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

Personal Care Products: Making the switch from chemical to natural!

Hair
Washing: I have recently adapted a system of hair care called the "No Poo" way.
I use no conventional shampoo, conditioner, or styling products in my locks, ever! I have been doing this for about 5 months now and am very happy with the results. Here is the link to the website that I originally got my info from:

http://www.natural-forces.com/essays/poofree.htm#herbs

This is the regimen that I found works best for me:

1 Tbsp. baking soda in 2 cups of water with 1 drop of rosemary essential oil once a week. (I started doing it about three times a week in the beginning to get all the build up out, then later you can decrease it). Using baking soda too frequently can dry out your hair and lighten the color of darker hair. The rosemary oil is helpful in keeping your color the same.

1 Tbsp of Bragg's apple cider vinegar in 2 cups of water every 2-3 days. This acts as your conditioner and detangler.

Since every one's hair is very different, this amount and frequency of application will not work for everyone. You have to listen to your hair and experiment!

Also, for the first two weeks, my hair got a little funky. It looked a little greasy and limp. This is normal, and it will pass. Don't back down! It is worth it, now my hair looks better than ever, and I don't even have to spend the time styling it or the extra money on "natural" hair care products that can still be full of synthetic chemicals.

Color: Henna!
Henna is a wonderful all natural way to get beautiful color in your hair and cover up greys. It is also amazingly nurturing to your hair, making it soft, thick, shiny, and healthy.
Here is a great website and pdf file that explain in detail how henna works and how to apply it.
http://www.hennaforhair.com
http://www.mehandi.com/shop/hennahow.pdf
My recipe is:
6 ozs. of red henna powder
1 ozs. black walnut hull powder (because I have dark hair)
Mix with apple cider vinegar and water until it is yogurt consistency.

                                                         My hair after doing red henna

Take precautions to save your bathroom from getting stained, this stuff is very messy! It's like trying to smear mud in your hair.
I like to put trash bags on the floor and sink, have a wet towel handy, wear rubber gloves and make sure you don't care about the clothes you are wearing! If your bold, I find it easier to do it naked then jump in the shower right after:)
Smear it evenly in your hair however you see fit, then wrap it either with saran wrap or find a good fitting shower cap. Wrap a towel around your head and let it sit for 1-4 hours. Then wash it out (careful, this will be messy to) and finish with a vinegar rinse.
Note: the color often doesn't show its true colors for about 3 days.

Body
To wash, I always either use Dr. Bronners liquid soaps or local, hand-made pure bar soaps that have as little ingredients as possible (watch out for synthetic fragrances)
Soap is not necessary to use all the time, it can over dry our skin and leave it more vulnerable by washing away to many of it's natural oils.
To moisturize, my favorite is organic unrefined coconut oil. You can also use jojoba oil or olive oil.
Coconut oil is wonderful for your skin, gives you a great tan, and can also be used on the hair and face! Not to mention that it is a great oil to cook with. Check out the book "The Coconut Oil Miracle" for more info.
When I have break-outs on my face, I love to use Chapparal tincture topically (also called creosote). This is an alcohol extract of a wonderful plant that grows here in the desert. The leaves are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, and anti-parasitic. It can be helpful in treating acne, herpes, cold sore, psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis.
For deodorant, I use crystal rock salt. It is completely natural, chemical free, fragrance free and very effective. One stick of it can last for about a whole year, so there is another money saver! I have also used Burt's Bees essential oils spray deodorant and have found that to be very pleasant and effective.

Cleaning around the house with conventional synthetic cleaners could be affecting your health more than you realize. They also cost way more money than using these simple ingredients:

baking soda
white vinegar
borax powder
washing soda
lemon
tea tree oil

All Purpose Cleaner: Put white vinegar with a few drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle and use in your counter tops, windows, showers, bathroom fixtures, and mirrors.
Carpets: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and put directly on stains, sit for several minutes, and wipe up with sponge and warm soapy water.
Dishwasher Soap: Mix equal parts borax and washing soda.
Disinfectant: Mix 2 tsp. borax, 4 Tbsp. vinegar, 3 cups hot water, and few drops of tea tree oil.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar. Pour in basin and let sit of several minutes, scrub with brush and rinse.

Using essential oil diffusers in a great alternative to using commercial air fresheners that just mask odors and coat nasal passages to diminish smells.

Teeth
Make your own cheap, safe, and powerful toothpaste!
Here's my recipe:

3 parts baking soda
3 parts bentonite clay
1 part sea salt
few drops of peppermint oil (you can customize to your taste)
Mix well in a jar and dip your tooth brush in when its time to clean!

To purchase everything that I have recommended in this article, please visit the Mountain Rose Herbs link below, or go to the bottom of the page to My Favorites "Natural Body Care" and there you will find a plethora of goodies to experiment with!
Have fun and be well my friends

Please visit Mountain Rose Herbs to purchase high quality Henna, Essential Oils, Body Oils and Bath Salts, Clays and Tinctures mentioned in this post.