Never Give Up

I had to share this - so motivational.

Furoshiki Bags

These work so well and will hold a lot of heavy items!

Taurus Full Moon

Kitchen Witchery - You Don't Know Jack...

Hello and welcome to my blog posting for The Bewitching Home Blog Party.
Thank you Tanaé for coming up with this fun event!

For today's post I thought I'd share what happened in my kitchen as I whipped up a few batches of Pumpkin Solid Lotion Bars for an upcoming Halloween Craft Show I'm selling at. I call them "You Don't Know Jack". They are great for eczema and super dry skin.

First and most importantly you need a pumpkin. I found this little cutie at my local Superstore this afternoon... (a used Jack-o-lantern works well for this if you can wait until after Halloween)

I took out the seeds and goo, chopped him in to pieces (poor pumpkin), simmered him in my cauldron (aka my lotion making pot) with oils, butters and a few spices for about 4 hours...

(here it all is before the butters melted)
after letting it all marinate I strained it and added my bees wax. Poured it into my mold popped it in the fridge and sat down with a cup of tea to wait...

And voila - here they are! I took them out of the mold a little bit sooner than I should have so I could snap a photo so they aren't perfect (the friends and family batch :)

Why Pumpkin?

• Pumpkin skin contains vitamin A, C and zinc, potassium, alpha-carotene, beta carotene, and lutein all great for the skin.
• Duke University researchers concluded that when applied daily, Vitamin C can keep the skins elastic fibers, or collagen, from breaking down.
• Pumpkin nourishes tired or dry skin instantly - apply it to chapped hands or a rash and you'll see what I mean.
•  Because of the zinc content in pumpkin flesh it has been touted as being good to help clear up acne
• Pumpkin soothes, moisturizes and acts as a carrier, assisting the other lotion ingredients to absorb more deeply into the skin 
• Pumpkin is great for people with sensitive skin (like me) it is also great for childhood eczema, and in lotions and creams for people who want to reduce facial lines and nourish dry skin (make a fresh pumpkin puree mask! - blend up a little pumpkin and honey and slather it on)

The Bewitching Home

I'm getting ready for the Bewitching Home Blog Party tonight. Come back at midnight PST or all day tomorrow to see what I've been up to! For links to all the blogs taking part visit
The Witch of Howling Creek's site

Flu Soup

It seems everyone I know (including me) is down with the flu right now. If you are too tired to fix anything fancy and want a good clear your sinuses soup give this a try...

4C of cold water
1 bag Asian frozen veggie mix
1 thumb of ginger (to taste) chopped
4 cloves of garlic
sizeable squirt of red rooster hot sauce
1/3C Plum Vinegar
sizeable squirt of braggs liquid amenos
1 package of rice noodles (the Asian kind that come in little squares)

Put water, ginger, garlic, vinegar, hot sauce, liquid amenos in a large pot bring to a rolling boil turn down heat to medium add full (medium sized bag) of veggies let cook for 3-4 minutes then add noodles. Turn down to simmer for another 5-7 minutes. Simple, full of flavour and easy to make when you are feeling under the weather. I'll post a photo when I'm feeling better. Hope it works as well for you as it does for me!

Juliette of the Herbs

Inspirational...

Full Moon In Aries ~ Relationships

Tomorrow's full moon is in Aries (sun in Libra) which puts the focus on relationships. This moon is like the sign of Aries - full of fire - clashing of wills, butting of heads call it what you will expect to see a lot of raw energies being released during this time. A lot of this is growing pains as people break away from their comfort zones and find the courage to move towards something new. The key is to seek balanced if you find it and trust your gut you will be able to act in the moment in a clear and direct fashion. For many relationships will be tested - some may part ways others will find themselves having state of the union talks and renegotiating their partnerships.

Breathe In Breathe Out

Fatigue Soak

Fresh grapefruit and rosemary can help to lift your spirits and open your nasal passages. Sore muscles can come about from fatigue and overworking, so sooth and revive yourself tonight by adding one chopped grapefruit with several sprigs of rosemary directly to your bath. 

Herbal Tonic Vinegars

More on vinegar (a whole lot - I hope this is worth reading through!)

I thought it might be a good idea to go in to depth a bit more about the difference between using a herbal infused vinegar as a nutritional supplement (tonic) - these aren't the same as the culinary vinegars most of us are used to (though they can be used in culinary ways - salad dressings and the like). Tonic vinegars are herbal concentrates made from wild foods and nutrient dense herbs (think Dandelion, Nettles, Mugwort and Fireweed Leaves). Herbal vinegars can be used as a great way to supplement nutrition. Vinegars aren't really used with medicinally-active herbs for extracting their properties. This is because with medicinal plants vinegar can't necessarily extract the chemicals from the plant the way that alcohol can. Herbal vinegars are better thought of as a tonic because they extract nutrients and minerals - so choose herbs and roots to use that are nutrient dense.

Herbal Vinegars have been used since ancient times as a curative. Hippocrates (the father of medicine) prescribed drinking vinegar (and honey) to his patients. Vinegar's natural properties (anti-fungal/antibacterial) help boost the immune system, balance any overly acidic tendencies in the body, reduce cholesterol, act as a diuretic, removes extra sodium from the body as well as many other healthful side effects. I can remember my grandmother using apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons in the am) as a natural weight reducer.

To make a herbal tonic vinegar the best base in my opinion vinegar wise is to choose a raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. The process of pasteurizing and distilling kills the enzymes that lend vinegar some of its magical healing properties. Highly processed vinegar can actually rob your body of minerals if taken internally (think the big bottles of white stuff you can get an any grocery store). Living RAW vinegar will probably have a mother (see my post on making Apple Cider Vinegar for more about - "the mother"). If you use raw vinegar and even if you remove the mother before you make your herbal tonic - it may grow another one. Mothers are harmless and actually prove your vinegar is working and alive. However when you are making live vinegars be careful to watch them so they don't over process and the mother doesn't start eating up the all the goodness in the tonic (best to leave them a months strain them off and rebottle - so they don't go watery).

Herbal Tonic Vinegars are an infusion or a tincture just like the ones you would make by using alcohol or oil. As I mentioned yesterday you do this by simply steeping your herbs in vinegar for a few weeks or longer. When you add herbs or wild foods to vinegar the vinegar essentially extracts the nutrients in to itself from the plant/root/flower or berry. If you have ever made an infusion or an extract using traditional methods you know that water, alcohol, oil and vinegar are the basic bases used by herbalists to extract the essence of whatever herb you are using. Each base has different strengths and weaknesses. For instance alcohol is considered to be the most powerful base to extract medicinal compounds from many plants but, it can also dissolve many substances in the plant as it accomplishes this that vinegar will not. What vinegar does better than alcohol is extract nutrients - in particular minerals and trace minerals from plants.

Tips

• Some believe you should chop your herbs/roots and others stuff them in their jars whole. I think using fresh plants (dry not wet) modestly chopped works best - well that is my opinion feel free to disagree! Metal lids on mason jars will rust if you use them with vinegars - you can buy plastic lids for mason jars to use instead (no rust!) - also great if you are in to juicing. 
• Be sure to label what you are doing with a date and what is in your jar - I've had a few "experiments" go to waste because I've forgotten them too long in my storage room and can't remember what is in the jar. 
• After about 2 months it is a good idea if you are using raw vinegar to strain off the vinegar and rebottle it.
• Many people believe that if you use honey with your "tonic" that it helps your body to absorb it better (*honey doesn't melt into vinegar so if you want to try this use a little hot water to melt your honey in wait for it to cool a bit and add your vinegar - you don't want it too hot or it will kill the good stuff in your vinegar!) - 1 to 2 tablespoons a day is a great way to use your tonic as a supplement.

Herbs for Tonic Vinegars - a few ideas...

• Dandelion (flowers, leaves and or roots! it's all good!)
• Fireweed (same - try to harvest the roots in the fall if you can and make two batches that you blend together - a fireweed blend made from the roots and leaves of the plant is thought to be particularly good for men's prostate gland - this also works well as an alcohol based tincture)
• Nettle (tummy troubles)
• Sage (throat)
• Lambsquarter
• Raspberry Leaves and or roots (great for women - headaches/pms and the like)
• Chickweed
• Garlic
• Mustard
• Horsetail

Herbal Vinegars - the basics

I know I'm a terrible blogger. I've become so totally involved in my "little" herbal apothecary business that everything else has fallen by the wayside. Including taking care of myself. I'm getting myself back in hand and posting to my blog about my health and the food I'm loving always helps... I've decided to do a posting today on Herbal Vinegars. I've been outside the past few days harvesting for my potions and lotions and have gathered an abundance of a few things that I've decided to turn into vinegars. The great thing about making herbal vinegars is they are a simple way to use up herbs that you don't have time to dry out or generally muck about with. 

 Most *tonic vinegars are made using an apple cider vinegar base but, if you want to just make a salad dressing base or marinade you can use any type of vinegar. Herbal vinegars are easy to make and can last for ages and ages (we're talking years). 


Did you know? Herbal vinegars are “enriched” by infusing the vinegar with the fresh plants. Infused vinegar is mineral rich, due to its ability to extract the minerals from plants Not only is the vinegar transformed into a mineral rich liquid, but because vinegar can increase calcium and other mineral absorption by as much as 1/3, the minerals from the plants become more bio-available. 

To make herbal vinegars you will need some sterilized jars or bottles, some vinegar ( I prefer using apple cider or a good quality balsamic as a base) and of course some herbs.

Try to gather your herbs on a dry day. You can include the stems in your bottles, stuff the herbs into your bottles and cover with vinegar stuff your bottles as full as possible with herbs and fill with vinegar until not quite touching the cap of your bottle. When you are done give them a little stir with a bamboo skewer to bring any bubbles to the top then put on the lid (tightly) -and that is it (simple right?!). Try not to use any metal utensils or bowls for marinating or preparing vinegars (they will leave a metallic taste).

If you like you can "steep" your vinegar in a sunny window to help it infuse faster - but be aware this can make your vinegar cloudy eventually. 

A few ideas

• Chives
• Rosemary
• Sage (great for sore throats)
• Nettle (upset stomachs)
• Citrus (in white vinegar makes a great kitchen cleaner)
• Cranberry (great on salads)
• Garlic & Hot Peppers (salads)
• Dandelion (use the heads to add a nice honey flavour to vinegars) (roots have a nice rich flavour and are good for your liver)
• Dill
• Basil
• Juniper Berries
• Mustard Seed
• Spruce Buds
• White Pine Needles
• Chickweed
• Kale (check out my pickled Kale recipe) 

* I can't remember if I've posted before on how to make your own apple cider vinegar. If no I'll post soon - if yes I'll add the link!

I did post about it... here is the link How to Make Your Own Apple Cider Vinegar

Full Moon In Sagittarius - Strawberry Moon

This full moon is a lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipses highlight relationships. With this full moon we seek balance in our relationships by expressing our true feelings. Anything that has been building with in you this is the time to let it out. Emotional insights about our relationships with others can break unstable unions or dramatically strengthen relationships that are on a solid foundation. Venus is in transit (Tuesyday June 5, the next time will be 250 years from now!). This will bring us into direct alignment with the feminine Goddess energy.  There are two periods when this energy will be especially potent: on June 5 when a rare Venus/Sun transit will occur, and on June 27 when retrograde Venus makes a direct station.

Happy Wesak~ Moon in Scorpio

The Full Moon at 16 deg Scorpio is also known as a super moon, being so close to the earth, and also called Wesak,the most auspicious day in Buddhism. Wesak celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. In other words, using a Wesak meditation, much can be revealed during this time in your life. 

This full moon is in Scorpio it brings up secretive, deep emotional energies. The Scorpio full moon brings hidden knowledge to the forefront. Transformation and rebirth,opening to new possibilities, leaving the past behind (fear of change) are highlighted at this time.

Vitamin D Viruses and MS

A great video by Dr Patrick Krupka

Kombucha

Full Moon In Libra ~ Pink Moon

Relationships are highlighted during this full moon. This is a good chance to reflect on how we approach our relationships with others. Many people are feeling overly stimulated (think 8 cups of coffee), on edge, and overly sensitive. Stop before you speak and direct your energy to the positive.

Get up! Stand Up!

Via: Medical Billing And Coding

Full Moon In Virgo

We are encouraged to find balance with this full moon. Completion and organization are highlighted. Spring cleaning, organizing clutter, getting our lives in order in general are helped with this moon. This is also a good time to listen to our inner critic and sort out what is valid and what is just the non helpful nagging of our inner voices. Self healing is possible if we listen to carefully and sort out what we should be telling ourselves as opposed to any negative judgements we have about where we are at.

Fellow Foodies ~ The Meal.

 friend just tweeted this fantastic idea to me hosted by the arthousecoop. On Feb 24 thousands of people will photograph and upload what they are eating at 12:00 EST. It is free to sign up. Check it out!

THE IDEA...


The Meal
One moment. One meal. One photograph. Let's eat.
On February 24th at 12pm EST, join thousands of people around the world in a simultaneous global meal. Whether it's breakfast in LA or a midnight snack in Beijing, let's take a moment from our hectic lives and share it with strangers around the world. Snap a photo of yourself and your meal and mail it to us — we'll create an exhibition from these self-portraits, documenting the world's largest communal snack.
Nothing makes us feel connected quite like sharing a meal together. On February 24th at 12pm Eastern Standard Time, thousands of strangers from around the world will sit down for a bite in unison and capture a shared experience at the exact same time. Take a photograph of yourself with your meal and mail it back to us. These simultaneous snapshots – self-portraits of people and their foods – will be exhibited in our storefront project space and made available online. Our aim is to inspire a feeling of community across geographic and cultural boundaries. So wherever you may be on February 24th at 12pm, keep your camera handy and something delicious nearby – and remember that thousands of strangers, both near and far, are sharing that meal with you.


Hosted by arthousecooop.com  sign up at...

The Meal

The Power Of Words...

Raw Chocolate

David Wolfe speaking about raw chocolate.

Happy Valentine's Day ~ You say cocoa I say cacao...

What is the difference between cocoa and cacao? Cacao is raw and unprocessed. Available in beans, nibs and powder form. Cocoa on the other hand is processed. Cocoa is made from Cacao it is heated at high temperatures then different chemicals and additives are combined with it (like soy lecithin and sugar). 

Chocolate can be made from either cacao or cocoa. So why use cacao which is higher in fat? There are a few reasons firstly Cacao is full of nutrients, it contains over 1,200 active compounds. Cacao is packed full of antioxidants (polyphenols) more than some of the big hitters we all know about like blueberries, goji berries, acai berries, red wine and pomegranates. The antioxidants in cacao prevent bad cholesterol from becoming oxidized so it potentially can protect the body from things such as heart disease and high blood pressure.


A few fun facts:

• Cacao is full of Phenylethylamines (the LOVE chemicals) ~ which makes it the prefect choice for a Valentine's day treat. 
• Mayan and Aztec cultures believed that cacao "invigorated men and made women less inhibited" . 
• Cornell University food scientists found that cocoa powder has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times what is found in green tea.
• Cacao is one of nature’s richest sources of magnesium, which is a heart as well as brain mineral.
• Cacao is choc full of chromium (which is the #1 trace mineral deficiency in North America)
• Cacao is high in vitamin C
• Cacao is high in (sulfur) the beauty mineral. 
• Cacao is said to diminish appetite

And a note: Buy Fair Trade. Child labour is a huge problem in some countries that produce cacao. Fair Trade ensures a livable wage is given to food producers. Fair trade bands people together into fair trade cooperatives which ensure them a fair price for their crops.

A few raw & rawish cacao recipes yum!!

Aztec AM 

• Almond or Coconut Milk (to taste
• Heaping tablespoon of cacao powder
• 1 teaspoon (to taste) of cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup of organic coffee or espresso

This should be thick and very rich. 

Cacao Fudge

• 1/2C of finely ground cacao nibs (a coffee mill works well for this)
• 1/2C of Macadamia (ground into a powder) 
• 2T of maple syrup (dark)
• 1 smallish piece of vanilla bean
• 1 medium date (soaked and pitted)

Blend all together until sticky. Roll in to ball and roll in cacao powder or shape into a bar and let sit in fridge until firm. YUM

Adrenal Exhaustion

A great video about adrenal exhaustion.

Raw Vegan Hot Sauce Recipes

I love hot sauces LOVE hot sauces. They kick up the flavour in bland dishes in a flash and help keep your internal heat up during the winter. I've decided to dedicate my next few posting to raw vegan sauces and condiments. 


Chipotle Sauce 
The smoky flavour of this sauce goes great with bean salads, black beans, over rice, or over a raw chop salad with avocado and peppers.

• 3 dried chipotle peppers (soaked 20 minutes or longer)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 a small white onion
• 1 medium tomato (de seeded)
• 1 medium tomatillo
• 3 sun dried tomatoes (soaked)
• 1tsp chili spice
• 1 small jalapeno top sliced off and de seeded

Cut tops off soaked chipotle pepper slice them open and remove the seeds. Put all ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth. This sauce is best after it has been allowed to marinate for a few hours in the fridge. *Note: It is important to remove seeds from your tomatoes so your sauce isn't too watery/runny.

Easy Peasy Raw Vegan Hot Sauce

• 1/4C water
• 1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar
• 6 tsps of cayenne powder
• 1 medium clove of garlic

Mix all in a blender until smooth - store in old hot sauce bottles or something that will drizzle. The longer this sauce sits the hotter it gets so experiment with the amount of cayenne you use until you have the right amount of heat for you.

Raw Piri Piri Sauce

• 6 large red or green chillies with seeds removed
• 3 large cloves of garlic
• 2 tsp of paprika
• 1/2 a fresh squeezed lemon or lime
•  (juice only)
• 4T of olive oil

Blend until smooth (you may need to add a bit more olive oil to get the right consistency - should be thick not too runny).

Raw Vegan Chili Sauce

• 6 jalapeno peppers, stemmed and de-seeded
• 1/4C of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 3T of Maple Syrup or Agave
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 1/2T of Pink Sea Salt
• 6T of water (may need a little more or less depending on how juicy your peppers are)

Blend the heck out of it until perfectly smooth. Stores in a bottle in the fridge for up to 3 weeks!

Raw Curry Sauce Recipes

It has been brrrr here lately. I've been craving hot soups, stews, teas anything warm to heat me up. I'm trying to be more mindful about maintaining a high raw diet (even in the cold) - so right now spicy dishes especially curries are a favourite.



Basic Raw Curry Sauce 

• 2 large zucchinis (peeled)
• 1/4c of soaked cashews
• 1t of maple syrup
• 3-4T of curry paste (I like green but go with whatever you like)
• 3T of coconut oil  (melt over v low heat - will melt at body temp)

Toss all in a vitamix or high speed blender pulse until well mixed. Serve over rice, lightly steamed veggies (cauliflower and broccoli is really good or quinoa and raisins for a warming high raw meal.

A little more heat Raw Curry Sauce

• 1 clove garlic minced
• 2 large zucchinis (peeled)
• 1c of Coconut Milk (not the canned kind - the Milk kind) - - or almond milk if you can't find coconut - * if you use almond throw in a couple of tablespoons of shredded coconut
• 2T of yellow curry paste or powder (I prefer the paste)
• 2T of Avocado or Olive Oil
• 1/4 small spanish onion chopped
• 1/2C of soaked cashews 
• 1/2t of cayenne (1/4 if you don't like things too spicy)
• 1t maple syrup
• 4T of white wine (fine without - amazing with)

Same as above give it all a good blending until smooth in a high speed blender

Tomato Raw Curry Sauce

• 2T of Olive Oil
• 1/2 Medium onion chopped
• small thumb of ginger peeled
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• 1/2t of tumeric
• 1t of ground cumin
• 1t of yellow curry powder (to taste)
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1/2t of maple syrup
• 1 small green chilli
• 1/2 a lemon squeezed

Blend all together until very well until smooth in a high speed blender. This is great over cooked potatoes and raw peas or with rice. This would probably be really tasty over zucchini pasta but, I haven't tried it yet.

Raw Thai Red Curry

• 2 red chilies (sliced in half tops off)
• 3 green onions
• 1/2 red pepper
• zest of one lime
• thumb of ginger
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 piece of fresh coconut meat (if you have it - shredded is okay if you don't about 3T)
• 1tsp of fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 a lime juice (squeeze)
• 1T of Olive Oil
• 1/2 Cup of Coconut Milk

Blend blend blend!

Copying, Copyright and a fair amount of POedness

I found a posting on another blog that is a reposting of my blog post on mineral makeup (I know a weird thing to steal) - alone a reposting would not upset me however this site is trying to sell cosmetic procedures/products that have NOTHING to do with me. I'm not sure what kind of scam this is but, it looks like a fake blog where the person is reposting other bloggers material in an attempt to draw people in to looking at their products/services... If you blog google yourself  - if you find something similar report it to google they take this sort of thing seriously and will investigate it for you.

Buddha's Delight (rawish) Recipe - Happy Chinese New Year!

I've taken a traditional Buddhist veggie dish that is commonly served on New Year's day and modified it so it is high raw.

• 1C fresh mushrooms sliced or whole (straw mushrooms are great in this)
• small can of bamboo shoots (drained)
• small can of water chesnuts (drained) 
• 2 large carrots shredded
• 1c green cabbage shredded
• 1/2 cup fresh peas (uncooked)
• 1 knob of ginger
• 4T Braggs Liquid Amenos
• 2T Maple Syrup
• 3T Apple Cider Vinegar
• 3T sesame oil
• 1T Dark Miso Paste
• 1clove garlic

Mince ginger and garlic and mix with maple syrup, plum vinegar sesame oil, liquid amenos & miso paste.  Toss all veggies mix well and let marinate for at least 2 hours. Serve over Rice or noodles.

Full Moon In Cancer ~ Wolf Moon

The focus of this moon is on water and transitory states. Certain feelings about life path, direction and the need to tell people where you are coming from and what you are thinking come to the surface with this moon. Ambition, creativity and emotions are very connected right now listen to your gut feelings about the direction your life should be going in. If you are unhappy with the path you are on think carefully and take action now is the time to put your plans into action. Try to let things develop naturally and not to rush headlong into action. Plan, plan then plan some more then act. Enjoy the place you are in now knowing you are seeding new ideas by taking small decisive actions daily to reach your new goals.

Mineral Makeup

Berry Blue Toes Apothecary is making - mineral makeup! So excited. I will be offering sample packs for cheap soon soon. Check the apothecary link for more details