Kristen

Bouquet Garni Traditional Herbs

by

Yesterdy I gave a class on culinary and medicinal herbs at my son’s middle school, and one of the crafts we made was a bouquet garni. I learned a lot of folklore while prepping the class, and thought it would be worth sharing it here too. I just adore the old symbolic language of herbs and flowers which speaks to the deep significance and intertwining relationship of herbs to humanity. The range of health benefits in herbs and spices generally known simply for their flavoring amazes me too. If there is one thing that is for certain, it is that adding more herbs into daily meals can not only enhance the food, but also your health. When in doubt, spice things up!

A bouquet garni is a bundle of herbs that can be used in soups, sauces, beans, casseroles, etc, to not only add flavor but also impart healing benefits. All of the traditional herbs used have digestive benefits, plus a lot more. The most basic traditional blend is Bay leaf, Thyme, and Parsley, with optional herbs such as Rosemary, Oregano, and Basil. These can be wrapped in the outer layer of a leek, or tied together in a bundle (hence the word bouquet) with cooking twine, or the dried herbs can be used in a muslin bag.

Thyme was used in ancient Greek and Roman times to symbolize warrior type bravery. It was given to warriors before going to battle to keep them courageous, and it was given to them afterwards to show appreciation for their valiant bravery. During the Middle Ages, ladies embroidered thyme on knights’ tunics to impart courage, and the knights also would put fresh thyme in their armor. It has also been used traditionally to cure nightmares by putting a sprig of dried thyme underneath a pillow. The health benefits of thyme have traditionally been mostly for the respiratory system, helping coughs and sore throats especially. It has also been used for digestive system support. It also is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal which means it actually reinforces the body’s defense systems. Thyme syrup is a traditional remedy for coughs and colds, and can still be found in supplements today. Hippocrates even had a recipe involving thyme for bronchitis: 2 cups water with 3 T thyme, steep 10 minutes then drink twice/day.

Bay laurel has a long history of being symbolic of victory, fame, status, and scholarship and wisdom. The words ‘laureate’ and ‘baccalaureate’ have originated from the significance of laurel leaves. Additionally, laurel leaves were believed to inspire creativity, so, they were placed under the pillow at night for creative inspiration through symbolic dreams. Olympians were crowned with laurel wreaths, and graduates wore bay leaf crowns before graduation caps. Both traditions can still be seen today (do a quick image search and you will see both!) Health-wise bay laurel has a wide range of traditional benefits. It has been used as a potent antibacterial, and a strong digestive aide. The herb is also associated with easing stress, lowering inflammation, used as a diuretic, for diabetes, and also in skin care and other cosmetic products, as well as topically for sore muscles and even arthritic pain. Bay leaves are always pulled out of soups, beans, etc, before the food is eaten because the texture is not very edible.

Parsley was revered by the ancient Greeks, who considered it sacred to the dead. They made parsley garlands to honor tombs and it was also planted at burial sites. The herb was dedicated to Persephone, queen of the underworld. Romans ate it profusely and were the ones to discover it deordorized the breath after eating garlic. Traditionally used for anemia (it has more iron than spinach), digestive problems, and as a diuretic. It is full of vitamins and minerals.

Rosemary has been used from ancient times by Greeks to adorn young women, Romans used it as hedges, and Egyptians in tombs. The genus name, rosmarinus, means “dew of the sea,” because it grows near the sea in the Mediterranean region.  It is used as a brain tonic, especially for memory and is also considered stimulating to both body and mind. It is a digestive tonic, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal. It makes foods more digestible and also preserves them due to antioxidant properties.

Oregano has been used medicinally for 50,000 years according to evidence found in a noblewoman’s burial and an ancient Greek ship. It was also used as a preservative of food b/c of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is an extremely well researched herb, and is one of the most widely used on the planet. A wide range of studies have established oregano as a powerful antioxidant, antiseptic, and antibacterial agent. It has more antioxidants than any fruit of vegetable according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, with 4 times more antioxidant activity than blueberries. Oregano’s name means “mountain joy.”  Historically, oregano was often associated with good luck and happiness, which explains why it was in Greek and Roman wedding ceremonies where brides and grooms often wore crowns fashioned from oregano branches. Oregano growing on a loved-one’s grave signified a happy afterlife for the one buried.

To make the bouquet garni, simply collect these herbs, or any of them which you want to use, and tie them together with cooking twine, or if using dried herbs, simply use 1 bay leaf with 1 teaspoon each of the other herbs directly in the pot or in a muslin bag. Be sure to take the bay leaf out before eating, but the other herbs can stay in. Here’s a recommended bundle:

1 bay leaf

2 sprigs of thyme (or 1 t. dried)

2 sprigs of parsley (or 1 t. dried)

2 sprigs of rosemary (or 1 t. dried)

2 sprigs of oregano (or 1 t. dried)

Tie together with cooking twine.

Put directly into soup, sauce, beans, etc, then take out before serving the food.

Unfortunately the class kept me too busy to take pictures until the very end. At that point, I was able to snap a few of the herbal mandalas they made while learning about the different parts of an herb that might be used. They all turned out so different, each one beautiful in its distinctness. A good lesson in itself. Here are 3 of the 18:

Thanks for reading! Best health to you and yours.

 

 

Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones

by

The other day I was working on some herbal crafts for a class I’ll be teaching in a couple of weeks, and things were not quite working out as I wanted. I was starting to get frustrated, and for some reason thought that trying to work out a new gluten-free, vegan scone recipe might be just the answer. It could have turned out badly, adding to the list of creative projects gone wrong, or at least sub-par, that day, but luckily, these turned out good. Really good in fact. These rival the gluten-free, vegan scones we used to be able to get at a local bakery which just closed last month, and they came together quickly~ no refrigerating the dough or anything that makes a more time consuming baking project. You can make these with butter and milk if you aren’t interested in keeping these dairy free, and two eggs will work instead of the flax meal + water. The cinnamon is optional but it gives the dough extra pizzazz. I used Bob’s Red Mill’s Gluten-Free Baking and Biscuit Mix which is a self-rising flour mix. If you don’t used Bob’s, pick another mix that is self-rising, such as Pamela’s.

Gluten-free, Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones

2 1/2 cups Gluten-Free Baking and Biscuit Mix (Bob’s Red Mill)

1/2 teaspoon of Sea Salt

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

6 tablespoons coconut oil, kept solid (room temperature)

3/4 cup coconut milk (I like unsweetened vanilla but you can use any kind of milk you wish)

2 tablespoons of flax meal mixed with 6 tablespoons of warm water (or 2 eggs)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or make your own)

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, add the water to the flax meal and set aside for about 10 minutes. In a bigger bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder until thoroughly combined. Add the coconut oil, working it in until the mixture is unevenly crumbly. There will still be a lot of loose, dry flour at this point. Whisk together the coconut milk and vanilla  with the flax mixture and then add it to the dry ingredients, along with the chocolate chips. Thoroughly mix.

3614622A-26DD-414F-A306-9725AC4019B3

Transfer the dough to a floured work surface. Gently pat and round it into a circle. Cut the dough into 8 shapes, or more for mini-scones. 

CA091EA1-8964-466E-B2D9-984234B96E82

Put the scones spaced-out evenly on the prepared pan.
WP_20190118_06_31_31_Pro

Bake the scones for 20 minutes, until they’re golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and let cool on a wire rack after first cooling about 5 minutes on the pan.

Store in the fridge in an airtight container and eat within three days, or put them in the freezer.

These scones are by far the easiest, quickest scones I’ve ever made. When you are in the mood to bake something but don’t have much time, these should definitely be on your go to easy-bake list. Please share with anyone who bakes gluten-free goodies, and subscribe for a weekly wellness post.

 

Fragrance vs. Essential Oils

by

Today I’d like to share a few minutes of my workshop on making your own natural perfumes with essential oils. What I’m sharing below explains why it is important to be conscious of the fragrances we are inundated by, and also how beneficial essential oils are to our physical, mental, and emotional bodies and to the earth as a whole. There are two main reasons I make my own body oils, perfumes, and salves~ to avoid fragrances and to enhance my overall health with essential oils. The sad truth is, there is no way to avoid fragrances completely because they are everywhere, but you can absolutely very easily avoid them in your personal care routine. By not having artificial fragrances in the products you wear on your body all day/every day, you will be taking a huge step in a cleaner, greener, healthier body and environment.

This is what the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has to say about it: –“Fragrance”: Federal law doesn’t require companies to list on product labels any of the chemicals in their fragrance mixture. Research from EWG and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals in 17 name-brand fragrance products, and none of them was listed on the label. Fragrances can contain hormone disruptors and are among the top five allergens in the world. Our advice? Look for products that disclose their fragrance ingredients. From: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/top-tips-for-safer-products/

I made the perfume pictured with vanilla extract that I’ve been curing for about four months. Once you know the proportions and the ingredients that can be used, it’s easy to then take it a step further with infusing the oil and/or alcohol with herbs for scent or other healing or aesthetic reasons, such as making rose oil for your base, or concocting a bay rum cologne. It’s extremely easy to get started right away though with simple ingredients you have in your kitchen right now. As long as you have an essential oil or two on hand, you can make yourself a perfume in less than five minutes. Here’s the quick and dirty on why limiting your exposure to artificial fragrances matters:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

To learn more, visit my workshop intro page here: https://botanical-alchemy-and-apothecary.teachable.com/p/make-your-own-natural-perfumes-with-essential-oils

Happy New Year~ I hope it’s a healthier, happier, greener year for everyone. Please share this with anyone you know who might be interested, and please subscribe for weekly wellness posts.

Cleansing for the New Year

by

This is a repost of a blog I wrote around this time last year. Happy New Year everyone.

Is anyone else ready to put away the dairy and desserts and cleanse for the New Year? I personally love a good cleanse, though I’m partial to the low-suffering kind. I know people who think it’s not a real cleanse unless you take in nothing but fresh juice and water, but that never made sense to me. Our bodies like balance, and balance by extremes is not really balance at all at the human level. Just look at how bad yo-yo dieting is for people or how hard it is on the body when there are huge weight fluctuations. Gentle detox is a way to cleanse while giving the body support to adjust, instead of shocking the body and then reeling from its effects. Of course, there is a time and place for everything and if you know what you are doing and have the right support, then by all means juice away your days. If you prefer a cleansing reboot that doesn’t leave your blood sugar levels bouncing and your mood-o-meter permanently set to hangry, keep reading for some options.

Adding powdered greens to your daily routine is one way to activate detox mechanisms in your body. While cleansing you should be drinking extra glasses of water anyway, so adding a scoop or packet to one of your glasses or bottles of water is a great way to get extra goodness. It is worth noting that some green mixes, like Paradise Herbs, are formulated for energy~

while others, like the Food Science one below, are formulated more specifically for cleansing. Greens in general, whether in a powder or in a whole fresh or cooked form, are cleansing though so an energy greens mix will still work towards detoxing your system. Both these mixes came in my New Hope Blogger Box and they are tasty as well as healthy blends, but there are of course other reputable greens out there. Just be sure to read ingredients lists thoroughly.

Adding a cup or two of detoxifying herbal tea a day is another easy way to help your body cleanse. There are plenty of blends out there, such as detox teas by Yogi and Traditional Medicinals that are as easy as boiling water. Flora makes a tea concentrate that you just pour a bit out and add hot water to. They promote their cleanse every year on Facebook so you can actually join a group of others using their product to get tips and expand your knowledge a bit into the world of detox. (Plus if you join in you just might get a coupon I believe.) They do have a dry blend as well.

If you want to do something a little more involved than greens and teas, making up a batch of kitchari is what one of my herbal teachers drilled into us as the most healing, cleansing, tri-doshic thing you could do. Kitchari is a meal from the tradition of Ayurveda that is made up of mung beans and basmati rice (brown or white depending on your preference), spices, and ghee. You can eat it once a day to support a general cleanse, or you can eat kitchari three times a day and nothing else but herbal teas for 6 days straight for a more intense detox. As with all things herbal, kitchari is a traditional dish that you can find a thousand variations for so this recipe can be modified as you like. What follows is how my herbal teacher told us to make it and it has never failed me. It’s a calming meal, easy on the digestive system, and healing.

Kitchari Recipe:

1 C mung beans

1 C brown basmati rice (my herbal teacher actually used white basmati rice, so your choice really)

1 tbsp. ghee (vegans can use coconut oil)

1 tsp. each turmeric, cumin, and coriander

After soaking the mung beans overnight (or at least 6 hours), cook them in 4 C of water until they are thoroughly soft, about half an hour.

Cook rice according to its instructions, depending on white or brown, then mix together with beans.

Warm the ghee in a sauce or sauté pan and add the spices, cooking until fragrant, about 2 minutes or so.

Mix the spices and ghee with the rice and beans and you are finished. Eat as often as you like.

I’ve never been big on resolutions, but I do like the spirit of renewal that January sweeps in. A gentle cleanse sets a nice tone for the year~ a reminder to think better, feel better, act better, and be better. Best wishes for health, fulfillment, beauty, and peace to everyone for the New Year. Please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share this with anyone who might be interested.

 

The Language of Nature

by

Wreaths, trees, and greenery find their way inside our homes near the winter solstice, which is so fitting. It’s not always easy to be outside for long in the winter months, so it seems natural that we have traditions which bring nature inside. I love the smell of fresh evergreens inside, and I also just love the fact that we still hold onto these green traditions throughout the plastic-ness and consumerism of the season. Nature has a way of communicating authenticity, and actually a whole lot more. The language of flowers, herbs, and trees is a language that used to be readily understood and I hope does not go completely extinct. It was at one time a language that was prevalent, back when nature was a part of every day life and herbs were used in all parts of life from sun up to sun down~ from the herbs used in the houses and in bedding to keep away vermin, to the food they ate, and the medicines (the only option!) that kept them alive. They used herbs in rituals, for spiritual purposes, celebration, decoration, and communication.

If that sounds strange, think about what a red rose signifies. If someone gives another a red rose or 12, they are probably not giving a token of friendship, a get-well bouquet, nor a flower of condolence, right? A red rose equals love, a very specific type of love~ romantic love. This seems to be an enduring symbol that has lasted far longer than any other plant language symbols, but it is by no means the only way that plant with symbolic meaning. Here are a couple of examples:

Thyme used to symbolize warrior type bravery. It was given to Roman soldiers before and after campaigns to wish them luck and honor their courageousness. A few hundred years later, ladies used to embroider thyme into handkerchiefs for knights going to battle. Thyme means warrior, bravery, courage.

Bay leaves used to symbolize scholarly achievement, honor, and victory. The Greeks and Romans were active in embracing this symbolism by crowning the most learned of the statesmen with bay leaf crowns, and also those with the highest status. Bay laurel even gives it’s name to baccalaureate, and also the word laureate, as in ‘Nobel Laureate’ or ‘poet laureate’ for example. If you search online, there are plenty of examples of graduates donning bay crowns even today, so at least that tradition is still alive in some way.

Since it is nearing Christmas, I thought I’d share some holiday plants with their symbolism. I found a bouquet in the book, Tussie Mussies, by Geraldine Adamich Laufer that she calls “Christmas Joy” and would make a lovely wreath as well. Also, using these same meanings, one can put together an essential oil blend with a special holiday message. The bouquet has the following in it:

Pine: Warm friendship, vigorous life, spiritual energy

Cinnamon: Love, beauty, my fortune is yours!

Burnet: A merry heart

Rosemary: Remembrance

Bedstraw: The manger

Holly Berries: Christmas joy

Cone: Conviviality, life

Another bouquet in her book celebrates the New Year. It is called, “New Years Resolutions” and has the following:

Vervain: Good fortune, wishes granted

Sumac: Resoluteness

Rue: Beginning anew

Parsley Flower: At the very beginning

Hyssop: Cleansing

Elderberry: Zeal

These bouquets or wreaths might be fun gifts to bring to some hosts over the holidays, and a conversation starter if you include the meaning of the plants used. Essential oil blends can be used instead for a longer lasting gift, and of course there are plenty of other herbs, flowers, and trees to choose from. For example, Mint, another traditional winter holiday scent, symbolizes burning love, and also wisdom and virtue. There is also an old saying: “Grow mint in your garden to attract money to your purse,” so this plant has a lot to offer in the way of New Year’s wishes.

However you celebrate the winter holidays, I hope you are filled with peace, happiness, and good health. From all accounts, I’m not the only one eager to see 2018 come to a close and hoping for a lighter and brighter year ahead. In order to embrace this dark, quiet, inner-focused time of year, I’ll be taking a wee break from posting here until January. Hopefully I’ll be back with some news on a couple of other projects I’m working on so stay tuned! All the best to all of you and see you next year! Cheers!

21E8D975-A990-4201-9B1C-CB66BEE47155[1]

Body Butter DIY

by

It’s winter (here) and almost Christmas, so it’s a perfect time to whip up some body butter for both self-care and homemade gifts. And I do mean ‘whip’ quite literally, as you can see for yourself below. This recipe is very similar to the one I shared here before, so as you can see, this is recipe is ripe for customization. Pick your solid butters and oils, add some (liquid) herbal oil, and choose your essential oils to make your own unique moisturizer.

Body Butter

1/2 C Shea Butter

1/8 C Coconut Oil

1/4 C Cocoa Butter

1/8 C Rose Oil (Olive Oil based)

10 drops Lavender

10 drops Vanilla (in jojoba oil)

10 drops Frankincense

Put all the ingredients, except for the essential oils, into a measuring cup that can go into a pot of water that will heat up to a simmer. Let the solids completely melt, then take the measuring cup out of the water and let the liquid cool. You can put the measuring cup on ice, or put it in the fridge or freezer with a clean towel on top of it. It takes a while to cool, anywhere between a half hour to an hour depending on how it is cooling (freezer or on ice or just sitting out or whatnot). If you lose track of time and find the measuring cup hours later rock solid, don’t worry, just melt it again. When the liquid starts to get a bit cloudy and feels room temperature to the touch, add the essential oils and start whipping it with an electric mixer or in a blender until it turns creamy and opaque. This could take 5-10 minutes, depending on how cool the liquid is upon starting. 

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Pour the butter into a clean jar and keep it out of heat and light for storage. This is a very emollient body butter, good for hand or foot cream, elbows, or any part of the body that is very dry. It isn’t recommended for the face though because those hard oils and butters can be pore clogging. It smells decadent and it is really fun to make something that starts off mostly solid, melts into a liquid, then whips into a totally new texture.

If you are looking for more homemade gift ideas, check out this post with a variety of ideas, or this one on making bath salts. I hope you are enjoying the season and not feeling the frenzy that this time of year can sometimes whip up. Please share with anyone who might enjoy this post and if you haven’t already, subscribe for a weekly wellness post.

Survey Incentive

by

Hello! This is just a brief post letting you know about a survey you can take involving the natural foods/products industry. The first 250 people to take it will get a $10 Amazon gift card, so if you want to do it, act fast! Here’s the link:  bit.ly/2rsd9WO Stay warm and stay well! 

Supplements and Substitutes for New Year’s Resolutions

by

That time of year is approaching where we review our habits and try to replace the ones that no longer serve us with better options. The New Hope Blogger Box had some products that will start the year off right with the intentions of better and healthier. One easy way to improve daily nutrition is to drink some powdered super foods each day. These greens from Natural Factors are fermented, organic, non-GMO, gluten free, and contain medicinal mushrooms as well as 6 grams of protein. Adding one serving of greens in the form of powdered super foods really packs a nutritious punch and could be a great habit to add in to the upcoming new year’s routines. I’ve been mixing this with water and it tastes good and…. green. Although it is very tasty to me  this way, you can always add it to juice or to smoothies or a smoothie bowl as well.

A636D237-DF8C-4249-ADE9-F1D8F184122C[1]

This immune supporting supplement from Redd Remedies features medicinal mushrooms too, which doesn’t surprise me a bit. I have a feeling medicinal mushrooms are going to start being ubiquitous in 2019 as their benefits become more well known, and supporting the immune system is one of their specialties. Immune Everyday also has the adaptogen, Ashwagandha, in it, as well as vitamin C to keep the immune system working optimally.

Probiotics are generally thought of as for gastrointestinal health, but the link between gut health and brain health has long been known and the gut is even called the ‘second brain’ in many circles. This probiotic supplement from Klaire Labs has kept that brain-gut link central in the formulation of these powdered packets. I suggest you read more about how this probiotic supports positive moods on their website, but here’s a snippet to spark your curiosity: “Target gb-X is a probiotic supplement specifically designed to support positive mood by influencing the gut-brain axis through the microbiome. It is powered by Ecologic BARRIER, a 5B CFU blend of 9 probiotic strains, that has been clinically shown to decrease overall cognitive reactivity to sad mood, rumination, negative thoughts, and aggressive thoughts.”~ from Klair Labs website.

Thinking of taming an overly enthusiastic sweet tooth in the new year? These syrups from NuNaturals are sugar free and net carb free and come in a variety of flavors. Besides being low glycemic, they are also gluten free, vegan, and non GMO, so they actually suit just about any diet, but might be an especially good find for those following a keto diet. Please share with any keto-devotees and they will surely be very grateful for a bit of sweetness in the new year.

For those wanting to reduce their soda consumption, Tohi has some tasty alternatives. These juice drinks are packed with antioxidants, have no artificial ingredients, and are invigorating without caffeine. The (only!) five ingredients on their ingredient list is as refreshing as the taste, and if you need a reminder of why antioxidants are so important, it’s because they help fight signs of aging as well as the internal wear and tear that can lead to disease. in short, antioxidants support healthy aging, healthy beauty, and a healthy immune system.

And if you missed last week’s post, it has even more supplements that can set up New Year’s resolutions for success. Here are a few of the items targeting brain health, skin health, and anxiety, but check out the whole post for more.

2283B7E9-BA02-432D-AAED-274C20A53139[1]

I hope your season is filled with joy, peace, and health for you and your loved ones. If you haven’t already, please subscribe for a weekly wellness blog post, and as always, sharing is caring. Happy Holidays!

Health and Beauty Stocking Stuffers

by

The New Hope Blogger Box of samples came just in time for the holidays, with plenty of little gift ideas to enhance health and beauty. These might just be something  you want on hand for your New Year’s resolutions as well, but I like the idea of gifting things that are healthy luxuries to make life better in some way.

CBD oil is still growing in popularity and if you are not quite sure if it’s going to get you high or not, it will not. (You can read more about CBD oil here.) It will instead do a lot of helpful things such as ease anxiety, help with aches, pains, insomnia, and more. I was actually already thinking of gifting some to people who have expressed interest in it but haven’t gotten any themselves (it’s still a tad hard to find) but you can find it at Charlotte’s Web, and as you can see below, they make other hemp products as well.

20BC9463-0706-4E1D-8460-CA3110328937[1]

This next grouping is ideal for anyone who lives in the modern world and has to use their brain at all (in other words, all of us) but especially students who really put in the hours studying and stressing, because really, being a student is hard work.

DC5E578B-5FF3-4652-93CE-DD6CF687B57A[1]

We all suffer from stress and anxiety at times, and I do mean ALL of us. I’ve done some research into everything I write about here, and anxiety in all forms is far more rampant that I had any idea of originally. I can confidently say that if you feel like you are alone dealing with some form of anxiety, you are far from alone and there are things you can take that help. There are also things you can do, like exercise and meditate, but herbs and a couple of other natural supplements are quite good at taking anxiety down to where you are functioning better. Anxie-T by the company, Life Seasons, combines well-known anti-anxiety herbs with L-theanine and GABA, all of which help ease anxiety through different paths. (L-theanine is an amino acid I also wrote about here, and GABA is a neurotransmitter I wrote about here.) And just a reminder that the CBD oil above, and any good quality CBD oil, also helps with anxiety too. There really are a lot of things out there in the natural world that can help!

0E1284F7-9762-45C7-A3FE-A6A81401DF50[1]
Anxie-T by Life Seasons
Genius Juice by the herbal company, Wishgarden Herbs, is a combination of herbs that provide clarity and focus along with what they call “clean energy” which seems to mean energy which is high quality and not ultimately draining resources which leaves one tired. In other words, these energy boosters do not rob the future to energize the present. The adaptogens in the blend are certainly known to build true energy and bring sharpness to thinking powers as well as provide stamina and long-term mental health. As I mentioned before, perfect for students but also, who doesn’t need a brain boost every once in a while?!

D2E81BDF-5B81-4084-9AC6-20F34C26C8BE[1]
Genius Juice by Wishgarden Herbs
If you have not heard of Rescue Remedy, then get ready to add a new product to your first aid kit. I think I can safely say this is the most widely used flower essence product ever, with people using it regularly for stress and anxiety for themselves and their pets, as well as for traumatic events. It is one of the rare supplements out there that is specifically known to help a person mentally, emotionally, and physically during times of trauma. Its original form is a liquid which you add to water or take directly on the tongue, but now you can find it in pastilles, or lozenges as below, and more. What better thing to have in your mouth while taking a test or waiting for an interview or for a doctor’s appointment or any other time you are especially stressed out? It’s great for after a stressful event too (such as a trauma like a car accident, a broken bone, a romantic break-up, etc) which is why it’s a great thing to keep in a first aid kit.

Rescue Remedy Plus
With B5 and B12

For those that love all things beauty-enhancing or those that might be struggling with skin issues of any sort, here are a couple of skin focused treats.

200D6B94-21E9-440E-B598-591990268F58[1]

PURENEW Professional Skin Clear Advanced Skin Care is a mouthful to say, and it’s a mouthful of supplements too! Each packet has 6 capsules of skin-food super nutrition such as antioxidants, collagen, fish oil, and more. This product is from a company called Catalo with whom I’m not familiar, but this seems to be a well-thought out product and if your New Year’s Resolution involves caring more for you skin, this will certainly start you off in the right direction.

PURENEW Skin Clear
Supplements inside

The Marine Collagen is from Nordic Naturals which is a leader in healthy oils for all ages, stages, and even for pets. Collagen helps not only skin thrive, but also supports bone and joint health as well. This collagen is sourced from cod and enhanced with vitamin C, also crucial for skin health and antioxidant protection. If you are starting to notice fine lines, wrinkles, and skin losing it’s firmness, collagen can help with all those issues and is a lot less expensive than botox.

Nordic Naturals
Marine Collagen

For those that like to be active here are a couple of things that can support that lifestyle. Country Archer has certified gluten-free, hormone free, and antibiotic free Turkey Jerky. Jerky is one of the few ways to take lean protein along wherever you go, and finding a lean and clean version like this one is even rarer.

Country Archer Turkey Jerky
High protein

Also in support of an active lifestyle, though like with stress and brain help really we can all use an energy boost every once in while, these energy tablets from PepPods are packed with nutrients and a bit of caffeine to give energy with nutritional support for stamina so again, it’s not robbing the future to energize the present. These energy tablets are gluten and sugar free, vegetarian, and gmo free.

And lastly, some Numi tea for the conscious consumer tea lovers in your life who want to support a fair trade company which takes giving back very seriously. They have organic herbal, green, white, and black teas, so a sampler is a great way to try them all.

Numi Teas
Organic, Fair Trade

Whatever you choose to do this holiday season, I hope it involves health, happiness, friends, family, and lots of joy. Peace and health to all!

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

by

Just a quick recipe this week that can be a healthy side at your Thanksgiving meal. With all the complicated foods that can be part of the meal prep, this one is thankfully straight-forward and simple with just chopping taking up most of the time. Truthfully though, we eat this dish all winter long because it’s so tasty that it’s kind of addictive actually. The garlic is really what makes it so special so add as many cloves as you like, and any kind of sweet potato works, including the ones called yams.

Before cooking
After cooking

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Leeks and Garlic

4 sweet potatoes

1 large leek

at least 6 garlic cloves but as many as you want

olive oil to cover

black pepper to taste

sea salt or seasoning salt to taste (I use the seasoning salt and it’s also really delicious with eggs, fish, and any vegetable dishes.)

Preheat oven to 425. Cut the sweet potatoes up into bite size pieces and spread on an oiled cookie sheet or use parchment paper. Spread the cut up leek on top of the sweet potatoes and place the garlic cloves all around. Pour olive oil over the veggies, just enough so each bit has been touched with the oil. There’s no need to saturate the veggies though b/c stirring will help get the oil everywhere throughout the cooking time. Salt and pepper over the entire pan sparingly b/c you can always add more afterwards. I’ve always found the garlic and the slight caramelizing that happens with the veggies in olive oil during the cooking process give more than enough flavor and have never needed to add more seasoning afterwards. Cook for about 30-40 minutes, stirring two or three times at ten minute intervals. You’ll know it’s done when the sweet potatoes are soft and there are a few brown bits on the leeks. This is also a great breakfast/brunch dish with a fried egg or two, or can be spread on a tortilla after smashing with a fork (cook for longer time for softest veggies), add cheese and have yourself a nutrient-packed vegetable quesadilla.

For those celebrating, have a great Thanksgiving. Celebrating gratitude is indeed a beautiful thing, though Thanksgiving can bring about many other feelings for people rather than thankfulness~ holiday stress, food stress, family stress, and financial stress. I hope it’s stress free for you and yours and if it does cause anxiety, reach for help and don’t be afraid to say no to traditions and expectations that aren’t resonating for you anymore.

Take care and may your season be happy, healthy, and filled with light.