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Last night the little devils that speak in your ear were trying to talk me into taking a break.  They were yelling loud and clear.  They worked hard all the way through to this morning to get me to not hit my goal this morning.  

As I walked up the hill that headed toward the steep mountain I heard in broad day light the howling of a coyote.  For those of you who do not know the coyote is a symbol for being a trickster.  As I stopped and stood by the big evergreen tree I enjoyed the howl of this lonely coyote, understanding the message.  

It was a morning of tiredness, not wanting to work out and wanting to give in to those evil brats that were trying to take my dedication away.  Plus, my legs were burning way to early in my walk up.  

I was still going to get up that mountain and work on my forms.  The two little devils did talk me into just doing the 3 forms just 3 times and I would stop.  So they thought... 

As I was walking up I started to feel more awake, I moved slow enough to get the burning in my legs to stop.  At that point I pulled my dog Rocky and sped up. 

I found a shady spot to workout in, it had a bit of a hill, some gravel and some slippery wet grass.  I started with some rotations a few kicks and I was ready to do my forms.  

After I made it through my forms, the little devils were in for a disappointment because I found my energy and my positive angels.  I not only did I do my forms, I worked on my kicks, added a new kick to work on ( whirlwind)  and I worked on one of the forms 3 more times.  

The morning sun was beautiful and hot.  The smell of honey-suckle was filling the air with a combinations of evergreen, the mountain was showing her beauty, she gave me strength, through her beauty, fresh air and wonderful stereo sound of song birds.  

After my workout I drank my tea and  had a great conversation.  

When the little devils tell you to quit, tell them about the little train that could.  This is one person with MCS that is not stopping her life.  I am feeling very proud of myself.    

Now. I just need to catch up on my farm chores, it seems time is moving faster and I can not work hard and fast enough.  

Workout: 

10 front kicks right and left

10 straight leg kicks right and left

15 standing oblique crunches both sides

Pow Chow 3 x

Yet Sum 6 x 

Wah Lum Little First Form 3 x 

10 outside crescent kicks right and left

10 inside crescent kicks right and left

12 spinning inside crescent kicks right and left

7 whirl winds right and left.  

10 narrow push ups

10 wide push ups

Stretch

This salad feeds the senses of smell and sight, as well as delights the taste buds.   This salad provides the body with important vitamins, minerals, fiber, nutrition, tissue support.  Disease prevention at it's best. Eat this salad at least 5 times a week. 

1/4 cup flaxseed oil

1/4 cup olive oil

1 clove crushed garlic

8 Greek or Italian olives, or 4 of each, pitted and sliced, (ferrous sulfate free olives)

3 fresh green onions, chopped

1 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon sweet basil

1 tablespoon rosemary

1 tablespoon thyme

2 sweet peppers, one yellow, one red, thinly sliced

3 tomatoes. sliced

2 heads of dark green leafy lettuce, (choose two different kinds that are in season in your area) washed and broken into bite-sized pieces

sea salt to taste

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1/2 cup chopped chives

1.  Pour the oils into a wooden bowl, and spread the oils onto the sides and bottom of the bowl. 

2.  Add the garlic, lives and green onions.  Use a wooden spoon to gently spread them over the whole bowl.  Repeat this process with half of the balsamic vinegar, sweet basil, rosemary, and thyme.  Allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. 

3.  Stir in the peppers, tomatoes, and carrots.  Add the lettuce, toss, and allow to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. 

4.  Add the remaining basil, rosemary, and thyme:  some sea salt to taste and the parsley,  Toss well. Add more balsamic vinegar if desired.  

5.  Sprinkle the top with chives.   

Yield:  6 to 8 servings 

Organic produce is what heals....... 

This great recipe comes from the book, Healing Tonics, 101 Herbal Concoctions.  It is a great book! 

http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Tonics-Concoctions-Increase-Digestion/dp/1580172407

Among the world's oldest known foods, figs were used to sweeten dishes long before sugarcane was widely cultivated. Figs ripen during mid- to late summer, with some varieties lingering for a second harvest in early fall. Their skin can be purple, green, yellow, brown or white, and their flesh ranges from pale gold to deep, rich red. Fresh, ripe figs are best eaten out of hand but are also excellent served with cheese, grilled to accompany cured meats or savory salads, and paired with creamy desserts.

Figs are rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium. Vitamin C and the B group vitamins are also present in small quantities. They are also high in fibre. Figs have the highest overall mineral content of all common fruits. A 40 gram (1/4 cup) serving provides 244 mg of potassium (7% of the DV), 53 mg of calcium (6% of the DV) and 1.2 mg of iron (6% of 

Preparing
Rinse fresh figs under cold running water and gently pat dry before serving. Overhandling will bruise the delicate fruit. The peel is edible and, unless specified in a recipe, can be left on the fruit. Use a sharp paring knife to cut figs in half lengthwise.

Remember buy organic and support your local farmers.. 

Fig Butter

http://oursimplelife-sc.com/2011/08/03/fig-butter-recipe/

How to use figs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlLcuzdnDuU

How to get your figs to ripen faster on your fig tree: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJckql2bOWc&feature=related

How to dry figs for fruit leather:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY4IzbUEch0

More information on drying figs:

http://www.wikihow.com/Dry-Figs

Fig Salad:

RECIPE:
Serves 1

large handful of fresh lettuce leaves
3 fresh figs, sliced in quarters
1 oz. walnut halves, toasted dry in a pan
sprinkling of blue cheese
2 tbsp. homemade balsamic dressing

Balsamic Vinaigrette:
2 1/2 tbsp mustard
4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup fresh oregano
1 1/2 cups olive oil
1 tsp agave / honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Put all the ingredients,  except the oil in a blender. With the machine running, drizzle in oil. Vinaigrette will emulsify.
Taste for additional seasoning if required.

Fig Salad:

Fig Salad w/ Arugula,  and Walnuts:

2 heads of fresh arugula, washed and dried 
4 fresh figs, quartered (yum)
1/4 cup of walnuts, toasted lightly (watch that they don't burn)


Dressing:
2 tbsp of fig vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1 tsp of tarragon mustard
6 tbsp of good extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp of walnut oil (optional)

Plate your arugula on a large platter and top w/ quartered figs.
Sprinkle walnuts and  all over salad.
Keep cool until ready to serve.
Just before serving, spoon dressing over salad.

Recipe from Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health 

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

HIGH-CALCIUM CHILDREN'S TEA

An excellent blend of herbs that add high quality, naturally bio-chelated calcium and other important minerals to the diet, High Calcium Children's tea is excellent for babies who are teething.  It is also beneficial for children who are undergoing growth spurts or who have had a bone or muscle injury.

3 parts rose hips

2 parts lemon balm

2 parts lemongrass

2 parts oats

1 part nettle

1 part raspberry leaf

1/2 part cinnamon chips

Combine the herbs and store in an airtight container.  To make a tea, prepare as an infusion.

Infusions: 

Infusions are made from the more delicate parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, an aromatic parts.  These fragile plant parts must be steeped, rather than simmered, because they give up their medicinal properties more easily than  the tougher roots and barks.   To make an infusion pour boiling water over the herbs and let steep for 30 to 60 minutes.  

Herbal Mixture suggested dosages for children: 1 cup of water/to suggested amount of herb

Younger than 2 years 1/2 to 1 teaspoon

 2 to 4 years 2 teaspoons

4 to 7 years 1 tablespoon

7 to 11 years 2 tablespoons 

Example: If you have a 4 year old.  I cup boiling water poured over 1 tablespoon of herbal mixture.  You can sweeten it with honey while it is warm and steeping.   Strain after 30 to 60 minutes.   Have your child sip away while you read them a book.  

Adult High-Calcium Tea: 

This calcium-rich tea is soothing and calming to the nerves.  This  is most effective when used over a 3 to 4 month period. 

1 part horsetail ( shave grass)

1 part nettle

1 part oats and oatstraw 

Combine the herbs.  prepare as an infusion.  Drink 3 to 4 cups daily 

Calcium

Add Calcium to your diet! Not only is it important for strong bones and teeth, it is also essential for healthy nerve function.   It will help prevent nervousness, irritability, muscle spasms, muscle cramping, hyperactivity, and insomnia.

Digestive forms of calcium are in seaweed, cultured RAW milk products without sweeteners,most dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach, chard, broccoli, turnip greens,kale, beet greens, and parsley.   Organic RAW almonds and sesame seeds.   

Herbs that are excellent sources of high quality calcium: Amaranth, chickweed, dandelion greens, horsetail, mustard greens, nettle, oats and watercress

Remember milk is touted as a good source of calcium, it is in fact, sorely lacking in the amounts and type needed by our bodies.  Do not rely on getting your calcium  from milk products.....  

For comparison:  

3 1/2 ounces of cow's milk contain 118 mg of calcium.  

The same amount of Hizike ( a mild-flavored seaweed) contains 1,400 mg. Kelp contains 1,093 mg, and wakame, 1,300 mg.  

If you choose to take a calcium supplement, look for supplements that are bio-chelated for easier assimilation and drink the High Calcium Tea.  

Pictured Horse Tail