Harvest Time!

Spent some time in the Medicine Garden at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine today. Got re-acquainted with some dear friends.....

Gotu Kola, Centella asiatica- Great cerebral tonic improving memory and focus, calms anxiety, and increases circulation.

Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera-Great adaptogenic herb, helping the body cope with stress. This is a friend that is currently part of my daily regimen. It has many talents such as reducing inflammation, decreasing stress, boosts the immune system, increasing metal activity, and promoting overall wellness and balance.

Cleavers, Galium aparine- Excellent lymphatic tonic, helping the body rid itself of toxins through its diuretic action. Aids in the detoxification of tissues and the immune system.

Chickweed, Stellaria media- A very nutritious plant, high in vitamins and minerals. Has a taste very similar spinach and can be cooked or added to a salad. Applied externally it can soothe minor skin irritations such as cuts, burns, eczema, and rashes. Drink as a tea for a mild diuretic.

Wildcrafted some chaparral today....

Hanging in the window to dry

New and Improved Hair Nourishing Vinegar!

After I did my normal once a month henna hair treatment last week, I was reminded how great henna made my hair look and feel. Not just the color, but the texture, thickness, and shine! So, I came up with a way to make henna part of my regular hair care routine without dealing with the mess.

Introducing Henna and Rosemary Infused Apple Cider Vinegar!

Here's whatcha need:

1 muslin bag

funnel

soup pot

stainless steel bowl

2-3 ozs of henna (whatever color you like, I use red)

1 32 ozs. bottle of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

1 handful of an herb of your choice to compliment your hair color or needs.

I used fresh rosemary because it's good for rich, dark hair tones, adds luster and body, and smells great to!

Here is a short list to give you some ideas:

Burdock: helps prevent dandruff

Chamomile: softens hair, good for light golden tones

Lavender: stimulates hair growth, degreases

Calendula: lightens hair color

Sage: tonic and conditioning, darkens the hair

Nettles: tonic and conditioning, prevents dandruff

Witch Hazel: astringent, cleanses oily hair

I choose to do the double boiler method to infuse the vinegar. Use a large stainless steel soup pot and a stainless steel bowl that fits over the pot, like so:

Fill the pot up with a couple of inches of water. Warm on high heat until hot, but it doesn't have to be boiling.

Place ingredients in the bowl, mix well,  and place on top of the pot.

Bring heat to low, cover and let sit a least for a couple of hours, but longer if you have the time.

Stir occasionally.

When your done infusing, place the funnel into the vinegar bottle and place the muslin bag into the funnel, like so:

Slowly pour vinegar through the muslin bag, being sure to squeeze out all the liquid (rubber gloves are a good idea) and there is your very own herbal hair goodness!

I have been using it the same as the vinegar treatment I mentioned before, 1 Tbsp. in 2 cups of water, work thought hair, let sit a few minutes, and rinse. My hair is feeling fuller and healthier already! Enjoy:)

Holly Hummus!

This is my first of  many recipes to be posted for you all to try. Today I made hummus, one of my absolute favorite foods in the whole world. Just about every time I make it, I try something different. This time I added green onion, flax seeds, and fresh dill from my house mate's garden. Now, I'm one of those people that NEVER measures ingredients, so bear with me while I try to explain to you good people how I concocted this wonderful tub of yumminess.

"That's a Dilly!" Hummus

What you will need:

dried garbanzo beans (as many as you think you'll need)

fresh garlic

fresh dill

green onion

flax seeds

sunflower seeds

tahini

lemons

olive oil

salt, pepper, and whatever other spices you prefer

purified water

I started my soaking overnight about 2 1/2 cups (that's just what I had, no reason for that amount) of garbanzo beans, then boiling them the next day until they were soft, drain and then cool. It made a LOT of hummus, so you can cut this whole recipe in half if you want.

In a blender, add about a cup of beans, juice of one lemon, large heaping spoonful of tahini, 2 gloves of garlic,  handful of chopped up green onions, two handfuls of flax seeds, two handfuls of sunflower seeds (like my measurement system, eh?), about 1/3 cup of olive oil, around 3 stalks of fresh dill, some salt and pepper, and I like to add some dried basil. Then fill with water or broth just until it almost covers your ingredients. Blend well on low setting (you don't want to liquefy it) then add another cup of beans, blend on low until smooth but not pureed. You can do this as many time as you want for as much hummus you want to make, I found it wise not to fill the blender to much, so I do mine in batches. And voila! Delicious, nutritious hummus! Be sure to make a lot and share with your friends, trust me, they will be thankful:)

Get creative! Try different nuts, herbs, and beans to customize and create your perfect hummus. Make it yours, friends.

A Simple Inspiring Song to Brighten Your Morning

Railroad Earth " Livin the Good Life"

They got tired of living

and an apple going black

Went up the mad river valley

they never looked back

Way up the mountain

of a cam bell ridge

Up an old logging rope

across an old mill bridge

They built a little house

out of stone they found

Put they're backs to the plow

and the seeds in the ground

Water from the spring

running plenty and good

From a hard wood forest

chopping fire from the wood

Ooohhh 

They're living the good life

Ooohhh

Living the good life

They got bread in the oven,

got books on the shelf

They're looking deep into each

others eyes keeping to themselves

Pursuing ideals with

grace and style

And they're making ends meet

with their huggle belly guile

Ooohhh

They're living the good life

Ooohhh

Living the good life

Way up the mountain

of a cam bell ridge

Up an old logging rope,

across an old mill bridge

They built a little house

out of stone they found

Put they're backs to the plow

and the seeds in the ground

The got the power of the sun

and the strength of the soil

Finding peace in their hearts

and faith in their toil

Ooohhh

They're living the good life

Ooohhh

Living the good life 

Do Something For Yourself Today

It has been scientifically proven that pleasant and natural visual stimulus encourages stress relief and healing in the body.  Look at a flower, watch the sunset, go for a walk in the park, admire the mountains, oceans, and open green fields around you. Get yourself out of the urban concrete jungle as often as possible and spend some time with Mother Nature. She will cradle you in her arms and give you a nurturing hug. Her love is always open and willing!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones."

-Proverbs 17:22