Our First Week: We have been working10 to 12 hour days since March. All that hard work paid off for a wonderful first start. I am grateful for the abundance.
Week One Product: Nettle, comfrey, calendula, garlic scallions, mustard greens, salad, arugula, basil, radishes, carrots, spinach, herbs, evergreens, kale and collard greens.
Nettle:
Nettle Pesto
Makes: 1 generous cup
1/2 pound nettles
4 large garlic cloves, smashed or garlic scallions
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/4 cups extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup grated raw organic cheese
Bring a large pot of salted water to a simmer for the nettles. Add the nettles directly from their bag and cook, stirring continuously, for 2 minutes. (This denatures their sting.) Dump into a colander to drain. When the nettles are cool enough to handle, wrap them in a clean dishtowel and wring out as much moisture as possible, like you would for spinach. You’ll have about a cup of cooked, squished nettles.
In the food processor fitted with the paddle attachment, whirl the garlic, salt, and pepper to taste until finely chopped. Add the nettles, breaking them up as you drop them in, and the lemon juice and whirl until finely chopped. With the machine running, add the oil in a slow, steady stream, and process until smooth. Add the cheese, pulse briefly, and season to taste with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
http://mcminnvillehealthdefense.ning.com/profiles/blogs/spring-time-super-tonic-food-nettle
More Nettle Recipes:
http://www.thekitchn.com/stinging-nettles-8-recipes-for-145582
Comfrey: Comfrey Infused Grapeseed Oil/Olive oil is used in salves, creams and lotion recipes. I like to apply the salve to acne scars and inflamed skin rashes. You can also just use it as an infused oil. The magic of Comfrey is from the active component contained in the leaf and root called allantoin which helps to boost the production of new skin cells. In fact it works so fast that you should NEVER use it on open wounds, dirty wounds or broken skin. You should only apply it to areas that have already scabbed over.
A Recipe for Infused Comfrey Oil:
You will need:
• A clean, dry jar
• Cut and dried Comfrey leaves
• An oil of your choice, enough to fill the jar.
• A spoon
• A square of thin cotton material, or a sieve.
• A clean, dry, glass bottle.
Carrier oil: The oil can be chosen to suit your needs:
Pure sunflower oil is cheap, cheerful and perfectly good; olive oil is a little more luxurious and my favourite for medicinal purposes; other possibilities include sesame, jojoba, avocado, hemp seed, almond and many others.
Method:
• Fill a third of the jar with Comfrey leaves.
• Fill the jar to the top with a carrier oil.
• Using a clean spoon press the Comfrey leaves down to ensure that there are no air bubbles.
• Put the lid onto the jar and leave in a warm, sunny window for at least one week and no more than two weeks.
• Strain the mixture and pour into the glass bottle.
• Store in a cool, dry place.
This oil can be used to hasten the healing of abrasions, bruises and sore muscles.
It must NOT be used on deep cuts as it is capable of healing the skin’s surface so quickly that the deeper part of the wound could fester.
http://www.freshpickedbeauty.com/2012/01/comfrey-infused-oil.html
http://www.thekitchn.com/stinging-nettles-8-recipes-for-145582
Calendula Tea:
The simplest use of calendula flowers - it's just weld Calendula as tea.
Pour one cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of fresh calendula flowers OR one to two teaspoons of dried calendula petals. Steep for ten minutes, then strain. By drinking two to three cups daily there will be a great improvement in blood circulation.
To help in the healing of skin wounds:
Soak a compress in Calendula Tea, and apply to the wound for 30 minutes twice daily.
Calendula can also be used to treat sore throat. Gargle with warm tea several times a day. This will help relieve the inflammation caused from the common cold.
Other Calendula ideas:
http://blog.esgreen.com/2010/04/marigold-flower-tea.html
http://mountainroseblog.com/healing-calendula/
Evergreen Tea:
½ cup of pine needles (or other needles from fir or spruce trees)
Crush the needles slighly & add to a pot of boiling water (3-4 cups). Simmer for 15-20 mins, or simply steep the needles in not yet boiling water.
You can add a spoon of honey or other liquid sweetener (maple syrup, agave, etc), as well as herbs such as rosemary or green tea, to this wonderfully aromatic brew.
Left over tea can be added to a bath, poured over the stones in a sauna, or used as a rinse for the hair to combat dandruff!
Evergreen Tea:
Other ideas for evergreens:
http://mcminnvillehealthdefense.ning.com/profiles/blogs/evergreen-healing
Evergreen Infused Olive Oil. Infuse for 6 weeks, strain and drizzle on meat, rice, bread etc.
Arugula And Spinach Stir Fry:
Spinach arugula, coarsely chopped.
Garlic scallions chopped
Basil chopped
Balsamic vinegar
A few dashes of coconut aminos or organic Brags liquid aminos
Link to coconut aminos:http://www.coconutsecret.com/aminos2.html
Heat pan with oil of choice:
Add chopped garlic scallions, cook until tender
Add arugula and spinach, sauteing for about one minute
Add chopped basil, sauteing for about a minute
Add 4 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar and then steam it down for another minute or two
Add coconut aminos or Brags
Optional: add some organic cooked and chopped turkey bacon, or organic beef sausage
Serve with couscous, quinoa, or any one of your favorite starches!
Mustard Green Stir Fry or use your wild greens:
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/mustard_greens/
Make sure you use organic broth
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2009/07/balsamic-glazed-chickpeas-and-mustard.html
I would take out the soy sauce and use organic Brags or use coconut liquid aminos
Thank you Mountain Mama Members for your awesome support. If you have any questions please e-mail me.
