Herbal Tea Blend for Menopause Relief

 I am trying to embrace the idea that menopause is simply a rite of passage into the next 50 years of my life.!  While I may feel out of control on several new things going on with my body, the one thing that I am gaining control over is hot flashes/flushes, and night sweats.  When they began a few months ago, they were extremely uncomfortable and annoying.  I did some research on adding more cooling herbs to my daily teas/infusions.  I made my blend based on recommendations by Dr. John R. Christopher, Rosemary Gladstar and Susun Weed.  This tea is a delicious herbal medicine chest that I made to suit my needs and tastes.

Red Clover-I wish I had this herb growing wild nearby (I did find a field in the mountains, and wished I could go and gather)!  Since I can't get it fresh, I order from MountainRoseHerbs and use it dried.  Red Clover is high in phytoestrogens, it is a lymphatic cleanser, and has been said to be an anti-cancer remedy for women.  I love the way it smells and tastes!

Blessed Thistle-is wonderful for inflammation and easing headaches. It strengthens the brain and heart, as well as purifying the liver.

Oatstraw-This is a great tonic for the whole system. It is known as a restorative nerve tonic, and it is rich in calcium, iron and magnesium.

Black Cohosh-A popular menopausal treatment as it is both a stimulant and a relaxant for the female system. I used the roots and they have a bitter flavor, that I don't really care for. Therefore I am making a tincture of the roots so next time I make a batch of this tea, I will omit it.

Orange and Lemon peels-Whenever we buy organic citrus, I save the peels, dry them and add them as a flavor enhancer to my teas.  Of course they are rich in vitamin C, and that's always a good thing.

Blessings,
Joanna

--Four Thieves Vinegar--Use summer herbs for preventing or beating winter illness

I love that our garden is providing us with so many fresh herbs this year!  Thank you Lord for the rain and sunshine! All winter and spring, I enjoyed the Four Thieves Vinegar that I made last year.  I either like to take a spoonful of it in a bit of warm water, or add a spoonful to my salads, cooked greens, or rice dishes.
The legend of the four thieves dates back to medieval days.  It is said that during the plague, four men were robbing the homes of those sick and dying.  Somehow they managed to survive and avoid the disease.  They were believed to be wearing rags around their faces that were soaked in vinegar and herbs.  The powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties warded off the plague!
Today, we can use the vinegar to boost our immunity and keep colds at bay.
Always use apple cider vinegar that is with the mother...I use Braggs.

• Combine fresh herbs from your garden including:          thyme
•                                                                                          oregano
•                                                                                          basil
•                                                                                          sage
•                                                                                          lavender
•                                                                                          garlic

Fill a quart jar 1/2 to 3/4 with herbs and cover with ACV

The picture is tilted, but the herbs should be completely submerged in the vinegar.  Allow to infuse for 4-6 weeks in a dark area.  Remember to shake occasionally.
Once your herbs have infused, strain and store in a glass bottle.  It will keep on your counter for at least a year.  It will help you make it through long, cold winters with little illness, and it tastes really good.  Of course, you can always make a drink with the vinegar and equal amounts of honey as well.
Hope you make some now for the coming winter.
Blessings,
Joanna

Easy recipe-Lavender, Rosemary and Sunflower seed crackers

     I really love the scents of rosemary and lavender in my lotions, soaps and various medicinal concoctions.  Besides applying these as essential oils, there is another great way to fill your home with the scents of herbs...bake with them!  Not only does this make a nice, naturally gluten free snack, you also get the added benefits of lavender and rosemary.  Both of the herbs are great for digestion, and are calming and soothing to your system.
     So, I got several recipes from Pinterest for gluten free crackers, and then decided to tweak them with the ingredients that I had on hand.  They turned out really good, especially served with either Kerrygold cheese or homemade cashew butter.

Lavender-Rosemary crackers

• 1/2 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup black sesame seeds 
• 3 gloves of garlic, minced
• 1-1 1/2 Tbl of chopped fresh herbs
• 2-3 Tbl water
• 1 Tbl extra virgin olive oil
• 1-1 1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt

Lavender and Rosemary from my "apothecary"

Cover the mixture with wax paper to flatten onto a silpat

1. Using a food processor, mix the the seeds, salt and garlic until a thick paste like mixture is formed (it took 45 seconds)
2. Add the herbs, water and oil and pulse several times
3. Slowly add the water 1 Tbl at a time and pulse until mixed and a "dough" forms (it took about 20 seconds)
4. Put the mixture on a silpat, or parchment paper, and cover with wax paper or parchment paper and roll with a rolling pin to about 1/4" thickness
5. I couldn't get mine completely square, but it doesn't really matter
6. Bake in a preheated 375* oven for 15-20 minutes, then carefully flip the crackers over and score lightly with a knife.  Turn the oven off and  reset the pan into the oven for 5-8 minutes more until dry in the middle and slightly golden in color

     I hope you give these a try, please let me know if you do.  What other homemade crackers have you tried?

Many Blessings,

Joanna

DIY anti-itch treatment...prepare now for the bugs of spring!

     Now is the perfect time to start a batch of anti-itch treatment.  We all know that with spring comes a multitude of biting bugs!   I know that all of God's creatures serve a purpose, but that doesn't mean that we have to like it when they decide to bite, sting or use our skin as a personal playground!
 
It is so easy to make a nice, relieving remedy for the annoying itch that accompanies these possible attacks.  It all starts with fresh herbs and witch hazel.  I order the chamomile from mountainroseherbs.com, and the rosemary and the lavender are from last summer's garden. ( I buy the witch hazel at the drugstore).  Simply fill a pint sized glass jar with about a half a cup of each herb, and then cover with witch hazel.  No need to measure, I just give a small handful.  Put it in a sunny window for about 10 days, or put away from direct light for 3 weeks.  After it has infused, you will need to strain it, and then the infused liquid will be a life saver when applied to an itch!  Simply store in a glass jar and apply to the skin with a cotton ball, it will remain fresh for at least 6 months (I have never had any left after that amount of time, so it may be fresh even longer).

Chamomile, Rosemary and Lavender





http://newbeginningsglutenfreeherbal.blogspot.com/2013/07/homemade-antibiotic-skin-cream.html

I added the link above to my homemade antibiotic cream just in case you need that for different skin irritations.  Do you make any of your own remedies, I would love to hear about them!

The properties of these herbs work well for the anti-itch, and/or pain from a sting, but you could use different combinations depending on what you have.  Lavender is good for literally everything, chamomile is very soothing to the skin, and rosemary is an analgesic.  Let me know if you've tried other herbs that work well for you!

Many Blessings,

Joanna

Quick, easy and hearty gluten and grain free lunches

     On this long journey to regain my health, I have been experimenting with "paleo" ideas, as well as "elimination diet" ideas.  I really love my go to lunch of either a sandwich,  re-heated leftovers, or scrambled eggs.  However, this is my 3rd week on an elimination diet, so I am skipping the eggs and gluten free bread right now.  I also love quinoa or brown rice for quick lunches, but right now they are out too.  So, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite and most filling lunches.

Salmon patties with wilted cabbage.

First off, I love salmon patties made with quinoa flakes and eggs as the binder.  Being grain free and egg free right now, I made them with coconut, almond flour and mashed sweet potatoes they were just as good!  

**I use a pouch of Chicken of the Sea salmon

    add one baked, mashed sweet potato

    add any chopped veggies on hand (I use shredded carrots and/or bell peppers)

    Add chopped garlic, and onion if desired, I used roasted garlic this time...yum!

    I added about 2 Tbl each of coconut, and almond flours (I don't actually measure, just look for                     consistency)

**Make into patties and fry in coconut oil 

**I saute'd purple cabbage, jalapeno peppers, and carrots as a side dish...simply cut thin, saute in coconut         oil, and add spices of your choice, salt and pepper

Pan fried chicken thigh

Pickled beet salad

For my second favorite, quick lunch, I like chicken and a hearty salad.

**Dredge a thigh in a mixture of 1/4 cup coconut flour, pinch each of cayenne, garlic powder, onion                  powder, thyme, salt and pepper.

    Fry in coconut oil until done and crispy on the outside

**Make a salad of your choice... mine featured spinach and some pickled beets that I made this fall

I hope you try these easy lunches, and let me know how you like them!  

Many Blessings,

Joanna

So many projects, so many happy days!

Elderberry gummies

Jewelry I'm making

I have been so busy making yummy new gluten free foods, and Paleo inspired foods.  I have made so many things that ended up being fantastic, and therefore added to my favorites cookbooks.  I will one day get around to putting them each on this blog, but at the time that I made them, I simply made pictures and posted them on Google+!  

Hubby and I found new hobby...home roasting coffee beans

Lip balm

Mark and I received 4 lbs of green coffee beans from Santa this Christmas, and we have fallen in love with roasting our own beans!  Then last week when my birthday rolled around, he gave me a home steamer, so that it's easy to have fresh cappuccinos everyday!

Stove top steamer!  

I always make time to supply myself and my family with homemade lotions, lip balms and vitamins. Recently I added a new  passion...one of making jewelry out of broken pieces!  So, for now, I have many irons in the fire, and plan to share some of my favorite findings soon.  Many blessings, Joanna

Gluten free, Dairy free Pumpkin Bread Muffins

     Now that fall has arrived, I find myself burning my favorite candles all day: pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and Christmas cookie.  I made a new batch of body scrub using pumpkin pie spice and vanilla, and I made a room spray of cinnamon and clove essential oils.  Now with all the scents of fall, I am craving the tastes as well!

     Now since I have to be gluten free, I had a hard time finding recipes that featured ingredients that I had on hand.  As I've said before, when the mood strikes me, I have to bake right then!  So, if some ingredients aren't available, I substitute.  Many times such substitutions aren't good, and I consider the attempt a fail.  However, other times I am very happy with the results, and this was such a time!

     

      I had originally shared a post about making the muffins with a cream cheese glaze, but I didn't want to use as much sugar as it seemed to take to make it taste good, so I omitted it, and stayed with the basic muffin.  If you don't mind the sugar, I'm sure it would be fabulous with cream cheese frosting!

     As I said in that post, I combined recipes from +Martha Stewart , +Jules Shepard , +Bob's Red Mill ,and one of my Grandmother's old church cookbooks.  I'm sure that any one of these would be great standing alone, but I didn't have all the ingredients I needed, and/or the recipe wasn't gluten free, so here is what my resulting recipe is:

• 6 Tbl. Earth Balance butter
• 1 1/2 Tbl. molassas
• 1 1/4 cups Sugar in the Raw
• 2   eggs
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 1 cup of pumpkin puree, plus 2 Tbl. of pear or apple butter
• 1 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten free flour blend
• 3/4 tsp Xanthan gum
• 1/2 cup Almond flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking solda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 
  

1. Preheatr oven to 350* and oil a muffin pan, or 4 mini loaf pans
2. Cream the butter, molasses, and sugar
3. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well
4. Add orange juice, pumpkin puree, and pear or apple butter, mix well
5. Sift all dry ingredients together in another bowl
6. Slowly add the pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients bowl, stir well
7. Add dried fruits
8. Spoon into prepared pans
9. Bake 4 mini loaves 45 min. or until done in middle, and muffins 25-30 min. or until done in the middle.
10. Cool 10-15 minutes and turn out

     These were very moist and made the house smell as warm and inviting as my fall candles!  The best part was enjoying a muffin and a cup of Russian Tea.  I love the fall!!!

Many Blessings,

Joanna