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Tea is quite likely the oldest drink in the world.  It is said that a person brought tea to their people when, heating water to drink, some branches fell into the pot.  Pulling the pot from the fire and waiting for it to cool slightly before they were able to pull the leaves out, the leaves steeped in the water and tea was born.  Tea has maintained its integrity and charm ever since.  

Infused with any herbs you like, teas can be used to heal, calm, invigorate, center, or soothe.  The art of making tea is a meditation in itself.  Each tea drinker seems to have their own preferred ritual.  

Recipes are not set in stone.  A recipe comes from someone who created it, passed it on, you tried it, changed it, played with it, and  then passed it on.   Some people keep them a secret, which gives people like me a fun challenge, because I will  try to create something similar or even better. Then there are those who give with their hearts and share their recipes.    

Recipes are forever changing.   You need to add your spice to it, your enjoyment to it, what you crave to it,  take that recipe and add more of something,  or decrease an amount, or just omit an ingredient that you do not care for.  It is just that easy.  

Remember when you are creating your teas and herbal cocoas, roots, bark and seeds are the more tenacious parts of a plant, therefore it is a little harder to extract the constituents from these parts.  This means a slow simmer or an overnight infusion is often required.   When you use roots, barks and seeds, you will need to make a decoction

To make a decoction, place the herbs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water.  Heat slowly and simmer, covered, for 20 to 45 minutes.  The longer you simmer the herbs, the stronger the tea will be. 

When you are using the leaves,flowers and aromatic parts ( aromatic plant part, like valerian root,some people call it poop root), you make an infusion.   These parts of the plant are more delicate.  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, simply boil 1 quart of water per ounce of herb.  Or 1 cup water to 1 - 3 tablespoons of herb.  pour water over the herb and let steep for 30 minutes.  

Pictured below is an Nourishing Herbal Infusion of High Calcium Tea.  The jar in the picture is a gallon jar. 

High Calcium Tea Recipe: Make as a tea infusion or nourishing infusion

1 part dried horsetail

1 part dried Nettle

1 part dried oat tops

1 part dried oatstraw

Nourishing Herbal Infusions:  A Quart A Day

You will need herbs, a scale, two quart canning jars with lids, boiling water, and a strainer. Boil a quart of water. While it is heating, measure out one ounce of dried herb and put it in one of the quart jars. When the water boils, pour it into the jar, filling it to the very top. Using a wooden spoon, stir the herb down into the water. If needed, add a little more water. Cap tightly and let sit. After it has brewed for four hours or overnight, strain the liquid from the herb. Use your hands to squeeze the herb so you get every bit of nourishment.  Store the liquid, the infusion, in the refrigerator. Drink it hot or cold.

Sexual Energy Boost: 

1 part dried Damaina

1 part  dried dried Oats

1 part  dried Oatstraw

1 part Epimedium/Horny Goat Weed

Mix, put in a jar and label.

Directions:  1- 2 tablespoon of dried herb to 2 cups of hot water. Bring to a slow boil, cover turn heat down and simmer for 20 minutes.

Kava Kava Root - has the unique ability to relax the body while awakening the mind.  It helps reduce tension, anxiety, and stress.   It's analgesic properties help alleviate pain.  

Kava Kava Hot Cocoa: 

Recipe: http://www.methowvalleyherbs.com/2011/02/kava-hot-cocoa.html

What I did differently: 

I added 1 tablespoon of sweet cinnamon chips. 

I used coconut milk plus water. 

This is my recipe: you will need: 

Kava Kava Root

Sweet Cinnamon Chips

Organic Fair Trade Cocoa Powder

Organic Coconut Milk

Organic Vanilla Extract 

Directions:

1/2 cup Kava Kava Root

1 tablespoon of sweet cinnamon chips

3 cups of spring water or filtered water 

Make a Decoction with the Kava Kava Root and Sweet Cinnamon Chips 

STRAIN: 

Heat strained herbal mixture, add: 

1/2 cup Organic cocoa powder, even better fair trade organic cocoa powder

1 can organic coconut milk

2 cups spring water or filtered water

Bring to a simmer: 

Add: 

1 Tbl. organic vanilla extract 

Stir

Drink 

Enjoy 

You could also top it with some wonderful Marshmallow Root Coconut Cream! Recipe below: 

http://sweetroots.blogspot.com/2012/09/peppermint-hot-chocolate-with-whipped.html

Some other links to Herbal Cocoas: 

http://www.herbco.com/t-chocolate-recipes.aspx

http://bellavistafarm.wordpress.com/tag/herbal-hot-chocolate/

Hot Dandelion Root Cocoa:

 http://mountainroseblog.com/dandelion-hot-cocoa/

Creamy Turmeric Tea, Yummy! 

1 can organic coconut milk

2 - 3 cups spring water or filtered water

1 tsp. Turmeric ( or 2 tsp.)

1 tablespoon fresh minced organic ginger or grated 

pinch of cayenne

pinch of cardamom powder

pinch of cinnamon powder 

Heat coconut milk and water

Then add the rest of the ingredients, stir really good! .  Strain and enjoy! 

Link below:  Turmeric Tea 

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/creamy-turmeric-tea/#axzz2mU0AS2L3

Benefits of Turmeric: 

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6873/25-Reasons-Why-Turmeric-Can-Heal-You.html

http://www.turmeric.co.in/turmeric_ayurvedic_use.htm

Herbal Tea Tasting: 

First Round: 

High Calcium Nourshing Herbal Infusion of horsetail, nettle, oats and oatstraw

Hops- valued for its relaxing effect on the nervous system, and great for insomnia.  Useful for hypertension and eases tension and anxiety in men, as well as decreasing excessive sexual desire.  potent bitter and is excellent as a digestive bitter.  Useful for indigestion due to nervous energy and anxiety. 

Passion Flower - Calming and relaxing.  Has been used to treat epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks.   Can be used for hyperactive children as well as adults. Can be used as a pan reliever for toothache, headache, and menstrual pain.  

Rose Petals- http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail50.php

Lavender Buds- strong nervine and a mild antidepressant.  Offers great relief for headache sufferers. 

Chamomile - a calming, soothing herb, this goes will with the end of the day or before bedtime to ensure restful sleep.  Also beneficial for the skin, used with calendula in teas or baths.  It soothes irritated skin or rashes.  medicinally, it can be used to ease headaches, nerves, and menstrual cramps. 

Valerian Root (described by some of you, as poop root, do to the strong smell)

Second Round

Hibiscus - high in vitamin c and bioflavonoids.  has slight astringent properties.  useful for treating mild colds, flus, bruising, and swelling. 

Elderflower - is used in formulas for colds, flus and upper respiratory infections.  a powerful diaphoretic, by inducing sweating, it reduces fevers.  immune enhancing properties and is especially effective when combined with echinacea. 

Rosehips -  contain more vitamin C than almost any other herb, many times the amount found in citrus fruit.  Antioxidant with disease fighting abilities.  

Elecampane Root - an expectorant and stimulating tonic, used for coughs, bronchitis, asthma, chronic lung ailments, and even tuberculosis.  

Elderberry- is used in formulas for colds, flus and upper respiratory infections.  a powerful diaphoretic, by inducing sweating, it reduces fevers.  immune enhancing properties and is especially effective when combined with echinacea. 

Lobelia (  This one made some of you really dry in your throat) - used for serious respiratory problems.   stimulates the respiratory center in the brain, producing  deeper and stronger breathing.  It is a powerful antispasmodic herb, meaning that it relaxes the chest and opens constricted bronchial passages, it is a superb expectorant,  and excellent for spastic or dry coughing and wheezing.   Great for asthma and bronchitis.  Applied externally, lobelia soothes inflammation  and reduces the pain of boils and rheumatism.    This is one powerful herb and it is best to formulate with other herbs and taken with moderate amounts of water.  Please use tiny amounts when you first try this herb.  It would be best to read more information on it, so you can have a good experience with using it.  http://www.herballegacy.com/King_Dosages.html

Lemongrass - aids digestive health. 

Third Round

Astragalus Root- energizing and tonic herb,  builds up immune strength and it is energizing to the entire body, particularly the spleen and lungs.   It is used to treat chronic imbalances.  It stimulates the rebuilding of the bone marrow reserve that supports and regenerates the body's protective shield.   It is used to prevent and treat long term infections, including chronic colds, recurring flus, and candida.  It promotes circulatory health.  

Fennel- a licorice tasting herb, a little goes a long way.  don't let it over power your tea.  In addition to easing flatulence, this herb tones and strengthens the stomach, cleans the liver, and helps with chest afflictions. Externally it's said you can crush the herb ans use it as a flea powder.  Besides the digestive combination of fennel, anise and licorice, it's also nice with lemony herbs, lemongrass, lemon balm or fresh lemon. 

Raspberry Leaf - another bright red tea maker, this is nice in combination with clover and hibiscus ( the latter is another strong flavored herb, so just a little bit).  A good one for pregnancy, it strengthens, tones and cleanses during or after pregnancy.  It can also be used to soothe menstrual cramps. 

Burdock Root- is truly a superior tonic herb.  It is simply the best herb for the skin and can be used internally and externally.  It is a specific for the liver and because of it's pleasant flavor, it is often formulated with other less tasty "liver herbs." 

Damaina Leaf - has a strong reputation as an herb of passion and romance.   It is an herb to add to your longevity herb formulas  because it is completely restorative.  It restores exhausted nerves, exhausted dreams, and exhausted spirit.  It will help restore sexual vitality, can strengthen the reproductive systems of both men and women.  Great to use for nerves, a relaxant and antidepressant.  

Combo: Sassafras, rosehips and cinnamon

Sassafras - Traditionally this was the herb used in Root Beer tonic drinks that were made from roots and barks for seasonal cleansing.   Cleansing and stimulating for congestion in the liver and gallbladder.  It has a ground action (yang).   A powerful astringent, used externally for insect bites and internally for diarrhea.   A great herb for male tonic drinks.  

Cinnamon - is a wonderful and used in combination with clove ( just a pinch), all spice, nutmeg and orange peel.  It is said that cinnamon awakens all five our our senses, allowing us to enjoy meals more thoroughly as well as clear the path to our sixth sense, intuition.  This is a warming herb, along with ginger.  Drink it to fight off the winter chills

 I use sweet cinnamon chips for teas and regular cinnamon chips for salves and liniments.  

Last Round

Longevity Chai- Ashwagandha, astragalus, fo-ti, burdock root, dandelion root, ginger root, cardamom seeds,  sweet cinnamon chips, organic black tea, water and organic original oat milk. 

Other Tea Ideas and Recipes:

http://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/making-herbal-teas-warming-winter-tea-recipe.aspx#axzz2mI3PwpVY

http://herbalacademyofne.com/2012/12/hawthorn-tea-for-the-winter-heart/

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/7-herbal-teas-that-will-make-you-healthy

These days there is a lot of talk about heart health.  It is the number one killer of men and women.  There is tons of information out there on the top healthy foods for a healthy heart, but I want to dive into the emotional side of it.    You can eat all the organic healthy, holistic, awesome food out there, take the best herbal tonics, exercise regularly  and still have heart problems if you are not taking care of the emotional side of your heart.   Not only can you build walls in your arteries from a bad diet, but you can also build walls in your heart due to the negative emotions, fears, loss, sadness, ego, anger, that you do not process or let go of.     There is only so much your heart can take before it implodes or hardens and stops.  

So, here I will begin with my story of understanding I was Hopelessly Holding On.... 

Humans hold onto way to much.  To much storage of physical things and emotional things.. 

I have been concerned with heart health.  You can do all the right things with your health, like eat organic healthy food, finding out your food allergies, exercise, etc. 

But, if we don't laugh enough, get stuck in the fast pace of life, a life that does not feel like it  completes you, a stressful job, no community and holding on to the past,  this will  clog and malfunction your heart.     These negative emotions, will give you a traffic jam in your system. Broken Hearts, (either physically broken,emotionally or both) are the number one killer for humans.  

They say that you heart is your brain  and that 40,000 sensory neurons  relay information to the brain from the heart.   The heart connects to your nervous system,  it produces hormones and it receives energetic information from strong electrical and electromagnetic fields. 

The heart is a muscle and if it is not worked on it will become weak.  It provides the body with nourishment and oxygen.  If you are not being emotionally nourished it would be hard for your heart to produce it's breath of life (oxygen) to feed all the other organs of the body.  Therefore you get stagnation and stagnation brings pollution and pollution brings disease.  

Dis Eases of life.  

Your heart carries away waste, but if it is clogged with negative emotions and holding on to what will never be, how can it carry the waste away?  If your system is short circulating due to this process, where will this waste end up?  Holding on to waste is toxic and it can effect you physically and mentally.

The heart consists of chambers, arteries and more, which to me represents the paths that you have walked in your life and where you have lived.   And from the paths, if there was stress, hurt, anger, jealousy and unforgiving, these negative hurtful times are the brick and mortar of the cement walls that are being built in your arteries.   And for some, this process started at a very early age, literally ones heart is bursting from the overload of heartache 

There are two chambers, one chamber of your heart gives and one  receives.  

If the giving and receiving in life are off balance this can negatively effect your chambers and fill them up with waste.  If you give too much, because you do not set boundaries and people keep coming and taking from you, this negatively fills you up with emotional waste.The other side of this, is you do not give enough to community at large, family or friends and this leads to sour heart becoming tight and stiff (remember the story of the Grinch).  

Your receiving chamber of your heart, do you receive giving from others well?  Or do you expect it, Has your receiving made you a taker?  Hoarding and taking to much,  builds walls within this same system... 

As you can see with two chambers it is much like a yin yang symbol. It really is all about balance. 

Holding onto happy memories that are  dear to ones heart feels good, but if you hold on to them hoping you can have it back again, then this is not good for ones heart.  Which means you are  building cement walls within the tiny paths within the chambers of your life, a hardening of the arteries, stagnation and shut down in the system.   

Holding on to negativity eats your heart out like acid...  Acid Relfux, heart palpitation, insomnia, anxiety and stress induced asthma, 

I wish I could deny the fact that I have had serious turmoil in my life.  No glass slippers here.  It has been ongoing since I was a child.   My heart is stacked full.   I believe my heart has been speaking to me and I am glad I am listening.   Most people would either ignore it or medicate it.  Ignoring builds more walls and medicating it adds more toxic waste.  

It wasn't until I hit my two year anniversary from the bad accident, that  I had  been hit with some serious emotions from the past.    There was a couple of times that some serous quietness, deep thinking and depression had hit me for a couple of days in a row.  During these times I was seriously in my head, which really meant I was trying to break down the walls that have been built in my heart for to many years.  

I have been known to be a person who does not cry and if I do I stomp it out quick, I am full of fire, stubborn.   Being very connected to the earth, I find that at this age, I get even more angry towards,farmers, the city, the  county, with their chemical applications that they toxify the earth with.   I am also past the middle of my menopausal journey.. This means, I am going through a journey of my past, present and who I am going to become..  It is a bit painful at times but this process is important.  Just as important as a butterfly hatching out of its cocoon.  You can't help it otherwise it will be deformed.  Menopause is just the same, it is a process that can be hard, painful and joyous all at the same time.   I feel blessed to be on this journey and especially blessed that I am listening..  For the men out there, you also go through a process it is called Male Menopause.  Some might call it mid life crisis 

It was December 21st 2015, Winter Solstice, seven days from my TWO year anniversary date of my accident.   I was dealing with a lot of emotions.  I was feeling dragged down by all the things that have been left undone, physically and mentally in my life.  I already had  big list of to do's, prior to my accident.  The list is now bulging and I am feeling overwhelmed and trying to find a starting spot to continue the journey.

 When your activity has been reduced to a minimum and you have so little help with things, life just feels overwhelming.    Starting points seem unclear but you have piles and piles in front of you.  

On Winter Solstice, something was stirring in me.  My husband and I headed up the mountain with our animal family, tea pot, candle and smudge stick.  It was beautiful and quite.  We talked of changes, heart aches from our past, enjoyed a cup of tea, had prayers and mediation time.

That night I had something come to me that spoke so strongly that it stuck in my head.  The message was this "LET GO OF WHAT DOES NOT SERVE YOU"   It was if I had a revelation of some sort.   A few days later, I am headed up the mountain to the spot that I had my accident.  I was going to sit there and have tea and work on letting go.    As my husband and I were walking the horses up the mountain they  made a turn down another road.    This never happens on this road.  I usually have to lead them down.   My husband asked me what I wanted to do, at that point they ran.   At first I got tense, but then a few seconds after I realized my message was happening right in front of my eyes.  "LET GO OF WHAT DOES NOT SERVE YOU"   It was time to finally let go of what happened to me, not only from the accident but from everything that has been backed up, clogged up in my heart center.  This means a purging process has begun and that I need to make sure it does not get damned back up.  

I know most people were looking for a blog from my husband about our New Year.  They were probably expecting a funny story about his wife (me) and our empty nester experiences.  But our New Year experience has been about purging. We have been taking dump loads of stuff from our past or things that are just not going to get done, to the dump.    Believe it or not some of these things have been holding me back without me realizing it. Storage is nothing but a place to store things that do not serve you.  Some of those things you hold on to tightly hoping to feel that feeling again... These things effect your heart,  your center and they take you off balance.

As I am purging I am getting things done, as I purge it is opening up opportunity's in my life to heal and have new experiences.

Today January 8th 2015 marks another step.  We had a old dodge van.. She just left to live the rest of her life to be scrapped out and become something new again.   As the man was loading her up. I kept having to hold back tears.  I thought how funny that would be if this strong woman started crying as the man was towing away a rusty old metal dodge van.  I held strong, took a few pictures, helped him out of the drive way and cried as he drove away.     

 I am going from a Mom that was needed, to a Mom that is finding herself as her kids find out who they are because they have spread their wings in the flight called life.  

That beast of a van held so many fun memories when we were a family of 8..    Memories that I cherished and loved.  It was a time of me being mommy and step mom.  I loved being a mom ( I am still mom)  Kids laughing in the back seat, singing, sleeping, being grumpy, being excited, fourth of July fun on the beach and so much more.  I can still here the kids singing we will rock you in the van.   I can still hear my son Brandon laughing in the back seat and years later on my birthday I sat in back as he drove us home from the beach.  

Having a mixed family was not easy and this is what I have held on to.  Hoping for the good memories to come back. This has built up in my heart and letting this beast of a van go is the last purge of the past.  

The "Time Of The Van", there were life changes, people changes, people come and go and we all had to to except that without it affecting our hearts.   

Holding on to that which is not...

To much hope and change, without change becomes stagnation and no growth

Holding on to happy memories is what  also creates holding onto  to much hoping to create that situation again

You never know until you finally release something that holding on was holding you back

Yes, there is such a thing as hope but one must realize that holding hope for too long can hold you back

Release breaks up stagnation

Release is what brings in the new

You can't fix what has been lost

Let Go Of What Does Not Serve You

What serves your heart? 

This is my year of new,  It is my new birth year, a new year to birth out new ides, more happiness, more nature, more epic adventure out in the Oregon Wild, success, community, knowledge, love, peace and for me it is the year  to 'LET GO OF WHAT DOES NOT SERVE ME)

Besides a fantastic diet, herbs  and exercise this is what will heal my heart and yours.   For the heart is the brain and this brain controls the functions of you... 

If you don't take care of  your body,

where are you going to live?

Mickey Spillane

What Is Good Heart Medicine?

21 Principles That Keep Your Heart Happy and Healthy

1. Put your emotional life in balance

2. Keep it  corny, laugh and play frequently

3.  Make life juicy, not dry

4.  Peel the extra layers of heaviness off of your life

5.  Size matters, eat many small healthy meals a day

6.  Reject violence with your whole heart, but if violence is used on you, fight back with your whole heart

7.  Practice daily acts of kindness towards yourself and others

8.  Keep it cool in life

9.  Shake it up,  dance more

10. Perfect you smile, use it more

11.  Light you fire, kindle the flame inside you, what are your desires?

12.  Rest your head, nap when you can, cat nap when you can, go to bed early, winter time get more sleep

13.  Ease back on stimulants and addictive substances (if you can’t fall asleep at night by 20 to 30 minutes you could             be drinking to much coffee,  eating to much sugar or having to much screen time) 

14.  Remember a negative environment breeds illness.   Positive grows  happiness

15.  Exercise, this is a must

16.  Eat simple, delicious, unadulterated foods and liquids

17.  Eat organic berries

18.  Eat good clean sources of protein

19.  Summer lovin,  get your daily dose of sun, as much as you can

20.  Make bone broth

21.  Include the cardiovascular nurturing herbs in your daily diet

Hawthorn flower, leaf and berry– Cardiovascular tonic -Motherwort—Calms the heart, reducing heart palpitations—Ginkgo– peripheral vasodilator( Peripheral vasodilators are agents which act on the most distal parts of the vascular system i.e. the arterioles and venules. They dilate these distal blood vessels and lower the blood pressure, therefore makes it easier for the heart to pump blood through these peripheral blood vessels).—Passionflower– calms—Yarrow– vascular tonic—Garlic normalizes blood pressure -Cayenne and Ginger—circulatory stimulants

Recipes For Heart Health

Hawthorn Leaf, Flower and Berries

Grandmother Hawthorn, the tree of the heart. Hawthorn is the 6th tree of the Celtic Tree Ogham, representing Love, fertility, protection, the release of blocked energy and preparation for spiritual growth.

Hawthorn is the prime remedy for the heart, the circulation and is safe to take over long periods,  The flowers, leaves and berries can all be used as a safe heart tonic,  Hawthorn is helpful for high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, heart palpitations and all heart conditions. The leaves, flower and berries also have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, relieving stress and anxiety They bring calm sleep if drunk at night.

Hawthorn Recipes: 

http://natural-healing-guide.com/Therapeutic-Teas/Hawthorn-tea.htm

Linden Leaf and Flower Tea, relieves nervous tension, calms the mind, could help with insomnia, soothes the digestive system and is a great heart tonic

2 tsp. linden leaf and flower

1/2 tsp. rose petals or a couple of rose buds (organic only)  

Bring a cup of water to boil, add herbs, cover and steep 10 minutes, strain and enjoy. 

I personally make 4 cups at a time in a french press and steep it longer.   I also make linden leaf and flower infusions.   For more information on herbal infusion click on link below. 

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/September08/anti-cancer.htm

Kale and Nut Pesto

Small bunch of kale (4-6 leaves, remove the thick part of the stems*)

1/4 cup walnuts, toasted or soaked dehydrated almonds or  soaked and dehydrated pumpkin seeds.

1/2 to 1 clove of garlic

1/4 cup olive oil (or more for a smoother pesto)

Juice & zest of one lemon

Salt & pepper to taste

Optional: grated raw cheese, or organic Parmesan 

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and water.
2. Blanch kale for about 30 seconds, remove and place in the ice bath to stop the cooking process.
3. Dry the kale a bit, squeeze out some of excess water and set on a towel for a few minutes more.
4. Blend everything together in a food processor. Pulse to create a chunky pesto, blend longer to create a smoother one. Taste and adjust, adding more salt, pepper, lemon, olive oil, as necessary.

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-proper...

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 

Information on beef heart:  

Beef heart is a muscle like other cuts of steak, but more dense with a higher content and additional protein. Beef heart contains all essential amino acids, zinc, selenium and phosphorus. It has more than double the elastin and collagen than other cuts of meat and a highly concentrated source of coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10.  Make sure you purchase organic grass-fed beef rather than grain-fed beef because it may have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Below is the link to the information about how to cook the beef heart: 

http://ruhlman.com/2011/08/how-to-cook-beef-heart/

Taking Care of the Heart - Heart, Art and Herbs – by Phoenix
Date: Saturday February 11th 2023 -Time: 3:00 Pm – 7:00 Pm ish
Where: Mountain Warrior Kung Fu School
Cost: $100.00
Bring: Bring yourself and your favorite mug
“When You Get Down To the Heart of the Matter, the Heart Is What Matters”
Each year when February comes around, most of us think of it as a romantic holiday, a day to share love and of course a day to share and enjoy chocolate. February is a time that I often think of the heart, my heart, my family’s hearts and the hearts of our community. Valentine’s Day has to do with love and it reminds me to think of my heart, my heart center and my heart path. It is a reminder to walk with love. It is also a reminder to check in with myself to see what I could be missing, mind, body, and spirit. It is a reminder to check in to see what I have walled up in there, am I stressed, things I should forgive, gratitude list, my self-care, my diet, my exercise plan and am I on my heart centered soul path.
I also think about how I am (or others are) digesting life because this also affects the heart. If someone is not digesting life then this could cause a multitude of health problems. When we think of the health of our heart most think about changing their food, adding exercise and reducing stress, which is great. But there is one big subject that needs to be added to this list, which is how our emotions affect our hearts (and those around you), past and present life struggles that affect the heart and is one digesting life with ease, or all clogged up? .If any of that sounds familiar let me just say not only is it important to make some serious life style changes but it is also time to call on the help of herbs.
The last BIG one is life stress, the current stresses of our lives especially these last few years is most likely the highest most of us humans have experienced in our life time. Let’s make 2023 more enjoyable by making the changes we need to make and by calling upon the help of herbal nervine’s, flowers and flower essences.
In this four hour workshop you will learn the Matters of the heart: The best way to strengthen your relationship with your heart by adopting a healthy lifestyle which includes mind, body and spirit care. Not only will you learn what your heart needs by learning about a combination of nutrients to help you function at your best. You will also go home with some knowledge on herbal remedies, movement, meditation, community, creativity, mind and spirit self-care, letting go and more.
Come join me and others and let’s learn to feed our hearts with positive information, wellness and wisdom.
Class Subjects: Herbs For The Heart, Herbal Nervines, Bitters, Foods For The Heart, Foods To Avoid, Using Flowers, Flower Essences, Rituals for Healing The Heart – Letting Go/Self Care ,Chocolate, The Power of Words, Meditation/The Breathe of Life, The Art of Mandalas/The Making of a Heart Mandala
You Will Create: A Heart Health Tincture, Bitters and Create a Heart Mandala
You will go home with your heart health tincture, a bitter, heart mandala, Let the Sunshine In Syrup (adaptogenic tonic), a tea blend and notes from the workshop.
Space is limited, please sign up ASAP.
Mountain Blessings,
Phoenix

14.4 miles.... and a breakfast for champions,

Buffalo Veggie Soup

Thanksgiving Day Hike, we headed out with our heavy wool and layers of silk and wool..

Gorge wind, ice, black ice, dark hike, a few sun spots, cold cold wind, snow, ice, frozen muscles, epic fall in the snow with a shoulder row (saved my cup), many black ice falls, epic cold freezing wind, to cold to take pictures (I only took a few), to cold to make tea, finished right before it got dark...

Gave thanks for butt warmers and dreamed of a hot shower when we got home.

Wobbled out of the car, took a 30 minute hot, hot shower, hugged the wood stove and sipped on a hot cup of tea..

I used half a jar of my Invigorating Cream on me and a took a tincture that is used for nerves and muscles.  

14.4 mile and 7 hours...

Next day we felt good and made plans to go back out on Sunday.  

My husband wrote about our adventure: 

http://mountainwarrior.ning.com/profiles/blogs/do-you-know-my-wife?xg_source=activity

My  big dog Rocky, pulled me under a horse last weekend.  I was airborne in a matter of seconds from one simple yank, then I was stomped on by the horse.   Next thing I new I had holes in my mouth and blood all over... 

I lost a tooth, I had one dangling, I thought I had lost more teeth but I had two others shoved back in the back of my mouth.  The roof of my mouth felt like an accordion.  My nose stung,     My hip was stomped on, my neck and lower back were out of whack.  

Something I did not do was go to the emergency room.  I know most people would have.  Most  people would have transported themselves in an ambulance.  .  But I had too many reasons in my belief system not to go.  Don't discount the seriousness of my accident just because I did not go to the emergency room.   I am also not by any means telling you to do the same.  If you feel you need to go to an emergency room, then please do!

My first stop was, Dr. Oliver at All About Smiles.  He was calm, and went right to work.  This man is wonderful  and positive,  I am forever grateful for this.     My tooth was  put back,  another pushed back in, the other ones moved back into place,  I got stitches on my upper lip, I had a fracture on the upper roof of my mouth and I now have braces on the top front teeth.   Besides the accident, because of my MCS, we needed to get help immediately to detoxify all the dental products out of my body.    Next stop was Dr. Meloche.  Again the most caring Doctor you can have for you physician.  I feel blessed to have such great doctors in my life.  

December 28th, 2013

December 29th, 2013

January 1, 2014

January 4,2014

January 7th 2014

Comfrey Root Tea 

Started December 28th, 2013 My Wellness Plan and Progress: 

Comfrey Root tea

Golden Seal, Oregon Grape and Echiinacea Tinctures

High Calcium Tea

High Vitamin C Tea

Turmeric Tea

Vitamin D

Bio-Inflammatory.  A herb and food type

Comfrey Gel

CQ10

Kava Kava Root

Deep Healing Tissue Warming Balm

Self Heal Salve

My Wild-crafted St. Johns Wort Oil 

Restorative Chinese herbs

Clay toothpaste with herbs and colloidal silver

Green and fruit smoothies

Bone Broth with blended veggies

Lipoic Acid

Massage, thank you Joseph!

Little walks, 

Longer walks

Light duty work only 

Organic Nutritious Food Made Into Smoothies 

Organic Smoothies

Today January 7th, 2014, I had my first appointment since the accident with Dr. Oliver, everything is looking really good.  I had some type of scan done to check my jaw.  Thankfully it was not broken, and my fracture was already healed!  My stitches were taken out and we made a four week appointment.  At this point we are still at the waiting game, but I am confident, that everything is going to work out.  

I also took a longer walk  today to the spot where the accident happened.  I can't tell you how many times my mind has had flash backs of this incident.  I am so happy to be alive. 

 I feel nervous  about taking the dogs and horses up together but, I need to do this.   Thursday or Friday will be the day, time to heal emotionally. 

I am still healing, time, patience and positiveness is what's on the menu.

Someday I am going to get back to doing my forms.... I Will! 

Mountain Mama Harvest: This weeks abundance: Collard greens, kale, comfrey, potatoes, onion, peppers, cucumber, zucchini, egg plant, green beans, carrots, sage mint tea, hops, stevia, tea mix of lavender cleavers, mint, parsley, celery, dill seed, nasturtium mix, nettle, basil, tomatoes ( roma, cherry, purple cherokee, green zebra) and cabbage  

Whew! Now it is  time to make a lot of herbal skin care products. Have a beautiful day 

Zucchini Pizza Crust: 

http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2013/09/best-zucchini-recipe-ever-zu...

Honey Sweetened Refrigerated Pickles: 

http://www.realfoodallergyfree.com/2011/08/honey-sweetened-refriger...

Sweet Zucchini Relish: 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/food/sns-food-sides-zucchi...

Tomato Basil Salsa:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tomato-basil-salsa-10000000223735/

Information on Dill Seed:

http://wholespice.com/blog/?p=2222

Dill Seed Braid Bread:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/dill-seed-braid

Digestive Churan (dill seeds, plus you will need to purchase a few more seeds)

http://www.tarladalal.com/Digestive-Churan-31529r

Warm Dill Potato Salad: 

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/warm-dill-potato-salad

Nasturtium Pesto:  

You need 6 cups nasturtiums.  Because you have about 2 cups of nasturtiums, I would add some nettle and basil to this recipe to equal out your 6 cups. 

http://www.gardenbetty.com/2013/01/nasturtium-pesto/

"Changing How You Eat, Will Change The World"... "If You Eat Bad Foods, Your World Is Toxic, Your Body Is Toxic, If You Eat Organic Nutritious Foods Your World Becomes Healthy...."

Prescription for Good Health

Choose it or lose it! 

Your health, that is..... There are more than four million tons of farm chemicals spread on U.S. soil every year..... 

The standard American Diet ( S.A.D.) has a hidden agenda.  Missing on the labels of most foods are the dozens of chemicals used to grow, make, or preserve that bit of something about to go into your mouth.  Just imagine your reaction if organic farmers could take back their native tongue, and their organic strawberries were simply strawberries again and their counterparts were called " chemical or genetically engineered or irradiated strawberries."  Their certified label would have to list the 25 or so chemicals or procedures that had become a part of the strawberries very makeup.   And they would pay for an annual inspection, instead of the organic farmer (Organic farmers pay thousands of dollars every year to "certify" their food that they grow).  With the label table turned around, I think chemical foods would die a slow death on grocery store shelves.  

Would you buy a carton of strawberries with a  skull and crossbones on it?  

Remember, what you can't see can hurt you. 

  If you do not belong to my CSA then make sure you are shopping the farmers market. Search the farmers markets for  organic produce and organic meat.

 If you have not done this yet, what are you waiting for?  Make a goal this week to get over to the next farmers market near you.  

This Weeks Farm Produce: Nettle, comfrey, fennel fronds, apple mint and nettle tea mix, basil, celery,  salad mix (nasturtiums, rose petals, sheep sorrel, Swiss chard, beet greens, spinach, lambs quarters, bitter lettuce, lettuce and baby kale), kale, collard greens, carrots, onion, beets, zucchini and  cabbage.

For those of you who have not figured it out I love different types of pesto.  Here is another version of an awesome nutritious pesto:

Kale and Nut Pesto

small bunch of kale (4-6 leaves, remove the thick part of the stems*)

1/4 cup walnuts, toasted or soaked dehydrated almonds or  soaked and dehydrated pumpkin seeds.

1/2 to 1 clove of garlic

1/4 cup olive oil (or more for a smoother pesto)

juice & zest of one lemon

salt & pepper to taste

optional: grated raw cheese, or organic parmesan 

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and water.
2. Blanch kale for about 30 seconds, remove and place in the ice bath to stop the cooking process.
3. Dry the kale a bit, squeeze out some of excess water and set on a towel for a few minutes more.
4. Blend everything together in a food processor. Pulse to create a chunky pesto, blend longer to create a smoother one. Taste and adjust, adding more salt, pepper, lemon, olive oil, as necessary.

Kale and Basil Salad

4 cups finely chopped organic dinosaur kale
1 lemon, juiced
½ orange, juiced
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

½ cup finely chopped basil

½ cup diced organic red bell pepper
4 teaspoons hulled  toasted sesame seeds
1 cup chopped organic walnuts

1/4 cup chopped organic sweet onion

Optional:  You could add some chopped apples or orange slices

Wash the kale thoroughly, then roll up the leaves together tightly (like a cigar) and chop across the roll, making very fine ribbons. Unravel and place in a bowl. Add the lemon juice, orange juice, and apple cider vinegar, and massage the kale for a couple minutes (so it softens), then set aside. Chop the basil the same way as the kale, and add to the kale mixture. Chop the bell pepper and add as well. Add the sesame seeds and walnuts last, and toss everything together.

Notes: You may also use other types of kale, as well as collard greens. 

Cabbage and Bean Salad:

Ingredients
1/2 head small-medium green cabbage, very thinly sliced (about 4 cups), core removed
2 carrots, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 ribs celery, diced or one  cup of chopped celery from your wellness box 
3 green onions/scallions, chopped
1/2 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 
1 1/2 cups cooked organic garbanzo 
1 organic avocado, diced

1/2 of a organic red bell pepper chopped

Dressing:
2 lemon, juice from (about 1/4 cup)
2 tablespoons organic Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
ground black pepper to taste

Options:  If you want to add color, add in a little purple cabbage,

Directions
1. Slice the cabbage so that the strands are very thin, and place into a large bowl. Add to this the grated carrots, celery, onion, cucumber, basil, beans, and avocado. Toss.

2. In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients and blend with a fork. Add dressing to bowl of vegetables and toss thoroughly. If you are making this ahead of time, add the diced avocado just before serving.

Mason Jar Sauerkraut:

I can't wait to do this one myself! 

Click on link below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=397Dua09VUI

For those of you who are  ready to get really serious with your sauerkraut skills: 

http://nourishedkitchen.com/homemade-sauerkraut/

Four Thieves Vinaigrette

Variations of this recipe have been treasured since Medieval times.  Legend has it that four grave robbers first used this strong antibacterial formula to protect them against the deadly plague.  Turning this classic remedy into a delicious salad  dressing helps the medicine go down easy. 

1/4 cup organic lavender flowers

1/4 cup organic sage leaf

1/4 cup organic rosemary leaf

1/4 cup organic thyme leaf

raw organic apple cider vinegar

organic extra virgin olive oil

4 cloves organic garlic, crushed 

sea salt and pepper

Place the herbs and garlic in a pint jar and fill to the top with gently warmed apple cider vinegar.  Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep he vinegar from touching the metal.  Allow the vinegar concoction to extract for four weeks in a sunny window.  

Strain the vinegar into  a clean glass jar.

To make the vinaigrette, add 1 part vinegar to 3 parts olive oil.  Add the salt and pepper to taste.  Blend until well combined 

Zucchini Chips: 

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

Chocolate Zucchini Bread or Muffins 

1 cup rapunzel organic whole cane sugar

1 cup organic sunflower oil or coconut oil 

3 organic eggs

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

2-1/2 cups organic wheat, spelt or  organic white

1/2 cup organic baking cocoa

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups organic shredded peeled zucchini

Optional:  1 tsp cinnamon, a pinch of all spice and a 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

• In a large bowl, beat the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, cinnamon; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Stir in zucchini. Transfer to two 8-in. x 4-in. oiled loaf pans
• Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. 
• Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Muffins: 

Special Notes:  When we bake with Gluten Free Flour we never use products that contain (or when we make our own gluten free flour mix), potato flour or starch, soy flour, corn starch and corn flour.  We do not use these food products because they are toxic.  If you can find a potato flour or starch that is organic then go ahead and use it.  But stay away from the non- organic soy and corn products, they are highly toxic... Also, stay away form xanthan gum, it is made in a lab!

Stick with products that have guar gum.

2 cups sorghum flour OR gluten-free all purpose flour mix

1 1/2 teaspoons Guar Gum (don't add gum if using a GF flour mix that contains guar gum)

Never use products that have xanthan gum 

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 cup organic unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup organic agave or Rapunzel organic whole cane sugar

2 large organic eggs

1/2 cup organic light olive oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup organic sour cream (for dairy free version substitute organic applesauce)

3 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini

Optional:  1 tsp cinnamon, a pinch of all spice and a 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Preparation:

"TAKE BACK YOUR HEALTH"

Disease goes away as a side effect of getting healthy

Hand in food diaries

Hand out food diaries

Recipe of the week

Discussion 

Meditation

Positive Words

Picture 

Get a journal 

Slow Medicine:

Video

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

Web-Site

http://slowmedicinedoctor.com/

Parasympathetic nervous system:  

http://www.mercola.com/article/mind_body/applied_psycho_neurobiology/dca.htm

http://www.mercola.com/article/mind_body/thought_field_therapy/overview.htm

Tea Recipes:

Flower Nerve Tonic Tea

1 part chamomile

3 parts lemon balm

1 part oats

1/2 part chrysanthemum flowers

1/2 part lavender flowers 

1/2 part rose petals

Root Nerve Tonic Decoction: 

1 part licorice root 

1 part astragalus

1 part cinnamon

1/2 part ginger

2 parts dandelion root

2 parts burdock root

Make a mix, put in a jar, label

1 tablespoon per cup of water 

Make a decoction, strain

Then add 15 drops of american ginseng root tincture and 15 drops of eleutherococcus (siberian ginseng) tincture, sweeten and enjoy.  

Instructions on how to make a tea and decoction, click on link below: 

http://mountainroseblog.com/medicine-making-basics-herbal-infusions/

Breakfast Nut Shake: 

http://bloodsugarsolution.com/2012/07/31/nut-shake/

Califlower Tortillas: 

http://www.recipegirl.com/2014/05/05/cauliflower-tortillas/

Lite Russian Style Macaroni and Cheese 

Preparation Time: One Hour

Yield:  At Least 6 Servings (cut in square and freeze) 

You can improvise further by increasing or varying the vegetables.  Try cauliflower, broccoli, and /or carrots, leeks and other root vegetables:   Go for color 

Bake at 350, lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan 

3 cups cooked pasta of choice 

3 tablespoons organic butter

2 cups chopped onion 

6 cloves garlic, minced 

1/2 lb shitake mushrooms, sliced

4 cups organic cabbage, shredded (about 1/2 an average head)

1 tsp sea salt or celtic salt

1 tsp caraway seeds

2 tsp dried dill

1 tsp black pepper

1 lb of meat of choice chopped and cooked

1/2 cup organic sunflower seeds

1 bunch organic spinach, stemmed and coarsely chopped 

2 cups organic cottage cheese, omit if you need this to be dairy free

1/2 cup organic yogurt, omit if you need this to be dairy free 

Dairy free option 6 eggs liquid scramble

Diary free option 1 cup Nutritional Yeast

Preheat oven to 350, lightly grease pan

Cook the pasta until just barely tender.  Drain thoroughly, and transfer to a large bowl

Melt the butter in a large, dep skillet, and add the onions and meat.  After saute'ing for about 5 minutes, add garlic, mushrooms, cabbage, salt and caraway.  

Stir, cover, and cook until the cabbage is just tender and meat is cooked. 

Stir in spinach, and remove from heat.  

Add to the pasta

Stir in cottage cheese, yogurt, dill, and black pepper.  Taste to adjust seasonings, then spread into the prepared pan.  

Dairy free option:  Once you have poured  mixture into the pan, mix egg liquid  with nutritional yeast and pour liquid over pasta and veggies in prepared pan.   

Sprinkle with sunflower seeds 

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until heated through.  

Healthy Halloween Treat:

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons honey or organic maple syrup

1/4 Cup organic almond, sunflower or peanut butter

1/2 Teaspoon  organic pure vanilla extract

2 Tablespoons honey or organic maple syrup

2 Tablespoons  organic extra virgin coconut oil

1/4 Cup organic almond, sunflower or peanut butter

1/4 Cup organic unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 Teaspoon organic pure vanilla extract

2 Tablespoons  honey or organic maple syrup

Instructions

1. MAKE THE BOTTOM LAYER: Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix until very smooth.
2. Set 10 mini baking cups in a mini muffin pan. Pour about one tablespoon of the bottom-layer mixture into each baking cup without dribbling it down the inside of the paper (or you’ll get streaks in the final product). Place on a flat surface in the freezer. 

1. MAKE THE TOP LAYER: Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix until evenly incorporated. Remove the pan from the freezer and fill each baking cup to the top with the top-layer chocolate mixture.
2. Put the tray back in the freezer and let chill until the chocolate layer has hardened, about 15 minutes. Store the peanut butter cups in the freezer for up to 4 months. 

This morning, while my daughter and I were working on our projects, we decided to  listen to Paul Chek.  He has a video series on coffee and espresso.  I strongly recommend you listen to this.  

Click on link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCHeQs6nUFo

Before I was hit with my illness, I was extremely athletic and pushing my body beyond its limits.  I was a coffee junkie.  At the time of my coffee addiction, (which most  Americans have) I had a high level of stress going on from a divorce, I was cleaning peoples houses with toxic chemicals, moving pipe in a non-organic corn field, teaching spinning classes right after I cleaned a gym bathroom with bleach, comet and a plethora of other toxic chemicals, I did not eat organic, I lived off of so called nutritional bars (non-organic) during the day for snacks (soy, peanut) and non-organic high protein meat diet.  My veggie intake was the typical American diet, SAD.  The usual, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes and celery.   Most of these foods create inflammation, inflammation in the body will create cancer, fungus issues, low immunity, weak bones, lack of energy, etc.  

I truly feel that the coffee,  I was drinking, was a big part of pushing my body deep into the illness I still carry today.  It was the last straw.    There was obviously more to what gave my body disease, but the coffee sped up what was happening to me.

We live in a toxic world, if you do not eat good, and you drink coffee, this is a combination to create disease in your body.  You health starts in the kitchen.  You body has a tank, that needs proper fuel to function at an optimal level.  

There is not one person I know that is functioning at optimal health level.  This includes the children. I can think of  only a few, counting on one hand that are close to good health.    

The generations that are growing up are going to be even more unhealthy, if we do not start teaching them NOW!

Many teens/children do not exercise or play enough.  All teens and young children should be playing hard and should be  exercising off and on throughout the day at lease 5 days a week.  

So, besides the lack of movement, most teens are drinking  too much caffeine.  They should not drink it at all.  As a person who studies the  health of humans, big and small and the environment.  I can see right know the increase of diseases that we will face in the future. The numbers of cancer are going to be record high, obesity, diabetes, bone issues, nerve issues and women's health problems will increase ten fold.  

 I am sharing this video series, in the hope that you will pass it along, make changes in your life, your children and maybe even encourage your friends.

 I would love the virus of great health to plague America.   

In my opinion, Paul Chek is the  best in the  field of health.  You want to be healthy, live longer and be in top shape, Paul is the one to listen to.  

Part Two:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxdNh8ETo_4&feature=c4-overview&...

Part Three: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MPCFPZMSQ&feature=c4-overview&...

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

1/4 cup organic butter 

1 organic red onion, or onion of choice

4 to 6 organic garlic cloves minced

3/4 lb mushrooms, sliced

2 cups water 

4 tsp dill weed ( or a little more)

4 tsp. paprika ( or a little more)

2 Tbs. coconut amino acids ( optional)

2 Tbs. favorite red wine ( I used Copper Mountain)

1/4 cup organic butter

1/3 cup organic white flour or use a little arrow root powder

2 cups organic whole milk

3/4 cup organic sour cream

Saute onion  and garlic in butter until tender.  Add water, mushrooms, dill weed, paprika, coconut aminos and red wine.  Bring to a boil, then simmer until mushrooms are tender.

 In the meantime, melt the other 1/4 cups butter, stir in flour to make a roux, stirring constantly to keep smooth.

 Add milk to roux and blend, while heating, until smooth.  Add to soup.  

Lastly, stir in the sour cream.  

Serve with fresh rolls, rice and salad.  

Serves 4 - 6 

This also worked great for blending in a blender to be able to drink it through a straw. 

Kale and Nut Pesto

small bunch of kale (4-6 leaves, remove the thick part of the stems*)

1/4 cup walnuts, toasted or soaked dehydrated almonds or  soaked and dehydrated pumpkin seeds.

1/2 to 1 clove of garlic

1/4 cup olive oil (or more for a smoother pesto)

juice & zest of one lemon

salt & pepper to taste

optional: grated raw cheese, or organic parmesan 

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and water.
2. Blanch kale for about 30 seconds, remove and place in the ice bath to stop the cooking process.
3. Dry the kale a bit, squeeze out some of excess water and set on a towel for a few minutes more.
4. Blend everything together in a food processor. Pulse to create a chunky pesto, blend longer to create a smoother one. Taste and adjust, adding more salt, pepper, lemon, olive oil, as necessary.

For More Wonderful Healthy Recipes: 

http://mcminnvillehealthdefense.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mountain-mama-wellness-box-ninth-week

Wild and Weedy Apothecary is sponsoring a scholarship for the Seven Steps To Wellness Workshop.

Scholarship covers class but not book.  Book cost is $17.00.  Book pick up is  Saturday October 24th 2015. 

See details below

How to apply for the scholarship: 

Send me an e-mail with your name, age and e-mail addresses with the following: 

What are your hobbies?

How active is your present life style?

Do you cook?

Do you have type one or type two diabetes? 

Do you have other health issues or concerns? 

What would you like to gain out of this workshop? 

I must receive your e-mail by Friday October 23rd by 8:00 PM  

Send To: wildweedyherbs@gmail.com

This workshop requires a commitment to yourself, the group and me. Only serious inquires please.  

Seven Steps To Wellness Workshop Details

It is time to take action and take back your health.

 Why wait for a New Years Resolution, when you can start now. Yes, this class starts right before the holidays and what better time to start a wellness program!   We will be getting healthy together and working on life style changes right through the holidays.   

The Seven Steps To Wellness class will be using the book "The Blood Sugar Solution" by Mark Hyman, MD  as our guide.  

You will learn how to boost your nutrition, regulate your hormones, reduce inflammation, improve your digestion, maximize detoxification, enhance  energy metabolism, gain cooking skills,  and soothe your mind. 

This is an ultra healthy program for preventing disease and feeling great.

Class meets weekly for 7 weeks and there will be reading homework each week. 

Don't wait , act now, Isn't it time to take your health back? 

PRE-PAY by Oct 17th 2015 

Cost:  $160.00 (includes book) 

You can pay through Eventbrite, visit Wild and Weedy Apothecary or come by the Farmers Market On Third St. 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seven-steps-to-wellness-weekly-workshop-tickets-18638067963

When:  Saturdays

Time 10:00 am - 11:30 am 

Class Schedule: 

Oct 24th  10:00 am - 10:45 am Intro class, pick up book

Oct. 31st 10:00 am - 11:30 am 

Nov. 7th 10:00 am - 11:30 am 

THURSDAY Nov. 12th 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Nov. 21st 10:00 am - 11:30 am 

NO CLASS NOVEMBER 28TH 

Dec. 5th 10:00 am - 11:30 am 

LAST CLASS WILL BE TWO HOURS

Dec 12th 10:00 am - Noon 

Our food is becoming more toxic, our food traditions that are passed down are  toxic.  These food traditions that are passed down, are toxic choices that need to stop.  It is NOT ok to eat a candy cane with red 40 in it, it is NOT ok to eat a valentines day cup cake with Red 40 in it, it is NOT ok to eat marshmallow throughout the summer on your camping trips, they are full of GMO ingredients and toxic food coloring, it is NOT ok to eat at the sports snack shack, it is NOT ok to eat the candy thrown to you at the parades, it is not OK to eat the Little Debbie Snacks with a Capri Sun after soccer practice, it is not ok to eat at Izzy's pizza, it is not OK to eat elephant ears, it is not OK to eat the Halloween candy, It is not ok to eat the Thanksgiving Turkey that is injected with toxic substances, it is NOT ok to eat colorful Christmas candy, It is Not ok to eat the yellow and pink marshmallows for Easter or the Easter candy that is full of dyes and GMO's, it is NOT ok to eat that fourth of July red and blue food coloring.  As you can see this is a big list and I could keep going.  

I made this partial list because I wanted to show you how we go from one fat food fest to the next.

This list is 12 months of many once in a whiles, now add the birthdays in there.  As you can see by this list. that telling a child or teen that it is OK to have a toxic food once in a while, is far from being once in a while.  

American lives are fast and split up  and because of this once in a while becomes almost all the time. 

Mom says it is OK to eat that once in a while, since we have a high divorce rate we have Dad says it is OK to eat that once in a while, grandma said it is OK to eat it once in a while, Auntie said it is OK to eat that once in a while, at my sleep over little Suzie's mom said it was OK to have that once in a while, my coach said it was OK to have that once in a while, my baby-sitter said it is OK to have it once in a while, my teacher said is is OK to eat that once in a while and so on and on and on.  Guess what eating something that is not so healthy has become a (almost) 7 day a week theme.   If you look around like I do you can see it.  The obesity rates are skyrocketing and you see a lot of children that are just not strong like they used to be.  

I just love the voice of "It is only once in a while" or that person who tells you, you can eat a bad food once in a while.  Now days we are so busy and so split up in our lives that  just once in a while is becoming toxic and has become a sorry excuse that we use more than once in a while.  

This toxic saying is allowing us to justify in our minds to do unhealthy things weekly and  now daily that we should not be doing at all.  

Here is my first example that I hear a lot parents, grandparents and most adults who talk to children do.  The child hears that their fruity pebbles, red licorice,  snow cones with red syrup, red frosted cupcakes, valentines day candies are unhealthy.  They share this information with the adult about what they learned.  What happens after that, is that 98% of the adults that are talking to those children tell them, "It is OK to eat it once in a while".  

First, I want you to think about this, how is it OK to let child eat something that has toxic ingredients in it?  Just because they are not being rushed to the emergency room does not mean that the food ended up being safe.  Let me remind you that the cancer rates are at their all time highest.  Diabetes is at an all time high and America is getting more obese by the minute.  

Little Suzie is at a community event and someone is selling snow cones and she wants one.  The adult in charge say's OK, it is only once in a while.   That adult just told her that it is OK to eat unhealthy food.  The once in  a while does not matter in her mind and there was no consequence on the parent or child for eating that toxic food.  Little Suzie feels pretty good, so it can't be bad.  But, here is where all parents,grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult friends, adult cousins went wrong.  That food did affect her.  It is toxic because it has carcinogens  in it.  The worse part about it is that Little Suzy will keep eating those types of foods over and over again into adult hood.  She has been educated wrong by the Adults who could not stay away from toxic food themselves.  These same adults are struggling as adults with their health.  Little Suzie grows up and some day gets cancer from all the once in a whiles that were to many in her life time.  

We have to start thinking about what we are really teaching our children about health. You can't use the parenting style of consequences and making choices when it comes to food.   If you tell the child that a snow cone with red flavored syrup is bad for them and you give them a choice to have it or not, they will eat it and there is no consequence for eating it.  They feel fine. But it is affecting them deep down in their bodies.     As of right now  the children and teens of America are being taught that it is OK to cheat and eat bad food and that they are supposedly to busy to exercise.   It deeply saddens me to hear that most high school kids have no PE and the rest only have it twice a week if they are lucky.  

If you as the adult do not change your habits, and you keep the cheating going on, with "It is OK eat that once in a while",  on the toxic food then you are doing a dis-service to your family, yourself and this world.

42% of us will be obese by 2030 (actually, I think we are already at that percentage), our children are expected to have a shorter life span than us and 41% of us are going to inevitably get cancer. .

We are becoming a Wall-E World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1BQPV-iCkU).  I do not want this and I am pretty sure you do not either.  But, we all need to change.  It is time to get rid of this thought process that was introduced to us many years ago, (I bet by a corporate commercial) because it has caught up to us.  To many kids with adhd, add, autism, obesity are everywhere and at an all time high, cancer is at an all time high, diabetes is at an all time high.  We can alter this trajectory if we spread as much information about the chemicals in food as possible – specifically the chemicals that can be directly linked to obesity and cancer and that are slowly poisoning us and making us suffer as a society. 

The most widely used dyes, Red 40, Blue 1,  Yellow 5 are contaminated with known carcinogens, linked to cancer and known to cause hyperactivity in children.   “Carmel coloring”  sounds natural,  and is anything but! Caramel color is often manufactured by heating ammonia and sulfites under high pressure, which creates carcinogenic compounds that are also linked to cancer.

More information on Food Coloring: 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/02/24/are-you-or-your-family-eating-toxic-food-dyes.aspx

Just Have To Stop, No More Once In A While: 

McDonalds, Burger King, Arby's,Taco Bell, KFC, Soda, hot dogs, non organic candies, deserts with artificial colors and artificial flavorings, frozen food, foods with artificial coloring and artificial flavors, the snack shacks at sports events and packaged process foods.  This list is just a small list of foods to say NO to.  

Remember,nothing is going to change until we realize, that healthy food, food without toxins with absolutely no fudging is what we need to be eating. This world is either going to become a Wall-E world or a healthy world.  We are at the tipping point for this.

Wall-E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1BQPV-iCkU

Parents be parents, protect your children.  There should be no choices when it comes to eating a food with toxins or not eating it.  It is your job to protect their health and safety, so this decisions is yours,  Be strong and say NO

Americans 'Just Have To Stop"  this is what is going to change their health, their families health, the future generations of America and it will help our oceans, land and air become toxin free to. 

To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome tha the most luxurious Persian rug.

 “The woods are  Ritalin. Nature calms all, focuses all, and  excites your  senses.” 

“If getting our kids out into nature is a search for perfection, or is one more chore, then the belief in perfection and the chore defeats the joy. It's a good thing to learn more about nature in order to share this knowledge with children; it's even better if the adult and child learn about nature together. And it's a lot more fun.” 
― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Di...

Mountain Mama  Food Menu: 

Morning Tea:  High Vitamin C Tea:

1 quart size mason jar

1 glass bowl

Mix herbs in glass bowl then put in jar with lid, label 

4 parts rose hips

3 parts hibiscus flowers

2 parts lemongrass

1 part cinnamon chips, (sweet cinnamon chips it you can find them)

To make tea add 1 tablespoon of herbs into boiling filtered water, turn down to the lowest setting and simmer 1 minute.  OR turn off and steep for 5 minutes 

The first two meals listed were made from the left-overs from the night before: 

Breakfast: Rice pasta, cabbage, arugula, organic beef hot dogs chopped, onions, garlic, dill and celtic salt

Snack:  Rice pasta, cabbage, arugula, mustard greens, organic beef hot dogs chopped, onions, garlic dill and celtic salt. 

The turkey I used throughout the week was cooked last Sunday: 

Lunch:  Cabbage, carrots, beets, onions, garlic, turkey with organic homemade ranch dressing tossed in with it.  

Organic Ranch Dressing: 

About 1 1/2 cups organic butter milk,

about 1/4 cup organic olive oil,

about 6 plus shakes of organic balsamic vinegar,

about 1 tablespoon of organic lemon concentrate,

2 tablespoons of dill,

4 tablespoons of parsley,

1/8 cup finely chopped organic red onion,

1 tablespoon of paprika,

1 tablespoon of mustard powder,

1 tablespoon garlic granules,

lots of pepper and celtic salt ,

Shake, shake, shake, refrigerate.

Enjoy!

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.

This weeks wellness goodies are:  honeysuckle, therapeutic tea, heart warming tea, the wild food is yellow dock/ nettle, collard greens, basil, kale, spinach, radish, carrots, onions, mustard greens, comfrey, fennel, garlic scallions, celery salad and a bouquet of flowers.  

Honeysuckle Fun

Honeysuckle Information: 
 Japanese honeysuckle is edible and medicinal. High in Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium, the leaves can be parboiled and eaten as a vegetable. The edible buds and flowers, made into a syrup or puddings. The entire plant has been used as an alternative medicine for thousands of years in Asia. The active constituents include calcium, elaidic-acid, hcn, inositol, linoleic-acid, lonicerin, luteolin, magnesium, myristic-acid, potassium, tannin, and zink. It is alterative, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, and is also used to reduce blood pressure. The stems are used internally in the treatment of acute rheumatoid arthritis, mumps and hepatitis. The stems are harvested in the autumn and winter, and are dried for later herb use. The stems and flowers are used together a medicinal infusion in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (including pneumonia) and dysentery. An infusion of the flower buds is used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including syphillitic skin diseases and tumors, bacterial dysentery, colds, and enteritis. Experimentally, the flower extracts have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels and are antibacterial, antiviral and tuberculostatic. Externally, the flowers are applied as a medicinal wash to skin inflammations, infectious rashes and sores.

Nettle: It is a vitamin factory, rich in iron, calcium, potassium, silicon,magnesium, manganese, zinc, and chromium as well s a host of other vitamins and minerals.  

Yellow Dock and Nettle Strudel 

3 cups onion, diced fine

4 cloves of garlic chopped

2 tsp caraway seeds

3 tsp dill weed

1 tsp sea salt and pepper

4 to 8 cups finely chopped yellow dock/nettle mixture

1 1/2 cups cooked rice 

1 cup cream cheese

1 1/2 cup raw cheese

2 eggs

1/2 lb filo- You could also make this like an lasagna and use lasagna pasta instead. 

Butter or olive oil

Always use organic ingredients as much as possible 

Saute the onion, garlic, caraway, dill, salt, pepper, yellow dock and nettle in olive oil unit soft.  Remove from heat.  

In large bowl, mix yellow dock/nettle saute mixture, rice cheeses, and eggs. 

Skip this next step if you are going to layer your mixture with lasagna pasta

Assembly begins by thawing the filo dough.  

• Remove filo from package and lay on a flat dry surface. Cover with wax paper or foil and follow recipe instructions.
• Re-roll any unused filo sheets and seal in a plastic bag.
• Dough can be refrozen up to 3 months or stored in the refrigerator 2 weeks.
• Be sure to keep dough moist when putting recipes together; to ensure crispness, do not use overly moist fillings.
• While traditional dishes call for brushing each filo leaf with melted butter, try a light coating of safflower, olive, or other cooking oil on every second layer. You can also use most cooking sprays with excellent results.

You could make individual strudels or layer the filo dough in a 9 x 13 pyrex baking dish 

Use two to three sheets of filo down between layers in a 9 x 13 pyrex baking dish.  Layer it like you would a lasagna.  Brush each layer with melted butter or olive oil and spoon the yellow dock/nettle mixture in-between  your layers.

Here are some more recipe ideas that you can do with your yellow dock/ nettle mixture.  Just use the yellow dock/nettle mixture as a substitute for the cooked greens that are in the recipe.

http://rosesprodigalgarden.org/recipes/nettlesrecipes.html

http://foragedfoodie.blogspot.com/2013/05/superfood-mac-cheese-recipe-with.html

http://rosesprodigalgarden.org/recipes/yellowdockrecipes.html

http://laughinglemonpie.com/recipe-dock-au-gratin/

Most health food stores carry this brand of organic filo: 

http://www.fillofactory.com/fillo-recipes

Fennel Frond Pesto

Makes 4 servings, plus leftover pesto

Preparation time: 30 minutes

1/3 cup pistachios, toasted

2 to 4 garlic scallions finely chopped or 2 cloves garlic chopped

1/2 cup raw cheese

1 teaspoon sea salt 

Ground black pepper, to taste

2 cups lightly packed fennel fronds 

optional: 4-5 mint leaves, torn

about ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

juice of ½ lemon, or to taste

1 pound penne pasta

1 cup frozen peas

Put the pistachios, garlic, cheese, salt, and pepper in a food processor/blender. Pulse a few times to grind slightly.

Add fennel and mint, if using, to the food processor/blender. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is reduced to a paste and has a spreadable, but not greasy consistency. Taste and add salt if necessary. Squeeze in a little bit of lemon juice to taste.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Salt the water generously and cook the pasta until al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, set up a colander in the sink and put the frozen peas in it. (If you have fresh peas, by all means use them. You can add them to the boiling water in the last few minutes of cooking the pasta.

When the pasta is done, drain the pasta in the colander. Return the pasta, along with the peas, into the pot. Stir in the pesto until pasta is lightly coated and flavorful. Squeeze in a little lemon juice, to taste.

You can use this pesto on crackers, bread, meat or a starch.  

Need a new  recipe for your radishes?

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Radishes-with-Brown-Butter-Lemon-and-Radish-Tops-364609

This one looks yummy.  The only thing I would change is omit the green chilies and use 1 big organic red pepper.  Never eat green peppers..... 

http://giniann.wordpress.com/2006/12/23/radish-curry-saute-with-onions-garlic-and-chili/

One More Greens Recipe:  Use organic broth with this recipe

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/sauteed-greens-white-beans-and-garlic

Fun Facts About Your Greens:  Share the knowledge :)

Collards, Mustard, and Kale all belong to the Brassica family and are considered SUPER FOODS because of their antioxidant qualities.

Collards are a good source of protein, potassium, are high in fiber, and provide vitamins A,C,E,K and B6.

Mustard is especially known to protect against hay fever, sinusitus, and asthma.

Kale is loaded with organosulfur compounds (that may lessen the occurrance of some cancers), and has phytonutrients that help the liver to neutralize potentially cancerous substances. 

Now you know why it's so important to "EAT YOUR GREENS"!

Fennel Fronds Pictured: 

It Is An Art To, 

Live, To Truly Be Alive

Love, Truly Love

Laugh, Sharing Smiles and Joy From Your Heart

The Art Of Letting Go

Letting go of stress.. letting go of work... letting go of worries.. letting go of anxiety... letting go of societal stress... letting go of worries about business.. letting go of unhealthy habits...

The Art Of Letting Go ... letting go of fear... letting go the everyday fast pace life... Society, the human race, needs  to play in life, the  art of letting go of TV, Texting, computer screens, video games.

 Society needs the Art Of Letting Go.... let go  of their red and blue gang colors... Letting go of the belief that the gooberment will take care of America and it's people...  society needs freedom...

 The Art Of Letting Go of bad habits.... letting go of bad eating habits... letting go the habit of sitting on a couch, the letting go of making up excuses, the letting go the non-motivation, the letting go of struggles, the letting go of holding on to what is not sustainable....

It is an Art and a discipline to let go, to be free, to play, to love, to help, to not be selfish, to eat healthy, to live chemical free, to take care of the earth, to truly be a parent, to be a playful parent, to sleep enough, to eat tons of veggies, yes, this list is an art, it is a dying art, because the human race is losing it's ability to recognize that " In Discipline Lies Freedom"

 Art is an Art within itself, the ability to recognize this art, is within the eyes and heart, of all of those, who see what is the Art Of Letting Go...  To truly have eyes that see and ears that hear, drop the screens, be with nature and jump into the Art Of Letting Go, to understand the meaning "In Discipline Lies Freedom"......

Let's put it this way... 

What would you do without Fear? 

What would you do if you had motivation?

What would you do if you were in shape?

What would you do if you did not have a disability?

What would you do if you were full of energy? 

If you had any thoughts of what you would be doing, Then I will ask you a question.

What is holding you back?

The lack of energy is  a symptom of suppress, distress and stress to your system, it is the Art Of Letting Go, purging, that gives change. This change, will take away your fears, give you motivation, keep  you in shape, energize you and  it would not matter if you had a disability. 

The Art Of Letting Go = In Discipline Lies Freedom

St. Johns Wort, Cats Ear (also known as false dandelion), celery, onions, beet greens,cabbage, cauliflower, brassica mix, comfrey, nettle, catnip, lemon balm pineapple sage tea mix,sleepy time tea, swiss chard and arugula stir fry mix, collard greens, mustard greens, bitter lettuce mix, fennel, dill, curly top garlic and basil.

Catnip:  

Catnip has long been used medicinally as a tea, juice, tincture, infusion and poultice. Catnip tea is used for headaches, stomachaches, colic and sleeplessness in children. It has also been used to treat cancer, insanity, nervousness, nightmare, scurvy and tuberculosis, while a root extract served as a mild stimulant. Drinking two cups of catnip tea a day could significantly reduce the likelihood of developing cataracts. Catnip has been employed orally to treat colic, diarrhea, flatulence, hiccups, whooping cough, the common cold, measles and chicken pox (reduces the eruptions), asthma, yellow fever, scarlet fever, smallpox, jaundice and to induce parturition and encourage menstruation. Poultices were used for hives, sore breasts of nursing mothers and to reduce swelling. A poultice of catnip and other herbs was employed to treat aching teeth in the Ozark Mountains. A tincture makes a good friction rub for rheumatic and arthritic joints and, as an ointment, to treats hemorrhoids. Catnip was sometimes smoked to relieve respiratory ailments. The fresh leaves can also be chewed for headache and as a remedy for toothache. It is an old home remedy for colds, nervous tension, fevers and nightmare. It is diaphoretic and antispasmodic. Fresh catnip leaves are preferred for infusion or tincture.
The Chinese consider it bitter, cold and spicy. They use it to harmonize the liver, nerves and lungs, and in the case of nervous tension due to too much emotional upheaval. For overexcited children, they recommend a mixture, in equal parts , of catnip, chamomile and lemon balm tea.

How to make a tincture: http://mountainroseblog.com/guide-tinctures-extracts/

Mosquito Bug Spray:  Catnip 

http://www.freshpickedbeauty.com/2012/05/natural-mosquito-repellent.html

Cat's Ear, also known as False Dandelion:  

How to make Cat's Ear Lemonade

4 cup mason jar

2 or 3 organic lemon wedges

1 organic orange wedge

Filtered or spring water

1 Tablespoon honey

Small bag of Mountain Mama Cat's Ear 

Fill jar with lemon wedges, orange wedge, honey and Cat's Ear.  Fill it up with water, seal and chill for about 4 hours.  Strain and enjoy 

If  you have Cat's Ear growing around you and would like to make a bigger batch, here is the recipe.  Remember, never pick from sprayed areas! 

Side Note:  My daughter Sophia said try adding pinch of cayenne and fresh grated ginger. 

http://www.learningherbs.com/dandelion_recipe.html

Pictured Cat's Ear: 

Cat's Ear Lemonade

Play Time Tea Time

Try making up your own tea recipe with the herbs you received:  1 cup fresh herb to 2 - 4 cups water

Example:  Nettle, St. Johns Wort, Mint and lemon balm

Sleepy Time Tea Bag: All Dried Herbs

Lemon Balm, hisbiscus flower, passion flower, st. johns wort, hops, valerian rt. lavender and damania

1 - 2 Tablespoons

 2 cups of  filtered or spring water. 

Bring water to boil, add herbs, steep 5 minutes

St. Johns Wort:  http://www.herbs-hands-healing.co.uk/singleherbs/stjohnswort.html

How To Make Herbal Infused Oil:  

http://whisperingearth.co.uk/2010/04/26/potions-group-making-herb-infused-oils/

Cabbage Lasagna

Made from cabbage, cream cheese and organic lasagna  rice pasta.  

9 x 13 Glass Pyrex pan

Oven:  350

3 cups onions diced fine

4 cloves minced garlic

2 tsp. caraway seeds

2 tsp dill weed ( more if using fresh dill)

1 tsp each sea salt and pepper

8 cups cabbage, shredded or sliced finely

1 cup organic cream cheese

1/2 cup organic swiss cheese, grated

1 cup raw cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 cup raw cheddar cheese grated (for the top of the lasagna)

2 organic eggs

1 pkg plus lasagna  organic rice pasta ( you could use regular organic wheat lasagna)

Saute the onion, garlic, caraway, dill, salt, pepper and cabbage in olive oil until soft. Remove from heat.  

In large bowl, mix cabbage saute cheeses and eggs. 

Assemble like you would  a regular lasagna.  

A layer of pasta, with a layer of mixed ingredients, repeat until at the top of the pan.    Top with some extra raw cheddar.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. 

Beet Greens Smoothie:

 http://whisperingearth.co.uk/2010/04/26/potions-group-making-herb-infused-oils/

Side Note:  If  you want to make the smoothie with the Papaya, then make sure it is absolutely organic.  A lot of papaya's are GMO.  Hawaii, was one of the the first places to grow GMO papayas.   Only eat organic papaya's! 

GMO Food is toxic and WILL give cancer.  

Creamy Turmeric Tea

Recipe

8 ounces (1 cup) almond or coconut milk ( If using canned coconut milk, 1/2 cup coconut milk plus 1/2 cup filtered water, equals 1 cup for the recipe) 

1/2 teaspoon turmeric ( I added more) 

1/2-inch wide round slice of ginger root,  grated or peeled and finely chopped

Dash of cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp cardamom hulled 

1/2 – 1 teaspoon honey or other sweetener

Optional additions: a small pat of butter, cinnamon,

Instructions:

If you are using canned organic coconut milk, then use 1/2 cup coconut milk and 1/2 cup filtered water. 

Gently warm the almond or coconut milk on the stove. Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir.  Turn stove to lowest setting, simmer 1 to 2 minutes

Sweeten with local honey 

Strain and enjoy! 

1. Turmeric is an anti-microbial. That means it will attack both bacterial infections and viral infections and destroy both. It is particularly effective in treating illnesses of the respiratory system (this makes it a superb remedy for the cold and flu season).
2. It has shown to prevent and stop the growth of prostate, breast, skin, lung and colon cancer
3. Known to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes
4. A natural liver detoxifier.
5. Research shows it may prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. 
6. As a potent natural anti-inflammatory, turmeric may work just as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, reducing the risks associated with the side effects of those types of medications.
7. It’s a natural painkiller.
8. Trusted for many, many years in other cultures as a treatment for depression.
9. Speeds up wound healing and assists in the treatment of acne, eczema and psoriasis. 

Turmeric Chai Recipe

Turmeric Chai Tea Powder 
(4 servings)

3 tablespoons ground turmeric
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground clove

1 teaspoon ground cardamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions: Mix all ingredients together and store in a glass jar.

Tea Prep
(single serving)

4 teaspoons of Turmeric Chai Tea Powder

1 cup water

sweetener to taste
1/2-1 cup warm milk (i.e. cow, goat, almond, hemp, coconut, etc.)

Directions: Bring 1 cup of water to boil. Pour water over spices and steep  for 10 minutes.  Add Milk turn on low steep for 1 to 2 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or a cheesecloth. Add local honey if you like and enjoy!