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Mountain Mama Wellness
Instagram.soul _medicine2023
Green Beauty and Herbal Remedies * Chemical Free Organic Skin Care * Herbal Education and More
MountainMamaWellness@protonmail.com - 503-472-6656
www.mountainmomma.ning.com
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Hello All,
Mountain Mama Wellness updates on Friday May 12th 2023
Saturdays: Farmers Market at the Grange 10:00 AM – 2:00 Pm
Starting May 11th Thursday Farmers Market 11:00 PM – 5:00 PM
I am booth 71 across the street on the Baptist Church Side in their parking lot.

Hard to believe it is already May 12th!! Summer is headed our way, which means everything is in rapid growth mode. At my farm it is amazing to see how much everything has grown! Including my granddaughters!

Every day I sit outside and enjoy a cuppa tea. I sit with a loved one and sometimes in solitude. This time of year while sipping tea I am sitting in a forest of bird song. The Wrens arrived a few weeks ago and the males are trying to call in their mates. The Wrens make a beautiful sound while calling in the female bird of their dreams. This week I also heard the Swainson Thrush calling out to its flock and will soon be singing its summer song. All day the birds are sharing their gift of song, which sends me into a happy state. Right now I sit with this amazing concert of bird song while sipping a cuppa tea, while gardening, while watering, while hiking and in the early morning while lying in bed. I could sit all day in stillness and listen to them, and I feel blessed for their presences.

My granddaughter Satinka is enjoying the Dandelions. She is blowing the Dandelions wishes everywhere and today she made the mistake of giving them a kiss, which meant Dandelion seeds stuck to her mouth, we both giggled at that.
She and I made a Sun Tea out of the Dandelion Flowers and added some of my Tranquility Tea.
We took a 2 cup mason jar
About ¼ to ½ cup Dandelion flowers
2 tablespoons of Tranquility Tea
Pour water into the jar and fill it up.
Put the lid on
Let steep in the sun for about 2 to 4 hours.
You could also do a lunar infusion and let it sit under the stars and moon over night. It is magical

The apple blossoms are blooming as are the Lilacs and Hawthorns.
If you have Hawthorn Flowers this would be the time to pick some and some leaves and make a tincture, glycerite, vinegar, oxymel, infused honey, or dry them for tea. You could also make a Hawthorn Flower essence

If you have Lilacs then I would encourage you to make a Lilac infused honey, it is Beautiful and Awesome!
You could also make Apple Blossom Flower Essence

Mother’s Day is Sunday:
Come check out my booth at the Farmers Market at The Grange and pick out a few items to shower her with. While you are there stop by other vendors booths they have many lovely items that mom will most likely love. There is baked goods, produce, lamb, plants and more.
My Suggestions For Mom
Floral Face Cleaner, Ylang Ylang Rose Spray, Ylang Ylang Rose Cream, A Tea, A Bath Salt, Chap Stick and put it in a basket with some chocolate. Even better a few goodies from the market tucked away in her gift basket.

New Items:
Sunscreen
Tropical Creamy Body Cream – Great for after sun care.
Ylang Ylang Rose Face Cream
Cucumber Fennel Eye Cream
Coconut Lemon Lime Lip Balm
Honey Body Butter – Heavy Moisturizer for Foot and Body – Juniper, Citrus, Ginger – Not only does this body butter moisturize it is great for your circulation.

The official pick-up date for your Wellness Box will be May 19th 2023
It is official the Mountain Mama Wellness Boxes are happening! Each monthly wellness box will have a theme with several items for you to enjoy and use. These monthly wellness boxes will have information on each item, information on each herb used, the recipes (just in case you want to recreate something you enjoyed) each box will be based on a theme. For example summer is coming up and the June box will be a Summer Herbal First Aid Kit.
The Cost is $60.00 for a Mountain Mama Wellness Box.
May’s Mountain Mama Wellness Box –
May’s wellness box is full of love, beauty and vitality. It is full of items to help you rest, repair and bring you into a state of vitality. Last week I talked about a vinegar reduction that I was making. It turned out beautiful and the color is a robust red. I am getting pretty excited about putting all of these items together as we approach the delivery day.
This month’s box will have items that help with inflammation. I felt this was an important subject since so many of us are dealing with some sort of inflammation. Emotional stress and environmental stress will cause inflammation in one’s body and these days there is a lot of stress in one's life. The effects of stress can range from allergies, skin issues, body aches, dehydration, tummy troubles, acid reflux, insomnia, heart attacks, high blood pressure, etc. Chronic stress puts your health at risk and creates an inflamed body. This box is about cooling stress down and reduces inflammation in the body. I will also give some helpful ideas to help you manage stress.
In this box, there will be Cacao Rose Bitters, a tincture for inflammation, infused vinegar, a tea, salve, infused honey, smudge stick and a foot soak and/or bath soak/
If you would like a May Box, you need to pre-pay.
Pre Order Now: Ways to Pay:
Drop off cash or check (made out to Suzanne Sanders) at the Kung Fu School or at the Saturday Market at the Grange (from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm). I can only take cards at the Market.
Pick Up: Your choice either at the Kung Fu School (Friday evening) or at the Farmers Market at The Grange on Saturday.
I can mail boxes, so if you need this option please contact me for shipping cost.
The official pick-up of your Wellness Box will be May 19th 2023

Suggestions:
Date Night Suggestion: Relax and Release Tea, Calm Soak and Yoni Butter.
Nightly Ritual: Tranquility Tea, Full Moon/New Moon Bath Soak and moisturizer with a face/body cream after.
Revitalizing Foot Soak, Tranquility Tea, and Happy Feet Cream
Calm Soak for the hands, then Honey Hand Ointment or Coriander Hand Moisturizer.
Spa Treatment: Floral Cleansing Grains use as a mask while you soak in a tub of Calm, or soak in the Hibiscus Rose Bath Melts. After bath pat your skin dry and moisturize. Gently rinse your face, apply the Ylang Ylang Rose Facial Spray and moisturize with Skin Bliss, Rose Cold Cream or Calm Body Cream
Products that are coming soon: Blue Chamomile, Super Nutritive Lavender Toner, Rose Toner Miracle Grains, Face Serum, sage spray, smudge sticks, facial steam, High Vitamin C Tea, Revitalizing Chai, and High Mineral Tea.

Fatty Lavender/ Tea Tree Rosemary Soap I personally love Fatty Soap and now so does Joseph. Neither of us like to use soap bars because they always give you that feel of something stuck to your skin after you have rinsed off. What I love about Fatty Soap is that it has extra oil, herbal powders and oat powder added to it. By doing this it feels like it is also moisturizing your skin. I have to admit that they are A LOT of work, but fun to do and the end product is worth it.

Floral Cleansing Grains: Use as a scrub or a Mask. It is great for clearing up your complexion, helps neutralize excess oil, pulls out impurities, plumps up and moisturizes your skin, and helps promote a glowing complexion. The Floral Cleansing grains ingredients are kaolin clay, oat powder, French green clay, calendula pd., chamomile pd., lavender pd., rose pd., turmeric pd., matcha pd., lavender eo, ylang ylang eo, geranium eo, chamomile eo and LOVE.
Turmeric has antibacterial and antiseptic properties and can help keep your complexion clean and clear. It is also perfect for mature skin that has become increasingly sensitive (calms and soothes troubled or reactive skin).
Take a couple tablespoons and make into a paste. You can make into a paste by add water or rose water/hydrosol.
Use as a scrub or as a mask
For Mask: Apply and keep on your face for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse off.
After use: Apply a face toner and moisturizer.
Ideas For Making A Mask:
For Dry Skin – Add cream (coconut cream, dairy cream, yogurt etc.) optional a touch of honey and rose hydrosol (honey is a natural humectant)
For Normal Skin – Add milk (diary, yogurt or alternative milk) optional a touch of honey and rose hydrosol
For Oily Skin – Add water or hydrosol of choice
Satinka’s (my granddaughter) Herbal Allies which is all about Bioregional Herbalism. These are products that are either grown by us, or sustainably harvested here in Oregon by us. We then make products out of what we have collected. These items are seasonal.
Coriander Hand Moisturizer: lavender hydrosol, jojoba oil, sesame oil, refined coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, soy free glycerin, coriander essential oil, bergamot essential oil, geranium essential, orange essential oil, honeysuckle flower essence, soy free vitamin e and LOVE
Bath Melts Hibiscus Rose: . With summer coming this is a great way to help dry parched skin. It is also relaxing and very moisturizing.
Caution: Bathtub will be slippery
Coconut oil, cocoa butter, hibiscus flowers, rose buds, lavender, orange peel, orange essential oil and LOVE
Toss one or 2 cubes in a warm bath. Soak for 20 – 30 minutes plus
After you get out of the bath, gently rub the oil into your skin and carefully pat your skin dry.
Tranquility Tea: Tulsi, rose petals, lemon grass, butterfly pea flower, oat tops, linden leaf and flower, hawthorn leaf, flower and berry, lavender, stevia, cinnamon and LOVE
Relax and Release Tea: Spearmint, chamomile, butterfly pea flower, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemon grass, oats, skullcap, roses, stevia, passion flower, catnip, lavender and LOVE
Floral Cleansing Grains, Face Scrub or Mask
Honey Hand Ointment
Satinkas Herbal Allies - Calendula and Cottonwood Balm
Shimmering Body Mousse (think body Butter) Lavender, Lemon & Holy Basil
Rose Cold Cream – Rose hydrosol, apricot oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, rosehip seed oil, beeswax, geranium rose eo, soy free vitamin e, oak flower essence, honeysuckle flower essence, LOVE AND BEAUTY.
Full Moon and New Moon Salt Soak: Baking soda, black lava salt, rose petals, Himalayan pink salt, Artemisia vulgaris, lavender buds, Epsom salt, bentonite clay, clary sage eo, geranium rose eo and LOVE
Ylang Ylang Rose Facial Spray
Clary Sage and Lavender Body Mist
Calm Body Cream – Luscious Moisturizer -It has avocado oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, lavender eo, ylang ylang eo, lemongrass eo, chamomile eo and love. It is whipped and looks like whipped butter.
Salt Soak – Calm Waters- It has baking soda, Epsom salt, Himalayan pink salt, sea salt, lavender buds, rose petals, chamomile, corn flowers, hibiscus flowers, hops, lavender eo, ylang ylang eo, chamomile eo, lemongrass eo and Love.
Calm Waters – Stress Relief Spray -: Lavender Hydrosol, lavender eo, ylang ylang eo, chamomile eo, lemongrass eo, bach rescue remedy and LOVE.
Mocha lip Love – organic ground works coffee, cacao, cinnamon, vanilla and a bit of mica.
Smooches Ginger and Spice
Spearmint Lip Love
Happy Feet Foot Cream
Rejuvenate and Refresh Foot Soak
Skin Bliss Face Cream
St. John’s Wort & Cottonwood –Light Luminous, Elevating & Protective – After Shower Body Cream (Bioregional Herbalism)
Warming Balm
Self Heal ( BioRegional Herbalism)
Muscle Goo
Yoni Butter

Oregon Wild – High Mountain Forest Body Cream (Bio-Regional Herbalism)

Vapor Rub

Pine Resin Salve (Bio Regional Herbalism)

Other Chap Sticks:

Hot lips - Rosy Lip Balm- Peppermint Lip Love -Cardamom Tulsi Rose - Calendula Sunshine Lip Balm with gold mica and a touch of Lemon and Lavender.    

With Love and Light

Phoenix (aka Sue)                 

Tranquil Pine and Star Anise Bath (or foot soak)

This recipe cleanses and helps center your body .  Both Pine and anise have stimulating and antiseptic properties.  This will help your body detoxify, ridding it of stress and impurities. 

BUT FIRST.... Let's go over a few very important things about this recipe. 

This recipe is going to activate some things that might be asleep in you... 

It is a great anti-dote for many... 

Rain or shine take a walk and look for some pine

I know its been a long day or week at work

Trying to  balance family life

I can hear you moan

I can hear you say, I will do this another day

This is not an ingredient you can leave out

Nature is the antidote, take it everyday

This  is not something you should put off day by day

Nature is the antidote

This walk is part of the recipe

It requires you to look around

So, put those cell phones down

Take a breath, 

Look for some pine

Spruce and evergreen will be fine

They are calling you

Giving off their sweet scent 

The euphoric scent of waking through a pine forest,

The scent of sweet Douglas fir or  even coastal spruce 

Euphoric scents that slow your breathing and reduce stress

Pine, Douglas fire and spruce filling your nostrils and going deep within

Restores your emotional state to calm

Clears the heart and mind, to allow more creativity

Nature as an antidote will give

Greater physical health

Deeper sense of spirit

Sense of play

These awards await you

Just take a walk rain or shine and 

Look for some pine 

I am well again, I came to

Life in the cool winds and 

Crystal waters of the mountain

----John Muir 

Take Two Hours Of Pine Forest and Call Me In The Morning:

Great Article 

http://www.outsideonline.com/1870381/take-two-hours-pine-forest-and-call-me-morning

Tranquil Pine and Star Anise Bath For One

An evening soak to give calm to your inner spirit.  Can be used as a foot soak 

You will need:  scissors, bag, dress for weather

Take a walk (leave cell phones in pockets) your mission is to find some pine, douglas fir or spruce.  If you are not sure about your trees go to the library or the local book store and get a book on trees.   

Word of caution:  Please be respectful of the trees and how you harvest.  

1 cup of fresh pine needles, douglas fir or spruce (pesticide free)

1/2 tablespoon organic fresh ginger chopped

3 star anise or 1 1/2 tablespoons of broken star anise 

2 cups filtered water

Pan (no aluminum or Teflon)

In a saucepan place above ingredients.  heat gently until mixture begins to boil

Remove from the heat, cover and steep for 30 minutes

Strain out all of the solids

Pour scented water in your hot bath and stir

Soak in the tub for 40 minutes 

Be careful after, you will feel really relaxed 

For a foot soak, just pour strained ingredients in a foot tub and enjoy! 

Evergreen Tea (pine, fir or spruce)

1 tsp. evergreen needles (pesticide free) 

2 cups filtered water

Bring to a boil, cover, simmer 10 minutes, strain and enjoy 

Before you enjoy this tea..

Please consult a physician if you are pregnant or nursing.  

Fresh Evergreen  Facial Toner(pine, fir or spruce) 

The power fragrance lifts the spirits and relieves stress. 

All skin types can benefit from this recipe.  This slightly astringent evergreen water improves circulation, giving skin a healthy glow.  

Make sure evergreens are pesticide free

1 cup evergreens

1 cup distilled water

1/4 cup witch hazel ( I suggest Mountain Rose Herbs)

Pan ( no aluminium or Teflon)

Place evergreen needles in the pan and cover with the water

Bring mixture to a boil

Remove from heat, cover and cool completely

Strain liquid into a clean bottle

Add witch hazel

Shake gently to mix

Label

To use:  Apply to your skin with a clean cotton pad after cleansing ( do not rinse) 

As you can see we are not short on trees

Oregon, Mt. Hood Area

CUPPA TEA

Boil....

Steep....

Pour..

"Better to be deprived of food for three days than of tea for one" 

-ANCIENT CHINESE PROVERB 

They say originally "Tea" referred to one species of shrub that was grown in China, known as the Black Tea Shrub ...

The legend of tea dates back to 2737 BC in China.  The emperor Shen Neng (Shennoung whos name means Divine Farmer)  was heating water over the open fire.  The wind blew and leaves fluttered all around.  A few of the leaves fell into the boiling water  The aroma was so delightful that Shen Neng decided to taste the brew.   It was delightful and so the ritual and ceremony of black tea making began.  

The leaves were from a wild species of the black tea shrub. When leaves are fermented they produce Oolong or black tea.  Fresh brewed leaves,like Shen Nengs  brew above was made from fresh leaves which yields a refreshing green tea, which contains the antioxidant Catechin, a bioflavonid with anti-bacterial and anticancer properties.

Shennoung also was prescribing marijuana tea for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, malaria and poor memory. I am not sure which one came first, the black tea shrub or the marijuana.   

There are more tales of an ancient Chinese herbalist who knew 100,000 healing properties of herbs and he shared this wisdom with his son.  For centuries monks, and herbalists studied and shared their knowledge of herbs to be passed on to the next generation.   There are tales of Native Americans, Celtics and people of India, but whatever the legend/tale is, tracing tea’s original roots proves to be  difficult.  But what we do know is that very early on, people primarily used tea for medicinal purposes

One of the earliest  tea party's on record in America was in 1674 in the Dutch Colony of New York 

Sons Of Liberty... Boston Tea Party... The revolutions were running high and in 1773, 342 cases of expensive dried tea were tossed into the harbor.  

Early American colonist learned of locally grown herbs from the Native Americans.  These discoveries played an important role in the fight for independence.   American Women in Boston protested against the British taxes on tea in 1773.  They vowed to drink teas from indigenous weeds instead of imported teas.   The brews they came up with were called "Liberty Tea" .

Common flowers used for the Liberty teas were sweet goldenrod, red clover, chamomile, roses, and violets.  Leaves of  bergamot (bee balm), lemon balm, chamomile, and mints were brewed as many are today.  Many herbs were brewed in the 18th century including lavender, parsley, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, lemon verbena, and sage. 

Even some fruits were used in colonial teas, including those of dried strawberries, blueberries, raspberries,apples and rosehips.  

Today my life if full of tea time.  It has become a ritual, a ceremony, a time to taste and share with others, it heals, it nourishes, gives good company, brings beauty and harmony.  

Don't be intimidated about blending teas.  When I first started I would just blend everything and put it in a pot.  

My first years of making tea started when I was trying to quite drinking coffee.   I had a business that was called Outdoor Encounters and I did outdoor training for women.   During this time there were a few of us that were training for a Marathon, the Portland Marathon.   I started playing around with different teas for us to drink after our long workouts.  Some of my beginning teas were made with roasted chicory root, dandelion root, burdock root, orange peel, ginger, fennel, cardamon, and a few other warming spices.  These teas could literally grow hair on your chest.  Remember I was a coffee drinker, more like a coffee addict and I was trying to quit.   My first teas were dark and spicy and they needed honey!   But yet most of us really liked it and they tasted great with  the homemade scones that I would make.  I made wise women teas for special talks and eventually when I moved to the mountains I started making all kinds of crazy concoctions.  

I have to admit I failed several times trying to quit coffee.  I was a lost coffee addict and at times when my family thought I quit I was actually sneaking it when no one was around.  I would get up before anyone else make a cup of that dark caffeine addiction and slip away into nature to sit and drink it.   To many years of a coffee addiction and health problems did not mix.  My liver was pissed off at me and I could not keep living off of coffee just to function.  So away the coffee went on a dark new moon night and I have crossed over to the the world of tea addiction.  The good thing about that is that tea nurtures, heals, makes you feel better, is calming, is social, is medicine and so much more.  

Most people are a bit intimidated when it comes to making tea.  There are plenty of recipes out there to get you started but just jump in and have fun.   It truly is simple and you just have to play to come up with some of your own special blends.  I personally just got a tea pot and started loading it with herbs.  At times I was loading my tea pot with handfuls of fresh nettle, some mint and whatever was in season.    I did not have any training and fresh herbs are a bit more forgiving when it comes to taste and strength.    

My kids first years of drinking tea where tea pots stuffed with fresh nettle and whatever else I could find that was in season  or a  wild edible.   Lemons balm, horsetail, all sorts of mints and I used catnip a lot.  

Just last week a family member  was hit with the flu and the teas, tonics and infusions where started right away.   I made teas of parsely, sage, rosemary and thyme, lots of nettle infusions, high vitamin C tea with elderberry syrup added, teas with garlic elixirs added, teas with infused honey added and turmeric drinks.      

I think most people when they hear the word tea they think of a cup of tea.  But tea is more than that.  Tea can be used as a foot bath, hair tonic, first aid wash, bath soak and more.

For me it is my first go to when someone is sick.  I always start with a simple cup of tea before I use stronger herbal medicine.    As soon as someone is feeling slightly off the tea pot is put on the stove.  Tea works it's magic in such a simple beautiful way and I raised my kids on tea for nurturing, nourishing, for calmness, for companionship, ceremony, hikes with views and road trips are started with cuppa tea.. 

It is also my first go to for adding gentle herbal medicine into my animals feed and first aid wash for wounds on both animal and human.  

So lets get started! - Beginners, begin light and add more herbs for more flavor

DO  NOT ADD ANY ESSENTIAL OILS TO YOUR TEAS 

1 To 3 Tablespoons of herb per cup of water.  Beginners start with 1 Tablespoon.  

Infusions - are made from the more delicate parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, and aromatic parts.  These fragile plant parts much be steeped, rather than simmered, Because they give up their medicinal properties more easily than do 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.  The longer it sits the more medicinal it gets.  

Decoctions - are made from the more tenacious parts of the plant, such as the roots, bark, and seeds.  It's a little hard to extract the constituents from these parts, so a slow simmer or an overnight infusion is often required   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. 

In general, with herb teas you want to boil hard roots and peels (examples:  licorice, orange peel, sarsaparilla, cinnamon, ginger) and steep flowers and leafs (examples: chamomile, spearmint, peppermint, raspberry leaf and clover).

Steep, don't boil, cloves and black teas, as they will turn bitter when boiled.   

You can drink hot or cold, make into ice cubes or Popsicle.     

I personally like to make big batches to last throughout the day (a quart of each type of tea).   You will save time by doing it this way.  

Once brewed refrigerate the extra.  Stored in the refrigerator it can last for about 3 days.  

Solar Tea:  Place the herbs and the water in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.  Put it in the directly in the sun for several hours.  Strain and enjoy

Lunar Tea:  Place herbs and water in a jar with a tight fitting lid.  Position it directly in the path of the moonlight.  This is one of my favorite things to do when I am out back-packing.  I pick pine and evergreen needles and place them in a jar with filtered water and cover with tight fitting lid.   I then set it on the edge of a lake in the direct moonlight.   The next day I have a cool herbal moonlight infused tea to drink throughout the day.  

Nourishing Infusion: 

What is an Nourishing infusion - A nourishing infusion is made from specific herbs that contain lots of minerals and vitamins.  The main herbs you use in an infusion are, nettle, red clover blossoms, oat straw, comfrey leaf, linden flower and leaf.  You can also use chickweed, mullein, burdock, elderberry, marshmallow root, violet leafs, plantain leaf, raspberry leaf hawthorn leaf, flower and berry.  

You use 1 ounce of herb to 1 quart boiling water.    

Susun Weed leads the way on this one, more information below

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

Nettle - Blood tonic and circulatory stimulate, diuretic, energy builder, helps with respiratory weakness, helps with allergies and hay fever, vitamins and minerals

Oat Straw - Tonic for vital energy, strengthens your immunity, nourishes your nervous system with nutrients, use often to help fight against exhaustion and fatigue, stimulant, nerve tonic, antioxidant, antispasmodic and diuretic.. Gentle 

Red Clover Blossoms - Detoxifier or blood purifier, anti-tumor , respiratory tonic and rich in minerals.

Comfrey Leaf - Demulcent, vulnerary, mucilaginous, nutritive and more

Linden Leaf and Flower - Tenderhearted flower with a calming nature, relieves anxiety, internal stress and helps reduce muscle tension.  

Respiratory Tonic Tea. 

Book Source:  Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health 

Use over a period of time to create a healthier respiratory system. Rosemary has this tea listed  in the Children's section of her book, but I use it for adults too :) 

4 parts fennel

4 parts rose hips

2 parts lemongrass

1 part calendula

1 part coltsfoot

1 part mullein 

1 part red clover flowers 

Blend together, put in a jar and label.   

Boil Water, add herbs, turn off stove, cover, steep 20 minutes, strain and enjoy. 

Fennel:  Fennel was used by Greek marathon runners for strength and vigor.   It is high in nutrients. Good for a circulatory tonic, eases cramps and spasms, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and mild expectorant and more

Rosehips Infection fighters, respiratory aid,  recovery tonic,

high vitamin C and more

Lemongrass - Aromatic herb that is used often in blends.  It has a lemony taste and vitmin C that adds a little zest to any blend. 

Calendula - Antiseptic, astringent, antiviral, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic, diaphoretic, detoxifier and diuretic 

Coltsfoot - Emollient, demulcent, expectorant, pectoral, diaphoretic and tonic 

Mullein - diuretic, demulcent, antispasmodic, vulnerary, astringent, emollient, pectoral and anodyne

Red Clover - Alterative, mild stimulant, blood purifier, depurative and detergent 

Elder Tea Blend:

Use this blend to kick that bug before it gets you! 

Ingredients: 

1 Tbls.  dried elderberries

1 Tbls. dried elderflowers 

1 Tbls. dried organic cherries, or other dried ORGANIC fruit

1 Tbls. dried peppermint

1 Tbls. dried holy basil 

Tons of Love 

You can make this mix by doing it in parts to make a bigger batch

Combine the herbs in a jar and mix well.  Label the jar. 

To use: 

1 tsp to 1 Tbls.  of you Elder Tea per 1 cup of boiling water, turn heat off and cover. 

Steep for 5 to 20 minutes

Strain and enjoy!

You can add honey and fresh squeezed lemon juice if you like.  

More on Rejuvenating Teas and Herbs:

http://mcminnvillehealthdefense.ning.com/profiles/blogs/rejuvenating-teas

Lemon Verbena and Rose Tea: 

http://mcminnvillehealthdefense.ning.com/profiles/blogs/lemon-verbena-and-rose-petal-tea

Rejuvenating Rose Hips, beauty for your eyes, their colors reminding us that  fall is here and it's time to reconnect to our roots, by slowing down and  taking care of our gut.   How's your digestion?  How are you digesting  life?  Are you living to much in your head and forgot about your feet?     

The colors of red, orange or a mixture of both let us know it is time to harvest these beauties but to live with bliss, and to seek the  pleasures of life on a daily basis.        

On a physical level orange relates to the colon, bladder, and gallbladder. It is part of  digestion and assimilation.  When you look at the orange color of the rose hips it makes sense that it is a carminative 

On a physical level red relates to the adrenal glands.   The high vitamin C content of rose hips gives your adrenal gland a super antioxidant boost.   

It is as if nature is telling us by providing the colors of fall and fall nourishment to slow down, root yourself back into the ground, reflect, to connect with the deep voice of self, to listen to your gut feelings (not screens), to follow wisdom and how much free radical damage are you generating or using in your life (fried foods, tobacco, non organic food, using perfume, hair dyes, petroleum based body care etc..) 

Rose Hips are sour, astringent, carminataive, nutritive, tonic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic and aperient (gentle laxative).   They are recognized as one of the highest sources of vitamin C.   Rose hips have bioflavonoids, they are great for colds, infections, to detox your body from free radical damage, carminative properties aid in absorption of nutrients and  are loaded with other vitamins and minerals.   

Harvest rose hips when they are bright red or orange.  If you can harvest after the first frost of autumn because they will be sweeter.  You don't want any brown spots and pick when it is dry to prevent them from molding. 

Do not eat them raw unless you cut them in half and scrape out the seeds and tiny hairs.   If you want to dehydrate them you need to do this to. 

 To use them fresh for a syrup or  jam you do not need to cut them in half and scrape out the tiny hairs and seeds.  

To buy rose hips or other herbs: 

https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwmqHPBRBQEiwAOvbR8-nR_eLKnFZHDlzuqWRXosG5FAMl-Sl1qUGmnPi1WBLoSvBGwJ2TxxoCoe4QAvD_BwE

High Vitamin C Tea Recipe: 

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.  

4 parts rose hips

3 parts hibiscus

2 parts lemongrass

1 part cinnamon chips 

Rose Hip Spice Jam

Using fresh rose hips 

1 lb Fresh rose hips (ends pulled off)

1 cup filtered water

1 cup raw real honey

2 tablespoon orange spice (recipe below)

Love

Gently simmer rose hips in the water until fruit is tender.   

Rub through a sieve

Return to heat and add honey and spices 

Gently simmer until thick, stirring frequently

Spoon hot into hot sterilized jars

Seal

Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes 

Label 

Orange Spice Sprinkle 

2 TBL.  orange peel pd.

3 TBL. cinnamon pd.

1/2 tsp. ginger pd,

1/2 tsp. cloves pd.

1/2 tsp. cardamom pd.

Mix and put in a spice jar and label.  

What is the centering of self, the centering of life through chaos, sadness ,madness, fear, disappointment, and loss.  How do we as humans deal with the stresses of life, in a world that is moving faster?  How do we center ourselves to protect our own health?   

What is centering the self?  Does this mean anything to you?  Do you feel most of the time like life is out of control?   Does your heart take too many leaps, to many extra pumps, do rapid heart beats become normal in life due to the anxiety that hits daily?  

Many of us , these days, are dealing with a lot on our plates. It is important for our health that we deal with it effectively or else it will take a toll, cause stagnation in our bodies and create problems down the road.

  I had a productive day and at one point I had come inside to do some computer research.  After I was done I stepped away and did some light movement and some deep breathing after my shower. It was time to head outside with my cup of tea, a backpack that had books, a writing journal and my camera.  I walked over to my sun gazing spot, (this is one of the things that gives me rejuvenation), worked on clearing my head and wrote things down that bothered me throughout the day.  When I write I always find something positive to jot down at the end of my thoughts.    

My thoughts for this day...journaling  to purge, write down ideas, concerns, and ramblings.   

My thoughts today seem to be to many.   Recovering from my accident has left our world spinning, a lot of work to catch up on and a chronic neck issue. Thoughts of how to understand running a business in a world of technology, how to understand people, how to understand death, loss, letting go, ego, and fear.    

Also, we had a family pet pass away and it has been incredibly hard.  I find that when I am sitting still I am haunted with all the memories of him..   I play the game of pushing all thoughts away as I get teary eyed, and move on to something else.  It is like a high tide coming in and leaving.     

A day to push away thoughts of a quiet house, I don't hear the Rocky thunder, that used to vibrate through, the big white fuzzy is gone, sadness, ... I get an overwhelming urge to cry, letting go is so fucking hard...It's not how he died or when he died, it is the happiness he gave us that needs to be remembered.. Keeping busy pushing thoughts away, time heals.  So many things in this last year and a half, so much loss, in a short period of time.  At the same time we have had incredible things happen to.  It always amazes me that somehow we can get overwhelmed by stress, loss, sadness and feel it in our bodies and heart, but if we have incredible things happen we don't seem to hold on to it that same way as negativity.  What would it be like to ignore negativity and be overwhelmed by happiness? I enjoy researching, but after many hours on the computer it is always  a reminder how unhealthy screen time is. I end up craving a book. a real book and I turn off everything.  Technology is a gift, but also a curse.  Over used , yes.  Screen time addicts have been created.  Screen time vibrates our bodies in such a negative way that it is vitally important that we take vacations from it.  Stress caused by screen time is taking it's toll on our bodies.  We seem to be becoming a society that is in search of people on their social media only to find that they are becoming more lonely.   More people in search of people, but still becoming more lonely.  I, to, am guilty of this, I miss my kids. My day of gardening,  tea time, mountain time, cutting scotch broom up in the mountains, to keep the chemical sprays off of the ground. My duty to do my best to protect the earth from the chemical addicts that enjoy spraying their herbicides and god know what else. Sunsets bring me joy, I take a moment and watch the clouds move,  I feel the breeze, I hear the wind whisper in my ears, I feel the ground under my bare feet. As I watch the sunset, and purge out everything on paper, I remind my self to breath, deep breaths,.  I hear the Robins sing their heart out, the sun is setting,   Breathing gives the breath of life..   

Rocky May 2007 - April 1, 2015

I am remind as I watch the sun go down, that it is time to put the journal down, sit still and breath.  No thoughts, just quiet the mind.  These words came to me.  

The sunset is a reminder to find the light in life at your most saddest, darkest times.  The light brings peace, beauty, love, forgiveness, urges you to open your heart, let go of ego, and bring down those walls.  A heart with walls, eventually stops beating..   For the light reminds us that being in the dark is OK, as long as we remember to rise. 

My message for today is that I don't want all of that emotional clutter staying in me.  Just think how my body would feel if I did not purge any of that out.  It is like putting bad gas in a car or  not putting oil in it.   You get dry, start smoking, blow a gasket, and then need to rebuild your motor.  That can take some time.   

If you are stressed, sad, mad etc. what are some of the things that you do?   Here are a few that I do.  

BREATH (this is what gives you life)

EXERCISE (at least 5 days a week)

DANCE/SING 

MOUNTAIN TIME/NATURE TIME

GOOD HEALTHY ORGANIC FOOD MADE WITH A PLETHORA OF HERBS 

TEA TIME WITH FAMILY MEMBER

RELAXING HERBS

FAMILY TIME WITHOUT SCREENS

TEA TIME WITH SELF

SELF TIME

JOURNAL

I am going to end this blog by leaving some great information with you, by Rosalee on Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome.  She does such a great job that I wanted to share this with you.  

Peace to you and here's to finding our happy center! 

A great article on Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, written by Rosalee de la Foret

http://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/adrenal-fatigue-syndrome.html

Centering Self..

  It teaches you to focus on the here and now, taking power away from outside concerns and negative thoughts, and helping you remain stable and grounded.

How to Center Yourself: 

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_83.htm

Relaxing Teas, Sleepy Time Teas and more at the Wild and Weedy Apothecary 

Assorted Tea Recipes: 

http://adelightfulhome.com/diy-tea-recipes/

Tranquil Tea Blend: 

http://www.bulkherbstore.com/blog/2013/03/how-to-make-your-own-tranquil-tea-blend/

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

Wild Food Of The Week:  Queen Anne's Lace

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

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

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

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

Queen Anne's Lace Fruit 

For more information on wild foods: 

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

http://foragingandfeasting.com/

Queen Anne's Lace Jelly: 

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

More Information and Recipes For Queen Anne's Lace: 

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

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

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

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

Sage Pesto

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

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems

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

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

3 cloves garlic

3/4 to 1 cup olive oil

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

1/4 cup raw cheese (optional) 

Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt 

To make: 

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

To use: 

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

Mushroom Lover's Special Treat:

Quinoa, Mushroom, and Sage Pilaf with Shiitake Crisps

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

For the shiitake crisps: 

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

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt and pepper

For the pilaf:

1 oz dried porcini mushrooms

3 tabls extra-virgin olive oil

2 large shallots, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced 

1/2 red bell pepper, cut into small dice

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

2 cups quinoa, rinsed

3 Tbls minced, fresh sage leaves 

3 cups organic vegetable broth or water

1/4 cup organic red wine

sea salt and  freshly ground black pepper

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

2 Tbls chopped chives, for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 

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

Set aside. 

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

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

Add quinoa and sage.  

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

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

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

Top with shiitake crisps.  

Makes 6 to 8 servings. 

Antioxidant Superstars

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

Try these interesting beverage combinations.  

rosemary-lemon balm

rosemary lemon

sage - ginger

thyme-oregano-spearmint.  

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

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

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

Tea Of The Week

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

Let sit in the sun for 8 hours

Strain and enjoy

Tea Mix Recipe

14 cups of  warm spring water or filtered water

8 heaping Tbls. lavender 

8 heaping Tbls chamomile

8 heaping Tbls rose petals

1 heaping handful of fresh lemon balm

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

4- 6 Tbls. local raw honey

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

Sun infusion let sit in the sun for 8  hours

Lunar infusion let sit throughout the night

Strain and enjoy

Where To Order Your Herbs: 

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

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

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

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

"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:

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 was the first day I actually helped with a few of the morning farm chores.  One little step and many more to go... 

My body  is really tired, but healing well.  

Time and patience are the key. 

Little baby steps 

No rushing, no overdoing

I know I need to take care of me

Patience..... 

I am grateful

 Life has given you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

This Mornings Tea:  Turmeric, cayenne, burdock root, dandelion root, ginger root, chai mix, damiana, hulled cardamom, oat milk and coconut milk .  Wonderfully healing 

Smoothie:  Pineapple, peaches, coconut milk, dash of maple syrup and a scoop of powdered greens

I am making beef bone broth today.  Bone broth is energizing and healing.  Drinking bone broth is vitally important when you have a bad injury.  It is important that I get as much bone broth in me as possible, to heal my bones and teeth.  Plus it taste fantastic!  Today I am adding astragalus root, burdock root, dandelion root, bay leaf, thyme, sage, leeks, garlic, hawthorn berry and celtic salt.  When the bone broth is finished, I will use it as a base for some homemade organic cream of veggie soup. 

Hit the mountain at 6:30 am.  The sun had not come over the rise yet.  The birds were singing oh so beautiful.  The air was magnificent and the temperature was perfect for working out. 

My workout:

Short hill walk, then forms. 

Pow Choi 3 times

Yet Sum 3 times

Wah Lum Little First Form 3 times 

10 front kicks right and left

10 straight leg kicks right and left

15 standing obliques

10 outside crescent kicks right and left

10 inside crescent kicks right and left

Standing stretches

20 push-ups

Back exercise

Stretch

I sat in a straddle stretch while drinking tea and watching the sun come up over the mountain.

I laughed at myself this morning.  I was weak, my legs were burning, my right side of my body is off due to MCS,  my stances were yuk, I was not remembering to breath through my forms, because I was thinking to much, my every things were off, so I laugh.......

I will have good days and bad days but,I will have more strong days.  Look out world this MCS woman is on track and nothing is going to stop her

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 

 Weekly Wellness Box :

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cut out ALL fast food (yes ALL)

Cut out ALL  Soda (yes ALL )

Cut out All artificial colors, artificial flavors, natural flavors

Cut out boxed food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gallon glass jar

Spring or filtered water

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

Let sit in the sun for 8 hours

Strain

Sweeten with honey (optional)

Refrigerate for a few hours and then enjoy! 

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

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

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

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

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

Honeysuckle benefits:

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

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

Honeysuckle tea helps improve circulation and relieve fatigue.

European honeysuckle can help treat coughs and colds.

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

Honeysuckle tea can help alleviate headaches.

Honeysuckle tea can help treat nausea and vomiting.

Honeysuckle tea can help make eyes brighter.

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

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

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

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

I used organic spelt flour.  

Awesome Apple Rosemary Coffee Cake Recipe

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

Apple Rosemary Muffins

Honey Basil Simple Syrup:

1 Cup honey

1 Cup Water

1 Cup fresh basil coarse chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

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

Fruit Salad With Basil and Lime

This Weeks Goodies  

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

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

Never pick anything that has been sprayed

St. Johns Wort is in the far right paper bag

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St. Johns Wort Infused Oil.  Use for injuries. 

8 oz jar

St. Johns Wort

Olive Oil

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

Strain and enjoy! 

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

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

Lemon Balm Herbal Butter: 

1/4 cup finely minced lemon balm

2 tablespoons, finely chopped thyme

1 cup of organic butter 

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp garlic granules

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

Lemon Balm Sun Tea 

2 tablespoons of fresh leaves for each cup water

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

Strain add honey and, or lemon

Add mint for a refreshing lemony mint tea

Lemon Balm Roasted Chicken: 

Roasted Lemon Balm Chicken

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

Preheat oven to 350

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

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

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

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

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Lemon Balm Cordial 

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

Lemon Balm Infused Vinegar

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

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

Thoroughly clean about two cups of fresh lemon balm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lemon Balm Tincture:

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

Sterilize the jar.

Fill the jar half way with the lemon balm herb.

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

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

Shake well.

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

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

After 4 weeks strain out the herb.

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

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

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

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

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

Pictured Lemon Balm

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

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

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

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

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

Ingredients

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

Preheat oven to 400°F.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wild tea mix

2 to 4 cups of water

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

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

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

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

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

Sage Pesto: 

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

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

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems

1/2 cup parsely

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

3 cloves garlic

3/4 to 1 cup olive oil

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

1/4 cup raw cheese (optional) 

Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt 

To make: 

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

To use: 

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

Sage Stress Reliever Tea

Handful of fresh sage leaves

Handful of fresh mint or small amount of fresh rosemary

Handful of fresh lemon balm 

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

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

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

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

Pictured, Sage and Lemon Balm

Nettle Garlic Buttermilk Biscuits:  Makes 12 - 15 Biscuits

2 cups organic unbleached flour 

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

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

5 Tbls. organic butter

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

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

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

Preheat oven 400 degrees

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

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

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

Bake for 18 minutes or until light golden brown.

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

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

Spicy Kale Chips

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

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

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

More Recipes For Kale Chips: 

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

This Weeks Harvest:

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

High Vitamin C Tea

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

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

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

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

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

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

High Vitamin C Tea Recipe: 

4 parts rose hips

3 parts hibiscus

2 parts lemongrass

1 part cinnamon chips 

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

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

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

 ‘Green Sauce'

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

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

Basil Vinaigrette

6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

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

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

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

Bread, Tomato and Basil Salad 

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

INSTRUCTIONS

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

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

3.  Serve and sprinkle with organic goat cheese 

Lemon Balm Herbal Butter: 

1/4 cup finely minced lemon balm

2 tablespoons, finely chopped thyme

1 cup of organic butter 

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp garlic granules

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

Lemon Balm Sun Tea 

2 tablespoons of fresh leaves for each cup water

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

Strain add honey and, or lemon

Add mint for a refreshing lemony mint tea

 Chocolate Zucchini Bread-Gluten Free

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

1 cup shredded zucchini

2 large eggs

2 tbsp grade b maple syrup

1 tbsp pure vanilla

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp sea salt

1-2 tbsp organic dark chocolate chips

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

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: 

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! 

Mountain Mama Wellness Box:  

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

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

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

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

Think Twice Before You Support Wholefoods: 

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

HAVE YOU MADE A GOAL OF NO FAST FOOD?  

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

Zucchini Pineapple Bread: 

Wild Soup: 

Dandelion, yellow dock and sheep sorrel

Garlic chives, chopped

Celery, chooped

onions, chopped

1 tsp (or more thyme) 

1 tsp pepper

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

2 tablespoons arrowroot or organic white flour

2 tablespoons organic butter 

Sea salt to taste 

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

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

Add sauteed mixture

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

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

Enjoy! 

More on Sheep Sorrel:

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

Kohlrabi and Kohlrabi leaves

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

Kohlrabi leaves:  saute them like beet greens. Yummy! 

Sauteed Kale and Kohlrabi:

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

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

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

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

Garlic Chives

Barbecue Sauce: 

1 cup plain tomato sauce

2/3  cup organic shade grown strongly brewed coffee

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tabelspoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons coconut sugar or organic brown sugar

2 tablespoon organic unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

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

 (never use green bell peppers)

4 shallots, or 1 large onion chopped

4 garlic cloves minced 

2 teaspoons finely minced fresh organic ginger root

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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

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

3.  Put sauteed ingredients in medium size sauce pan. 

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

5.  Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat.  

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

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

Enjoy!

Saturday Morning Fire

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

Thankful for the abundance of produce! 

AND PLEASE REMEMBER....

Lemon Verbena:  http://www.healthyliving-herbs.co.za/index.php/herb-articles/568-le...

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

Lemon Rose Tea

Ingredients:

1/2 cup torn lemon verbena leaves

1/4 cup rose petals

4 cups filtered water or spring water

Honey 

Place 4 cups of water in a teakettle or medium saucepan and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the lemon verbena and rose petals. Remove from the heat and steep for about 15 minutes. Return to the heat and simmer for 1 minute. Pour into individual tea cups or mugs, sweeten with honey and serve.

Today was a good day. I remembered to breath, I focused on being strong, legs felt a little better and the sun was just glorious.  

Nothing better in the world (for me) is to be up a mountain looking at a view, as the morning sun is shining  especially while you are working out. 

The herbs I used in my tea this morning were a bit stronger and were for keeping my immune system strong.

It looks like if I keep my forms schedule up I will be testing in about 3 to 4 weeks.  Whoop Whoop 

Today's Workout: 

Up the small hill twice with a 10 pound pack on

Wu Shu Basic Stance Drill 3 x 

8 Chain Punch 3 x 

Dropping Horse 3 x 

10 Front kicks right and left

10 Straight leg kicks right and left

10 Side kicks right and left

10 Inside crescent kicks right and left

10 Outside crescent kicks right and left

12 Spinning inside crescent right and left

Different yoga poses

Standing stretches

Back exercises

20 push ups, combination of wide and narrow

Stretch, breath and tea with the birds, sun, trees and my wonderful husband

Side Note: 

I suggest doing your Inside Crescent kicks with the sun, stand so you can see your shadow  By doing this you can see the mistakes you could be making with our arms or body. .It was also a lot of fun