Archive for ‘Natural Health’

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May 13, 2013

Plant Revolution

When growing food is an act of rebellion it is time for a revolution!image

How can anyone think they can create a better design than nature?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/04/10/f-gmo-genetically-modified-foods-consumers.html

How can we let companies patent life?  Genetically Modified Organisms GMOs are here in Canada and  the public remains largely unaware of it.

Everyone has the right to know what is in the food they eat. Everyone has a voice and a choice and I want to know what I am eating. People shouldn’t have to go to such great lengths to discern between what is or isn’t organic natural food.  Take away the patent on life and then the label debate is dead.

It is a time for a Grow Your Own Food revolution! I know some people don’t even have access to healthy organic food and that it is too expensive. I understand that not everyone has a green thumb or the resources  to grow some food that is why I think community gardens are important. Community gardens on every corner should be more popular than fast food outlets.

There are rooftop gardens, Aquaponics, hydroponics, square foot gardening, container gardening and all kinds of new exciting Eco designer ideas.  The world needs more permaculture, which is basically working more with nature instead of the monoculture mainstream, which works against nature and is unsustainable.

If you can’t grow your own support local farmers as much as possible.

Buy heirloom seeds and organic as much as you can.

You can’t get more fresh and local than home-grown! Even growing herbs or sprouts in a jar increases flavour and nutrition of meals.

Please sign the petition below against Monsanto the American company behind creating poisons that threaten bee populations, the banning of nature and creation of genetically modified seeds and foods.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/monsanto_vs_mother_earth_loc/?faqemab&pv=44

Join The Plant Revolution! Grow your own food and herbs as much as you possibly can! If you can’t try to avoid buying from the companies that use Monsanto products.

Join the March against Monsanto worldwide.

https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonstanto?ref=ts&fref=ts

Please sign this petition no matter where you live, this is a world wide threat against humanity and nature.

 

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Posted in Gardening, Natural Health, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

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May 9, 2013

Raw Vegan Gluten Free Orange Blackberry Fig Tart

I am so impressed with how easy and delicious raw vegan desserts are, as well as being healthy and nutritious. This orange blackberry fig tart reminds me of fig newtons a bit. If you like fresh figs and fruit this one is for you!

image

I like this tart because it was really fast and easy and if “you are what you eat” I will choose this kind of tart any day.

Raw Vegan Gluten Free Orange Blackberry Fig Tart Recipe

Fruit Topping:

1 cup of figs halved and scoop out the flesh

1 cup of blackberries

1 Tablespoon of agave nectar maple syrup or sweetener of your choice

1/2 teaspoon of organic orange peel zest, or 1 drop of orange essence or organic essential oil.

1/2 vanilla bean split and inside scraped out or 1/2 teaspoon of real vanilla extract

I brought vanilla beans back from Mexico which is the only place the orchid bee lives to  pollinate the vanilla orchid flowers. All other vanilla plants in the rest of the world are hand pollinated.

Mix all ingredients together and let marinate while you prepare the crust.

Crust:

1 cup of almond meal ( I used raw skinned almonds that I had soaked to make almond milk and then made ground almond meal with it)

4 pitted cut up dates

1 Tablespoon agave nectar maple syrup or sweetener of your choice

1 teaspoon coconut oil

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of pink Himalaya salt

Blend ingredients together until it starts to stick together. Add more agave nectar or coconut oil if it needs to stick together more.

Grease the pans you are going to use for the tarts with coconut oil. Use a coconut oiled spoon or wet hands to press crust into an 8 or 9 inch tart pan or use mini spring form cheesecake pans or mini ramekins for each serving.

Spread filling over pressed crust. You can grate more orange zest over the top if desired.

Eat it right away or refrigerate it until ready. Enjoy dare I say healthy desserts!

Posted in Natural Health, Recipes | 2 Comments »

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May 6, 2013

Edible Flowers

There are many edible flowers that are delicious and nutritious. Flowers have flavonoids which is a powerful antioxidant group that is responsible for the colour of the plants. Antioxidants also help protect the plant against stressors and protects our cells as well when we eat them.

Violas have a mild sweet fresh flavour and flowers are always best used fresh. Put in tea or toss raw in salads and add as a garnish to brighten any dish.

Viola

Viola

Learn more about Violas or Violets here >>> http://earthelixir.ca/2012/04/19/sweet-violets/

Besides stuffing squash and zucchini flowers with soft nut cheeses use other flowers like Nasturtiums and stuff them with herbal soft nut cheeses or thick dips. Nasturtiums are also a great addition to salads and the flower buds are pickled like capers, they have a real spicy flavour.

There are also many other flowers to use as a garnish or add to a salad. Flowers are better eaten raw because they are too delicate to cook and will lose nutrition and flavour.

There are also edible herb flowers that make an attractive garnish like chive flowers which look great floated in soups or added to salads. Add Mint flowers like bee balm, peppermint, spearmint, oregano, thyme, hyssop, rosemary to drinks and salads and they also make attractive and pleasant smelling garnish. Get creative with combinations.

Pansies look like Violas but don’t have much flavour like Violas do. They do make beautiful decorations for cakes, desserts and salads though.

Carnations have a sweet clove like flavour that makes it a nice addition to chai tea or desserts.Dianthus   Sunflower petals have a nutty flavour that make a nice colourful cheery addition to salads. image

Marigold/Calendula have a mild citrus fresh flavour and have brilliant orange yellow petals that remind me of saffron and are used in the same way. Use in desserts, salads, drinks and sprinkle on rice after cooking. There are so many varieties with varying flavours. I like these petite French citrus one I grow,  it packs flavour taste.

Calendula

Calendula

Learn more about Calendula here >>> http://earthelixir.ca/herbs/calendula/

Lavender is used a lot in dessert recipes and the flavour is still strong even after baking with it.

trees 031Learn more about Lavender here >>> http://earthelixir.ca/2012/07/12/lavender/

Dandelion flowers are best known for use in making dandelion wine. Pickle the buds like capers. Young flowers are used in salads but old ones might need to be steamed for a minute or two.

dandelion wineLearn more about Dandelions here >>> http://earthelixir.ca/herbs/dandelion/

Wild roses are beautiful in drinks, salads or desserts.

backyard bliss 048 - CopyLearn more about roses here >>> http://earthelixir.ca/2012/06/04/roses-for-you/

Posted in Gardening, Herbs, Natural Health, Recipes, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

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April 29, 2013

Tips for Getting Summer Body Ready

beachy

 

1. Accept yourself. We are all imperfectly perfect and perfectly imperfect, just accept all the things that you think are flaws. The mirror reflects the whole picture. What parts are you concentrating on? Are you fixated on a mole or wrinkle while not getting any exercise? Focus your awareness and free yourself from self-criticism while still taking proper self-care. Don’t hold yourself to others ideals about what they think beauty is. Everyone has natural beauty.
2. Stop caring what other people might think about you. True happiness is to be yourself away from the negative constraints and limits of others. True freedom is not letting others weigh you down with their Issues. Surround yourself with positive people who not only accept you for who you are, but encourage and support you.
3. Become immune to criticism. Look behind where the criticism is coming from and what is motivating it. Realize their fixation on weight, a mole or wrinkle is their body issue and it has nothing to do with you. Realize this is their projection and don’t take it personally. Some people just want to feel superior at any cost. Wear your stretch marks from having children like a badge of honour, some women can’t experience the miracle of giving birth. Women are not dolls. Everyone has wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite, moles, so remember be kind to each other we are all human.
4. Eat a diet high in natural organic plant-based foods and avoid gluten, refined sugar, processed fake ingredients and unnatural foods. Eat food as medicine and you will look and feel great!
5. Stay consistently active for healthy mind and body balance. Do yoga, bike, walk in nature, dance or join a sports team or group to help encourage you. You will be more motivated if you are having fun and have other people around you that are enjoying it too. You don’t have to be “beach bikini summer body” ready to enjoy the beach! Being active on the beach creates “beach bodies.”

You are now bathing suit summer body ready! Go out and enjoy yourself!

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April 23, 2013

Boneset Herb

2. White Boneset, july 27 03

Boneset is a native to the Ontario region, but is less common in the northern part of the province in Canada. Boneset grows together with the two species of gravel root or joe-pye but Joe-pye grows in the south-western corner of the province. Both grow in wetlands, riverbanks, marshes and lakes and prefer open sunny areas. Joe-pye root and boneset herb are both wetland plants that boost the immune system.

2. White Boneset, July 27 2003Boneset is easy to identify because of the joined leaves around the stem that are paired opposite. In this picture of white boneset the white flowers are just about to bloom. It is best known for treating fevers and in Traditional Chinese Medicine it treats all three stages of fever, Tai Yang, Shao Yang, Yang Ming. Called boneset not because it knits and repairs bones like comfrey but because it is used for deep, aching bone pain like rheumatic typhoid and “bone breaking fever.” It is extremely bitter, cooling and drying while stimulating the liver and digestion. Caution is advised! This plant is becoming increasingly endangered due to destruction of wetland habitat and over harvesting.

Common Name  Boneset herb
Latin Name  Eupatorium perfoliatum
Family Asteraceae (Aster)
Parts Used Perennial- leaves and flowers
Target Organs immune, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, liver, stomach, throat
Common Uses Immune respiratory: stimulates immunity against infections. Used for fevers, dengue, malaria, colds, coughs, flu, infections, catarrh, sore throat, toxicity, Digestion: liver congestion, constipation, upset stomach, indigestion, gas, bloating Nervous system: debility, pain, neuralgia,
Properties Anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory(local, systemic) anti-infective, antimicrobial, antineoplastic, antirheumatic, aperient, appetite stimulant, astringent, bitter,  cholagogue, choleretic, digestive stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, immune stimulant, febrifuge, nervine, relaxant, stomachic, tranquilizer, peripheral vasodilator, vulnerary
Constituents polysaccharides, flavonoids: quercetin, rutin, astragalin, hyperoside, inulin, sterols, vitamin D1, galic acid, essential volatile oil, glucosidal tannin, tannic acid, diterpenes, bitter glycoside: eupatorin, sesquiterpenes lactones, fatty resin,
Cautions Medium strength: Only use dried herb. Avoid high doses long term use. May cause diarrhoea, vomiting in high doses. Low doses short term use for acute infections. Should not be used by pregnant, nursing women, infants and children under the age of ten. Use in formulation up to 25% for no more than 1 week or two. 
Dosage Tincture: 1-3ml                Dried herb Tea infusion: 3-8g cold infusion for exhaustion and acute fever

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April 23, 2013

Gravel root/Joe-Pye Herb and Root

1. Spotted-joe-pye-weed, Aug 24 2003

Joe-pye or Gravel Root (Eupatorium purpureum) is related to the north american species boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) and chinese orchid grass (Eupatorium Pei Lan). Sometimes Gravel root is called purple boneset, but do not confuse the two, they are a related but are a different species. Gravel root grows in moist conditions like boneset does, but Gravel root is best known for its use as a urinary tonic, and boneset for its amazing ability to treat fevers.

Joe pye regulates fluid metabolism and addresses toxicity by moving it out of the kidney bladder urinary system. It has pain-relieving and cooling properties, making it good to use for urinary infections and painful urination. It is also used to harmonize the reproductive system for both sexes.

1. Spotted-joe-pye-weed, Aug.24 03Spotted Joe-pye (Eupatorium maculatum)

1. Spotted-joe-pye-weed, August 24 03         Spotted Joe-pye herb growing in Canada.

Common   Name  Joe Pye / Gravel root
Latin Name  Eupatorium   maculatum/ purpureum
Family Asteraceae
Parts Used perennial herb   blooms summer, harvest top part  summer   later part/fall root
Target Organs Urinary,   prostate, reproductive
Common Uses Urinary system: all   urinary prostate conditions, prostate urinary tonic, gout, rheumatism,   urinary incontinence, stones, oedema,    cystitis,Reproductive tonic: both sexes, delayed irregular
Properties prostate urinary   tonic, diuretic, antiseptic, antilithic, relaxant, anaesthetic, astringent,   antirheumatic
Constituents .07% volatile   oil, resin, yellow flavonoids: euparin, eupatorin; oleoresin eupurpurin,   saponins, tannins, essential oil, calcium oxalate, albuminoids, wax
Cautions mild remedy use   caution with dryness present, best used with urinary demulcents
Dosage Tincture:  2-4 mls take formulationRoot decoction   6-12g: 1-2 tsp 10 min

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April 19, 2013

Greater Celandine Herb

herba 006Greater Celandine is a very hardy perennial that likes moist woodlands and transition areas. It is a native to subarctic Eurasia and became established throughout Eastern North America.

I grew Celandine from seed and transplanted in the garden not knowing what an aggressive invasive it was, but it is pretty and definitely shade tolerant.

I have lots of celandine medicine now after “weeding” a little. The stems ooze a yellow latex that stains. The latex is used to get rid of warts, and any skin condtions, injuries or infections.  Harvest the top 50% just before or when it flowers in May or June, or use the leaves anytime. It is a potentizing herb that is best used in an herbal formulation mixed with demulcents and soothing herbs to counter any skin, mucus membrane irritations. Caution is strongly advised.

Common Name  Celandine (Greater) herb/ flowers/ root
Latin Name  Chelidonium majus
Family Papaveraceae (Poppy)
Parts Used Perennial – herb/ flower- May- June root-fall
Target Organs Digestion, liver/gallbladder, spleen,
Common Uses Liver/ gallbladder: infections, gallstones, spasms, jaundice, hepatitis,  Digestive conditions : IBS, constipation, digestive disturbances,Spleen conditions: dysfunction digestion

 Skin/Immune: infections, skin conditions, spasms, warts, rhematic conditions, cancer (especially skin, stomach, colon, liver)

Secondary use for soft tissue injuries and coughs
Properties antineoplastic, anodyne, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antihepatotoxic, hepatic, bronchodilator, stimulating cardiac, diaphoretic, hypotensive, immune stimulant, narcotic, pancreatic, sedative, spleenic, uterine stimulant, vulnerary,  diuretic, antispasmodic, purgative, anti-inflammatory, depurative, appetite stimulant, laxative, cholagogue, purgative, 
Constituents Isoquinoline alkaloids: chelidonine, sanuinarine, berberine,  allocryptopine, sparteine, stylopine, chelamine, magnoflorine, crytopine, chelerythine, protopine, coptisine; organic acids: chelidonic, malic, citric acid, flavonoids, essential oil, saponins, proteolytic acid, carotenoids, latex,
Cautions Do not use in pregnancy, lactation or for infants. Fresh herb may cause irritations to mucus membranes. Large doses may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Berberine can cause depressed heart function and chronic low pressure with long term use. Dried herb has less caution, but fresh is best used in a formulation up to 25% with combined demulcents. Do not exceed 2-3 month use.
Dosage Formulation Tincture: 2-4ml              Dried  Tea: 2 tsp 10 min

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April 12, 2013

How to Treat a Bee, Ant, Wasp Sting Naturally

Treating Ant, Bee, Wasp Stings Naturally 

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Remove stinger if present. Baking soda neutralizes the formic acid of the sting. An acid and a base neutralize and balance each other. Formic acid is present in bee, wasp stings and ant bites and stinging nettle stings.

Peppermint essential oil will help ease pain and inflammation while providing antiseptic action along with baking soda to balance the ph level. Lavender and tea tree essential oil work well too.

Recipe:

Mix 2 drops of Peppermint, or Tea tree, Lavender essential oil

with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and enough water or witch hazel to form a paste.

You can add a bit of white clay if available, it help absorbs toxicity.

***If a bee sting allergy is present go to a hospital immediately, anaphylactic shock can be fatal.

Ants usually bite and don’t leave a stinger like a bee or wasp does, but if it does leave a stinger in, remove it as fast as you can no matter how! And then treat it with this baking soda recipe as fast as you can. It is important to remain calm. Put baking soda on right away while creating essential oil baking soda paste.

bee copy

Posted in Aromatherapy, Natural Health, Recipes, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

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April 10, 2013

DIY Aromatherapy Bath Recipes

wild rose hearts

 

Aromatherapy Bath Recipe:

Mix together

½ cup baking soda,

1 cup Epsom salts,

½ sea salt, Dead sea salt or Himalayan salt 

5-10 drops of essential oil

Good for sore muscles, aches, pain and stress

Good essential oil combinations:

Black spruce and Lavender

Frankincense and Mandarin

Add ½-1 cup of mixture to each bath. Relax and enjoy!

Epsom salts increase magnesium levels in the body, which relaxes muscles,   removes lactic and uric acid, and decreases pain and spasms.

Himalayan and Dead Sea salts are for heavy detoxification, fluid balance, and treating infections and skin conditions. ***If you take a salt bath rinse off afterwards.

Baking soda helps prevent the toxins from re-absorbing.

Use this mixture as a body scrub if no bathtub is available.

Foot and Hand baths:  Soak hands or feet in essential oils with medium of your choice. Good to do if you have no bathtub.

Clay bath: Mix ¼- ½ cup of clay with 5-10 drops of essential oils.

lav doc

Directions:

First draw the bath to the ideal temperature. Close windows and doors.

Mix essential oils with the medium of your choice like Epsom salts, himalayan or sea salt, baking soda, clay or any type of milk or oil and put in the bath.

Caution with Essential Oils in the Bath

Do not use essential oils undiluted in the bath, they will float on top of the water because they are not water-soluble, and may cause skin irritation. Dilute 5-7 drops of essential oil in a medium such as carrier oil, bath gel, clay, nutmilk, baking soda, Epsom or bath salts.

Caution: When using carrier oil in the tub it becomes very slippery so make sure you don’t slip and fall. Clean the tub after each use or a greasy ring will build-up when using carrier oil.

Excerpt taken from my ebook Essential Oils and the Five Elements

Posted in Aromatherapy, Health conditions, Natural Health, Recipes, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

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April 9, 2013

DIY Chocohemp Milk Recipe

I am back from a nice spring break and I have been busy making all kinds of yummy elixirs. I love experimenting with all kinds of juicy drink combinations!
I wish I had this version of chocolate milk growing up instead of the artificial powder versions available. This dairy free recipe is so delicious and nutritious that I actually like chocolate milk now! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do :)

eelixir

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