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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Workout: 

10 front kicks right and left

10 straight leg kicks right and left

15 standing oblique crunches both sides

Pow Chow 3 x

Yet Sum 6 x 

Wah Lum Little First Form 3 x 

10 outside crescent kicks right and left

10 inside crescent kicks right and left

12 spinning inside crescent kicks right and left

7 whirl winds right and left.  

10 narrow push ups

10 wide push ups

Stretch

Today's Harvest: Nettle, kale, mustard greens, collard greens, arugula, salad mix, curly top garlic, garlic chives, nasturtium spicy mix, peas,  yellow dock leaf, parsley, dill, basil, pineapple weed, self heal, calendula, mint tea mix, 

Article: Natural approach to help you with Hay Fever: 

http://www.westernherbalmedicine.com/Western-Herbal-Medicine/Hayfever-A-Natural-Approach.html

Books on Wild Edibles: 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423601505?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1423601505&linkCode=xm2&tag=naturalliving00-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402767153?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1402767153&linkCode=xm2&tag=naturalliving00-20

Nasturtiums: The Edible Flower With A Bite

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/nasturtium-zmaz82mjzglo.aspx#axzz35fogvpeS

Nasturtium Pesto

This recipe require a lot of leaves and flowers.  Just half the recipe or make it even smaller.  Enjoy! 

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

Self Heal 

http://www.motherearthliving.com/plant-profile/an-herb-to-know-7.aspx#axzz35g7NWskX

Self heal (Prunella vulgaris) This scentless perennial mint is one of the great unsung healers of the world. The leaves and flowers contain more antioxidants - which prevent cancer and heart disease, among other healthy traits - than any other plant tested. And as part of the mint family, self heal is imbued with lots of minerals, especially calcium, making it an especially important ally for pregnant, nursing, menopausal, and post-menopausal women.   You  can put self heal leaves in salads in the spring and fall, make a medicinal vinegar with the flowers during the summer, and cook the flowering tops (fresh or dried) in winter soups. 

Pineapple Weed: 

http://www.commonsensehome.com/pineapple-weed/

Kale Recipes

In our  house we LOVE KRISPY KALE CHIPS 

Spicy Krispy Kale ( I love this recipe)  

http://www.veggiecation.com/recipe-of-the-month/spicy-krispy-kale-chips.html

Spice with Cashews and Nutritional Yeast:

Side note:  If you do not have the time to soak the cashew you could use organic cashew butter.  You will have to adjust the recipe a little.  

http://www.thisrawsomeveganlife.com/2012/02/ellusive-kale-chip.html#.U6sVYfldUfg

Cheezy Spicy Kale Chips:

Omit the Agave and use honey instead or just leave out the sweetener.  Never use vegetable oil.  Use organic olive, avocado, sunflower etc. 

http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2011/08/cheezy-spicy-kale-chips-vegan.html

Nettle Pesto: Note:

Omit the pine nuts they are not good for you.  Add walnuts, almonds or pumpkins seeds instead. 

http://jessthomson.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/stung/

Creamed Collard Greens:  

Make sure you get organic cream and make sure it is not ultra pasteurized!  You could also use full fat coconut milk.

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/creamed-collard-greens

Basil :) 

Sage Fir Deodorant Sample

Vodka, distilled water, essential oils of fir, sage, tea tree, black pepper, bay, intentions of Love, Beauty and Health

Curly Top Garlic (Scapes)

http://islandvittles.com/2010/07/02/top-five-friday-garlic-scapes/

Calendula

Calendula Tea recipe:  Remember when following a tea recipe that uses dried herbs and you have fresh herbs, double the amount of herb used in the recipe. 

http://www.anniesremedy.com/chart_remedy.php?rem_ID=173

Recipe from Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health 

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

HIGH-CALCIUM CHILDREN'S TEA

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

3 parts rose hips

2 parts lemon balm

2 parts lemongrass

2 parts oats

1 part nettle

1 part raspberry leaf

1/2 part cinnamon chips

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

Infusions: 

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

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

Younger than 2 years 1/2 to 1 teaspoon

 2 to 4 years 2 teaspoons

4 to 7 years 1 tablespoon

7 to 11 years 2 tablespoons 

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

Adult High-Calcium Tea: 

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

1 part horsetail ( shave grass)

1 part nettle

1 part oats and oatstraw 

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

Calcium

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

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

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

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

For comparison:  

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

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

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

Pictured Horse Tail