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Nettle,  comfrey, kale,  tea mix is apple-mint/stevia,  tea mix lemon verbena, basil, rosemary, beets, carrots, onions. peppers, tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, swiss chard, zucchini, cucumbers, celery and cabbage 

Making Apple Rosemary Muffins! 

http://www.cauldronsandcrockpots.com/category/herbs/rosemary-herbs/

Charred Green Beans with Lemon Verbena Pesto: 

Here is a link to a yummy recipe.  In this recipe they use pine nuts.  Never eat pine nuts, they are not good for you.  Use walnuts instead.  Use organic ingredients to make this a healthy meal. 

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Charred-Green-Beans-with-Lemon-Verbena-Pesto-395330

Other great uses for Lemon Verbena:  

Lemon Verbena infused olive oil and Lemon Verbena infused vinegar,  Yum! 

http://laist.com/2012/06/07/seasonal_eats_the_powerful_flavor_o.php

Are you taking care of your Hippocampus?  If you want to have a great memory in your golden years, make sure you take care of this one.   Hint:  Stay away from most caffeinated drinks, make sure you add play to your life and meditate on a daily basis.   

Play is crucial for social, emotional and cognitive ­development.

Imaginative and rambunctious “free play,” as opposed to games or structured activities, is the most essential type.

If you do not play you will become anxious, socially maladjusted, depressed, and have possible health issues.  

More on the importance of play, as an adult.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-tian-dayton/when-adults-play_b_666145.html

OK, turn off the computer, pack a picnic, head for a beach and watch the sunset or go for a hike, or buy an art pad and some pastels sit and draw,  just head outside and breath, laugh and play......

The body is a dynamic organism, constantly changing  constantly repairing.  Everything looks the same, with gradual signs of aging appearing as decade after decade passes.  But every second in life, cells are being born, are dying, and are being reborn.  new tissue is being laid, old tissue is carried out.  

Billions of new red blood cells are manufactured in the core of bone tissue every day.  Every two to three days, each cell lining the digestive tract dies and is reborn with new materials brought in from the outside.  Minerals are carried out of the bone matrix and deposited into the bloodstream, then drawn from the blood stream and laid down into the bone matrix again.

In the words of Deepak Chopra, as though you were living in a house in which bricks were constantly being removed and replaced.  In time, a new house will have been constructed, a house that looks and "feels' the same but is completely different.

Ninety-eight percent of the atoms in our body were not there a year ago.  The skeleton that seems so solid was not there three months ago.  The configuration of the bone cells remains somewhat constant, but atoms of all kinds pass freely back and forth through the cell walls, and by that means you acquire a new skeleton every three months.

The skin is new every month   You have a new stomach lining every four days, with the actual surface cells that contact food being renewed every five minutes.  The cells in the liver turn over very slowly, but new atoms still flow through them, like water in a river course, making a new liver every six weeks.  

Our body's ability to heal and rejuvenate is fantastic, beautiful and I think a precious miracle.  

Nerve cells do not undergo the type of renewal experienced by other cells, that once the  neuronal tissue is laid into place, it is there for life.  The Brain, cells are not replaced once they die.  

Are you doing all you can to slide into your senior years with as many brain cells intact as possible? 

Most humans are not even close,  They engage in  "antinutrition."   Instead of minimizing the damage to their nervous system, they are accelerating the damage by the very foods (or nonfoods)  that they are stuffing into their mouths.  Humans are digging their graves with their forks.  

Are you taking care of your adrenal glands by eating better food?

Do you drown your anxieties in more work,  junk eating, buying more toys, drinking more coffee, drinking alcohol, taking drugs...anything other than slowing your pace?  

Are you planning your foods carefully and enjoying the process of meal preparation?

Are you savoring a healthy meal with people you love?

Do you see good nutrition as yet another impossible task to squeeze into an overcrowded schedule?  

Do you schedule play days?

How is your exercise program ? ("NO EXCUSES")

You can design a program to feed your brain, and give your body the proper nutrients it needs to rebuild.  But, only by turning your backs on the "American Food Culture" "The SAD Diet is the Standard American Diet, SAD." 

It goes without saying that if you are serious about feeling better, you will need to stop indulging in your favorite junk foods, processed foods, fast food, most restaurants,  coffee drinks, soda, caned soups, hamburger helper, frozen TV dinners, deli meats, movie theater junk food etc.. (this list can go on and on) , that poison your body and brain.  

Are you making a point to get to your farmers markets once or twice a week and purchase organic foods, grass fed meats and pasture raised poultry?  

Here is a list of foods the Mountain Mama Wellness Box Clients received today.  How can you implement new and healthy foods in your daily intake? 

Mountain Mama Wellness Box

Hops, , nettle, cleavers, yellow dock seeds, apple mint, catnip, beets,  carrots, potatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, kale, swiss chard, salad mix, peppers, green beans, tomato, leeks  and basil.   

Nettle Bed

Green Mayonnaise:

1/2 cup cooked drained and finely chopped (steamed) nettle

1/2 cup mixed basil, mint, parsley, dill and chives

1/3 cup organic plain yogurt

3 Tablespoons coconut mayonnaise

http://www.selinanaturally.com/organic-mayonnaise-organic-mayo-with-coconut-oil/

1 Tablespoon organic olive oil

2 - 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

sea salt and pepper to taste 

Place all ingredients in a blender of choice.   Blend and Enjoy! 

Side note:   Sometimes, I love adding a little bit of roasted garlic and a small amount of minced onion.  

Apple Mint

Hops:

Make a tincture, combine with catnip mint

How to make a tincture: 

http://mountainroseblog.com/guide-tinctures-extracts/

Hops is a potent medicinal herb highly valued for its relaxing effect on the nervous system.  It is great for insomnia.  It is especially useful for hypertension and eases tension and anxiety in men.   Hops is one of the most potent bitters and is excellent as a digestive bitter.  Great for indigestion due to nervous energy and anxiety.  If you suffer with heartburn try taking a hops cincture with every meal ( please note that if you do suffer with heartburn, dietary changes need to be made). 

Catnip Mint :  Is an excellent calming herb and can be used for all manners of stress.   It is also a restorative digestive aid used for indigestion, diarrhea, and colic.   Also, used for lowering fevers and for the pain of teething or toothaches.  

Catnip Mint

Cleavers ( other names are goosegrass, grip grass, sticky Willie and Rubiaceae)

Make a tincture with your cleavers

http://mountainroseblog.com/guide-tinctures-extracts/

Cleavers have been widely used in herbal medicine for centuries, on account of the tonic, blood-purifying, and diuretic properties of the fresh plant.   In spring, after a starchy winter diet, the fresh green tops were made into a cleansing drink.  An infusion of cleavers is a traditional remedy for skin eruptions, while its diuretic properties are helpful for urinary problems.  Modern herbalists value cleavers tonic effect on the lymphatic system.  This encourages the elimination of toxins and explains the cleansing reputation of the herb.  

More information on Cleavers: 

http://www.eattheweeds.com/galium-aparine-goosegrass-on-the-loose-2/

 Yellow Dock Seeds: 

Yellow Dock Seed Crackers: 

http://www.methowvalleyherbs.com/2012/03/yellow-dock-pesky-weed-as-food-medicine.html

Yellow Dock Seed Vinegar: 

http://www.hardyecogarden.com/2011/07/eat-your-weeds-rumex-crispus-curly-dock.html

New Salad Bar Bed: 

Sunflowers that smile at you.... 

One of the tomato beds, patiently waiting for them to ripen.........

I have plants to plant, gardens to be watered, a blog to write, but life will have to be pushed at a much slower rate this week,  I will have to rely on Sophia and Joseph more for help and I was going to test in two weeks for my forms, but now it is delayed.  I can't even describe the frustration, sadness and tears that came with that choice.   Really it is not choice, I have to take care of myself.  I want to push myself to get it done soon, but I am a little fearful on this one.  I need  to make sure I do not push hard on this, that I have balanced set goal and I am asking my family to help me realize if I end pushing too hard.  Pushing to hard would not be healthy for me.  

Most of you know that I have MCS which is do to  environmental injuries that I have received from the past and present.  I would like to share my story from this week with you.  I am hoping that by sharing my story, you will apply change to your own life and help spread the word.  The word is this. most of you do not know that you are using products that are unsafe, for you, the environment and of course for people like me.  These toxic products are full of petroleum based chemicals that are not safe for any of us.  If you use tide, all, surf, dryer sheets, the latest popular cologne or perfume, hand sanitizer,  the regular cleaning products like fantastic, fabreeze, windex clorax etc... They are full of toxic ingredients  

Living with an Environmental Injury means this.   You are an outcast, you loose all your friends eventually and your family does not want to be around.  The reason, they have to change their life  just be around you.  It means that you are a reminder to them that they are toxic to the earth and you.  Every time they dye their hair, paint their nails, put on hair care products, wear perfume, they are reminded that they poison you and the earth.If they are to come and see me they can not have any of these products on.  If they  use perfume  at anytime,  it does not wash out,therefore they should not be around me. 

 It would have been easier for my friends and family if I had cancer.   This is why, they would not have to add change to their life, they would not have to realize that they have been living a life using toxic products.   They could write their little checks out to give donations to the American Cancer Society for my sake and finding the so called "Cure" .  They would take time out of their lives to run "Relay For Life".  Buy their little pink ribbon stickers, their toxic cleaning products that have little pink ribbons on them, because they advertise they give money to the American Cancer Society.   They would have done all of this for "Sue" 

Because of my Environmental Injury, I have become a radical earth steward.  I care so deeply for the bees, the frogs, the trees, the water, the oceans and our air more than anyone that I know.  I care because it means "Life" for me.  It means life for the bees, birds, frogs our earth.   I know that if I did not eat organic, I would not be here.  I also know that because people are not willing to change from their own toxic eating habits, they are contributing to killing off the bees and all of earths creatures.  It is a slow kill and someday we could have a "Silent Spring"  if we do not change.  

I am not sure what it is going to take for people to change because, the people I have known  and family can't change for the sake of keeping me healthy.  They have acted like ostriches.  Their heads in the sand and I was someone they cared about, a personal connection.  

We are losing our bees at a faster rate then ever, it is due to environmental toxins from chemical agriculture and GMOs, Where are the radical changes that need to be done to save our bees?  It certainly is not happening the the circle of people I see on my husbands face-book pages.  

How can you get anyone in the world to change?  Any suggestions.  Or is it going to take starvation?  No Bees No Food...

Having an Environmental Injury is like getting beat up off and on.  Emotionally and physically. It is a curse but is a gift.   

I have been doing really really good.  I had my doctors visits almost down to 4 weeks.  

Last Monday I had a lot of exposure to environmental toxins. My day had started with an electrician coming to work on our circuit breaker.  He had very strong detergent/dryer sheet smells on him.  It took hours to air out the house.  During the day I had several other incidences happen.  That night I had liver issues.  I was in pain if I sat a certain way.  The next few days I did not notice that I was slipping, I was losing energy.  I was losing it so fast that I did not notice because I started to get tunnel vision.  

Thursday came and I had some tiny pains off and on. Friday came and it hurt to move.  So, I just rested, too tired to think I was in zombie mode.   Saturday came and I did my usual,  I did coach Sue, " come on you are almost done with your week, you are at the finish line of the week, you can do this".  I pushed myself, harvested veggies for the wellness boxes, talked to friends, spent time with my step-son, all at the same time I was having contractions of high pain. 

Sunday, I was moving slow, not productive at all,.  Throughout Sunday night the pain was really bad, my husband woke up with me every time the pain hit.  Thoughts of possible death, possible gallbladder burst, thoughts of I can't go to the hospital because that would mean to much chemical exposure which could be worse.  It was the worst pain I have ever had..  I could not move.  If I moved I was in excruciating pain.  I was thankful the sun came up and I made it.  

In the morning Sophia and Joseph took on all the farm chores as I laid in bed.   

 I got a hold of my doctor, which by the way is one of the best.  She is there for her patients more than any other doctor that I have known.  It was her day off and she had me come in right away.   I was not sure what to expect.  I had some serous tenderness on my right side, I was still having all the other issues.  I had blood taken for lab tests, acupuncture and given herbal products.  We also talked about the fact that I might have to go to the emergency room if the pain persists and gets worse.   That would be a scary scenario for me due to having  MCS.  That could be death if put under, it could be months and months and months of recovery... It also made Joseph and I realize that we needed to talk about what type of decisions, I would want to be made if I was not all there.   

After my visit you could see right away in my eyes that I was there more.  I could also feel it.  I was more alert.  I was happy I was headed home.  Home was the place to be.  I was thankful that I was under a tree laying down to rest and not in a hospital.  My son and his girlfriend came to visit which kept my mind off of things, I was thankful for their company.  

As I wait for my test results I have set some goals.  The first one is I need to keep my parts intact.   How do I protect myself better?  This is a hard one because I am not sure how much more I can do.  This whole incident was caused by an un-educated human, who trusts that the products he is using is safe for him.   I would also place a bet that if I told him that his laundry soaps and dryer sheets were toxic he would laugh at me, keep using them and think I was crazy.  

One big  goal I have is to get over is the emotion I am feeling called FEAR.  I have not had a whole lot of fear with my MCS.  I have had deep sadness, frustration, being angry but I have not had super fear.   What happened that I took such a deep dive when I was doing so well?   This question has raised the emotion of super fear because I do not want to go through this again.  It was scary and I am still recovering. 

I can only hope, that by you reading my message, that  maybe you can apply changes in your life that are non-toxic. you could put more organic food in your life, you could ban GMO food from your life, I hope  that you do not brush me off and de-freind me, that you do not become an ostrich and put your head in the sand, that you recognize that the changes to our environment rely on you as a consumer, to consume in a way that protects the earth, the bees and me.  Therefore you will put the bad companies out of business, the bees will stay, you will have longer life and so will I.  

You don't have to eat less, you just have to eat right... On that note have you been to your farmers markets this week?  Have you tried some new recipes, have you tried a new veggie for the month and how about starting a family and/or single person cooking day once a month or once a week.

Last week my wellness box clients received:  nettle, tea mix of apple mint, lemon verbena and cleavers (wild edible food this week is in the tea mix, it is called cleavers), collard greens, cabbage, comfrey, zucchini, leeks, onion, potatoes, peppers, tomato, green beans, swiss chard, kale, basil, celery and salad mix.  

Tea Mix:  apple mint, lemon verbena and cleavers:  Put bag into a gallon jar fill with spring water or filtered water.  Let sit for 8 hours drain and enjoy 

Cleavers ( other names are goosegrass, grip grass, sticky Willie and Rubiaceae)

Cleavers have been widely used in herbal medicine for centuries, on account of the tonic, blood-purifying, and diuretic properties of the fresh plant.   In spring, after a starchy winter diet, the fresh green tops were made into a cleansing drink.  An infusion of cleavers is a traditional remedy for skin eruptions, while its diuretic properties are helpful for urinary problems.  Modern herbalists value cleavers tonic effect on the lymphatic system.  This encourages the elimination of toxins and explains the cleansing reputation of the herb.  

More information on Cleavers: 

http://www.eattheweeds.com/galium-aparine-goosegrass-on-the-loose-2/

Nettle Greens:  I got this recipe out of a cookbook that I have that is dated 1937

Put on your gloves to gather, wash, and cup up the nettles.  Pour boiliing water over and the sting will be gone.  Drain and chop fine.  Heat 2 tablespoons butter in saucepan, stir smooth with 2 tablespoons, flour.  Add 2 cups milk, stir and heat until thick.  Seaosn with salt, pepper, and a few dashes of nutmeg:  add chopped nettles and simmer.  This with a little cream if you wish.  This recipe serves for all greens. 

Basil Infused Organic Olive Oil:  

Basil is considered a sedative and digestive.  Hot basil tea is said to be helpful in alleviating indigestion and stomach cramps.  

Sweet and Sour Red (or green) Cabbage and Apples with Red Wine and Thyme 

2Tbls extra -virgin olive oil or coconut oil 

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced 

1 cinnamon stick

2 bay leaves 

1 large head red cabbage (or green), cored and thinly sliced 

2 Granny smith apples cored peeled, and cut into 1/2 inch dice

1 cup spring water or filtered water 

1 cup organic red wine

1/4  cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup brown sugar 

6 fresh thyme sprigs 

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

In a large Dutch oven, heat olive or coconut oil over medium heat.  Add the onions, cinnamon, bay leaves, and salt.  Cook stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened. 

Increase the heat to medium high;  add cabbage and cook, stirring, until cabbage wilted, about 8 minutes.  Add the apple, water wine, vinegar, brown sugar and thyme sprigs.  Let come to a boil, then lower heat until simmering. 

continue to cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender, about 45 to 60 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Uncover, and let simmer, stirring until the liquid is reduced to a slightly thickened sauce. 

Makes 8 servings

No-Knead Bread:

I love to knead bread but, for some people, time is a big issue and kneading does take from your time. With this recipe I would only use Organic Wheat Flour, and better yet, if you can grind your own. Flour that you grind yourself is better for you.  I would also use organic yeast. 

 http://www.frugallivingnw.com/frugal-homemaking/amazing-no-knead-bread-step-by-step-recipe/

Peasant Bread: 

http://www.alexandracooks.com/2012/11/07/my-mothers-peasant-bread-the-best-easiest-bread-you-will-ever-make/

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, 

and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen

carefully to me and eat what is good, and delight

yourself in abundance. 

Author Unknown 

What Is Food? 

What is food to you? 

I have a deep fascination about food, 

Higher cancer rates, higher autism, higher ADD/ADHD, higher diabetes, higher blood pressure problems, higher impotency  higher anxiety, higher depression, higher.......

We as a society have been hit with massive disinformation, for a very long time. ...

We as a society have been hit with be a consumer, consume consume consume... Which has lead us to way to many problems. 

 ........ Considerable evidence indicates that behavioral factors related to energy balance—such as diet and physical activity—as well as body weight that indicates the state of energy balance are known risk factors for many chronic diseases and conditions, including several forms of cancer. These combined factors may be the most significant, avoidable causes of cancer in the non-smoking population. Poor diet, physical inactivity, and overweight/obesity may account for about 25–30 percent of several of the major cancers in the United States.

Websters Definition Of Food:  

What Is Diet? 

What Is Bad Food? 

Junk Food

Non-Organic Food has toxic chemicals in it....

give 1970 stats 

Paleo Eaters watch out, this way of eating, it is going to come back and bite you in the butt or should I say Gut.... Meat that is from a feed lot, factory or caged up---Is toxic, bad energy food.  This means any meat that comes from your grocery store.  Unless it is grass fed or pasture raised meat and/or ORGANIC  

If you are going to be a Paleo Eater You must make sure you are only eating grass fed or pasture raised meat and/or ORGANIC  

Processed Food--- IS NOT FOOD. It does not fit the definition of Food:  something that nourishes. Processed boxed items, like hamburger helper, TV dinners, macaroni and cheese, boxed cereal, cake mixes, brownies mixes,  

I thought this was an interesting statement on the encyclopedia:

 Despite being labeled as "junk" consuming such foods usually does not pose any immediate health concerns and is generally safe when integrated into a well balanced diet.

Do you notice the catch words?  usually does not pose any IMMEDIATE health concerns... 

Here is my input, it usually does not pose any IMMEDIATE health concerns but long term it will effect your health.

Tea mix of pineapple sage, stevia, nettle, apple-mint, rose petals, calendula, young blackberry leaves and lemon verbena, salad, collard greens, potatoes, cabbage purple, cabbage green, zucchini, cucumbers, celeriac tops, brassica mix, kale, basil and wild food of the week yellow dock seeds: 

Wild Food Of The Week -Yellow Dock Seeds, Wild Buckwheat 

Yellow Dock Seed Crackers: 

http://www.methowvalleyherbs.com/2012/03/yellow-dock-pesky-weed-as-food-medicine.html

Yellow Dock Seed Vinegar: 

http://www.hardyecogarden.com/2011/07/eat-your-weeds-rumex-crispus-curly-dock.html

Zucchini Bread and Butter Pickles:  Water Bath Canning Recipe

Yield:  6 qts.

2 qts. organic apple cider vinegar

2 cups local honey

6 tablespoons salt

4 teaspoons celery seed

4 teaspoons dill seed

2 teaspoons ground mustard 

8 qts. fresh zucchini, sliced 

2 qts. onion, sliced 

Bring vinegar, honey, and spices to a boil.  Pour over the zucchini and onions.  Let stand for 2 hours.  Heat mixture to a boil and cook for 3 minutes.  They will get mushy if cooked longer. 

Pack into hot sterilized jars.  

Insert a knife down the edge of he jars to remove any air bubbles   Complete seals, process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water bath. 

Zucchini Carrot Muffins - Grain Free 

http://veggienook.com/2013/05/22/grain-free-paleo-and-vegan-carrot-zucchini-muffins/

Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins - Grain Free:

http://paleomg.com/zucchini-apple-spice-muffins/

Basil- Shallot ( Or Walla Walla Onion) Mustard

Yield:  5 1/2 pints 

2/3 cup organic apple juice

2/3 cups organic red wine or organic red wine vinegar

1/2 cup dry mustard

1/3 cup spring water or filtered water

1/4 cup light mustard seeds

1/8 cup chopped organic basil

1/8 cup minced shallots or walla walla onion

2 tablespoons honey 

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 

Combine the apple juice, wine or vinegar, dry mustard, water, and mustard seeds in a glass or ceramic bowl and stir, mixing well. 

Cover the bowl with natural wax paper and a cloth and let stand for 4 - 6 hours, stirring occasionally. 

Process the mixture in a bowl of a food processor ( or blender) until the mustard seeds are coarsely ground. 

cook the mixture in a double boiler over simmering water, adding the basil, shallots or onions, honey, sea salt and allspice.  Cook for 20 - 25 minutes   The mustard will thicken as it cooks. 

pour into sterile jars. Cap and seal. 

Allow the flavors to marry for 2 - 3 days before using.  Will keep in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 months unopened.  

Tea Mix: Nettle, apple-mint, pineapple sage, lemon verbena, calendula, wild young blackberry leaves and rose petals. 

Empty bag into a gallon jug of spring or filtered water.  Let sit overnight, strain and enjoy.  

Pineapple Sage

Nettle/Apple-MintLemon Verbena

I had several request for my pizza dough recipes.  Here you go....

Awesome Organic Wheat Pizza

First Step:  Do this a day or two before your pizza day.

Poolish

4 cups organic unbleached bread flour or organic whole wheat flour 

4 cups cool water 

1/4 teaspoon yeast.  I prefer the Organic Rapuzel brand. 

http://internaturalfoods.com/brands/rapunzel-organic-fair-trade-foods.html

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl large enough to hold the batter after is has doubled in volume. 

Beat or whisk for about 1 minute, until the batter is well mixed and quite smooth.  (Any remaining small lumps will dissolve when the final dough is mixed, if not before.) 

Cover the bowl with natural wax paper, and then a towel.  Keep out of draft and in a warm area. Leave it at room temperature for 3 to 5 hours, or till foamy and bubbly. 

Refrigerate the Poolish, well covered, overnight. 

Pizza Dough or Bread Dough

Make your poolish !!!!!, This has to be done a day or two before pizza day

3 1/2 cups organic unbleached flour or organic whole wheat

2 teaspoons sea salt 

1/4 tsp. yeast

2 Tbls. raw local honey

1/2 cup organic olive oil 

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cool filtered or spring water

1 1/4 cup poolish sponge (above recipe) 

Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment (not a dough hook) or a mixing bowl.  If mixing by machine, mix on slow speed for 1 minute;  increase to medium speed and mix for about 12 minutes, till the dough is smooth and creamy.  The dough will be very wet, like a thick pancake batter .

 If mixing by hand, (this is what I do) beat with a whisk or spoon for 15 minutes. 

Cover the bowl with natural wax paper and a towel

Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 3 hours, till bubbly.  

Refrigerate overnight;  it will thicken as it cools

Side Note:  You can make pizza at this point.  You do not have to refrigerate overnight.  Just flour up your counter spot real well and knead it until smooth

If you refrigerate over night: 

Turn the dough out onto a heavily floured work surface and use a knife or pastry blade to cut it into 3 to 8 pieces.  

You can make three 12 inch pizzas, eight 6 inch pizzas, or any number in between. 

Toss the pieces, one at a time, in the flour, gently round them into loose balls, and place them on the prepared pan.   Brush a little bit of organic olive oil  and cover.  Let the dough rise for at least 30 minutes before proceeding.

Dough can hold up for 2 days in the refrigerator, tightly covered. 

This dough can be made into french bread, make cinnamon rolls, a fruit roll, etc....

GLUTEN FREE PIZZA CRUST RECIPE

I used almond meal instead of ricotta cheese( I only did this for the guest that I had, had a allergy to dairy). 

Gluten Free Flour Blend 

1/4 cup millet flour

3/4 cup white rice flour (or use a mixture of brown rice and white rice flour)

1/4 cup sweet rice flour

1/4 cup arrowroot starch (or  tapioca starch)

1/2 cup tapioca flour

2 teaspoons guar gum

OR 2 cups of gluten free flour blend 

3/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/2 Tablespoons raw local honey

1 teaspoon honey for proofing yeast

2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

3/4 cup warm water, (heated to 115 -120 degrees)

2 Tablespoons ricotta cheese, yogurt, milk, or  for casein free try almond meal 

2 organic eggs

2 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

1 Tablespoon Honey

Note: If you like your pizza dough seasoned, try adding some Italian seasoning to the dough.  I put two tablespoons of organic Italian seasoning 

DIRECTIONS:

Mix the olive oil, ricotta cheese (if using almond meal, save and add to the dry ingredients), honey, and vinegar in a medium size bowl and set aside so the mixture comes to room temperature.

This mixture should not be cold when mixed with the dry ingredients.

Next,  in a separate bowl combine all the dry ingredients and sift together.

 In a separate small bowl, place your yeast and the teaspoon of honey. Mix with about 1/4 cup of the heated water, stir, and let it sit for a few minutes. Once you know the yeast is active, proceed with the recipe. 

At this point, you want to double check and make sure all your ingredients have come to room temperature.

Give the dry ingredients a few stirs. Add the egg, ricotta mixture to the dry ingredients and stir

Add the yeast mixture. At this point, gauge the liquid level. You want the dough to look like stiff cake batter. The dough should still hold the swirls after you stir it, but it should be shiny and not dull.

Add the rest of the water slowly until the right consistency is achieved. I used another 1/2 cup – making 3/4 cup of warm water total. Since different brands of flour and measuring techniques vary, it is best to eyeball this and add the water slowly to get the texture you want. You will get good at knowing what gluten free pizza dough is supposed to look like.

Cover and let rise for 1 hour 

Turn oven on 400 degrees 

Lightly brush olive oil in pan.   With a cake scraper, slowly spread the pizza dough batter  You want the batter to be evenly distributed.  To create a beautiful crust edge to your pizza dough cover your hands in olive oil and shape the edges like you want them. Or use the back of a metal spoon dipped in olive oil.  If you find your hands or spoon are  getting too sticky get a little more olive oil.  

Pre-bake crust for 10 minutes. 

Take out of the oven and then add toppings. Cook for about 7 minutes maybe more. If you want your cheese to brown, turn the broiler on for about 2 minutes before taking the pizza out. Be careful though because the pizza will burn if left too long- I recommend watching this process carefully!!

Makes 1 12-13 inch pizza crust.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread and Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Muffins: 

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

Raw Seed And  Nut Spread

1/2 cup each, sunflower seeds, cashews, and almonds

1 Tbs. olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 Tbs miso

water to blend, about 1/2 cup

Soak the seeds and nuts overnight or for 8 hours.  Rinse and puree with the remaining ingredients in a blender until well mixed and of spread consistency.  Serve with raw veggies and crackers.  Makes about 1 3/4 cups

High Vitamin C Tea: 

4 parts rose hips

3 parts hibiscus flowers

2 parts lemongrass 

1 part cinnamon chips

2 parts elderberry (optional) 

1 tablespoon per 1 cup of water.  

Bring spring  water or filtered water to a boil.  Add herbs. turn on low (no boiling) simmer for 5 minutes.  Strain and enjoy. 

I like to  make this by the gallon in the summer time.  When it is hot I add honey to taste.  Let it cool strain and refrigerate.  

Also, in the late summer I like to add some elderberries to this recipe.  I add 2 parts elderberry to the above recipe.  

This High Vitamin C Tea recipe has a nice flavor that will remind you of cranberry juice with citrus undertones. 

Only  buy organic herbs!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Cupcakes: 

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-cupcakes-with-maple-cream.html

This is what my daughter Sophia did with this recipe: 

We never use potato starch.  Non organic potatos are very toxic, high contaminated with fungicides. 

Substitute:  tapioca startch

We never use xanthan gum:  It is not a food.  It is created in a lab...... 

Substitute:  guar gum 

Frosting: 

We never use powdered sugar... Yuck. really bad for your body. 

We would never use vegan cream cheese, toxic GMO Food.... 

Here is Sophia's Frosting recipe:

1 (8 ounce) package package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened (optional)

2 tablespoons ( or more to taste) maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon of real organic vanilla 

We usually do not put the butter in.  

Cream together cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add maple syrup and vanilla and beat until well combined.

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.  

http://frugallysustainable.com/2013/08/an-all-natural-alternative-to-ibuprofen-herbal-anti-inflammatory-capsules/

http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/2010/06/dandelion-wishes-to-you.html

http://deliciouslyorganic.net/oatmeal-cookies-grain-free-paleo/

http://www.stepintomygreenworld.com/healthyliving/greenfoods/homemade-bluberry-jam/