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At first Aprils box was going to be "Love Your LIver", but as life became busier and busier for me I realized I needed to change our April box to the Slow Down Box.    The two subjects are very connected and I watch people all the time going at high speeds through life and I am always telling people to slow down and take a moment.  

Aprils  box was inspired by the chaos that has hit my life.    I personally do a very good job adding "Slow Down" Moments in my life, but I was hit with a lot of changes this month and they were all coming on very fast and they hit so fast that I was having trouble grounding myself.  I still made sure I had my tea time moments, but they were to fast and I was not getting my daily hiking time up the mountain.  For me this was not good.  My mountain time is what keeps me together and my mountain surroundings were changing.  

Long story short. Right before 2015 ended, I was working on letting go of the old in my life.  This change was hitting big and hard and deep down I new more change was coming.  I just did not know it until I was in the middle of the storm. I have lived on a farm in the coastal mountains for 13 years.  Moving to this land is what healed my from some serious health problems that I was having   The mountains and  the beautiful valley with a combination of a beautiful horse named Bella is what healed me.  Fresh air, spring water, living out in nature and eating organic food is what healed me.   In March we were notified that the owner of our property need to sell his other place and move on to this one.   We new this day was coming and at first my heart was broken and I was worried about where I could live to keep me healthy.  Fresh air and pure water are the vital elements to keeping me alive.  

First let me explain why I feel Love Your Liver is connect to Slow Down. 

Nourishing yourself with healthy food full of vitamins and minerals and a cuppa nourishing tea and you feel yourself relax into life.  Feeding yourself healthy nutrient dense food will nourish your nervous system therefore nourish your nerves which will give you the ability to relax and enjoy life's beautiful moments.  

Allow yourself to dream

To slow down

To have slow food in your life

When you are pooping instead of looking at your phone and keeping your body in a "Fight or Flight mode, put it away and letting it all go.  If you need to look at something bring a paperback book into the bathroom 

To have a cuppa tea while sitting in a bath, sit outside and watch the sky, listen to the birds, with a loved with a loved one or just stop and have a quiet moment for yourself.  

We are presenting your with the slow down box, to push you, to help you slow down in life.  We are here to remind you to stop, reflect, dream, be still, digest your meal slowly, to cook, yes I said cook.  I here some of you say cooking is not slow or relaxing.  But really it is and it is time we stop putting the belief out there.   It really is our fast pace life that has taken the enjoyment out of cooking and has set up so many generations to not know how to cook.   

Slow Food

Spice up your life

No time for tea?   

Linden Flower Infusion: This is a night time ritual.  

You will start it at night, strain in the morning and drink throughout the day.    Place 1 oz of Linden Leaf and Flower in a quart jar. 

Happy Day Seasoning 

Add Happy Day Seasoning to salad dressings, marinades and sautes.  You can also infuse it in honey, vinegar or oil.  

To make salad dressing or marinade:

Take 2 tablespoons of Happy Day Seasoning and mix with 1/4 cup organic olive oil and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or white balsamic vinegar.  

Shake and let sit over night. 

5 Tbl. lavender buds powder

5 Tbl. rose petal powder

2 Tbl. orange peel powder

2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon powder

2 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 1/4 tsp clove powder

1  1/4 tsp ginger powder 

Handfuls of Love 

Serenity Syrup

Fresh organic lemon balm, lavender buds, linden leaf and flower, motherwort, lemon grass, lemon verbena, a pinch of mugwort, organic lavender tincture, local honey, brandy, mountain mama hawthorn flower essence and Love 

Sleepy Time Honey

Infuse packet of herbs with 1 cup of honey

1 cup honey

2 Tbl. powdered lavender

2 Tbl.  powdered chamomile

1 tsp. Powdered lemon balm

1/2 teaspoon powdered nutmeg

1 tsp linden leaf and flower

One Ounce of dried Linden Leaf and Flower for Tea or Infusion

Linden Flower Infusion: This is a night time ritual.  

You will start it at night, strain in the morning and drink throughout the day.    Place 1 oz of Linden Leaf and Flower in a quart jar. 

You can either make several batches of relaxing tea or make an infusion.  

To make tea

Coffee Bath Salts 

Folk Method for Tincture Making

Tinctures are a concentrated liquid extracts made from fresh or dried herbs.   They are very potent.   Because they are so concentrated, they should be administered carefully and sparingly.  

Most tinctures are made with alcohol as the primary solvent.   Effective tinctures can also be made with apple cider vinegar and vegetable glycerin but will not be as strong as the alcohol-based tinctures.   If you are using vegetable glycerin please keep in mind that most vegetable glycerin is made from soy.   I am against using soy for a variety of reasons so I do not recommend vegetable glycerin unless it is soy free.  If you are interested in using it please make sure your source is 100% certified organic, otherwise you will be using GMO vegetable glycerin and that is not healing for your body.   

Alcohol Tincture: You will need 80 to 100 proof, such as vodka (I like Finlinda Vodka), gin, or brandy.  Half of the proof number is the percentage of alcohol in the spirits, 80 proof brand is 40 percent alcohol, 100 proof vodka is 50 percent alcohol.  

You will need: 

Herbs fresh or dried

Clean dry jars

Cheese cloth

Strainers

Tincture bottles

Funnels.  A variety of sizes. 

Menstruum of choice: Alcohol, apple cider vinegar, and/or soy free glycerin

Traditional or Simpler's Method.  

I prefer using the traditional way.  I am old fashion and I believe that this method works beautifully.  It has for years..  

Fresh Flowers and Leaf:  

Chop herbs finely and place 2/3 o 3/4 in a clean dry jar, pack it tightly.  

Pour alcohol over the herbs, fill just over the herbs by an inch.  Cover herbs completely. 

Label and date

Shake daily, give it some Love

Dried Leaves and Flowers

Fill jar 1/2 with herb material

Pour alcohol over the herbs, fill just over the herbs by an inch.  Cover completely. 

Label and date

Shake daily, give it some Love

Fresh Bark, Roots and Berries:

Fill jar 1/3 to 2/3 of fresh herb

Pour alcohol over the herbs, fill just over the herbs by an inch.  Cover herbs completely.  

Shake daily, give it some Love

Dried Bark, Roots and Berries

Fill jar with 1/3 to 1/2 herbs

Pour alcohol over the herbs, fill just over the herbs by an inch.  Cover herbs completely 

Keep in mind roots and berries will expand 1/2 their size.  

Label and date

Shake daily, give it some love

Remember to pour enough menstruum (alcohol, vinegar, wine or vegetable glycerin) to cover the herbs.  Liquid should rise 2 to 3 inches above the herbs.   Herbs should move freely when you shake the jar.  cover with a tight-fitting lid. 

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Warm it slightly first then pour it over the herbs. Fill just over the herbs by an inch. 

Vegetable Glycerin 

Mix 3 parts vegetable glycerin to 1 part distilled water heat it slightly. Mix well then pour over the herbs.  Fill just over the herbs by an inch.

Place the jar in a warm location, like a kitchen counter.  Avoid sunlight exposure.  After a few days if you notice the herbs are not covered all the way be sure to top off with more alcohol.

Let sit for 6 to 8 weeks.    

To Strain You Will Need;

Strainer, unbleached cheese cloth, 2 cup or 4 cup measuring cup, labels and bottles.

Place strainer over measuring cup, put cheese cloth over strainer.  Pour contents of tincture into strainer.   Squeeze, squeeze and squeeze.  Twist and squish.   Get all of the wonderful healing properties out.  

Pour into tincture bottles and label.   

Dosages Adult

Tinctures dosages do vary, you might want to start with less and adjust as needed. 

Acute:  1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon every 30 to 60 minutes until symptoms subside  OR 2 dropperfuls every 2 to 3 hours for 1 to 2 days and then taper down 

Chronic:  1/2 to 1 teaspoon  three times daily OR 2 dropperfulls 3 times per day for 8 to 12 weeks.  

You can put them in tea, water, juice, ice cubes, smoothies Popsicle ect. 

Herbal Syrups

Sweet, Soothing, Delicious 

It's the Ahhhhh.... of Herbal Medicine

www.mcminnvillehealthdefense.ning.com

I love making syrups, the smell of a syrup simmering on the stove is one of the best smells!  You can get very creative with your herbal syrups, try adding some berries, spices, or fruits, be creative!

 Syrups are pretty easy to make. They are a wonderful remedy to keep on hand, they are tasty sweet medicine that can be used for a verity of aliments. There are not just for illness.  You can make immune syrups, energy syrups, LOVE syrups and more! 

To Make a syrup, you simply make a strong herbal brew ( think strong strong tea).  For a sweetener you can use honey (Honey will help store your syrup for a couple months in the refrigerator, it is also very healing for sore throats and coughs) maple syrup or fruit juice concentrate or fruit juice.  If you need to preserve it for a longer amount of time add vodka, brandy, whiskey etc.. 

Things to do with syrup- You can add syrup to your herbal teas, on pancakes, in your smoothies, herbal pop-cycles...  There are many things you can do, so have some fun! 

Basic Syrup Making: 

Use 2 ounces of herb mixture or fruit or both,  to 1 quart of water.  Over low heat, simmer the liquid down to 1 pint (half way).  This will give you very concentrated tea.  

Strain the herbs from the liquid.  I use a strainer with a cheesecloth over a 4 cup measuring cup.  Squeeze out all the excess liquid from the cheese cloth.    Pour liquid back into the pot

To each pint of liquid, add 1 cup (more or less) of honey/or other sweetener to the pot. 

Warm it gently, on low.  Mix well.   You can cook it on a higher heat to thicken it up, but watch it closely.  I prefer mine, cooked gently on low and it is a bit waterier, but it will be more alive with the enzymes from the honey and herbs, than the high heat method.

If you like, once mixed you can add fruit concentrate.

It will last a month if refrigerated or in the kitchen cupboard for few weeks.

If you need it to last longer than add a small amount of alcohol such as brandy or vodka.   I have used Whiskey to.    Add about a 1/4 cup per 2 cups of syrup. 

Honey Onion Syrup: 

A delicious remedy for colds, flu's sore throats, and coughs.  Great for children and adults.  

Ingredients:

one large onion

1-2 cups honey

Optional Ingredients:  few cloves of chopped garlic or some fresh grated ginger

How to make: 

Cut onion in half, then cut into very thin discs, 

In a medium sized saucepan add onion and optional ingredients.  Add enough honey to lightly cover all of the cut items.  cook over low heat for 30 minutes(do not boil), until onions get juicy and soft..  Place in a glass jar and cover with lid and lable.  No need to strain. 

This will store in the refrigerator for several weeks.  

Take by teaspoons when you feel a cold or flu coming on,  Soothes coughs and boosts immune system.   You can eat the onions in the syrup.  

Horseradish Honey Syrup for Cough:

Horseradish syrup quells coughs and soothes a sore throat; grate a small piece of horseradish into a small saucepan. Squeeze the pulp over the pan to extract additional juice. Add a little honey and enough water just to cover the pulp; boil for 5 min. let the pulp cool, and then squeeze the pulp again to catch any additional juice; discard the pulp. Mix the horseradish juice with enough honey to make a palatable syrup. Take up to 5 tbsp. of the syrup a day.

Elderberry Syrup

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

We have had a lot of people asking us about "Liver Detox or Spring Detox"  Below is our thoughts and  our beliefs from our studies and experiences. Please also click on the links at the bottom of this blog for further research.   

You can see that spring is telling us what to eat.  But, Americans are clearly very disconnected to nature because they are not getting the message.  The only message humans seem to be getting is jump on the latest fad and start your spring detox and flush your system.  

Spring is not about the next new detox diet, the next fruit juice fast, etc..  Spring is the awakening of the new season to come.  It is the season to wake up from the sluggish winter and  eat bitter.  It is time to move your body more and get outside in nature.  

Feeling sluggish by spring, means you need to take better care of your body throughout the year and through winter season.  It does not mean do some radical detox and flush your body out.  

You feel sluggish because you gorged yourself with foods that were to heavy, toxic and sugary during the winter season.  

Spring brings us beauty and awakening.  If you were eating right through the winter and sleeping enough you would feel renewed.  Instead of focusing on a detox diet, focus on creating a better winter eating plan for next winter.   You need to be thinking about the long term damage to your body that your are creating , not short term quick fixes like detox/cleansing diets that really don't work and are damaging to your body.  

Spring brings us spring greens, spring edible weeds and spring herbs. Spring brings us beauty after a long dark winter.  Spring is a reminder to eat your greens , especially eat  your bitter greens, it is a reminder that you should always think about boosting your detoxifying process, not just once a year.  

Spring is not here to torture your internal organs with fad detox diets.  It is a reminder that if you feel sluggish because you made bad choices throughout the winter with heavy sugary holiday food, toxic food that maybe next winter you will make healthier choices for your body mind and spirit.  

What spring is telling you  is to wake up, take a walk out in nature, slow down your life because you refused to do it, breath more, and enjoy the beauty that the next few seasons will bring.  

Say NO to spring detox/cleansing diets, start making better choices/better life style habits and learn to eat your bitter greens.

 A life of eating to be healthy is truly about finding  balance, listening and seeing what nature  is bringing  to you.  

 Life Detox:

You are living a life that is too fast.  Slow it down.  Take deep breaths, learn to breath again.   A fast paced life gives you indigestion. Simply put, it is bad for your digestion to live a life that is fast.  Instead of a juice fast that will give you a blood sugar high, sit down under a tree with a cup of nettle tea.  

Drink nourishing bone broth made from animals that are treated beautifully and fed a non-gmo diet.

Practice being kind and learn to give instead of take

Get to bed by 10:00 PM

Cut out sugar

Find out your food allergies

Exercise is a must.  No excuses, humans need to move their bodies.  Find something you like.  It does not have to be something that is hard core.  Walking is a great way to exercise.  It is being consistent that is important.   You need to exercise at least 5 days a week.  

Eliminate chemical toxins out of your life.  Remember hair dyes and nail polish are toxic.  Eliminate products that are made from petroleum, synthetics and GMO's 

 All screens, cell phones, computer, gaming, video games, TV, I pads, kindles,  etc All of them put your body in Fight or Flight mode.  So, instead of reaching for the newest cleansing diet, turn of your screens and limit your use of them.   If you have a cell phone then only use it for emergency's or if it is job related and If you have to use it for your job then set limits right away.    Turn the ringer off.  

Stop texting and start making time to see each other.  Texting turns you off from this world and keeps you overly connected, it is stressing your digestive tract out.   You need to set limits.  

Gaming/Video games, this is one of the worst things you can do to your body.  Total fight or flight mode every time you log on.   Get gaming out of your life, it is a serious addiction to adrenaline and it turns you  off from the real world.   Set your bare feet onto the ground and drink a cup of burdock root tea.  

Be Here Now.  Simply put if you are waiting for someone or something, just be, look around, observe what is going on around you, start a conversation, smile at someone, bring a paper book to read,  just get off of your phone.  You are keeping your body in constant state of stress.  What does stress do to your digestion? 

Create community and get involved.  This gives your body happy emotions 

Smoothies are the new quick fix, and you are skipping one of the first steps to digestion by drinking your meals.   I truly feel people are having more digestion issues because of our liquid diet and the smoothie fad.   Chewing and saliva are the first steps to breaking down your food.  

Sit and eat.  Be still while you chill.  Breath while you eat.  Breakfast at the table.  No Screen time while you eat.  All of those routines are becoming extinct .  It is time to start the day by eating a balance breakfast  with cooked greens, a clean protein and a salad.   

Stop eating raw food in the winter. 

Eat more green vegetables.   To this day I have yet to meet someone who eats enough vegetables.  

Eat seasonally. It does not make sense to your body for you to go on a juice fast in the spring if you live in an area that fruit is not ripe or even growing at this time.  

 Shop local farmers markets.  They are growing the foods that you can eat seasonally.   Buy organic as much as possible.   It is important for your health to eliminate eating foods that have  chemical toxins in them.  

Drink filtered water or spring water.  Most people are not drinking enough water 

Eat Spring Greens

Wild Spring Greens, head out and harvest some spring energy

Nettle, Urtica dioica - Nutrient, diuretic, detoxifying, astringent, glactagogue, decongestant and hypoglycemic.  Highly nutritious, high in vitamins and minerals.   Great for a nourishing tonic.  They stimulate the action of the kidneys and bladder.  Nettles help cleanse the body of toxins and wastes.  In the respiratory system nettles help clear catarrhal congestion and relieve allergies such as hayfever and asthma (with a balanced, healthy, diet) 

Cleavers, Galium aparine - Diuretic, alterative, antiinflammatory, astringent, antineoplastic, tonic and refrigerant.  Cleavers cleanse and clear toxins from the system and reduce inflammation.  They are a diuretic aiding elimination of wastes and also act ot enhance the lymphatic system, promoting lymphatic drainage of toxins ans wastes.   These actions ( with a healthy balanced diet) make them excellent for fluid retention, skin problems , urinary infections, and more.  

Sheep Sorrel - click on link below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivx-B9iRcCo

Horsetail, Equisetum arvense - click on link below

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-horsetail.html

Chickweed, Stellaria media - Alterative, demulcent, refrigerant, mucilaginous, pectoral, resolvent and discutient. It is a mild diuretic and is used for water retention.  Has many nutrients, including calcium, potassium and iron.  Use as a food, it heals and soothes.  

Violet Flower and Leaf, click on links below: 

http://www.herbalistlisewolff.com/violets.html

http://www.susunweed.com/An_Article_wisewoman3e.htm

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis - Antiviral, decongestant, antihistamine, antiseptic, carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant, nervine diaphoretic, hypotensive and bitter tonic.   Lemon balm is an excellent remedy for soothing the nerves and lifting the spirits ( a rainy spring would be a great time to make a wonderful cup of tea with this beautiful herb) It has a particular affinity with the digestive system, it calms and soothes nausea, vomiting poor appetite, colic, dysentery, colitis and any stress related digestive problems.   Make a bitters and it will gently stimulate the liver and gallbladder and enhance digestion and absorption.   It is useful for nervousness or depression.    It makes a great remedy for headaches and migraines.  A hot infusion causes sweating reducing fevers and making a good remedy for childhood infections.    This is one plant I would make sure I had growing in my garden!  

Dandelion Greens, Taraxacum officinale - Cholagogue, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, tonic, nutrient and detoxifying.  The whole plant ca be used medicine and is highly nutritious.   Pick the leaves in the spring and early summer.   Eat them as a bitter tonic to cleanse the body of wastes from the heavy clogging food and more sedentary habits of winter.  Dandelion eliminates toxins, wastes and pollutants through the liver and kidneys, cleansing the blood and tissues.  The bitters in both root and leaf activate the digestive tract and the liver, increasing the flow of digestive juices, enhancing the appetite, easing digestion and cleansing the liver.    So instead of reaching for the latest detox/cleansing diet, take a hike and eat some Dandelion Leaves (in a no spray area) 

Plantain, Plantago major - Leaves: demulcent, refrigerant, detoxifying, astringent, vulnerary, decongestant, expectorant, antiseptic and diuretic. 

My recommendations are this:

I won't recommended a Liver Detox tea to flush out toxins. I would never recommend a juice fast.   I will recommend that you increase your intake of green raw and cooked veggies,  I will recommend Susan Weeds Nourishing  infusions, I will recommend nutritive teas that nourish and tonify your body. There are many more recommendations that I would make.  But the most important thing I will tell you is that you need to take care of your body all the time, think about detoxifying it all the time through nourishing your body with healthy habits.   

Wild Weed Pesto: 

http://mcminnvillehealthdefense.ning.com/profiles/blogs/let-food-be-thy-medicine-and-medicine-be-thy-food-hippocrates

Trying implementing Nourishing Infusions in your daily wellness plan: 

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

More information on Winter Detox Diet: 

http://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/winter-detox-diet.html

Herbs for your liver: 

http://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/natural-liver-cleanse.html

"The Way You Do Food Is The Way You Live Life"

Digestion 

Welcome to Wild and Weedy Wellness.  You are about to take a journey down the  holistic health hike.    This journey will tease your senses, satisfy your taste buds, bring you new ideas and knowledge.  

We  are starting our Wild and Weedy Wellness with items that aide your digestion.   It has been a long winter, a lot of heavy foods have been eaten and it is time to get things moving.   

The digestive system is one of the most important systems in your body and I personally feel it is very abused.  This is why  Colon cancer is one of the highest cancers out there.  

The digestive system  consist of many important organs for digestion, absorption, assimilation, distribution, and elimination.    It begins at your mouth and ends at your rectum.   So next time you think about eating something think about this.  Does the food your about to eat give your body what it needs?  Will your digestive system be able to digest it, absorb nutrients out of it, will it be able to assimilate nutrients out of it,  can it be distributed healthfully and can you eliminate it all the way comfortably? 

It is time to start eating those spring greens, cut sugar out, start moving and start breathing.   

Here are a few pointers to help you with your digestion.  After all this is your gas tank and what happens when you put bad gas in your car? 

Take  a bitters extract.  Bitters stimulate bile production.  You can take them before or after meals.  I will also take them if I feel like I have heartburn.  I just put a few drops on my tongue or a few drops (10 plus) in a 1/8 cup of water swish in my mouth and swallow.  

Bitters Information: 

http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/bitters-the-revival-of-a-forgotten-flavor/

Eat bitter food, like fresh dandelion greens

Eat spring greens, cooked greens, lots of veggies and eat a vegetable rainbow 

Limit your fruit intake and up your green veggie intake

Cut out sugar, cane sugar, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup 

Make sure your honey is real honey.  

Shop at your local farmers market and purchase organic produce 

Most people are not drinking enough water.  Drink filtered water or spring water.

Eat Slowly 

Turn off all screens.  No cells, no computer, no movies etc...

Breath slowly while eating.  Take deep breaths.  When the blood lacks oxygen absorption decreases.  

No late night eating.  Eat dinner by 7:00 pm or earlier.  If you are full with food when you go to bed then your body is working on digesting and not repairing and rejuvenating.  

Drink relaxing teas to calm your nervous system down. 

Don't overeat,  instead undereat slightly 

Don't eat when unhappy

Think positive thoughts when you are eating

If you are constipated and you are having trouble going poo, don't try to force it out.  Relax drink some chamomile tea,  drink some water, take a walk, do some exercise, eat green veggies, cooked  veggies and big salads.   Let the poo come out when it is ready.  

Check out the Squatty Potty: 

https://www.squattypotty.com/unicorn-a/

All -Purpose Herbal Salt 

All purpose herbal salt tenderizes food, making it more digestible.  Rub it on fish, vegetables and meats.

1/4 Cup salt (mixture of sea salt and pink himalayan  salt)  

2 tablespoons pd. coriander

1 tablespoon pd. turmeric

1 teaspoon pd. cumin

1 teaspoon pd. fennel seed

1 teaspoon pd.  mustard seed

1/2 teaspoon pd. star anise

Honey Spice Packet - Digestive Aid

Ingredients:  orange peal, dandelion root, ginger, burdoct root, star anise and cloves

Let this herbal honey help you digest you meals.  

For a wonderful cup of tea add 1 tsp of this honey to a cup of warm water, stir and enjoy.  

You will need:  local honey (make sure it is real honey), one 16 oz jar

I cup of honey

I packet of Digestive Aid Spice

Directions:  

Put herb packet in jar, top with honey, stir, and cap with a tight-fitting lid. Place in a sunny windowsill, and turn the jar over at least once per day.

Label the jar

Add more honey if the herbs rise above the honey.

Allow to infuse for two weeks.

Just leave the herbs in the honey, there is no need to strain.  

Cranky Belly  Seed Chew

Keep this seed chew on your kitchen table or bring it along with you if you are traveling.     When you travel there are times you might get constipation, icky belly or digestion issues.   Chew on this seed mix to help you these issues.  

2 tablespoons whole sesame seeds

2 tablespoons whole fennel seeds 

1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds 

Mix together, put in a jar and label

Rejuvenating Foot Soak -External Use Only- Shake Well 

Fill tub or basin with warm water

Add Rejuvenating Foot Soak 

Mix well 

Soak feet for 20 minutes

Ingredients:  apple cider organic, vegetable glycerin, epsom salts, tea tree EO and peppermint EO 

Better Belly Bitters: - Made with alcohol 

Ingredients:  Artichoke leaf, hawthorn berries, fennel seed, star anise, orange peel, hibiscus, local honey, brandy (alcohol) and LOVE  

Use 10 to 40 drops in a small amount of water  before meals.  Sip slowly to let it mingle with your taste-buds.    

About Bitters: 

https://www.herb-pharm.com/blog/digestive-bitters-compound/

GLUTEN FREE PIZZA CRUST RECIPE

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.

Wild and Weedy Herbal Wellness Box 

This is a great way to build your herbal medicine chest and stock your kitchen pantry with nourishment.  This is a six month journey into the beauty and benefit of herbs.  It goes from June to November

Let us be your person guide on your journey to wellness . 

Monthly wellness boxes will be either seasonal or have a theme.   Herbalism creates a deeper connection to healing for most people than other methods.  It provides nourishment to your body to prevent disease in the first place.

It is ideal for anyone who would like to use natural healing on a more regular basis, through nourishing their bodies and boosting their immune system.  The wellness boxes will help to build your herbal medicine chest. As we all know being prepared when illness and injury hit is half the battle.   You will  receive items that will help with your kitchen cookery. Becoming a better cook puts  you on the path of taking responsibility with your health and builds  your immune system.  All items are petroleum free products.  

You will receive 3 items (sometimes a few more) , handmade new products each month.  Often times these ingredients will be wild crafted or grown on our farm.  

Items range from: pesto, elderberry syrups, tinctures, elixirs, powders, creams, salves, soaps,  fun teas, cold and flu products, infused oils, infused vinegar, body care products, medicinal teas, infused salts and more. 

You will learn more about new plants and herbal products

All products made with intention and love

from your local herbalist.  

 This is a six month commitment to learn about natural ways to boost your immune system and care for yourself. With the cost of health care on the rise, this truly is one of the best decisions you can make for you or your family's health.    

This is an investment in your health 

March to May is a 3 month commitment

Cost:  $180.00 

USPS Mail Shipments Add  $27. 00 for the 3 months

June to November Is a 6 month commitment

Cost $360.00 

USPS mail shipments add $54.00 for the 6 months 

Pick up is the 2 Wednesday of each month.  

These days our digestive system is a hot topic. I was writing about emotions and toxins in our intestines.  I was reading about the functions of the small and large intestines.  While I am reading it I kept having thoughts about our lymphatic system.  I kept feeling like we are not paying attention to it .  Our appendix contains many masses of lymphoid tissue.  Or small intestine has a thin membrane known as the mesentery.  Blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic vessels pass through the mesentery.  

I am reading about different parts of the Intestines. The last few sentences about your appendix in western medicine terms states:

The presence of lymphoid tissue suggest the the appendix may play a role in the immune system in addition to the digestive system.

The next sentence:

Toxin build up affects digestion, for me it was the heavy metals in the garden of life products

Food intolerance/food allergies affect digestion, for me it was the corn syrup, mostly likely gmo and it  is a heavy sweetener.  Sweeteners affect on digestion and GMO affect on digestion. 

 To much screen time, fight and flight mode.

Stress, emotions from the accident,  physical stress and screen time stress all contributed to my digestion issues 

The active ingredient Theobromine in cacao has been found to be as effective( and in some studies outperform) as fluoride. Cacao does not have toxic side effects like fluoride.  

Cacao can help remineralize tooth enamel and protect them from cavities.

Instead of using products that have toxic fluoride, you can make this Cacao Toothpaste instead. 

5 Tablespoons coconut oil 

2 Tablespoons baking soda

1 Tablespoon sea salt 

2 Teaspoons organic cacao powder

1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon powder 

Soften the coconut oil. (do not use a microwave).  You can place it in a warm spot for 30 minutes.  

Stir in remaining ingredients until fluffy and mixed.  

Store in an airtight container. 

To Use:  Get a spoon and scoop a 1/4 tsp. and place it on your toothbrush.  

https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/food-thought/chocolate-constituent-bests-fluoride

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/19/chocolate-vs-fluoride-toothpaste.aspx

Today I had a bad migraine. I made a cup of tea and decided it was best to go outside and get some fresh air. The greenhouse has a relaxing atmosphere. I sat on our cob bench and zoned out. My migraine was not letting up. I wanted to curl up and lay on the bench. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths and then opened them. The little voice said Rosemary. I was sitting there looking at my three big Rosemary plants. It was a light bulb moment. I took a few snips of the plant and started taking deep breaths of Rosemary's heavenly scent. I think it took less than five mintues to get rid of my migraine. Yeah!! I tucked the Rosemary in my pocket and finished doing my greenhouse chores. Next time you get a headache or a migraine and you have a Rosemary bush, you might want to try this.

As I listened to thousands of frogs croaking I realized each day they have become louder.   I was mesmerize by the sound.  It is incredibly loud and they are all calling out, looking for a mate to set their seed for the next generation.    

The frogs croaking brought me deep into thought.    My thoughts took me back 4 years, to 13 years to 15  plus years ago.   

About 17 years ago I tried my best to  lecture people about GMO's  to eat organic as much as possible, buy shade grown organic coffee, happy chicken eggs and clean safe meat that was not raised in feed lots.   I was telling people to not eat foods with Hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, artificial flavors and food additives that caused cancer.  

I missed something though.  I missed taking care of stress, needing more rest and toxic chemicals.  Even though I was on the right track it was not fast enough to help me.  I had an extremely stressful divorce, lack of sleep and I took up a few extra jobs cleaning.   I literally was teaching aerobic classes  just after I cleaned with bleach, pledge, rubbing alcohol, comet and more.   I started getting really tired and I started to get grey hair really fast.     I realized that being outdoors made me feel better so  I started teaching outdoor training classes.  This worked for a little bit, but again I started to fatigue.   Apparently dyer sheets are toxic and people use dryers that spew that toxic smell out their dryer vents.  

It was about 15 years ago, I was hit with a sickness called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.  During my healing process I have become an avid researcher and an observationist.   I have also become a radical environmentalist.     

By becoming a seeker of truth (research) someone who observes and a radical environmentalist.  Your life really begins to change.   The first thing that happens is you loose friends.  Yes, that is right.  They hang in there for a little bit, but they need you to take a pill and get better, otherwise they realize they are a part of making you sick and polluting this world.   For comfort they needed to be an Ostrich and live comfortably in their lives.  

You are a reminder to them that their lifestyle pollutes this world. Their junk food eating, the lack of care if they eat GMO food, the toxic hair dyes they use, nail polish, toxic skin care, toxic laundry soap, toxic scented candles and don't get me started on the toxicity of perfume.  

Really, I can't blame them, ignorance can be a bliss.   But for me it is not bliss.  I was born with rebel blood and I am dam proud of it.   This rebel blood may have caused me heartache and bad decision making in my younger years, but I am very grateful for being blessed with it now.    Really I rather be awake than a Zombie.   It is not a easy road.  But the hard road is  much more spiritually satisfying.  

As a society we are spiritually lost and more than ever humans are  confused about who they are individually.  I can't help but wonder if all the chemicals released in this world, are turning people into zombies and disrupting their endocrine system to the point that they don't even know who they are.     Hormone disruptors may be the thing that stops over population (If you believe in over population, which I don't). 

More than ever before we have more people confused about being male or female,   To the point we are classifying transgender issues into many other groups.  Even pushing the point to saying that a fiver year old should not have to decided if they are male or female yet.    I can't help but wonder what is really going on and all I can do is think of the frogs..   

At least 15 plus years ago, I read report after report about the issues with aquatic animals and the chemicals that are used daily that are hormone disrupters.    These chemicals are literally making frogs into homosexuals.    These reports are still happening and still sounding the alarm..  But only a few small groups of people are even listening.  Meanwhile our world is being chemically altered.  Chemically changing what his and hers should be.

http://loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=11-P13-00001&segmentID=7

13 years ago, after being sick with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity I was blessed with moving out into the coastal mountains of Oregon.   This brought me beautiful fresh air, spring water, herbs, animals and healing.    As I lived in a brain fog fighting to wake up I realized that is was not only my curse but was also a gift.     This was the time I dug deep into researching environmental issues.   Through my research, I became angry.    I realized our government is not there to protect us.  They are there to make you sick and protect the profits of big farm agriculture, Biot-Tech company's, chemical companies and pharmaceuticals companies..  Sick makes profits in more ways you can imagine.  

It was 13 years ago, that I realized that the property I lived on and many others that I see around here, have been chemically sprayed with who knows with what because it lacks a diversity of life.    When you walk in a forest of trees that are at least 15 years old and you you see no other plant life, you know that is not good.   When you see areas that are a marsh, full of water and you do not see or hear frogs, see dragon flies, lack of butterflies,  hardly any bees and a handful of bats, you know something is wrong.   Through my healing I have learned to observed.  Sitting quietly, watching, listening and my experience was knowing that my town, county and world were slowly loosing its sensitive species.  This is a red alert... 

Moving forward to 4 years ago.   To our surprise, with organic and bio-dynamic practices we have frogs arriving.   My daughter and I were so excited we would hang out by the marsh and listen to them. 

Two years ago I had bees, the logging company sprayed and my bee hive died.  Chemical farming has moved into the valley and I have some serious concerns.  

I sit, I watch, I listen.  The birds have changed a bit around here.  Still only a few handful of bats.  Less native bees, less hornets, less paper wasps and the list goes on.  

As for today February 11th 2016.  So far my air is still beautifully clean around my space.  I have realized today that I have heard the frogs making their journey to the great marsh.  A few at a time in different spots of the property traveling to the great mating spot of choice.  I can only hope that they are not confused. that life will still prevail and their frog population will grow.  But as far humans I am just not so sure they will survive this toxic world much longer.   

Toxic comforts and toxic fashions seem to rule our world.    

Chocolate, it's rich, dark and sweet. 

The Aztecs were fueled by itEver since the Aztecs introduced caca to the Spanish explorers, it has spread around the world 

http://sweets.seriouseats.com/2010/11/the-new-taste-of-chocolate-book-review.html

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/raw-hazelnut-chocolate-truffles/

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/superfood-recipes-made-with-raw-cacao/

These days there is a lot of talk about heart health.  It is the number one killer of men and women.  There is tons of information out there on the top healthy foods for a healthy heart, but I want to dive into the emotional side of it.    You can eat all the organic healthy, holistic, awesome food out there, take the best herbal tonics, exercise regularly  and still have heart problems if you are not taking care of the emotional side of your heart.   Not only can you build walls in your arteries from a bad diet, but you can also build walls in your heart due to the negative emotions, fears, loss, sadness, ego, anger, that you do not process or let go of.     There is only so much your heart can take before it implodes or hardens and stops.  

So, here I will begin with my story of understanding I was Hopelessly Holding On.... 

Humans hold onto way to much.  To much storage of physical things and emotional things.. 

I have been concerned with heart health.  You can do all the right things with your health, like eat organic healthy food, finding out your food allergies, exercise, etc. 

But, if we don't laugh enough, get stuck in the fast pace of life, a life that does not feel like it  completes you, a stressful job, no community and holding on to the past,  this will  clog and malfunction your heart.     These negative emotions, will give you a traffic jam in your system. Broken Hearts, (either physically broken,emotionally or both) are the number one killer for humans.  

They say that you heart is your brain  and that 40,000 sensory neurons  relay information to the brain from the heart.   The heart connects to your nervous system,  it produces hormones and it receives energetic information from strong electrical and electromagnetic fields. 

The heart is a muscle and if it is not worked on it will become weak.  It provides the body with nourishment and oxygen.  If you are not being emotionally nourished it would be hard for your heart to produce it's breath of life (oxygen) to feed all the other organs of the body.  Therefore you get stagnation and stagnation brings pollution and pollution brings disease.  

Dis Eases of life.  

Your heart carries away waste, but if it is clogged with negative emotions and holding on to what will never be, how can it carry the waste away?  If your system is short circulating due to this process, where will this waste end up?  Holding on to waste is toxic and it can effect you physically and mentally.

The heart consists of chambers, arteries and more, which to me represents the paths that you have walked in your life and where you have lived.   And from the paths, if there was stress, hurt, anger, jealousy and unforgiving, these negative hurtful times are the brick and mortar of the cement walls that are being built in your arteries.   And for some, this process started at a very early age, literally ones heart is bursting from the overload of heartache 

There are two chambers, one chamber of your heart gives and one  receives.  

If the giving and receiving in life are off balance this can negatively effect your chambers and fill them up with waste.  If you give too much, because you do not set boundaries and people keep coming and taking from you, this negatively fills you up with emotional waste.The other side of this, is you do not give enough to community at large, family or friends and this leads to sour heart becoming tight and stiff (remember the story of the Grinch).  

Your receiving chamber of your heart, do you receive giving from others well?  Or do you expect it, Has your receiving made you a taker?  Hoarding and taking to much,  builds walls within this same system... 

As you can see with two chambers it is much like a yin yang symbol. It really is all about balance. 

Holding onto happy memories that are  dear to ones heart feels good, but if you hold on to them hoping you can have it back again, then this is not good for ones heart.  Which means you are  building cement walls within the tiny paths within the chambers of your life, a hardening of the arteries, stagnation and shut down in the system.   

Holding on to negativity eats your heart out like acid...  Acid Relfux, heart palpitation, insomnia, anxiety and stress induced asthma, 

I wish I could deny the fact that I have had serious turmoil in my life.  No glass slippers here.  It has been ongoing since I was a child.   My heart is stacked full.   I believe my heart has been speaking to me and I am glad I am listening.   Most people would either ignore it or medicate it.  Ignoring builds more walls and medicating it adds more toxic waste.  

It wasn't until I hit my two year anniversary from the bad accident, that  I had  been hit with some serious emotions from the past.    There was a couple of times that some serous quietness, deep thinking and depression had hit me for a couple of days in a row.  During these times I was seriously in my head, which really meant I was trying to break down the walls that have been built in my heart for to many years.  

I have been known to be a person who does not cry and if I do I stomp it out quick, I am full of fire, stubborn.   Being very connected to the earth, I find that at this age, I get even more angry towards,farmers, the city, the  county, with their chemical applications that they toxify the earth with.   I am also past the middle of my menopausal journey.. This means, I am going through a journey of my past, present and who I am going to become..  It is a bit painful at times but this process is important.  Just as important as a butterfly hatching out of its cocoon.  You can't help it otherwise it will be deformed.  Menopause is just the same, it is a process that can be hard, painful and joyous all at the same time.   I feel blessed to be on this journey and especially blessed that I am listening..  For the men out there, you also go through a process it is called Male Menopause.  Some might call it mid life crisis 

It was December 21st 2015, Winter Solstice, seven days from my TWO year anniversary date of my accident.   I was dealing with a lot of emotions.  I was feeling dragged down by all the things that have been left undone, physically and mentally in my life.  I already had  big list of to do's, prior to my accident.  The list is now bulging and I am feeling overwhelmed and trying to find a starting spot to continue the journey.

 When your activity has been reduced to a minimum and you have so little help with things, life just feels overwhelming.    Starting points seem unclear but you have piles and piles in front of you.  

On Winter Solstice, something was stirring in me.  My husband and I headed up the mountain with our animal family, tea pot, candle and smudge stick.  It was beautiful and quite.  We talked of changes, heart aches from our past, enjoyed a cup of tea, had prayers and mediation time.

That night I had something come to me that spoke so strongly that it stuck in my head.  The message was this "LET GO OF WHAT DOES NOT SERVE YOU"   It was if I had a revelation of some sort.   A few days later, I am headed up the mountain to the spot that I had my accident.  I was going to sit there and have tea and work on letting go.    As my husband and I were walking the horses up the mountain they  made a turn down another road.    This never happens on this road.  I usually have to lead them down.   My husband asked me what I wanted to do, at that point they ran.   At first I got tense, but then a few seconds after I realized my message was happening right in front of my eyes.  "LET GO OF WHAT DOES NOT SERVE YOU"   It was time to finally let go of what happened to me, not only from the accident but from everything that has been backed up, clogged up in my heart center.  This means a purging process has begun and that I need to make sure it does not get damned back up.  

I know most people were looking for a blog from my husband about our New Year.  They were probably expecting a funny story about his wife (me) and our empty nester experiences.  But our New Year experience has been about purging. We have been taking dump loads of stuff from our past or things that are just not going to get done, to the dump.    Believe it or not some of these things have been holding me back without me realizing it. Storage is nothing but a place to store things that do not serve you.  Some of those things you hold on to tightly hoping to feel that feeling again... These things effect your heart,  your center and they take you off balance.

As I am purging I am getting things done, as I purge it is opening up opportunity's in my life to heal and have new experiences.

Today January 8th 2015 marks another step.  We had a old dodge van.. She just left to live the rest of her life to be scrapped out and become something new again.   As the man was loading her up. I kept having to hold back tears.  I thought how funny that would be if this strong woman started crying as the man was towing away a rusty old metal dodge van.  I held strong, took a few pictures, helped him out of the drive way and cried as he drove away.     

 I am going from a Mom that was needed, to a Mom that is finding herself as her kids find out who they are because they have spread their wings in the flight called life.  

That beast of a van held so many fun memories when we were a family of 8..    Memories that I cherished and loved.  It was a time of me being mommy and step mom.  I loved being a mom ( I am still mom)  Kids laughing in the back seat, singing, sleeping, being grumpy, being excited, fourth of July fun on the beach and so much more.  I can still here the kids singing we will rock you in the van.   I can still hear my son Brandon laughing in the back seat and years later on my birthday I sat in back as he drove us home from the beach.  

Having a mixed family was not easy and this is what I have held on to.  Hoping for the good memories to come back. This has built up in my heart and letting this beast of a van go is the last purge of the past.  

The "Time Of The Van", there were life changes, people changes, people come and go and we all had to to except that without it affecting our hearts.   

Holding on to that which is not...

To much hope and change, without change becomes stagnation and no growth

Holding on to happy memories is what  also creates holding onto  to much hoping to create that situation again

You never know until you finally release something that holding on was holding you back

Yes, there is such a thing as hope but one must realize that holding hope for too long can hold you back

Release breaks up stagnation

Release is what brings in the new

You can't fix what has been lost

Let Go Of What Does Not Serve You

What serves your heart? 

This is my year of new,  It is my new birth year, a new year to birth out new ides, more happiness, more nature, more epic adventure out in the Oregon Wild, success, community, knowledge, love, peace and for me it is the year  to 'LET GO OF WHAT DOES NOT SERVE ME)

Besides a fantastic diet, herbs  and exercise this is what will heal my heart and yours.   For the heart is the brain and this brain controls the functions of you... 

If you don't take care of  your body,

where are you going to live?

Mickey Spillane

What Is Good Heart Medicine?

21 Principles That Keep Your Heart Happy and Healthy

1. Put your emotional life in balance

2. Keep it  corny, laugh and play frequently

3.  Make life juicy, not dry

4.  Peel the extra layers of heaviness off of your life

5.  Size matters, eat many small healthy meals a day

6.  Reject violence with your whole heart, but if violence is used on you, fight back with your whole heart

7.  Practice daily acts of kindness towards yourself and others

8.  Keep it cool in life

9.  Shake it up,  dance more

10. Perfect you smile, use it more

11.  Light you fire, kindle the flame inside you, what are your desires?

12.  Rest your head, nap when you can, cat nap when you can, go to bed early, winter time get more sleep

13.  Ease back on stimulants and addictive substances (if you can’t fall asleep at night by 20 to 30 minutes you could             be drinking to much coffee,  eating to much sugar or having to much screen time) 

14.  Remember a negative environment breeds illness.   Positive grows  happiness

15.  Exercise, this is a must

16.  Eat simple, delicious, unadulterated foods and liquids

17.  Eat organic berries

18.  Eat good clean sources of protein

19.  Summer lovin,  get your daily dose of sun, as much as you can

20.  Make bone broth

21.  Include the cardiovascular nurturing herbs in your daily diet

Hawthorn flower, leaf and berry– Cardiovascular tonic -Motherwort—Calms the heart, reducing heart palpitations—Ginkgo– peripheral vasodilator( Peripheral vasodilators are agents which act on the most distal parts of the vascular system i.e. the arterioles and venules. They dilate these distal blood vessels and lower the blood pressure, therefore makes it easier for the heart to pump blood through these peripheral blood vessels).—Passionflower– calms—Yarrow– vascular tonic—Garlic normalizes blood pressure -Cayenne and Ginger—circulatory stimulants

Recipes For Heart Health

Hawthorn Leaf, Flower and Berries

Grandmother Hawthorn, the tree of the heart. Hawthorn is the 6th tree of the Celtic Tree Ogham, representing Love, fertility, protection, the release of blocked energy and preparation for spiritual growth.

Hawthorn is the prime remedy for the heart, the circulation and is safe to take over long periods,  The flowers, leaves and berries can all be used as a safe heart tonic,  Hawthorn is helpful for high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, heart palpitations and all heart conditions. The leaves, flower and berries also have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, relieving stress and anxiety They bring calm sleep if drunk at night.

Hawthorn Recipes: 

http://natural-healing-guide.com/Therapeutic-Teas/Hawthorn-tea.htm

Linden Leaf and Flower Tea, relieves nervous tension, calms the mind, could help with insomnia, soothes the digestive system and is a great heart tonic

2 tsp. linden leaf and flower

1/2 tsp. rose petals or a couple of rose buds (organic only)  

Bring a cup of water to boil, add herbs, cover and steep 10 minutes, strain and enjoy. 

I personally make 4 cups at a time in a french press and steep it longer.   I also make linden leaf and flower infusions.   For more information on herbal infusion click on link below. 

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

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.

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 

Information on beef heart:  

Beef heart is a muscle like other cuts of steak, but more dense with a higher content and additional protein. Beef heart contains all essential amino acids, zinc, selenium and phosphorus. It has more than double the elastin and collagen than other cuts of meat and a highly concentrated source of coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10.  Make sure you purchase organic grass-fed beef rather than grain-fed beef because it may have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Below is the link to the information about how to cook the beef heart: 

http://ruhlman.com/2011/08/how-to-cook-beef-heart/

Cottonwood

Common Names:  Black Poplar (Populus nigra) Balm of Gilead (Commiphora opobalsamum) Balsam tree,

Description:  Belongs to the Salicaceae family.  There are 10 species that grow across North America..  Populus biasamifera, p. candicans, p angustifolia, p deltoids and p trichocarpa.   All of these trees have medicinal value.  They are fast growing and have short lives.   When a tree falls or is cut down, it will vigorously re-sprout.   It is a large deciduous tree with spreading branches that arch downwards and brown, later grayish-black, deeply furrowed bark (alligator skin), up to 65 feet tall in height.  The Lombardy poplar (var. italic of this species) may reach 130 feet. The leaves are deciduous, rhomboidal or triangular (personally they remind me of hearts).  The reddish-brown buds are long, sticky and curve upwards at the tip.   Black poplar with orange male and red female flowers  catkins that open early in spring before the leaves appear.   Although, some trees there leaves come out first.   The fruits are small capsules, containing seeds covered with cottony hairs which aid their dissemination by the wind.    You find cottonwoods near wet lands, side of streams and rivers.  They love water.   They are a fast growing tree and is often planted as a screen beside roads and industrial buildings.    The buds are covered by a hard shell for protection during the winter.   This shell is covered with a sticky resinous substance which is very fragrant.   The resin is collected by the bees to make propolis.   Propolis is a sticky substance that bees use to seal their hives and protect it from invaders.  The cottonwood is in the same family as willow.  

Parts Used: Bud, leaf, bark,

Medical Properties:   The buds and bark are used .  Sometimes the leaves.   Cottonwood resin is cooling and drying.  The major constituent of the resin is a group of aspirin-like compounds, or salicylates, that relieve pain and inflammation (inflammation of all kinds).  Antiseptic, expectorant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antibacterial, stimulant, pectoral, analgesic and anodyne, anti-galactagogue, antipyretic, cholagogue, antioxidant and tonic 

Analgesic - herbs that relieve pain

Anodyne - Herbs that reduce pain by reducing sensitivity of the nerves

Antibacterial - Active against bacteria 

Antigalactagogue - decrease the production of milk secretion of nursing moms

Anti-inflammatory - herbs which help the body fight inflammation

Antioxidant - herbs that render free radicals harmless

Antipyretic - herbs that reduce fever

Anti-rheumatic - herbs that alleviate the symptoms of arthritis

Antispetic - inhibit growth of bacteria and prevent infection, cell decay and pus formation

Astringent - herbs that have a binding action on skin or mucous membranes that helps dry up mucous discharge, tone local blood vessels, stop bleeding

Cholagogue - herbs that stimulate the flow of bile

Diuretic - increase the flow or urine, used to treat water retention, lymphatic swellings... 

Expectorant - herbs that help the body to remove excess mucus 

Pectoral - herbs that strengthen the lungs

Stimulant - herbs that cause an increase in body functions

Tonic - herbs that strengthen and support the function of a specific organ or whole body 

History:  The genuine Balm of Gilead, highly esteemed by the ancient Arabs, Egyptians, Turks, Greeks, and Romans was extracted from this small tree.  At one time the  sweet-scented resin was so highly prized that guards watched over trees cultivated in the gardens near Cairo.   The herbs popular name is derived from the Greek balsamon, meaning a fragrant oil, while Gilead refers to its ancient cultivation on Mount Gilead in Israel.  There are biblical references to the Balm of Gilead in Genesis and Jeremiah, and the queen of Sheba is said to have presented a tree to Solomon as a gift.  The black poplar is dedicated to Proserpina and the white to Hercules.  The raw resin from this tree is thick, whitish and strongly perfumed.  It solidifies on exposure to the air but is soluble in alcohol,.  Balm of Gilead was valued for its scent and once used as a beauty aid by ladies of the royal courts.  True Balm of Gilead is scarce and supplies are likely to come from related north American trees, Populus candicans or P. balsamifera.  These members of the poplar family took the name of their biblical counterpart on account of the sticky, heavily scented resin that covers the young buds.

At one time the bruised buds were added to fresh butter which was then left in the sun to melt, and used by peasant women in China to give a sheen to their hair.  

Native American Uses:  The cottonwood tree was sacred to many Native Americans, particularly in the Southwest. The Apache tribes considered cottonwood trees a symbol of the sun, and some northern Mexican tribes associated cottonwoods with the afterlife, using cottonwood boughs in funeral rituals. Cottonwood roots were used for carving kachina dolls, masks, and other ceremonial objects by the Hopi, Pueblo, and Navajo tribes. The cottonwood was also viewed as a medicine tree in many Plains Indian tribes, with sacred poles and sun dance artifacts often being made from cottonwood trunks and branches. Cottonwood bark and leaves were also used as medicinal herbs by many different tribes, particularly to treat wounds and swelling.  The white poplar (similar properties to the black cottonwood)  has been used medicinally by American Indians for many centuries. 

Modern Day Herbalist Use:  Juice of the leafs is used to relieve pain of earache.  

Externally (ointment or liniment) for skin rashes, cuts, scalds, burns, boils and hemorrhoids. A liniment for helping to relieve pain, arthritis  and rheumatic joint (anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic), Use a tincture to clean cuts and wounds (antiseptic and antibacterial)

Internally:  Tincture/tea/decoction) for infections of the upper respiratory tract, sore throats,  fever reducer, laryngitis and bronchitis.   As an expectorant, meaning it helps the body to remove excess mucus.   Make a bitter tonic or  digestive aid (stimulates the flow of bile), diseases for the urinary tract (kidney and bladder) and gout (it reduces the amount of uric acid in  the blood).  As a diuretic, it can help with chronic kidney and bladder problems.   It makes your urine more acidic and has antibacterial and antiseptic properties.  

The resin, (the sticky substance in the buds) does not break down in water.  You must infuse them in oil or alcohol to use them medicinally.  

Preparations: The buds and bark are used.  Sometimes the leaves. Infused oil, tincture, liniment, digestive aid, poultice, decoction/tea

RECIPES

Infused Cottonwood Oil: 

Fresh Cottonwood buds

Organic oil of choice, apricot, jojoba, olive etc. 

Jar with lid

Cheese cloth 

Fill a jar about 1/3 full with the buds.  Add oil.  Cover with cheese clothe and then ring.   

Important:   If you decided to not use the cheese cloth and use the lid with the ring, please let the air out of the jar once a day.  Do not screw the lid on to tight, keep it lose.   My first year of infusing cottonwood buds, I lost a jar because it had to much pressure.    To my knowledge this only happens with cottonwood buds.  

Let sit by a wood stove or sunny window for 6 weeks

Strain, date and label 

Double Boiler Method and more information on infusing herbs in oil: 

http://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-beauty/infused-oils-salves-infusion-method.aspx

Balm Of Gilead Salve: 

8 oz cottonwood infused oil  strained 

1/4 cup bees wax or 2 oz 

Jars or stainless steel tins to pour your salve in

Labels

Wood spoon

Stainless steal ladle 

Double boiler 

Put oil in the top of the double boiler and add beeswax

GENTLY heat and melt bees wax

Ladle or pour into jars before it is cooled 

Cool and label

Infused Cottonwood Honey

Fresh cottonwood buds

Real raw honey,  local is best 

Double boiler, mason jar with lid, knife, spatula, labels

Fill jar about 1/3 full with the buds and cover with the honey.   Use your knife to push the honey down.  The buds need to be completely covered with the honey.  Once it is blended together now pour it into the top of your double boiler.  

GENTLY HEAT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES.    You do not want to kill all the medicinal properties of the honey, by overheating it.

Now pour the mixture back into the original jar.  Label and let sit in a sunny window for about 4 weeks. 

Strain or leave the buds in 

Use this honey to sweeten your tea, or what ever you like to put honey on.    You could also use it as a first aid remedy.  Burns, cuts etc.  

Cottonwood Liniment

Fresh cottonwood buds and twigs 

Everclear ( I personally never use rubbing alcohol for my liniments, because it has petroleum in it) 

Mason jar with lid, labels 

Pull the buds off of the twigs and put them in the jar.

Next, remove the bark form the twigs (I use my pocket knife) 

Add the bark to the buds in the jar and fill it 1/2 full with this material

Pour the alcohol to fill the jar.  Put the lid on and shake.  

Label and Mark EXTERNAL USE ONLY 

Let sit for 4 to 6 weeks (plus), shaking daily.  It will be ready to use in 6 weeks.  The longer it sits the stronger it gets.  

Use then for muscle spasms, sprains, aches and pains.   You could also use it for a first aid remedy. 

Cottonwood Tincture

Fresh cottonwood buds

Vodka that comes in a glass bottle 

8 oz jar with lid, label

Add enough buds to fill the jar 2/3 full.  Pour vodka to the top of the jar and place the lid on 

Label

Shake Daily, give it some love 

Let sit for 4 weeks, strain 

Cottonwood Rooting Hormone Mixture: 

http://radicalbotany.com/2012/12/11/black-cottonwood-and-the-balm-of-gilead-populus-balsamifer-ssp-trichocarpa/

More on Cottonwood: 

https://wildlettucegal.wordpress.com/tag/cottonwood-tree-native-american-legends/

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/harvesting-medicine-making-with-cottonwood-bark.html

http://www.ryandrum.com/twobudsoneleaf.htm

https://feralbotanicals.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/harvesting-cottonwood-buds-for-medicine/

Sophia and I have been working on our class schedule... Here is a peak at what is coming up.. Tomorrow we will post more information. 
Saturday January 23 Kitchen Cold Care from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 
Sunday January 31st Exploring Natures Medicine Chest. Subject: Black Cottonwoods. This is an outdoor event. 
Wednesday February 3rd 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Nourishment for Enhancing Your Love and Passion Life. Your sexual vitality has to do with your health. Nourishing tonics, aphrodisiacs and love potions. Sophia and I will be Co-Teaching this class together.

 Wild and Weedy Herbal Wellness Box 

This is a great way to build your herbal medicine chest, stock your kitchen pantry with nourishment and become active in your health.  

A journey into the beauty, the benefit of herbs and a hike on an incredible trail to your health.  

Let us be your personal guide on your journey to wellness . 

Monthly wellness boxes will be either seasonal or have a theme.   Herbalism creates a deeper connection to healing for most people than other methods.  It provides nourishment to your body to prevent disease in the first place.

It is ideal for anyone who would like to use natural healing on a more regular basis, through nourishing their bodies, boosting their immune system and wants to become active in their journey to get healthy.  

The wellness boxes will help to build your herbal medicine chest. As we all know being prepared when illness and injury hit is half the battle.   You will  receive items that will help with your kitchen cookery. Becoming a better cook puts  you on the path of taking responsibility with your health and builds  your immune system.  All items are petroleum free products.  

You will receive 3- 5 items , handmade new products each month. Often times these ingredients will be wild crafted or grown on our farm.  

Items range from: pesto, elderberry syrups, tinctures, elixirs, powders, creams, salves, soaps,  fun teas, cold and flu products, infused oils, infused vinegar, body care products, medicinal teas, infused salts and more. 

You will learn more about new plants and herbal products

All products made with intention and love

from your local herbalist.  

 This is a commitment to learn about natural ways to boost your immune system and care for yourself. With the cost of health care on the rise, this truly is one of the best decisions you can make for you or your family's health.    

This is investment in your health 

March to May is a 3 month commitment to your health

Cost:  $180.00 

USPS Mail Shipments Add  $27. 00 for the full 3 months

June to November Is a 6 month commitment to your health

Cost $360.00 

USPS mail shipments add $54.00 for the full 6 months

Pick up is the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9:00 am - Noon