Mountain Mama Wellness Box-Eighth Week

[suzanne sanders]

 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

1 lb ORGANIC strawberries

1 medium cantaloupe

7 - 10 basil leaves

1 lime

 

Wash and cut strawberries into fourths.

Cut cantaloupe in half. Scoop out seeds. Using a melon baller, scoop out flesh of cantaloupe into melon balls.

Roll up basil leaves and cut into thin strips.

Combine strawberries, melon balls, and basil in a bowl. Squeeze lime juice all over fruit. Toss and

enjoy.

Basil, Onion and Garlic Chive Infused Olive Oil: 

1 glass bottle or mason jar (4 cup size)
1/2 cup chopped chives

1 tsp peppercorns
1 cup basil
3 cups olive oil ( or a little less) 

Chop the chives, tear the basil, bruising the leaves to release the essential oils. Stuff the basil, chives and peppercorns into the bottle or mason jar.

Pour the olive oil into a heat-proof pot or dish and place over a low flame — I used a large, glass, Pyrex measuring cup. Heat the oil until warm, DO NOT BUBBLE OR BOIL.

You’ll know it’s getting close when the oil’s texture appears to “thin”… you’ll sort of see “swirls” in the oil as this happens. DO NOT let it boil!

Warm you mason jar up, make sure there is no water in it and it is completely dry.  

Once the olive oil is heated, pour the oil over the herbs and cover.

Let stand in a dark place for a week or two, 

Strain

Refrigerate and enjoy! 

Sophia's Basil Bed:

ZUCCHINI LASAGNA:  

This recipe is a little different, it has no pasta.  So, if you are in the mood for lasagna and you do not have any lasagna noodles here is a great recipe to try.  

You could also add the lasagna noodles to this recipe.

• 1 lb organic beef
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp organic oregano
• 1/2 onion
• 1 tsp olive oil
• sea salt and pepper
• 28 oz can organic crushed tomatoes
• 1 organic red pepper sliced thin
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 3 medium zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
• 15 oz organic ricotta
• 16 oz  organic mozzarella cheese, shredded 
• 1/4 cup raw cheddar

In a medium sauce pan, brown meat and season with salt. When cooked drain in colander to remove any fat. Add olive oil to the pan and saute garlic and onions about 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pan,  add red pepper, tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for at least 30 minutes. 

Meanwhile, slice zucchini into 1/8" thick slices, add lightly salt and set aside or 10 minutes. Zucchini has a lot of water when cooked, salting it takes out a lot of moisture. After 10 minutes, blot excess moisture with a paper towel.

In a 9x12 casserole spread some sauce on the bottom and starting layering your goodies.  

Bake 45 minutes covered at 375°, then uncovered 15 minutes. Let stand about 5 - 10 minutes before serving.

Side Note:   Try a little drizzle  of your basil syrup on your piece of lasagna,  Yum! 

5 Ways to Use Fennel Fronds: 

http://www.thekitchn.com/top-5-ways-to-use-fennel-stalks-and-fronds-ingredient-spotlight-183057

Our visitor this morning while we were harvesting