil.  Use for injuries. 

8 oz jar

St. Johns Wort

Olive Oil

Place herbs jar, fill the jar to the top with olive oil.  Place in the sun for 6 weeks.  Shake daily

Strain and enjoy! 

Lemon Balm:  Is the elixir of life, it sweetens the spirit, powerfully chases away melancholy and it strengthen's the brain.  It calms the nervous and digestive systems.  

Culinary:  http://3squaresproduce.com/recipes/item/8-lemonbalmrecipes

Lemon Balm Herbal Butter: 

1/4 cup finely minced lemon balm

2 tablespoons, finely chopped thyme

1 cup of organic butter 

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp garlic granules

Cream butter and stir in herbs. Chill for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to blend. Use on roasted meats, rice, vegetables and bread.  

Lemon Balm Sun Tea 

2 tablespoons of fresh leaves for each cup water

Place lemon balm and cool water in covered jar in the sun for a few hours

Strain add honey and, or lemon

Add mint for a refreshing lemony mint tea

Lemon Balm Roasted Chicken: 

Roasted Lemon Balm Chicken

Handful of fresh lemon balm leaves, stems removed 
1/4 cup or so of fresh sage leaves 
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) organic butter softened 
Salt and pepper, to taste 
1 large roasting chicken 
4 minced garlic cloves or 6 garlic scallions
2 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 350

Trim herb leaves from stems; wash and pat dry. Set sprigs aside. Chop two-thirds of the leaves, and combine with the butter, minced garlic and/or garlic scallions, salt, and pepper.

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Loosen the skin in several places and insert the herbal butter underneath. Rub chicken with salt and pepper.  

Insert the remaining herb sprigs into the cavity of the chicken.

Place breast-side-down in a roasting pan. Bake 30 minutes, then turn chicken over. Bake about 20 minutes longer.

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Lemon Balm Cordial 

From Adele Dawson’s Herbs, Partners in Life:  “A fine home-made liqueur can be made by taking two handfuls of crushed Melissa leaves, putting them in a glass jar or crock, pouring over them a fifth of vodka, three-quarters of a cup of honey, and a grated lemon peel.  Shake well and let stand for a week.  Strain, bottle, and wait an additional three weeks before using.

Lemon Balm Infused Vinegar

 Make sure you use a plastic lid with your vinegar/not metal

I like to use organic raw apple cider vinegar, but you can start with any vinegar you like.

Thoroughly clean about two cups of fresh lemon balm.

Allow them to dry, or gently dry them with a hair dryer set on cool.

Lightly crush the herbs with your hands, and place them in a clean jar.

Cover with vinegar that has been warmed almost to a boil, screw on the lid, and shake. Place the jar in a cool, dark place.

Shake every day, and then turn the jar upside down.

After one to two weeks, strain the vinegar through a coffee filter, and pour into sterilized glass bottles. Place a sprig or two of fresh herbs in the bottle, and screw on the top or insert a tight cork.

As long as herbal vinegar's are protected from light, they will keep for up to a year. 

Lemon Balm Tincture:

To make a tincture, you will need a 1 quart canning jar, lemon balm herb, 2 cups of either vodka, gin or brandy and 1 cup water. The liquid acts as the menstrum and will preserve the tincture for up to 5 years.

Sterilize the jar.

Fill the jar half way with the lemon balm herb.

Pour the 2 cups of alcohol over the herb until it comes up over the top of the herb.

Next, pour the 1 cup of water into the jar.

Shake well.

Leave in a warm place for 4 weeks. Shake it every day or so.

If after a few days, the herb is not still fully immersed, add a touch more water. Herb needs to stay totally submerged under the liquid for the 4 weeks.

After 4 weeks strain out the herb.

Place tincture in a dark bottle, and label with herb and date.

Take 20 drops of tincture in juice, warm water, or tea  3-4  times a day. Do not take it for more than 2 weeks at a time. Give your body a rest, and take it again for 2 weeks if necessary. If the condition persists, contact your health care provider or herbalist.

If you don’t want the alcohol of a tincture, you can use vegetable glycerin or honey to make a glycerite.

The formula for making the glycerite is the same as a tincture. Follow the above steps, and replace the vodka with either the vegetable glycerin or honey. Allow the 6 weeks and then strain. Dosage is 1/4 tsp. 3 – 4 times a day.

Lemon balm should be avoided by those on hypothyroid medication as it is believed that the herb inhibits the absorption of this medicine.

Pictured Lemon Balm

Wild Food Mix: Use as a stir-fry, omelet or a frittata:   Sweet cicely leaves, dandelion leaves, yellow dock leaves and plantain.  

Sweet cicely appears to have been used medicinally since Roman times. Today, it is used exclusively in cooking.  An infusion of the herb was once recommended for flatulence and coughs, and it was an ingredient of wound healing ointments.   The sugary tasting leaves have an anise-like taste, and they are traditionally cooked with tart fruits, such as rhubarb and gooseberries and used to flavor fruit salads and fruit pies.  The fresh leaves impart their own sweetness and are, therefor e helpful for diabetics and those on low-sugar diets.   Sweet cicely has been long appreciated in Europe for the sweet anise flavor of its young shoots, leaves, and fruits, sweet cicely has yet to make many inroads into American cooking. 

Leaves may be harvested from early spring to early fall; they are best used raw, as they lose most of their scent and flavor when dried.   The leaves sweeten salad dressings, omelets, soups, stews, and vegetable dishes.

Wild Food Frittata:  Serves 2/ Double if you need four servings

This recipe is so easy and satisfying. It can be adapted for just about any edible plants growing in your garden. Of course, any veggie, cheese, herb combination can be substituted as well. 

Ingredients

4 local, organic, free-range eggs
1/2 cup grated organic parmesan, feta, or raw cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp plain organic yogurt
1 bunch of wild greens
1/2 organic onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves organic garlic, crushed or 3 garlic scallions 
Sea salt and fresh cracked organic pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Sauté onions in olive oil using a small cast iron or another oven-safe skillet over medium heat until they become nice and caramelized. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Toss in the nettle leaves and dandelion flowers and sauté with onions and garlic for another minute or two.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, and cheese. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and season with salt and pepper.

Spread veggie mixture evenly on bottom of the skillet. Pour egg mixture into the skillet and gently stir together until the veggies are covered, then allow to cook for a few minutes.

When the egg mixture is about half set, put the whole pan in the oven. Bake for 7-10 minutes, until your frittata is puffy and golden around the edges. Remove the pan from the oven using oven mitts and let stand for several minutes.

Nettle Frittata http://mountainroseblog.com/dandelion-frittata/

More options: http://kimwiney.blogspot.com/2013/04/dandelion-frittata-truly-radical-food.html

Wild Tea Of The Week: Mayweed,chamomile,lemon verbena,lemon balm, lemon verbena and valerian flower tea: 

Wild tea mix

2 to 4 cups of water

Bring water to boil and pour wild tea mix in, turn off burner and steep for 2 to 5 minutes.

 If you would like to have the mix stronger for more health benefits make an infusion. 

Lemon Verbena:  http://www.healthyliving-herbs.co.za/index.php/herb-articles/568-lemon-verbena-aloysia-triphylla-lippia-citriodora

More recipes for lemon verbena: http://oldfashionedliving.com/lemonverbena.html  

Sage:  is a superb aid in the digestion of rich, fatty meat.  It also helps lower cholesterol levels and is a bitter tonic for the liver.  It is an excellent herb for rebuilding vitality and strength during long-term illness.  Sage is a well-known cold and flu fighter.  Because of its astringent, antiseptic, and relaxing action on the mucous membranes, sage is the classic remedy for inflammation of the mouth, throat, and tonsils.  It is one of the best remedies for laryngitis, tonsillitis, and sore throat.  Sage has many more healing qualities, for more information on this herb I suggest getting Rosemary Gladstar's book, Medicinal Herbs, a beginners guide.  

Sage Pesto: 

This is a great recipe for a healthy, healing herb paste.  Sage dominates the flavor of this pungent, strong pesto.  You can use less sage fi you find it overpowering.  If you would like to add more healing nutrients try adding fresh wild herbs such as dandelion greens, chickweed, and plantain.  

Recipe from Rosemary Gladstar's book:  Medicinal Herbs, a beginners guide 

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems

1/2 cup parsely

1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh sage leaves, first time making it try the 1/4 cup version and if you would like it stronger than next time add more

3 cloves garlic

3/4 to 1 cup olive oil

1/4 to 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or walnuts or a mix

1/4 cup raw cheese (optional) 

Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt 

To make: 

Combine the herbs, garlic and olive oil in a blender or food processor and pulse until creamy.  Mix in the nuts or seeds and cheese (if using) and salt and pepper ot taste.  

To use: 

Serve on toast or crackers, pasta, steamed grains, omelets, vegetables or organic meat.

Sage Stress Reliever Tea

Handful of fresh sage leaves

Handful of fresh mint or small amount of fresh rosemary

Handful of fresh lemon balm 

These measurements are the playful way to connect with yourself and make tea.  

Gather your ingredinets and listen to what your body is telling you.  If you body says little more or a little less listen to it.  

I would start with about 4 cups of water, bring to boil add herbs turn the stove off and steep for 2 to 5 minutes. 

Enjoy it outdoors or with a loved one. Make sure all electric gadgets are turned off. 

Pictured, Sage and Lemon Balm

Nettle Garlic Buttermilk Biscuits:  Makes 12 - 15 Biscuits

2 cups organic unbleached flour 

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder, aluminium free! 

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

5 Tbls. organic butter

1 cup of organic buttermilk, (when I can not find organic butter milk I use yogurt.  I mix 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/2 cup  water and mix)  

4 cloves fresh garlic, crushed or 4 finely minced garlic scallions

1 cup finely chopped fresh Nettle leaves, thick gloves for  chopping the Nettles

Preheat oven 400 degrees

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir thoroughly.  Using two better knives or a pastry cutter, add butter until mixture resembles a crumbly meal.

Ina separate bowl, combine buttermilk with garlic and nettle leaves.  Add this liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and gently fold together to forma soft dough. 

Turn dough onto a floured cutting board, kneed gently until it just comes together, adding a little more flour if needed, and roll the dough out until it's about 1/2 think.  Using the rim of a small glass, cut the dough into 2 1/2 - 3 inch rounds and place on an un-greased baking sheet.

Bake for 18 minutes or until light golden brown.

Remove immediately from baking sheet to avoid over-crisping the biscuit bottoms and serve warm with butter. 

It Is Time To Drop The Potato Chips!!!! Make Kale Chips

Spicy Kale Chips

1/3 tsp ground cumin 
1/3 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp cayenne (add 1/8 tsp for spicier chips)
1/8 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
½ lb kale (about ¾ a bunch), large stems removed, cut into 2 to 3-inch pieces 

How to make it:
1. Preheat the oven to 275ºF. In a medium bowl, combine the spices, salt, and oil. Stir to dissolve. Add the kale and toss to coat. 
2. Spread leaves in a single layer on two baking sheets. Try to flatten any folded-over pieces for optimum crispness. Bake until the tips of leaves are slightly crispy, about 10 minutes. Use a spatula to turn the leaves over, and continue to roast until the leaves are crisp and slightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes more. Makes 4 servings.

Pizza Kale Chips: http://www.youngandraw.com/pizza-kale-chips-by-chef-amber-shea/

More Recipes For Kale Chips: 

http://blog.womenshealthmag.com/dish/kale-chips/

This Weeks Harvest:

Nettle, kale, spinach,cabbage, cauliflower/broccoli mix, brassica mix, bitter Lettuce, zucchini, a pepper, a few purple beans, a cucumber,  collard greens, celery, curly top garlic,  lemon balm, peppermint, sage, basil and high vitamin c tea

High Vitamin C Tea

Ingredients:  rose hips, hibiscus flowers, lemon grass, cinnamon chips

Note:  Vitamin C is a noted antioxidant with disease-fighting abilities.  

Rose Hips:  They contain more vitamin C than almost any other herb, many times the amount found in citrus fruit when measured gram by gram.  

Hibiscus:  high in vitamin C and bioflavonoids.  It has slightly astringent properties.  It is useful for treating mild colds, flus, bruising, and swelling. 

Lemon Grass:  http://planetwell.com/lemongrass-health-benefits-and-healing-properties/

Cinnamon:  Although cinnamon is considered to be simply a spice by most Westerners, herbalists have been using it for centuries as a warming digestive aid.  It is a wonderful mild stimulant and can be combined with ginger to treat circulatory and digestive problems.  It has antiviral and antiseptic activities, making it useful for fighting infections.  

High Vitamin C Tea Recipe: 

4 parts rose hips

3 parts hibiscus

2 parts lemongrass

1 part cinnamon chips 

This is where I order my herbs from: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

This is a great recipe, I really recommend trying this one.

Sage Pesto:  http://mcminnvillehealthdefense.ning.com/profiles/blogs/sage-pesto

 ‘Green Sauce'

Green sauce is a common and ages-old early spring recipe, adapt to what you have on hand.

2 cups mixed greens, you can use orach, green garlic, beet greens, chard, arugula, celery leaves, nasturtium leaves, almost any other green herb from your garden... The sky's the limit. 1 clove garlic or 1 shallot or 3 scallion bottoms, chopped fine 1/2 cup cottage cheese 1/2 cup yogurt or sour cream S & P & lemon juice to taste Put all ingredients in  a food processor and mash/whirl til desired consistency. This sauce can be a soup embellishment, a potato topper, a risotto flavoring, etc. Experiment and enjoy.

Basil Vinaigrette

6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
20 basil leaves
3 roasted garlic cloves ( or more if you are a garlic lover)
sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
 

In a blender, purée 4 tbsp. oil, vinegar, , basil, and garlic and season with salt and pepper; transfer vinaigrette to a small bowl and set aside.

Pour this yummy vinaigrette on some chopped veggies and roast them in the oven.  

Bread, Tomato and Basil Salad 

2 lbs. medium tomatoes, cored and cut into small wedges
12 oz. organic french bread or sour dough bread, torn into bite-size pieces and lightly toasted
1 cup loosely packed baby arugula ( or mustard greens, spinach, collard greens)
12 fresh basil leaves, torn
½ red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
organic goat cheese or raw organic cheddar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, bread, arugula, basil, and onions.

2. In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the oil, vinegar, and garlic; drizzle dressing over salad. Season generously with salt and pepper, toss to combine, and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

3.  Serve and sprinkle with organic goat cheese 

Lemon Balm Herbal Butter: 

1/4 cup finely minced lemon balm

2 tablespoons, finely chopped thyme

1 cup of organic butter 

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp garlic granules

Cream butter and stir in herbs. Chill for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to blend. Use on roasted meats, rice, vegetables and bread.  

Lemon Balm Sun Tea 

2 tablespoons of fresh leaves for each cup water

Place lemon balm and cool water in covered jar in the sun for a few hours

Strain add honey and, or lemon

Add mint for a refreshing lemony mint tea

 Chocolate Zucchini Bread-Gluten Free

1 cup of Rapunzel Chocolate Hazelnut Butter OR  use almond butter sweetened with 1 tbsp of maple syrup

1 cup shredded zucchini

2 large eggs

2 tbsp grade b maple syrup

1 tbsp pure vanilla

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp sea salt

1-2 tbsp organic dark chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. In a medium bowl combine the chocolate hazelnut butter, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt and blend for 2 minutes on medium speed.
3. Add baking soda and vinegar (will fizz up) and blend for 30 more seconds.
4. Stir in shredded zucchini. If really watery, squeeze out excess water.
5. Place in a lined or greased loaf pan. You can use one 5x9" pan or 2 mini loaf pans.
6. Top with 1-2 tbsp of mini chocolate chips.
7. Bake for 23-28 minutes if you have mini loaf pans and 35-50 minutes for large loaf pan. Start testing with a toothpick at 35 minutes and when it comes out clean when inserted in the center, it is done.
8. Allow to cool on a cooling rack and serve. You can also serve warm too.

Mountain Mama Wellness Box:  

Lemon balm, tea mix (apple-mint, lemon verbena, calendula and cleavers), collard greens, swiss chard, kale, tomatoes, peppers, nettle,  potatoes, zucchini, broccoli leaves, celery seed, wild food mix (dandelion, yellow dock and sheep sorrel), kohlrabi, garlic chives, celery, basil, beets, onions and tops.

If you don't have a CSA/farm share, no problem, check out the organic farmers at your local farmers market.  Fall crops are starting to come in, that means it is time to up your intake of more green veggies.  It also means it is time to stop the sugar intake, do not increase your sugar intake with all the holiday goodies.  Sugar brings down your immune system!  

Again increase the green veggies, the beets, the turn-up greens, mustard greens, collard greens, cabbage, wild edible weeds, kohlrabi, etc...   

JUST A REMINDER...........

Think Twice Before You Support Wholefoods: 

http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=B2DB9DDBCAAFBB5162760F0D61FD46FD

HAVE YOU MADE A GOAL OF NO FAST FOOD?  

YOUR BODY IS YOUR 401 K PLAN........

Zucchini Pineapple Bread: 

Wild Soup: 

Dandelion, yellow dock and sheep sorrel

Garlic chives, chopped

Celery, chooped

onions, chopped

1 tsp (or more thyme) 

1 tsp pepper

4 cups organic milk, (raw is best) never buy ultra pasteurized!  or Milk Alternative

2 tablespoons arrowroot or organic white flour

2 tablespoons organic butter 

Sea salt to taste 

Saute onions and celery then add chopped garlic chives. Cook about a minute

 Wash sorrel, dandelion and yellow dock and put in saucepan with a little water (not covered). Cook slowly for about 1/2 hour.  Strain and put in a soup pot. 

Add sauteed mixture

Put 4 cups of milk . Add 2 teaspoonfuls of butter and 2 tablespoonfuls of  arrowroot or flour (thoroughly blended to avoid lumps) to the hot milk.

Add thyme and pepper,  Cook on low for about 5 minutes, be careful not to burn. 

Enjoy! 

More on Sheep Sorrel:

http://blog.emergencyoutdoors.com/edible-wild-plants-sheep-sorrel-rumex-acetosella/

Kohlrabi and Kohlrabi leaves

http://www.thekitchn.com/top-five-ways-to-prepare-kohlr-60321

Kohlrabi leaves:  saute them like beet greens. Yummy! 

Sauteed Kale and Kohlrabi:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sauteed-Kale-with-Kohlrabi-354974

We like to eat ours raw.  Here is a great recipe below.  Remember if you do not have a certain ingredient, for any recipe, just omit it or get creative with what you have around the house.  

We also like to keep it simple and just slice it up and eat it raw.  

http://g0lubka.blogspot.com/2012/08/kohlrabi-avocado-salad.html

Garlic Chives

Barbecue Sauce: 

1 cup plain tomato sauce

2/3  cup organic shade grown strongly brewed coffee

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tabelspoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons coconut sugar or organic brown sugar

2 tablespoon organic unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

1 or 2 chipotle chili pepper or  pepper of choice.  You can also roast them. 

 (never use green bell peppers)

4 shallots, or 1 large onion chopped

4 garlic cloves minced 

2 teaspoons finely minced fresh organic ginger root

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1.  Saute, shallots or onion, garlic and peppers. 

2.  Add minced ginger to sauteed mixture, cook 2 minutes

3.  Put sauteed ingredients in medium size sauce pan. 

4.  Place all  the rest of the ingredients in a medium size sauce pan.  Stir adn combine. 

5.  Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat.  

6.  Reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until mixture has thickened slightly about 10 minutes.  

7.  Remove from heat and let cool in the pan. 

Enjoy!

Saturday Morning Fire

A great place to sit and drink tea after harvesting this morning

Thankful for the abundance of produce! 

AND PLEASE REMEMBER....

This Winter Balm ( It has a texture, just like a salve) has been really fun to make.  Don't get me wrong, I love everything about my other salves.  My first Herbal Salve gave me adventures in the mountains, collecting the herbs that I needed.  I loved watching it as it was being sun infused during the summer weeks.  Going from no color to deep red.  My second salve, the Invigorating Salve, I fell in love with the herb Rosemary.  Rosemary has so many healing qualities, it is incredible   Such a simple herb to grow.  The comfrey in both the salves was from my own comfrey patches.  If I would say I had a favorite herb, I would say comfrey is on  the list.  It is also, great horse, goat, chicken and duck food.  I will make sure I harvest enough  next summer!  

So, what is so special about the Winter Balm?  The smell!  It smells incredible .. Imagine you just picked a sprig of evergreen off of a cedar branch.  Now imagine putting that smell on you body, your sore joints, your arthritis or on your chest if you have a chest cough.  There is more.  It has dried juniper berries and grated orange peel in it.  It is also used for aromatherapy  it will take away your unhappiness, your fears, your tears by rubbing this amazing balm on you.  Feel sad, feel fearful, feel angry, just apply as much as need throughout the day.  Breath it in, in many deep breaths and it will pull those negative emotions away.  

It smells so good some people buy this for a truly natural perfume. 

Winter Balm Ingredients

Evergreen, cedar, juniper, orange peel, infused in olive oil, almond oil, sunflower oil and love.  

Evergreen and cedar are a  beautiful combination for aromatherapy. 

The juniper is used for aromatherapy  for congestion in coughs and colds, it eases aching muscles, helps with rheumatic and arthritic pain.  

The orange peel, just gives it the last great kick of feeling like it is summer

The Winter Balm is great for warming muscles, helping sore and achy muscles.  Speeds  up healing for chapped lips or cracked skin.  A mild chest rub for chronic coughs or chest congestion.  Aromatherapy for what ales you emotionally.  

Winter Balm Price: 

1 oz $ 6.00

2 oz 12.00 

4 oz $20.00 

Edible Evergreens

Most Evergreen trees are edible, but for safety and simplicity, stick to the Pine, Fir and Spruce family.

It was discovered back in the days of scurvy that these trees are extremely high in Vitamin C, as well as vitamin A, quercetin, flavonoids, anthocyanins and volitile oils that are beneficial for respiratory conditions,coughs, colds and flus as well as being anti inflamatory.

Pine Power

The pine has been revered and used all over the world. It was used as a traditional remedy by the Native American Indians, and there is a Taoist practice of surviving only on pine needles to gain supernatural powers that has its roots in the pine tree’s symbolism of integrity and honour. The Scandinavians used pine branches in saunas, and many cultures stuffed mattresses with pine needles to repel lice, fleas, and other insects. In fact, pine-needle mattresses are still used today in the Swiss Alps, as a remedy for rheumatism.

A cup of pine needle tea may supply five times as much vitamin C as in a lemon.

Studies in both China and Russia have also found it to be Anti-Fungal, Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Viral, AntiOxidant & Anti-Aging, Helpful for Weight, Cholesterol & High blood pressure, Relieves Sore, Aching Muscles, Stimulating to the Liver, Astringent for the Bladder, Relaxing to the Mind and Stress Relieving, AND Helpful in Restoring Overall Balance to The Body! 

Identification

Pine trees usually have quite long needles, sometimes up to 8 inches.

Spruce and fir have much shorter needles, with the fir being more sparse.

Pine Needle Tea

• ½ cup of pine needles
  (or other needles from fir or spruce trees)

Crush the needles slightly & add to a pot of boiling water (3-4 cups). Simmer for 15-20 mins.  I love making a lunar infusion when I go backpacking: 

You can add a spoon of honey or other liquid sweetener (maple syrup, agave, etc), as well as herbs such as rosemary or green tea, to this wonderfully aromatic brew.

Left over tea can be added to a bath, poured over the stones in a sauna, or used as a rinse for the hair to combat dandruff!

 Douglas Fir Green Smoothie Recipe

• 10 Tips of Douglas Fir
  (gather the fresh young tips in spring)
• 2 cups of spinach or your favourite green
• 2 bananas
• 2 cups of water

Simply blend and Enjoy!

Swap recipes around with different young green tips of either Spruce or Pine. Use some foraged Wild Edibles instead of Spinach, and add in some berries to boost the Vitamin C content for Winter Wellness. For example, add in freshly foraged rosehips!

The fresh green spring tips are also great to add to salads. You can also run a few needles through your juicer to add extra oompf to your juices.

Alternatively, take 10-15 fresh pine needles and chew them thoroughly. Swallow the juice, but spit what is left of the needles!

Pine Needle Vinegar or Oil

• 500ml Glass Jar
• 500ml of either Cyder Vinegar or Organic Cold Pressed Oil
• Several handfuls of Pine Needles

Make sure the jar is very clean and dry. Slightly crush the pine needles with a rolling pin and pack them into the jar. Pour on as much vinegar or oil to fill and cover the jar. Allow to infuse for up to 6 weeks. Strain and use or if you wanted a stronger infusion, or pack in more fresh crushed needles. For a more balsamic tasting vinegar, add a tablespoon of coconut sugar.

Both are wonderful aditions to salad dressings. The vinegar is also great to take in a cup of warm lemon and honey to ward of colds and flus, while the oil is great to massage tired aching limbs.

Pine is also reputed to relieve skin conditions, such as psoriasis. You can use the oil or make an ointment to rub on irritated skin or fungal infections.

Spruce Butter

Melt a pound of coconut oil gently over a bain marie, then add ¼ cup of young fresh spruce tips.

Allow to infuse for a couple of hours or overnight. Melt the oil again and strain out the needles.

Use as a flavoursome butter or to add an interesting twist to your recipes. Good as a tonic for the hair and skin as well!

Pine Needle Sugar or Honey

Place crushed pine needles into a jar of honey or coconut sugar and leave for several weeks or months.

Use in teas, desserts or other creative concoctions. 

Pine Bouquet Garnish

Make a little bunch out of sprigs of pine, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves and tie together with a little hemp or organic cotton string.

Drop it into the pot if you’re making a stew, soup or grain based cooked dish and allow the flavours to permeate the dish before removing.

Preserving your Needles

To freeze, just snip the needles into smaller pieces and place in a zip lock bag in the freezer until ready to use.

You can also dehydrate them, or dry out over a stove or in an airing cupboard.

When dry, you can store in a jar, or more interestingly you can process them to a powder in your blender and use to add an aromatic flavor to various recipes.

Plantain

Parts used:  Seeds, roots, and leaves

Benefits:  Plantain is a common weed across almost all of North America and is a highly nutritional food.  It is one of the best poultice herbs and is often referred to as the “green bandage”  Great herb for treating blood poisoning, used externally on the infected area and internally as a tea.  This herb is very effective for treating liver sluggishness and inflammation of the digestive tract.

Suggested uses:  It is considered a bitter, make as an infusion,  edible green leaves, make a poultice with the fresh leaves to soothe irritation (bee stings and infection).

Oregon Grape:

Parts used:  Roots

Benefits:  It has exceptional anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antiviral properties.  It is excellent for fighting systemic infection, as well as topical cleansing, making it especially useful for treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Suggested uses:  Decot the root and use it as a topical wash for infections, or take it (tincture) internally for infections, poor digestion, and as a tonic for the liver.

Mullein:

Parts used:  leaves, flowers and roots

Benefits:  absolutely the best oil for ear infections.  The leaves are used most often especially in cough formulas and for respiratory infections, bronchial infections, asthma and glandular imbalances.   Mullein used to be called the torch plant, because  its long, flowering stalks were dried, dipped in fat or oil and lit as a slow-burning  torch.  

Suggested uses:  Prepare the flowers as an infused oil for treating ear infections.  The leaves can be prepared as a tincture or an infusion for bronchial congestion, colds, and coughs. 

Nettle:

Parts used:  leaves, seeds, roots, and young tops

Benefits:  It is a vitamin factory, rich in iron, calcium, potassium, silicon, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and chromium as well as a hot of other vitamins and minerals.  It activates the metabolism by strengthening and toning the entire system.  Strengthens weak kidneys and liver.  It is an excellent herb to help with allergies and hay fever. 

Suggested uses:  tea, freeze-dried capsules, Young nettle leaves can be used to replace spinach in any recipe.

Lemon Balm

Parts used:  leaves and flowers

Benefits:  Calming, antiviral, and antiseptic.  Excellent for stomach distress and general exhaustion.  Can be used as a mild sedative and for insomnia. 

Suggested use:  It makes a delicious tea and tincture.  

 A few other things to look for on our nature walk:  Cat's ear, dandelion, st. johns wort and yellow dock.