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Milla Ezman

Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix

How to make an Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix & why you shouldn’t take Synthetic Supplements.

Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix

Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix Recipe

Real, whole foods are more bioavailable than any lab-created supplements, which the body has a hard time metabolizing. So if you wanna get the most out of your efforts herbs are a better way to go. Because they are recognized by the body as whole foods and are more likely to be absorbed and utilized  than a synthetic or partial substance would be.

When you think about the most basic way we sustain ourselves, what comes to mind? Right! Through nourishing foods… whole foods. Those foods include all the things God gave us to eat, fruit, veggies, seeds, nuts etc. and that also includes herbs. Herbs are plants, and all plants have vitamins and minerals. They’re meant to be consumed as food, not only for their medicinal properties. Herbs are extraordinary, Intelligent and versatile, they working with the body’s own healing systems restoring, repairing, rejuvenating and keeping it in a good condition.

Why I think, you should NOT
take synthetic Supplements:

Here’s the difference between natural and synthetic nutrients:

Natural nutrients: Obtained from whole foods in the diet.
Synthetic nutrients: Artificially manufactured isolated nutrients.

Most of the supplements available on the market today are made artificially and come in a pill, capsule, tablet, powder or liquid form. They are made to mimic the way natural nutrients act in our bodies. 
However, the production process of synthetic nutrients is completely different from the way plants create them. 

When you eat real Whole food, you’re not just consuming single nutrients, but  a whole range of vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, antioxidants, cofactors, fibers and enzymes that work in synergy for optimal absorption by the body.

Without these additional compounds, synthetic nutrients are unlikely to be metabolized in the same way as their natural counterparts.

Improper absorption of synthetic vs natural, whole foods nutrients is just one problem. One of many that you must think about especially if you considering using supplements for your kids. Harmful additives, undisclosed ingredients, fraud, you name it.
Serious Dangers of Synthetic & Unnatural Vitamins” by Dr. Philip Maffetone.

You can follow this recipe or you can mix and match your own.
If you don’t have all the herbs from the list, no worries, just use those that you have or substitute with any other ones you like. Choose the herbs that don’t need rotation or specific dosing.

Other herbs to consider adding: Plantain, Chickweed, Kale, Grape Leaves, Pumpkin seeds, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Cat’s Claw, Burdock, Lavender, Marshmallow, Slippery Elm, Fennel, Dill, Thyme, Sage, Oregano, Savory, Clove, Basil, Spruce Tips, Tarragon…

You can also make specific blends using only herbs that are beneficial for indigestion, constipation, insomnia, hypertension, anxiety, liver mix, etc.

I made this blend for my kids so that I have a quick and easy remedy that can support balance and health of the brain, the liver, the heart, kidneys, digestion and the immune system in one shot!

You can use in many ways. Mix it in water or juice, add it to smoothies or hide in applesauce. Naturally, it does alter the flavor of whatever you add it too so if you really don’t care for the flavor, you could always lower the dose until you get used to the taste or add tiny amounts to few different things. For example, I would add a little bit in the smoothie, then dust some on a salad, soup, stew. Add it into your baking (bread, pancakes…) So, throughout the day it adds up to the correct dose and your body constantly receiving trace amounts of it.

Another idea if you have to convince your kids to eat it is to make an Herbal Candy (for my recipe click HERE).

I recommend taking 1-3 teaspoons of the Herbal Multivitamin Ground Blend in 8 oz of water or other beverages daily. Use with caution during pregnancy or nursing.

Recommended dose:
kids 2-6yo – 0.5 to 1 tsp a day;
kids 6-12yo – 1.5 tsp a day;
adult dose – 2-3 tsp a day.

Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix Recipe:

5 from 1 vote
organic herbal multivitamin drink mix
Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix

This Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix Recipe a is a nutritional blend of many traditional beneficial herbs. Properly grown organic herbs are a great source of bioavailable, whole-food vitamins, minerals, enzymes and micronutrients that are easily recognized and metabolized by the body. Use it to replenish nutrient deficiencies, remineralize teeth, support the immune system and internal organs as a daily drink for the Macrobiotic diet.

Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
  • 5 oz Rosehips
  • 3 oz Alfalfa
  • 3 oz Hawthorn Berries
  • 3 oz Dandelion Leaf
  • 3 oz Dandelion Root
  • 3 oz Nettle Leaf
  • 2 oz Bancha Leaf Tea
  • 2 oz Astragalus Root
  • 2 oz Lemongrass
  • 2 oz Horsetail
  • 1 oz Milk Thistle Seeds
  • 1 oz Ground Turmeric
  • 1/2 oz  Yellow Dock Seeds
  • 1/2 oz Nettle seeds
  • 1/2 oz Nettle root
Instructions
  1. First, you need to measure out all the ingredients and then put them through a grinder in small batches. I use my Nutribullet grinder attachment to grind dry herbs, including hard roots, barks, and seeds.

  2. Sift it through a stainless steel strainer. The large particles that didn't go through the mesh strainer should be ground again until all the herbs are ground and sifted. 

  3. Whisk it all together until well mixed and store in a glass airtight container in your cupboard. 
  4. Refrigeration isn't necessary, it will keep if stored in dark, cool oxygen-free space up to a year.

Recipe Notes

I recommend taking 1-2 teaspoons of the Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix in 8 oz of water or other beverages daily.

Or you can add to your smoothie, sprinkle it on salads and other dishes as a spice, make an Herbal Candy (for my recipe click HERE). Use with caution during pregnancy or nursing.

Recommended dose:
kids 2-6yo – 0.5 to 1 tsp a day;
kids 6-12yo – 1.5 tsp a day;
adult dose – 2-3 tsp a day.

5 from 1 vote
toxin free diet
Milla’s Morning Smoothie
Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
  • 2 bananas
  • 1 small carrot
  • 1/2 of a small cucumber
  • 1 cup of fresh or frozen fruit and berries any combination of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, seaberries, currants, etc.
  • 1 cup of leafy greens spinach, kale, arugula, lettuce, sprouts, microgreens, bok choy, collard greens, etc.
  • 1/2 cup of cauliflower broccoli and/or cabbage (optional)
  • 1/4 of a lemon with peel
  • 1-2 Tablespoons of the Organic Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ginger
  • a pinch of ground cinnamon
  • 1 quart of water add more or less water for desired consistency
Instructions
  1. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve fresh or fill up popsicle molds and pop them into the freezer to have a “smoothie pop” later.

  2. If there is any smoothie left in the blender I pour the leftovers in an ice-cube tray and then “re-use” it in the next smoothie.  

This post may contain affiliate links from which I may earn a commission at
No extra cost to you.

NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender with miller attachment to grind herbs, even roots!

not sure what I would do without this blender! bought this 4 years ago and its been used at least once a day, but most days multiple times. It’s SO easy to clean and use! If it breaks, I will buy another just like this one! Hope they won’t discontinue! 

About the ingredients:

Rosehips (Rosa spp.)- Rose Hips are the dried fruit of roses that contain very high levels of bioavailable vitamin C, and are full of properties that help to support healthy circulation and a strong immune system. It is most beneficial and pleasant when taken in tea form.

Alfalfa leaf (Medicago sativa) – “Father of All Herbs” its called and rightfully so! The Alfalfa plant raises minerals deep in the earth that aren’t accessible for most other plants since it sends its roots 20-30 ft down! Alfalfa is extraordinarily rich in nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that play big roles in the health, development, and strength of our bones. Alfalfa contains digestive enzymes and eight essential amino acids of the protein and a high chlorophyll content. Extremely rich source of Beta-Carotene, Minerals, Trace elements, and Vitamins A, B-1, B-6, B-12, C, D, E, K, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin, and Pantothenic Acid. Minerals are Calcium, copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
Main benefits: Cleansing the blood. Alkalies the body and detoxifies the body, especially the liver. Helps remove heavy metals out of the body, helping alleviate allergies, aids in blood clotting and promotes healthy digestion. Can ease morning sickness, stimulate a healthy appetite. Is helpful in reversing tooth decay and remineralizing teeth, a great source of Vitamin K so it helps improve Baby’s Vitamin K levels at birth if mom drinks during pregnancy. Help lower blood cholesterol (by impeding intestinal absorption) without affecting heart-healthy HDL cholesterol. Supports the pituitary gland, Supportive during nursing. contains an antifungal agent. Anti-inflammatory.

Stinging Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) – an herb with an extraordinary amount of benefits! It is a rich source of calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, beta-carotene, along with vitamins A, C, D, and B complex, all in a form that is easy for the body to use. Stinging nettle contains natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatories Its medicinal uses are: allergies, Asthma, Bedwetting/incontinence, Female Hormones, Fibromyalgia, Kidney, Libido, Nutrition.

Stinging Nettle Root (Urtica dioica) Stimulates bile production. Canadian researchers discovered that dandelion root extract can induce apoptosis and autophagy to combat cancer cells without any significant effect on noncancerous cells. Teas made from dandelion have also been known to flush out the intestines and aid the recovery and healing of damaged pancreatic tissues. Root is an alternative or blood purifier and a mild diuretic. It contains inulin, which feeds friendly gut flora.

Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus) “It is in great repute as a tonic, pectoral, and diuretic medicine, the disease for which it is prescribed, therefore, are almost numberless.” – G. A. Stuart, Chinese Materia Medica, 1911. Herbal Actions: Adaptogen, antibacterial, antiviral, diuretic, immunomodulating, antioxidant, a vasodilator. Constituents: Saponins, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, isoflavones, glycosides. Taste: Sweet, warm, woody.
Medicinal Use: Tonifying and stimulating, astragalus is often affectionately called the “young person’s ginseng.” In his book Healing Lyme, S.Buhner makes the powerful suggestion of using astragalus regularly to prevent Lyme disease. But he warns against use by anyone suffering from late-stage Lyme disease, as it could provoke an autoimmune response to an undesirable level. Astragalus can be beneficial to us in regulating the metabolism of dietary sugars, and thus can be helpful to those with diabetes. Recent Chinese studies have shown that astragalus may also benefit cholesterol levels, improve cardiovascular function, and lessen symptoms of severe heart disease.

Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale) contains a huge array of beneficial nutrients. It offers beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium. They have more potassium than bananas, more vitamin A than carrots. A rich source of antioxidants that support cardiovascular health, liver, kidneys and digestive health.

Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) Dandelion root contains bitter principles that have a tonic effect on the liver and digestive system. It is gentle laxative and a natural diuretic that is rich in natural potassium and many other vitamins and minerals. Properties: Bitter, Cholagogue, Depurative, Diuretic, Stomachic, Tonic. Medicinal Uses: Acne, Alcoholism, Bladder Infection (UTI), Bronchitis, Bruises/sprains, Cholesterol, Colds, Culinary/Kitchen, Detoxification, Diabetes, Digestion, Hypertension, Liver, Longevity, Osteoporosis, Pregnancy/Childbirth, Spring Tonics.

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) Hawthorn is an indisputable cardioprotective. The particular combination of flavonoids in Hawthorn seems to be especially protective of the heart. And what’s good for the heart – is good for the brain! Herbal Actions: Cardiotonic, cardioprotective, antioxidant, collagen stabilizing, mildly astringent, hypotensive, antiarrhythmic, diuretic, hypotensive, anti-ischemic, positively-inotropic, antioxidant.

According to the edited Modern Herbal, by Maude Grieve, it was used as an astringent for sore throats, and the diuretic quality was employed in kidney disease. The diuretic quality also helps reduce blood pressure, and additionally, kidney and heart health is very connected via the control of fluid and electrolytes.

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) – The primary use of the horsetail is as a diuretic. Gently stimulating increased urinary flow, horsetail helps “flush” infectious bacteria out of the bladder without altering the body’s balance of electrolytes. Horsetail contains high amounts of silica and is one of the highest plant sources known for this bone-strengthening mineral.

Yellow Dock (Rumex Crispus) – Buy it HERE.  This plant’s root is what mainly used for its gastrointestinal benefits as well as the young leaves are edible, delicious and packed with nutrients! Among its nutritional components, John Kallas explains, “Curly dock leaves are high in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and zinc” and the seeds are “rich in calcium and fiber while low in protein and fat.” Back in the days, people used to forage and make flour out of the seeds, and it’s not that weird, because Yellow Dock is a distant relative to Buckwheat. Think about it as a wild buckwheat. Seeds are very rich on Iron, magnesium, calcium.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Protects the liver from incoming toxins through its remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has a particular affinity for the liver and is therefore used in most detoxification programs. Like milk thistle, it may soften stools. Turmeric has been shown to increase the production of bile by over 100 percent, making it a powerful aid to toxin excretion.

Bancha Leaf Tea is Japan’s second most common Green Tea and is characterized by a high content of minerals and trace elements (especially iron). Bancha tea is green tea, but it is plucked later than Sencha, normally around the fall. The leaves of Bancha tea are coarser and larger and include small twigs. It is often served after a meal and before bedtime as it contains a very low level of caffeine. It is also recommended as a daily drink for the Macrobiotic diet.
Bancha Leaf Tea is very high on antioxidants which help to reduce cell damage caused by free radicals. Bancha tea has properties that may help control common oral infections, including periodontal disease and cavities. The compounds called polyphenolic catechins, particularly the one called Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) appears to be responsible for this antimicrobial action as well as the anti-tumor. Bancha tea is rich in minerals, such as Vitamins A, B complex and C, selenium, copper, calcium, zinc etc. Main properties: Prevents Cancer, Lower blood sugar, Lower blood pressure, Lower cholesterol, Antioxidants, Helps fights bacterial infections, Prevent tooth decay, Detoxify kidneys and liver.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – buy it HERE.  Yarrow is one of the very best herbs to have on hand to treat winter colds and flu. A hot cup of yarrow tea makes you sweat and helps the body expel toxins while reducing fever, it supports liver and lungs. The chemical makeup of yarrow is complex, and it contains many active medicinal compounds which are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, astringent, bitter, digestive, hypotensive, nervine…

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – buy it HERE. The goldenrod possesses diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and astringent properties and is considered to be the most effective herbal treatment for urinary tract disorders of all kinds including kidney and bladder stones. Also for congestion, colds, and flu, sore throat, diarrhea, arthritis, tuberculosis, diabetes, eczema…

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) was found extremely effective for many pancreatic disorders – it supports all glandular functions and is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to research, licorice is “fortified with anti-inflammatory compounds that work to reduce the pain and swelling associated with pancreatic conditions like pancreatitis.”

This herb was used from before the time of Hippocrates, prescribed by early physicians in cases of dropsy and diabetes, to prevent thirst. This herb is another glandular food and cleanser, being an emollient, demulcent, pectoral and laxative. Licorice root has 6-8 percent glycyrrhizin; a sweet white crystalline powder, consisting of the calcium and potassium salts of glycyrrhizic acid, sugar, starch, gum, protein, fat, resin, asparagine, and etc. All of the glands can be cleansed and nourished with this herb. Do not use for more than 7-10 days in a row or use in very low doses.

Lemongrass (Cymopogon citratus) Lemongrass is a well known medicinal herb in the East, as well as being widely used in Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Caribbean cooking. In Ayurvedic medicine, a preparation of Lemongrass with pepper has been used for relief of menstrual troubles and nausea. Lemongrass is a mild diuretic and a digestive stimulant that promotes digestion of fats. Properties: Analgesic, Antibacterial, Aromatic, Astringent, Balance, Calm, Depurative, Digestive, Insect repellents, Mood, Nervine.

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how to make an herbal multivitamin drink mix

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** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs that are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **

How to make an Herbal Multivitamin Drink Mix & why you shouldn’t take Synthetic Supplements. Read More »

how to make an herbal candy

How to make an Herbal Candy

how to make an herbal candy

Edited by Jisselle Regis

How to make an Herbal Candy

 

Are you looking for extra nutrients to add to your diet but can’t find a multivitamin without harmful additives, that would also be affordable and taste good? Have you thought about making an Herbal candy, as a way to bring in more whole food nutrition to your diet? 

Real, whole foods are more bioavailable than any lab-created supplements, which the body has a hard time recognizing and metabolizing. So, if you wanna get the most out of your efforts, herbs are a better way to go. In my opinion. They are recognized by the body as whole foods and are more likely to be absorbed and utilized by the body than a synthetic or partial substance would be.

When you think about the most basic way we sustain ourselves, what comes to mind? Right! Through nourishing foods… whole foods. Those foods include all the things God gave us to eat, fruit, veggies, seeds, nuts etc. and that includes herbs. Herbs are plants, and all plants have vitamins and minerals. They’re meant to be consumed as food, not only for their medicinal properties. There are many ways you can use herbs for nourishment such as drinking them in teas, adding them to your meals as spices, incorporating into your baking and adding them to smoothies or other sweet treats.

Here is how to make an herbal candy as one of many ways to use herbs as foods, vitamins, and medicine:

how to make an herbal candy
how to make an herbal candy
how to make an herbal candy

How to make an Herbal Candy:

Herbal Candy
Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
INGRÉDIENTS (ground and sifted herbs measured by weight):
  • 1 part Alfalfa leaf
  • 1 part Dandelion root
  • 1 part Rosehips
  • 1 part Nettle leaf
  • 1/2 part Bergamot (Bee Balm) optional
  • 2 parts Raw Organic Honey
Equal parts of Ground Cinnamon and Cacao powder - to roll balls in.
Instructions
  1. Slightly warm up the honey so it'll become liquid. Mix all your ingredients together in a bowl except the cinnamon and cacao powder. Mix thoroughly. Add more honey if the mixture is too dry. 

  2. Take 1/2 to 1 tsp. of your mix, roll it into a ball, then roll it in some cinnamon powder to keep it from sticking to the other balls. 

  3. Keep a separate ball with a bit of water in it while you forming the balls. It is easier to do with wet fingers.

  4. Once all of your balls are made, put them in a container and store them in the refrigerator. 
  5. They should keep up to 6 months in the fridge. Kids can eat 1-2 balls per day while adults eat 3-4. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes

You can substitute the herbs you don't have for ones you do have. Or add more herbs to this recipe. I made the balls with my Organic Herbal Multivitamin ground mix. 

Can't really go wrong with herbs! 🙂

About the ingredients:

Alfalfa leaf (Medicago sativa) – “Father of All Herbs” its called and rightfully so! The Alfalfa plant raises minerals deep in the earth that aren’t accessible for most other plants since it sends its roots 20-30 ft down! Alfalfa is extraordinarily rich in nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that play big roles in the health, development, and strength of our bones. Alfalfa contains digestive enzymes and eight essential amino acids of the protein and a high chlorophyll content. Extremely rich source of Beta-Carotene, Minerals, Trace elements, and Vitamins A, B-1, B-6, B-12, C, D, E, K, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin, and Pantothenic Acid. Minerals are Calcium, copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. Main benefits: Cleansing the blood. Alkalies the body and detoxifies the body, especially the liver. Helps remove heavy metals out of the body, helping alleviate allergies, aids in blood clotting and promotes healthy digestion. Can ease morning sickness, stimulate a healthy appetite. Is helpful in reversing tooth decay and remineralizing teeth, a great source of Vitamin K so it helps improve Baby’s Vitamin K levels at birth if mom drinks during pregnancy. Help lower blood cholesterol (by impeding intestinal absorption) without affecting heart-healthy HDL cholesterol. Supports the pituitary gland, Supportive during nursing. contains an antifungal agent. Anti-inflammatory.

Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) Dandelion root contains bitter principles that have a tonic effect on the liver and digestive system. It is a gentle laxative and a natural diuretic that is rich in natural potassium and many other vitamins and minerals. Properties: Bitter, Cholagogue, Depurative, Diuretic, Stomachic, Tonic. Medicinal Uses: Acne, Alcoholism, Bladder Infection (UTI), Bronchitis, Bruises/sprains, Cholesterol, Colds, Culinary/Kitchen, Detoxification, Diabetes, Digestion, Hypertension, Liver, Longevity, Osteoporosis, Pregnancy/Childbirth, Spring Tonics.

Rosehips (Rosa spp.)- Rose Hips are the dried fruit of roses that contain very high levels of bioavailable vitamin C, and are full of properties that help to support healthy circulation and a strong immune system. It is most beneficial and pleasant when taken in tea form.

Stinging Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) – an herb with an extraordinary amount of benefits! It is a rich source of calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, beta-carotene, along with vitamins A,C, D, and B complex, all in a form that is easy for the body to use. Stinging nettle contains natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatories. Its medicinal uses are: allergies, Asthma, Bedwetting/incontinence, Female Hormones, Fibromyalgia, Kidney, Libido, Nutrition.
Crimson  Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) – Colonists brewed a black tea from it and called it Oswego. They used it to relieve colics(digestive aid), fevers, and colds(upper respiratory infections). This Beebalm has excellent antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-anxiety qualities! Wonderful uplifting aroma of this herb will make a great addition to any herbal tea blend!

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NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender with miller attachment to grind herbs, even roots!

not sure what I would do without this blender! bought this 4 years ago and its been used at least once a day, but most days multiple times. It’s SO easy to clean and use! If it breaks, I will buy another just like this one! Hope they won’t discontinue! 

Simply Organic Ground Ceylon Cinnamon

Certified Organic Cacao Powder 1 LB Bag

Jars for fermenting veggies. this kind I prefer because the jars are clear and the airlock option. These jars didn’t come with weights, so I used river rocks that my kids found in our creek, scrabbed them and left under the sun for few days to “sterilize”. 

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Herbal Multi-Vitamin
Ingredients:

1 part Milla’s Multi-Green mix
2 c. raw honey

Equal parts of Ground Cinnamon and Cacao powder  – to roll balls in.

Directions: Mix all your ingredients together in a bowl except the cinnamon powder. Mix thoroughly. Take 1 tsp. of your mix, roll it into a ball, then roll it in some cinnamon powder to keep it from sticking to the other balls. Once all of your balls are made, put them in a container and place them in the refrigerator. They should keep up to 6 months in the fridge. Kids can eat 1-2 balls per day while adults eat 3-4. Enjoy!

Children’s Digestive Pastilles
Ingredients:
1/8 Cup powdered fennel
1/8 Cup powdered peppermint
1/8 powdered marshmallow root
1/4 Cup powdered slippery elm bark
1-2 T honey
2-4 T pure vegetable glycerin
This recipe can be adjusted as needed for your liking. Some may like softer pastilles, others firmer. Your location, weather, and humidity can affect the amount of liquid needed. It is important to make sure that you buy powdered herbs of marshmallow, slippery elm, and possibly fennel as they can be difficult to powder at home. Peppermint leaf can be powdered at home in an herb grinder. Make sure that all herbs are powdered fine so that you get a nice smooth consistency in your finished pastille. I like to measure out each of my herbs separately then mix them together in case I make a mistake. After you measure your herbs mix all of them together with a fork. Slowly add one T of honey and stir, then 1-2 T of glycerin and stir. Continue doing this until you have a soft dough but not crumbly. When you have a nice consistency roll into balls using approximately 1/2 tsp each. If you get your dough too thin, add a bit more slippery elm bark. If they are sticky you can add a bit of coconut oil to your hands for easier rolling. Note – I like to save half of my slippery elm bark until I have mixed some of the liquid in just to be safe.
There are several ways to firm up your pastilles:
Allow these to sit out overnight.
Place in freezer several hours or overnight.
Use your dehydrator or a convection oven set at 100-110 degrees for 1-2 hours. (this will create a firmer, less gummy pastille better for travel)
Store in a sealed container in your refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Dosing and Other Considerations
It is normal to suck on or chew one pastille as needed for a digestive upset. Older children and adults can use two if one does not relieve their symptoms. These taste yummy and so it is important to keep in mind that while these are generally safe herbs slippery elm and marshmallow do have laxative properties so it is important to keep these out of reach of children. Many experts feel that honey should not be used in children under 1 year old.

 

Milla’s Multi-Green Mix

3 parts of Rosehips

3 parts Alfalfa

3 parts Raspberry Leaf

3 parts Nettle

2 parts Dandelion Leaf

2 parts Hawthorn Berries

2 parts Horsetail

1 part Yellow Dock Seeds

1 part Milk Thistle Seeds

1 part Black Seeds

1 part Dandelion Root

1 part Turmeric Root

1 part Green Tea

1/2 a part of Cedar Berries

1/2 a part Nettle seeds

1/2 a part Nettle root

 

https://www.bulkherbstore.com/blog/diy-childrens-herbal-digestive-pastilles/
https://www.bulkherbstore.com/blog/nutrient-boost-balls/

How to make an Herbal Candy Read More »

wild fermented sauerkraut for gut health

Full Guide to Wild Fermented Sauerkraut for Gut Health

wild fermented sauerkraut for gut health

Full Guide to Wild Fermented Sauerkraut for Gut Health

Wild Fermented Sauerkraut for gut health is the best food you can make or buy to maintain or rebalance your intestinal microbiome.
Like all the other fermenting “experts” out there, I am not a scientist. My knowledge comes from my extensive research and my personal experience starting from a very early age helping my Mom during this fascinating process! We only did it once every year because fresh cabbage was only available back then, where I grew up, once a year – when it ripened in our garden! But we always fermented a very large amount. Large enough to last us till the next year’s harvest.

Wild fermentation occurs when microbes naturally found on foods or in the air are used to initiate the fermentation process. Wild or Lacto-Fermentation essentially is a spontaneous fermentation! The term “lacto” refers to lactobacillus, a strain of bacteria common on the skin of most produce, especially those that grow close to the ground.
If left out in the air, the cabbage would simply mold as the bacteria feeds on the sugars. The anaerobic (an absence of free oxygen) environment paired with salt results in the bacteria converting sugars to lactic acid which then acts as a preservative, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. The action of the bacteria makes the minerals in cultured foods more readily available to the body. The bacteria also produce vitamins and enzymes that are beneficial for digestion. This turns in the sour tasting fermented cabbage that we call sauerkraut.

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wild fermented sauerkraut for gut health

AIR or No AIR?

Aerobically (with oxygen) the yeasts in your ferment can oxidize and turn to vinegar (acetic acid), which is not what you want. You want it to be sour, but we can achieve the tang without vinegar. The candida-preventing yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has the ability to shift from fermentative to oxidative depending on the level of oxygen available. So it’s best to keep the oxygen out as much as possible, and this friendly yeast can help your guts heal.

Oxygen is the enemy when it comes to ferments. So, an anaerobic (oxygen-less) environment is what we going to create.

Here is the biggest mistake you can make — not leaving the ferment on the counter longer than 4 days before transferring to cold storage. 

Refrigeration slows down food spoilage, yes, but in the case of fermenting, you are also slowing down the bacterial action. The LABs (lactic-acid producing bacteria) do not like cold, and they can’t reproduce in it. 

If you want maximum probiotics in your sauerkraut, you will need to let your ferments go through all bacteria stages of fermentation. This is particularly important if you are trying to heal your gut.

Here is how the fermentation process works:

wild fermented sauerkraut for gut health

3 phases of Wild Fermentation:

Phase 1: Day 1-3 bad bacteria die off. Bacteria, both good and bad, live on the exterior skins and leaves of vegetables. The good bacteria (Klebsiella and Enterobacter) thrive in the salt-water brine and will begin to grow while saltiness of the brine kills off the present bad bacteria.

Phase 2: Day 3-7 starts as the acid levels become too high for many bacteria, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides and other Leuconostoc spp., which are the happiest at a temperature of 65 – 72 degrees take charge of the batch. These good bacteria thrive in the oxygen-free salt-water brine and they grow and abounds during this phase. Gases escape through bubbles to the surface, so the environment soon becomes entirely oxygen-free, a requirement for any successful ferment batch.

Phase 3: Day 7-10 you’ll notice the bubbles inside the jar disappear. The conditions inside are acidic enough for Lactobacillus like L. brevis and L. plantarum to multiply, while the other bacteria drops out. The active fermentation is completed – the lactic acid reaches a high enough concentration inside the jar to preserve the vegetables, but t sauerkraut isn’t ready to eat yet, it is not yet reached its best flavor. It will need a month or so inside your fridge before the Lactobacillus causing it to become fully fragrant and sour-sweet like traditional sauerkraut.

BTW Klebsiella is one of the bacterial sp. that produces Vitamin B12 in your gut where it actually can be absorbed! 

A 2010 paper from Korea showed that Korean centenarians (people who live to be 100 years old) that ate very little animal products had normal vitamin B12 levels. Given that the subjects ate fermented foods at almost every meal, much of which is homemade kimchi that, according to the researchers, is fermented for at least 10 months.

Prepare your INGRÉDIENTS:

CABBAGE is an exceptionally healthy food, rich on Vitamin K, C, A, B6, Folate, Manganese, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, and riboflavin. In addition, cabbage is high in fiber and contains powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols and sulfur compounds. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage contain many different antioxidants that have been known to reduce chronic inflammation.

CARROTS – Most of the benefits of carrots can be attributed to their beta-carotene and fiber content. Carrots are also a good source of antioxidants, potassium, vitamin K, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, vitamin C, niacin and vitamin B6. Other nutrients include vitamin A, E, folate, zinc, and iron. Prevent Cancer, Regulate Blood Cholesterol, Improve Oral and Eye Health, Boost Immunity, Powerful Digestion Aid.

BEET root is a rich source of folate and manganese and also contains thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, choline, betaine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and selenium.
Because of its high fiber content, beetroot helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.
Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in beetroot that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.
Lastly, beets are just so darn beautiful, like nature’s jewels, by adding them to your sauerkraut while the flavor remains surprisingly similar to cabbage-only sauerkraut, the color is so vibrant, you will never want to make it without!

SALT:
Sea Salts which is derived from seawater. When looking for an unrefined sea salt look for specks of color: gray, black, pink… These colors indicate that the minerals have not been removed from the salt. Some natural salts are moist because they have not been fully dried or further refined after being extracted from the sea water. Celtic sea salt is my favorite for fermenting veggies.
Himalayan salt also works well for fermentation.

WATER:
Use best water source that is available to you – spring artesian, rural area well water, distilled water or filtered. You only need water if you use the store bought cabbage. If it’s fresh harvested it will have enough juice in it to avoid adding extra water.

wild fermented sauerkraut for gut health
wild fermented sauerkraut for gut health
wild fermented sauerkraut for gut health

Gather your EQUIPMENT:

Basics:
Knife, Shredder, Mandoline, cutting board, stainless steel/glass pots, airlock lids…
Humans have been utilizing fermentation to preserve foods since the Neolithic Era, you don’t need a fancy equipment to achieve a healthy, probiotic-filled sauerkraut. There are many inexpensive set-ups that you can use (check out links below the recipe).

General rule is for every 2 lbs. of cabbage mixture sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of salt.

Wild Fermented Sauerkraut Recipe

Wild Fermented Sauerkraut
Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs cabbage
  • 2 lbs carrots
  • 1 lbs beets
  • 3 tbsp Celtic Sea salt
  • 1/2 cup water or as much as needed to cover the mixture (optional)
Instructions
  1. Wash all containers and tools really well in hot soapy water, rinse with hot water, and allow to air dry. No need to sterilize them.

  2. Clean the cabbage in cold water, remove the core, slice very thin using either a mandolin, a knife, or use a food processor.

  3. Add shredded carrots and beets if using. Beets and carrots are optional, you can use cabbage only. On every 2 pounds of shredded veggie mix add 1 Tablespoon of Celtic sea salt.

  4. Mix well with clean hands, really massage the salt in until the cabbage reliases juice.

  5. Pack the mixture into your fermenting jar, not too tight, leaving 2-3 inches of headspace. Cover the top of the mixture with large cabbage leaves. Make sure all of this is covered with the brine juice that the veggies released. If it isn't - add just enough water to cover.  Lay the weight on top of the leaves and put on your airlock lid.

    Note: carefully read the instructions for your chosen airlocks. 

    note: when you pack your mixture, do not pack it up to the top, leave a couple of inches of space, because as it will start to ferment and produce gas, it will be pushed up.

Fermentation:
  1. Day 1 to 7:

    The fermentation process should be done at room temps between 65F - 72F, away from sunlight.  Any lower and the fermentation slows down, stops altogether, or never start. Any higher and the fermentation speeds up, not giving enough time to develop the sour or tangy flavor common to lacto-fermented foods.

  2. Inspect the mixture once a day to make sure that the liquid in the jars is at the correct level. If the brine reaches the top, you can open the lid and push down the weight gently to release the gas. Add another weight if necessary, clean the lid and the airlock and tighten it back on.

    ***a few red flags: browned cabbage, yeasty odor, slime, mold. 

  3. Day 8 to ... (I stop mine on day 10 but you can keep it to continue to ferment up to day 28)

    The mixture should have developed the sour flavor that we love in a sauerkraut. You may begin tasting your sauerkraut, (opening the jar and exposing it to air will not spoil it at that point). Continue the fermentation until you reach the level of sourness you prefer. 

  4. Transfer the mixture into clean glass storage containers, lightly pressing it down as you pack it right up to the top, leaving as little space between the mixture and the lid as possible.

  5. Store in the fridge for up to 12 months.

Recipe Notes

*** If your cabbages are tiny, you can slice the cores in as well, because they will not be very fibrous, in fact, they would be quite yummy!

*** Mold is unacceptable in your ferment!  Mold can make you sick, very sick. Some people show symptoms right away; others end up with mold sensitivities or other gut issues. Once you get to the point when you see mold with your eyes, it’s already too late to fix it, so don't try to save it by scraping it off. Discard. 

wild fermented sauerkraut for gut health
Ready to go in our spare fridge

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BLACK+DECKER 8-Cup Food Processor

as well, not in love with it, but it is doing an amazing job! Very loud machine! Last fall I had to process a wagon of cabbage to freeze it and make sauerkraut! It didn’t choke, got it done. and is cheap!

German Style Fermentation Harvest Pot with Stone Weight, 5-Liter

5 Liter fermentation pot with water channel or gutter Oxygen and mold free environment for natural lactic acid fermentation.
Lead and cadmium free ceramic and comes with stone weights.

Fermenting jars

Jars for fermenting veggies. this kind I prefer because the jars are clear and the airlock option. These jars didn’t come with weights, so I used river rocks that my kids found in our creek, scrabbed them and left under the sun for few days to “sterilize”. 

Fermentation wide mouth Lid Kit

WOODEN GRATER FOR KOREAN CARROT Russian Ukrainian

This grater cant be substitute with anything else in order to make that carrot salad taste exactly how you want it! 

Cut Resistant Gloves

a MUST HAVE! Saves me lot of pain!

Mandoline Slicer

Veggie chips making useful tool! very useful!

OXO Good Grips Box Grater

for small shredding jobs, like making fast soups of shred a carrot into a salad. No mess. very important! Who likes the cleaning, right?

Professional Electric Knife Sharpener

Everyone says you have to have a good and expensive set on knifes! I totally disagree! you have to have a good knife sharpener! I have a very old and cheap set of knifes that I keep in a great shape with this sharpener!

Titan Peeler & Slicer

I have this peeler for over 9 years now, and I will never need another one! Its the best!

Mountain Woods Cutting Board with Juice Groove

love this cutting boards! beautiful and green.

Celtic Sea Salt Makai Pure Gourmet Sea Salt, 8 Ounce

See my most used tools and gadgets:

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wild fermented sauerkraut for gut health

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magnesium oil recipe

Magnesium Oil Recipe

magnesium oil recipe with herbal hydrosol

Magnesium Oil
Recipe

Made with Herbal Hydrosol.

Printable labels included

What is magnesium oil?

Why it's best to use Magnesium Chloride and not Magnesium Sulfate to make it?

Magnesium oil is actually not an oil at all! It’s called an “oil” because of the oily feel of magnesium chloride mixed with water.

Magnesium chloride is not the same magnesium found in Epsom salt. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Magnesium chloride is better suited for transdermal absorption.

However, Epsom salts (the sulfates) are also very important, specifically for children with autism, because they usually are sulfate deficient.

“For purposes of cellular detoxification and tissue purification, the most effective form of magnesium is magnesium chloride, which has a strong excretory effect on toxins and stagnant energies stuck in the tissues of the body, drawing them out through the pores of the skin. This is a powerful hydrotherapy that draws toxins from the tissues, replenishes the “vital fluid” of the cells and restores cellular magnesium to optimum levels.” – “Magnesium Chloride vs Magnesium Sulphate”

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes 8lb - Pure Genuine Zechstein Magnesium Chloride

Ultra Epsom Premium Epsom Salt, Medium grain. Magnesium sulfate - 50 lb Bag

What do we need magnesium for?

Magnesium is essential for:

  • proper immune function; 
  • for controlling infectious bacteria and other unwanted microbes; 
  • proper function of nerve and brain cells;
  • the metabolism of sugars and fats;
  • detoxification;
  • sleep;
  • hormonal balance;
  • skin health;
  • joint & muscle function…

Research shows magnesium can help to ease stress, anxiety, muscle soreness, joint pain, constipation, migraines, headaches, PMS, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, and aid in promoting restful sleep. 

It helps relieve restless legs syndrome, leg cramps and muscle spasms, helps with collagen production and increasing energy, and regulates bladder function.

Modern farming and food-processing methods, depleted magnesium out of almost all foods today, including fresh vegetables and water. Reports say that 80% of all Americans are deficient in this vital mineral. Thats why its important to consume high quality organic foods. It is also better if you can grow some of your own food. 

Dietary sources of magnesium:

Why Topical?

Skin is THE MOST EFFICIENT ORGAN FOR DETOXIFICATION.

Transdermal magnesium gets into the cells – where it is most needed – very quickly.

The most popular ways to supplement magnesium transdermally is a bath, a spray and a lotion. Body spray and massage are the most economical ways to do it. Just spray or massage the body with magnesium oil or lotion once a day after a bath or a shower.

Why with Herbal Hydrosol?

read my article below 

This post may contain affiliate links from which I may earn a commission at
No extra cost to you.

Magnesium Oil Recipe

MAGNESIUM OIL:
Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
  • 1/2 C. Ancient Minerals Magnesium chloride flakes
  • 1/2 C. Herbal hydrosol, spring or distilled water
Instructions
  1. Add the magnesium flakes into the warm water (or hydrosol) and stir well until completely mixed.

  2. Pour into a glass spray bottle.

How to apply:
  1. Spray magnesium oil on your arms, legs, and stomach daily. Avoid sensitive areas and mucous membranes. You may have tingling, slight itching or stinging during initial use. This should subside during the absorption process. After a while of applying magnesium oil daily, you likely won’t experience it anymore. 

  2. Use the magnesium oil starting with 3-4 squirts a day and building up to as many as 10, roughly, (for children) to 20 (adults). Magnesium oil may act as a laxative, so the test to see how much you need to apply is to simply watch your bowel movements. If they become too loose, then reduce the dose.

Recipe Notes
  • Some may experience more sensitivity - the magnesium oil is water-soluble and can be diluted with water to form a lower concentration for a lighter application. Start with a 1:1 ratio but the solution can be diluted even further.
  • No rinsing is necessary unless your skin feels uncomfortable due to any natural salt residue.

or you can buy the one I already made with my homemade Wild Bergamot Hydrosol in my Shop:

Amber Glass Spray Bottles (2 Pack)

Free Printable labels

I used these Avery 2x4 Labels (#5163)

References:

“Salt” – Daniel Reid    https://hps-online.com/foodprof14.htm 

my secret section:   

 

https://www.magnesiumoil.org.uk/magnesium-chloride-vs-magnesium-sulphate/

See my most used tools and gadgets:

yours truly, Milla Ezman

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goldenrod Solidago spp Benefits Uses Preparation

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) Herbal Benefits. Uses. Preparation.

Goldenrod

(Solidago spp.)

Benefits. Uses. Preparation.

"Along the roadside, like the flowers of gold That tawny Incas for their gardens wrought, Heavy with sunshine droops the golden-rod, And the red pennons of the cardinal-flowers Hang motionless upon their upright staves."

The Latin name of the goldenrod plant “Solidago” – solido – means “to make whole” – a wound healing remedy in the ancient world.

There are more than 100 species of Goldenrod, a fast growing perennial with bright yellow flowers, found throughout North & South America, Europe, N.Africa, and some parts of Asia. Any species of Goldenrod can be used for herbal preparations.

The most common species to N.America are the Solidago gigantea, Solidago canadenis, S. odora and S. vigaurea.

Goldenrod is often unfairly blamed for causing “hay fever” because it blooms at the same time and often in the same location as the truly allergic ragweed, an airborne pollen of which is causing this reaction. Goldenrod pollen is too heavy and sticky to be blown far from the flowers, and is pollinated mainly by insects.

The goldenrod possesses diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and astringent properties and is considered to be the most effective herbal treatment for urinary tract disorders of all kinds.
The herb reputedly helps flush out kidney and bladder stones. 

The German Commission E has officially approved goldenrod for urinary and bladder inflammations. It is a kidney tropho-restorative (tropho is Greek for nourishing), so it both nourishes and restores balance to the kidneys. According to Peter Homes, it is a good choice for long term use with chronic issues to this area of the body.

Saponins found in the goldenrod are specifically effective against Candida infection!

Remedies made from the goldenrod herb are also effective in a case of chronic sore throats, in alleviating chronic congestion in the nasal passages as well as in treating problems such as diarrhea and other digestive disorders.

The goldenrod has a mild and soothing action in the body, which is the reason that it is considered to be appropriate for young children and infants.

Goldenrod also is a valuable herb in skin remedies and personal care preparations, because of its antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Goldenrod contains rutin which is effective in treating small wounds, capillary fragility and other skin conditions.

Common Names:

Goldenrod. Verge d’Or. Solidago. Goldruthe. Woundwort. Aaron’s Rod.

Botanical Name:

Solidago spp.

Parts used:

Above-ground parts of the plant while flowering. 

Taste:

Pleasant, green, weedy, like wet hay. Faintly bitter, sweet and aromatic taste and can be used to improve the taste of other medicinal preparations.

Uses:  Bladder Infection (UTI). Congestion. Colds and flu. Sore Throat. Diarrhea. Kidney. Spasms. Oral Swelling (inflammation). Wounds. Arthritis. Skin conditions. Tuberculosis. Diabetes. Liver. Hemorrhoids. Internal bleeding. Asthma. Hay Fever. Prostate enlargement. Eczema. Dermatitis. Gout. Acne. Burns. Cuts and other skin conditions.

Key actions: Anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, tonic, carminative, aquaretic, antiseptic, astringent, antispasmodic, gentle sedative, cicatrisant, vulnerary.

Constituents:  saponins, flavonoids, tannins, essential oil, rutin, phenolic glucosides, diterpenes, acetylenes, cinnametes, hydroxybenzoates, inulin.

Growing:  Growing and planting goldenrod is easy, as this plant will survive just about anywhere, though it does prefer full sun. 

It is a hardy tenacious perennial plant with cylindrical roots. This root structure allows the plant to bury deep into all kinds of soils. Thus the plant grows successfully in the dry earth found in woodlands, it can grow well among bushes in waste areas, and it grows successfully on dunes and among rocks.

Harvest:  Late summer, when the plant is in full bloom – cut the top two-thirds of the plant. Dry. Store in airtight containers away from sunlight. 

goldenrod Solidago spp Benefits Uses Preparation

Preparation:

Goldenrod is used in making herbal teas, infusions, tinctures, essential oil, hydrosols, salves, vinegars and other herbal remedies. 

Herbal tea: 

Pour 1 cup of water brought to a rolling boil over 2-4 tsp of dried herb, cover with a lid, so you don’t lose any aromatics of the plant,  steep/infuse for 30 min to 10 hours. Flavor with honey to taste as an option. Take in 1 cup 2-3 times a day.

Children Dosage:

  • 6 – 12 months old – 1/10th of an adult dose
  • 1-6 years old – 1/3 adult dose
  • 7-12 years old – 1/2 adult dose

Safety:

No adverse effects are expected (or have ever been reported) from taking Golden Rod in tea or tincture, even in high or frequent doses. It may be confidently taken during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding and used by the young or old with safety.
Do NOT confuse this herb with Verbascum densiflorum, which is sometimes called “goldenrod.”

Science on Goldenrod:

* In a clinical trial of patients with urinary tract inflammation 70% experienced complete disappearance of symptoms of pain, frequency and urgency with the use of Goldenrod tincture (Bruhwiler K et al: 4th International Congress on Phytotherapy, Munich, Sept 10-13, 1992: Abstract SL20)

* A randomised, double-blind controlled clinical trial using Ash, Poplar bark and Goldenrod for rheumatic conditions concluded that the herbal medicine was comparable to NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) but with a much lower incidence of side effects (Klein-Galczinsky C: Wien Med Wochenschr 149(8-10):248-253, 1999)

* Laboratory studies have shown that saponins from Goldenrod have immune modulating and anti-tumour effects; other constituents (flavonoids) in the plant have been shown to have diuretic effects and to cause an increase in electrolyte excretion; yet further substances in the plant (3,5,-O-caffeoylquinic acid) have shown effects on adrenal hormones in a way that may go to explain its anti-inflammatory actions (Strehl E et al: Arzneim Forsch 45(2):174-176, 1995) & (Melzig MF et al: Z Phytother 21(2):67-70, 2000)

* The authors, titles and the ‘where-and-when’ published for over 40 further studies and articles on Goldenrod are listed in a PDF found HERE

homemade cough syrup

Homemade Cough Syrup

Our first go to cough remedy and also great to give as a preventative in the winter months! The formulation of this Homemade Cough Syrup is not to stimulate the immune system, but rather support it with Vitamin C rich & Nutrient-dense Organic Ingredients.

Read More »

Resources: My invisible notes:

https://www. webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-84/goldenrod

https://www. mothering.com/forum/19-i-m-pregnant/289269-herbs-use-during-pregnancy.html

http://www.  rjwhelan.co.nz/herbs%20A-Z/golden_rod.html

 

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** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs that are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) Herbal Benefits. Uses. Preparation. Read More »

Herbal Hydrosols (20 Ways To Use Them​)

Herbal Hydrosol. How to. Uses. Benefits.

Herbal Hydrosol (20 Ways To Use Them​)

Herbal Hydrosols

20 Ways to Use them

Edited by Jisselle Regis

What are Herbal hydrosols?

Herbal hydrosols are also known as flower waters, hydrolats, herbal distillate, distillate waters, plant water essence or essential waters etc, and are produced by distilling fresh leaves, fruits, flowers, and other plant materials.

To me the scent of wild things, plants and flowers is truly enchanting and brings great joy to my life. Essential oils and hydrosols capture a bit of that magic for us humans to enjoy any time by surrounding our environment with it. 

“And where the marjoram once, 

and sage, and rue,

And balm, and mint, 

with curl’d-leaf parsley grew,

And double marigolds, 

and silver thyme,

And pumpkins ‘neath the window climb…”  

                                                                                           John Clare

With similar properties to essential oils, these aromatic waters are much less concentrated, much gentler than their essential oil counterparts and can be used directly on the skin without further dilution.

Steam Distillation Process

Low temperature and low pressure play an important part in collecting the highest quality hydrosols and essential oils. When steam goes through plant matter which is placed into a chamber, it allows the cell walls to break down. As a result, the hydrosol is imparted with the water-soluble aromatic and therapeutic properties of the plant. The steam and essential oil are carried out of the chamber and cooled. The oil and the plant water essence are then allowed to separate for collection.

20 Ways to Use Herbal Hydrosols

  1. Linen sprays – one of my favorite ways to use a hydrosol is as a linen spray. I love to use Lavender, Bergamot, Citrus, Rose, Spruce hydrosols on my linens and towels. Because they are oil-free, and so are less likely to leave stains or go rancid.
  2. Nourishing body mist – an herbal hydrosol of your choice not only will give you a nice aroma but nourish and heal your body from outside in.
  3. An Herbal Compress – Soak a soft cotton cloth in a bowl of an herbal hydrosol, wring it out then place it on a desired spot of your body for pains, rashes and other minor skin conditions. Repeat until you feel relief.
  4. Air Freshener – most commercial air fresheners contain many harmful ingredients in addition to its scent. On the other hand, all-natural lavender (for example) hydrosol is an easier and more practical option to freshen up your home, car or workspace, especially since it has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, without making the smell too intense, as most commercial air fresheners do.
  5. Magnesium Oil with an herbal hydrosol – its smells amazing on top of bringing so many health benefits! I use it as an after-bath sleepy-time spray. Click HERE for my recipe.
  6. Baby wipes – soak cotton cloths, paper towels or regular napkins in an herbal hydrosol to make your own baby wipes.
  7. Iron water – hydrosols can be added to the water in your steam iron to impart a delicate scent to your clothing. Most tap water contains hard minerals that will result in mineral buildup in your iron preventing it from functioning as it should. Distilled water is usually the most recommended type of water for ironing and an herbal hydrosol is particularly recommended if you want your clothes to be ironed beautifully. Since it is void of hard minerals, herbal water essence will keep your steam iron functioning correctly for much longer while also adding a nice, subtle smell to your clothes.
  8. Green Cleaning – herbal hydrosols make the best home cleaning solution for countertops, tiles, floors and other surfaces This is particularly effective for cleaning windows, as pure distilled water will prevent marks and spots from showing up.
  9. Facial toner – modern skincare products that claim to improve the structure, texture and appearance of your skin, usually end up worsening existent skin conditions, or causing new ones. This is because some are formulated using harsh chemicals including parabens, synthetic fragrance and more, which may cause damage to your skin. Try using an herbal hydrosol instead of your typical face toner. Most herbal hydrosols have antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties, like lavender, comfrey, rose, linden, celandine hydrosols, that will keep your face cleaner over the course of the day, and will also give it a fresher, more youthful appearance. If it is stored in the fridge, its coolness will tighten your pores. Once it has been absorbed by the skin, apply moisturizer as desired.
  10. DIY Skin Care Products – all those DIY skin care products you can make at home, such as lotions, creams, serums. You can use hydrosols in place of water for extra benefits such as natural fragrance, soothing effects, skin regeneration properties and more! Hydrosols are exquisite beauty products that have been used since ancient times to beautify facial skin. Use an herbal hydrosol to make your facial masks and more.
  11. Hair Rinse – an Herbal hydrosol is a much better alternative to use instead of commercial hair conditioners or even hair rinses which use beer and apple cider vinegar, when washing your hair. On top of smelling lovely, let’s not forget that it also has gentle nourishing, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which contributes to keeping your hair clean, shiny, and healthy.
  12. Aromatherapy Baths – although essential oils are the most recommended when it comes to aromatherapy, hydrosols are also effective, providing a lovely aroma to your bath. Using an herbal hydrosol will certainly make the most of your bathing experience, also providing a higher level of moisture to your skin than the average bath foam.
  13. Sitz Baths – A sitz bath is a healing treatment where you immerse the lower part of your body below your waist into a tub of hot water, containing herbs and other medicinal ingredients. Use it to target your lower back (for pain, sciatica and other similar issues) or your genital region (for hemorrhoids, genital infections, episiotomy wounds and others). Instead of adding essential oils, you can add healing hydrosols like lavender, tea tree and frankincense to your sitz bath.
  14. Sunburn Relief – To heal sunburn wounds and UV damage use a cooling spray filled with frankincense, carrot seed and cucumber hydrosols with added aloe vera gel. Spray liberally on to the sun burnt areas for quick relief and recovery.
  15. Aftershave – Hydrosols can be used instead of harsh conventional aftershave products. Herbal antibacterial hydrosols can help heal minor cuts and abrasions on the face, and also leave behind a clean and crisp scent.
  16. Deodorant Spray – use a hydrosol spray under your armpits for a natural mild deodorant effect.
  17. Mouthwash – an all-natural mouthwash would be to swish some frankincense or peppermint hydrosol after a meal, to cleanse and deodorize your mouth. This will also help strengthen the gums, heal wounds in the mouth and kill harmful bacteria.
  18. Make Up remover – Hydrosols can be used for cleansing the skin. Dip a cotton ball into your hydrosol of choice, such as lavender hydrosol, and cleanse your entire face. The hydrosol will reach deep into your skin and disinfect your pores, remove dead cells and other impurities.
  19. Bug Repellent – Hydrosols are natural bug repellents. They can be used as a bug repellent spray to deter ants, fleas, ticks, mites, mosquitoes, silverfish, spiders, earwigs, water bugs/roaches, fruit flies, and other bugs.
  20. Pets – Essential oils are toxic for many pets, especially cats, which tend to lick their fur and may ingest the oils. Cats’ livers are not designed to handle and eliminate essential oils, making them toxic for them. Instead, use hydrosols to deodorize, repel fleas, for skin issues, and to calm.

Hydrosol quality

Like essential oils, buying hydrosols from a reputable source is super important. Hydrosols can be adulterated (of poorer quality due to the use of inferior substances). Furthermore some mass manufacturing brands are selling regular water simply blended with essential oils or chemical fragrances, which are improperly classified as “hydrosols”, “floral waters” etc. This means the aroma and therapeutic benefits may most likely are not the same compare to the properly processed hydrosols. Make sure to know your source well and buy high quality hydrosols.  It is always smart to ask vendors for details about the hydrosols they are selling to ensure that what you are purchasing is a true hydrosol. A final word of caution is to make sure you buy organic, because the steam distillation process works with fat soluble particles which attracts toxins the most.

You can buy my Magnesium Oil made with Bergamot Hydrosol in my Shop

How I make my Herbal Hydrosols:

I finally found a distiller that is large enough (70 liters – 18 gallons) and made fully out of stainless steel (no copper).

The process takes around 6 hours from setting it up, collecting the plant material, distilling process and cleaning it afterwards. 

It’s very time consuming, because you have to keep the water, that is running through the cooling towers cold, so that the steam becomes liquid. And the EO I had to collect with an insulin syringe, took a long time. But it is cool!

From the 70 liter distiller full of plans material I got about a teaspoon of EO, a gallon of hydrosol and 3 quarts of tea that I used for the kids bath. 

This is how much of Essential oil comes out with this much hydrosol.

Interestingly that the goldenrod tea that came out after the distilling process, gave very thick and fun bubbles! SO COOL!!

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** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs that are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **

  My secret section

https:// www.aromaweb.com/hydrosols/what-are-hydrosols.asp

https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGlMDt1cT_4

http:// mamarosemary.com/blog/2013/07/26/how-to-make-a-hydrosol

http:// www.thehippyhomemaker.com/save-money-making-herbal-hydrosols-flower-waters/

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herbal sunscreen

Herbal Sunscreen recipe. Non-Toxic, Water & Sweat resistant, Healing & Moisturizing.

herbal sunscreen

Herbal Sunscreen recipe

Non-Toxic, Water resistant, Healing.

Printable SunScreen Labels

We need regular sun exposure (without sunscreen) for our skin to produce vitamin D naturally. The way our bodies make vitamin D is to convert sunshine into chemicals through which Vitamin D becomes a hormone within the body, a secosteroid hormone. It helps the body to absorb calcium and phosphate from our diet and impacts not only our skeletal structure, but also our blood pressure, immunity, behavior, brain function and ability to protect ourselves from various diseases.

Some of the Vitamin D deficiency symptoms are cancer, autoimmune diseases, depression, insomnia, diabetes, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, autism… 

In my family we only use the sunscreen if we are going to be exposed to the sun longer than it takes for our skin to go red or burn and this time varies from person to person.

For us – being under the sun without clothing for over 5-6 hours straight and/or between 11 am and 2 pm, when the sun is at its pick,  that’s when we most likely to get the sunburn.

We recently went on a short vacation to a Delaware Beach, so for that trip I came up with this recipe to protect us from all the spectrum of the Uncomfortable that comes with a sunburn!

We were on the beach for over 6 hours every day without using much shade and none of us got burnt! Well, scratch that! I got burnt because I didn’t think my rear needed protection, so I just rubbed some on my shoulders and the back and thought I’ll be OK. But even so, I used the sunscreen afterwards and it took some of the Uncomfortable away, and for the first time my skin didn’t peeled off! 

The five of us have different type of skin: my Hubby is dark but burns easily, I am light but not easily burnt; my oldest son Chris, he is as light as I am, but burns easy and fast. My middle son Daniel is the most pale of the bunch but not easily burn, and my youngest daughter Melania has very dark skin (probably took after my pure Gypsy Grandfather), she tans fast and was never even close to a sunburn, I only applied the sunscreen on her on the 3rd day of our vacation, just in case. 

My boys and the Husband got the sunscreen applied only twice per day (around 10 am and 1pm), because it end up to be pretty water resistant and even after 2-3 hours in the water was not washed away. The smell was very pleasant too.

Greasy? – Yes, it is, but so it should be to keep you from burning and cutting your vacation fun short.

For all of us, including my 6.3 feet tall with broad shoulders Husband we used less than 2 oz of the Herbal Sunscreen. I will keep the leftovers it in my fridge for when we need it next, probably next summer, as its shelflife  is 1-2 years. 

The recipe will yield 9 oz.  

herbal sunscreen

While we all know sunscreen’s main job is to protect us, what some of us don’t know is that the most of conventional sunscreens out there are doing just the opposite. In fact, many conventional sunscreens contain ingredients harmful to the environment and human health.

Read about conventional sunscreen toxicity in this article: “The Trouble With Ingredients in Sunscreens”
In the other hand many articles on the internet say that homemade sunscreens are useless and downright harmful and that a person should never consider making their own because it is difficult to verify the SPF, making the chance of burning higher.

It is true that homemade sunscreens don’t have the lab testing that conventional ones do, but even with lab testing, conventional brands get away with putting endocrine disruptors and coral killing compounds in our sunscreens. So what good are the lab testing for?

Synthetic fragrance or “perfume” is another health-harming ingredient that is used in conventional sunscreens. Read how really toxic the chemical fragrances are HERE.

Not just a few but all of them toxins cause central nervous system damage. 

Is anyone still thinks it’s ok to put on our kid’s skin when we all know that some of it will be absorbed into the bloodstream within approximately 28 seconds?

Especially when you can simply make your own that not only protects your skin very well but has amazing skin moisturizing, nourishing and healing properties? Yes, please!

herbal sunscreen
applied around 10 am
herbal sunscreen
this picture is taken after 2 hours in the ocean

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What is SPF?

SPF means Sun Protection Factor and it is a relative measure of how long a sunscreen will protect you from UV B rays. What does an SPF rating on a sunscreen mean? Take for example you take 10 minutes to get sunburn when you’re not wearing any sunscreen or any form of sun protection on your body. So an SPF 30 will give you 30 times that amount of sun protection, which means it’ll take 300 minutes before you start to burn.

What ingredients did I use in this Herbal Sunscreen recipe & why?

Organic, high-quality Avocado Oil (SPF 15). Is a highly therapeutic oil rich in vitamins A, B1, B2 Pantothenic acid, D, E, proteins, and lecithin. A very good, penetrating nutrient for dry skin. Packed with healing and regenerating qualities for your skin. High in sterolins, which are known to help reduce age spots and help heal scar tissue and sun damage.

Comfrey flowering stalks which contain allantoin. Allantoin has long been used for its healing, soothing, and anti-irritating properties. Allantoin is a nucleotide that naturally occurs in the body and absorbs the spectrum of UV radiation which damages the cell’s fragile DNA. Allantoin helps to heal wounds and skin irritations and stimulates the growth of healthy tissue. Some clinical studies confirm that allantoin enhances skin repair. Allantoin can be found in anti-acne products, sun care products, clarifying lotions, toothpaste, mouthwash, and other oral hygiene products as well as in shampoos, lipsticks, and other cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, because of its ability to help heal minor wounds and promote healthy skin.
The only thing is that the type of allantoin is added to commercial products is isolated from cow urine! Eew!  Allantoin is a product of the oxidation of uric acid. It is also a product of purine metabolism in most mammals except for higher apes, and it is present in their urine. In humans, uric acid is excreted instead of allantoin.

Plantain leaves. St.John’s Wort. 
Unrefined Raw Organic Shea Butter (6-10 SPF) – is derived from the vegetable fat of the Karite Tree that is indigenous to Africa. Raw, unrefined Shea butter contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A and E, as well as essential fatty acids. It has been used for centuries for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties will soothe, hydrate and balance your skin adding a  breathable, water-resistant film and is the leading natural product for moisturizing, rebuilding and rejuvenating collagen production.
Organic Coconut Oil (8 SPF) moisturizing, anti-bacterial.
Beeswax from my own Buckfast Honey Bees, all organic of course(!) is antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It seals in moisture while not clogging pores provides a layer of sun protection and locks the oils in creating a waterproof barrier on your skin.
Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo) deserves greater recognition. With a lipid profile containing high levels of linoleic acid (43 – 53%), it contains two classes of antioxidant compounds: Tocopherols and phenolics, which account for 59% of the antioxidant effects.
Sesame oil resists 30% of UV rays
Vitamin E Oil protects cell membranes from light-induced damage. Topical application of these antioxidants to the skin has been shown to reduce acute and chronic photodamage. It is also acts as a preservative, greatly extenting the shelf life.
Red Raspberry Oil is a proven anti-aging and antioxidant powerhouse builds a natural filter to broad-spectrum UVA & UVB rays. It contains 45-50 SPF on its own, and also have clinically significant anti-inflammatory properties and proves to be a fantastic sunscreen.
Carrot Seed Oil (40 SPF) has significant antioxidant, antiseptic and fragrant properties with high levels of vitamin A. According to a study published in “Pharmacognosy Magazine” in 2009, products containing carrot seed oil have a natural SPF of 38 and 40.
Zinc Oxide (non-nano) – Zinc Oxide is a naturally occurring mineral that blocks UV rays (SPF 2-20)
Myrrh Essential Oil contains an SPF 20 and provides an extra dose of protection and wonderful scent..
Lavender essential oil – SPF 6

Tea tree essential oil – SPF 2 (Melaleuca alternifolia) is an ancient aboriginal remedy. It is an effective antiseptic, fungicide, and germicide. It is a popular component of many sunscreen formulations that relieve sunburn by increasing blood flow in capillaries, bringing nutrients to damaging skin.

If you don't want to mess with making it, you can buy the one I made:

Herbal Sunscreen recipe

Herbal Sunscreen recipe. Non-Toxic, Water resistant, Healing
This Herbal SunScreen Recipe is made with Naturally high SPF, high-quality, expensive oils that are infused with healing medicinal plants to help to filter rather than block the Sun rays because we need the Vitamin D it provides. The sunscreen filters UV rays so that it does not damage your skin and it doesn't prevent melanin production, so you can still get the beautiful summer tan. 

This will be roughly 35-45 SPF, please note that it is not laboratory tested and that I make no warranties or guarantees regarding its exact SPF rating. 

We've tested it on our vacation when we spent 3 full days on the beach and none of us got burnt.

Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
  • 100 g Avocado Oil infused with Herbs
  • 60 g Coconut Oil
  • 40 g Shea butter
  • 40 g Beeswax
  • 30 g Sesame Oil
  • 15 g Pumpkin Seed Oil
  • 5 g Red Raspberry Oil
  • 5 g Carrot Seed Oil
  • 5 g Vitamin E Oil
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Non-Nano Zinc Oxide
Essential Oils
  • 5 drops Tea Tree EO
  • 5 drops Myrrh EO
  • 5 drops Lavender EO
Herbs:
  • 1 oz. Plantain Leaf fresh or dry
  • 1 oz. Comfrey Flowering stalks fresh
  • 1 oz. St. John's Wort flowers and buds fresh or dry
Instructions
  1. First, you want to infuse the avocado oil with the herbs. There are two easy methods to choose from:
  2. 1.) Combine the oil and the herbs, blend in a high-speed blender for a few seconds, transfer into a mason jar, set it in a slow cooker, pour warm water enough for it to rich the shoulder of the jar and set on medium. Let it infuse for 48 hours. Strain through a fine mesh strainer.
  3. 2.) Combine the oil and the herbs, blend in a high-speed blender for a few seconds, transfer into a mason jar and set out on a sunny spot for 6 weeks. Shake the jar every day. Strain through a fine mesh strainer.
  4. Mesure out first 6 ingredients and add them in a stainless steel bowl (I used my KitchenAid mixing bowl) and set it on top of a small saucepan with boiling water in it (or if you have a double boiler - use that). Make sure the mixer bowl bottom doesn't touch the hot water.
  5. Once all the oils and beeswax are melted, set it aside and mix in the Red Raspberry oil, Carrot Seed oil, Vitamin E oil and the Essential Oils.
  6. Carefully measure out the Non-nano zinc oxide (wear a mask so that you do not breath in any of it!!!) Slowly add in your zinc oxide powder. Do not breathe the powder in. Make sure you use non-nano zinc oxide powder, as this will not absorb into the skin.
  7. Transfer the bowl in your fridge until it hardens. This will take about 30-40 min.
  8. Put the mixing bowl in the mixer with whisk attachment and beat it on high, scraping the sides from time to time until it's nice and fluffy and has that whipped creme texture.
  9. Use some upcycled glass jars to store it in!
Recipe Notes

Gently apply to your skin & go have some fun in the sun!

*Use clean glass upcycled jars to store at room temperature or in your fridge between uses.

**It will store for at least 2 years because the Vitamin E oil acts as a preservative.

Other herbs and EO that can be used: Rosehips, Turmeric, Chickweed, Celandine, Calendula, Chamomile, Lavender, Borage (Borago officinalis), Green Tea(Camellia sinensis), Arnica (Arnica montana), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea), Eyebright (Euphrasia Officinalis), Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) EO.

***Directions for use: Apply on the main sun-exposed areas of the body. Rub in well and reapply as needed. Discontinue use if irritation develops. Apply liberally and evenly. Reapply: - After 80 minutes of swimming or sweating - Immediately after towel drying - At least every 2 hours Use safe sun protection measures including - Limit time in the sun, especially from 11am - 2pm - Wear long-sleeve shirts, pants and hats.

Foods and Herbs for natural skin protection and health:

Foods that are rich in Vitamin D are:

Fish (wild caught),

Eggs (pasture raised, organic),

Maitake and Portobello Mushrooms (exposed to UV light).

Vitamin C rich foods is the body’s most important “intracellular and extracellular aqueous-phase antioxidant. Vitamin C provides many benefits to the skin—most significantly, increased synthesis of collagen and photoprotection. Photoprotection is enhanced by the anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C. Photoprotection over many months allows the skin to correct previous photodamage, the synthesis of collagen and inhibition of MMP-1 was proven to decrease wrinkles, and the inhibition of tyrosinase and anti-inflammatory activity result in depigmenting solar lentigines.[75]

Vitamin C is found in active form and substantial quantities in Rosehip seed oil.”

 

Printable labels for Avery 2″ (in.) Print-to-the-Edge Round Labels 22807

Or you can print them on a regular paper, cut out and glue onto your jars. Or decoupage them on to make them more durable.

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Herbal Sunscreen recipe. Non-Toxic, Water & Sweat resistant, Healing & Moisturizing. Read More »

picky eating solutions

My kids – My Philosophy. How we got over the picky eating problem.

picky eating solutions

My kids-My Philosophy.
How we got over the picky eating problem

Why kids refuse healthy foods?

Picky eating solutions that really worked!

Make it Easier on Yourself!

Every parent deals with kids who refuse foods. Some just more than others.

Especially when you choose or have no choice but to be on a restricted diet. I can’t simply toss a Happy Meal to them or a hot dog or a bag of goldfish crackers and a can of Sprite anymore.

I don’t really like that term… “picky eater”, it sounds more final than it is. It suggests that there isn’t much we can do about it, as if the child has freckles or hazel eyes. It enables us to lower our expectations for our children’s choices and then we stop offering them new foods because “He will never eat it! Why even bother!”

It is encoded in us to please our offspring, to make them happy, so if our little ones do not like the food we feed them, if they make a face or God forbid have a gagging reaction – it is a huge stress on us which embeds fear, which then makes it hard for us to try again, so we tend to avoid similar situations by offering them better-tasting foods and “safe” backups we know they’ll go for.

We, the parents, for whatever reason, have these prejudiced notions that kids don’t like “this and that” – spinach and broccoli, spicy and strong flavors… so we project that onto them by not even trying, or offering once and if they refuse, never offer again.

But research shows that it takes at least 8 exposures to a food for kids to accept it as familiar. So, there is nothing wrong with being a persistent little bugger here!

I think it is us we have to change first in order to help our kids.

Everything that people believe they like, they had to learn to like. And just like we were taught to like or desire things that may not be healthy for us we can learn to like things that are good for us.

It is hard because the structure of our society is revolving around romanticizing food. Food is associated with great taste and good times – family gatherings, Holidays, traveling, picnics, friend meetups…

Everything is revolving around food! Everything! Directly or indirectly!

Why do kids refuse healthy foods?

a) Genetic and circumstantial predispositions

for preferences of sweet and salty foods over sour and bitter. "The early flavor experience of formula-fed infants is markedly different from that of breast-fed infants. Exclusively formula-fed children do not benefit from the ever-changing flavor profile of breast milk. Their flavor experience is more monotone and lacks the flavors of the foods of the mother’s diet."

All my kids were born via a C-section and formula fed. So we didn’t have that advantage of breastfeeding and natural birth gut microbial biodiversity that is a nature’s requirement for the immune system. Additionally, the heavy use of antibiotics and vaccines wiped out everything that was good in their fragile little bodies. So, you see, we had all the predispositions for fussy eating and still came out of it just fine. 

more about this in “Early Taste Experiences and Later Food Choices”

b) Zinc deficiency - may be the cause of picky eating

Picky eating is one of the symptoms of zinc deficiency. Here is my article below:

c) Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can affect kids eating habits in different ways.

Normal sensory processing occurs when the brain receives information from all the senses of the body: the eyes (visual), ears (auditory), through the nose and tongue (olfactory) , the skin (tactile information), the inner ear (vestibular information) and the muscles and joints (proprioceptive information).
The brain then processes (or integrates) that information, decides how the body should respond, and then sends the message for the body to respond appropriately. When the brain can’t process the information it receives from the senses properly, then the child may experience what is referred to as a sensory processing/integration disorder. A SPD can be diagnosed by an occupational therapist, and occupational therapy is usually recommended.

  • a kid who is over-sensitive to taste sensations may gag on solid, lumpy food and avoid strong flavors. Some kids are oversensitive to the smells of food, so they prefer bland tasting foods.
  • a Sensory Seeking kid will only eat crunchy, textured or highly flavored foods.
  • a child who has Sensory-Based Motor Disorder might have problems with the coordination required to properly use utensils and will try avoid foods that are hard to eat. Children with Low muscle tone may struggle to chew and swallow, so they may tend to like foods which don’t need to be chewed. 

But good news: all these disorders and more, can be helped with a clean, toxin-free diet such as the REID program (Reduced Excitatory Inflammatory Diet)

Read real parents testimonials on Nourished Blessings Blog.

These books address feeding therapies, feeding tubes, and speech-language pathologist protocols:

Helping Your Child With Extreme Picky Eating – A Step-by-Step Guide for Overcoming Selective Eating, Food Aversion, and Feeding Disorders
by Katja Rowell MD (Author), Jenny McGlothlin MS CCC-SLP (Author), Dr. Suzanne Evans Morris PhD

Raising a Happy, Healthy Eater  – A Parent’s Handbook: A Stage-by-Stage Guide to Setting Your Child on the Path to Adventurous Eating
by Nimali Fernando MD MPH (Author), Melanie Potock MA CCC-SLP (Author), Dr. Roshini Raj

Okay, this was the “why”, let’s start with the “how”.

There is a lot of books and articles out there about overcoming food pickiness:

“It’s Not About the Broccoli”

“Get Your Child Eating”

 “Conquer Picky Eating for Teens and Adults”

“Helping Your Child With Extreme Picky Eating”

“French Kids Eat Everything”

“Getting to Yum: The 7 Secrets of Raising Eager Eaters”

and you can check them out if you want, but let me save you some time, because they all say the same thing:

    1.  Don’t force, don’t bribe, don’t bargain, don’t negotiate.
    2.  No shaming and no punishing.
    3.  Let them get hungry before a meal
    4.  Serve one meal to everyone, family style, but always include one thing on the table that everyone likes.
    5. Emphasize variety, and include treats.
    6. Meals and snacks are at set times…

Whilst I have never resorted to shaming or punishing my kids, I made all the other “mistakes” we are advised not to do. Because of how truly SAD our diet was, I had to get over that hump and make the change, as I began to realize how toxic some foods are I just couldn’t continue feeding them to my kids.

If I followed the scripts from the books, I would probably still be trailing my kids with a spoon, 3 years later, developing adventurous tasters and eager eaters out of them, saying: “Here, taste the brussels sprouts, honey, go on! It tastes SO good! Yum-yum! Taste it!” Yeah, right… The wolf in grandma’s nightgown would be more convincing.

Cool games and proper parenting methods to get them to eat healthy foods are very helpful, but I didn’t have the time, patience or the energy to follow this route consistently all* the time!

No, sometimes I had to put my foot down and say “NO! you cannot have that, because it’s bad for you, and that’s final!”

Someone had to do it, and there was no one else more qualified or even available other than myself. Without the support of the family and friends who, I’m pretty sure, all thought I was crazy, it was all the more difficult, so if you have anyone who understands what you are going through and support you, please, don’t take them for granted!

My old philosophy: “I’d rather feed them something than let them be hungry!”

My new philosophy:

***If you are not willing to eat vegetables when hungry, then this isn’t hunger – it is a craving! and we do not support cravings, no, sir!

***Letting them skip a meal when they want to and be hungry isn’t starving! – It’s Fasting! Fasting is very beneficial!

Tips to overcome the picky eating that actually worked!

This is not meant for medically fragile and dangerously underweight kids. If that’s your situation, consult your health care practitioner.

Do not buy junk and keep healthy fruits and vegetables within easy reach!

This is the #1 best strategy!
It is easier to say no, if you simply don’t have the pretzel they’re craving, but instead a carrot or an apple is laying around.
Shopping will be challenging at first, but you'll get used to it fast, I promise. Determine what foods you want to avoid in your family's diet and stick to it! No cheat days! Going cold turkey is really hard for some at first, but you will find your kids' palates open up quite quickly to new foods, once they know you won't budge on what kind of foods are kept in the house.

picky eating solutions

My #2 tip is to make sure everyone in the house is eating on the same page as much as possible.

We don’t keep foods in the house that they cannot eat, and I give no other options other than the meals I cook for them. Your child will eventually eat what you offer. Don't feel bad if they refuse the food you spent hours cooking, let them skip the meal, wrap it up and put it in the fridge until it's time for the next meal! Don't offer a backup, or the vicious cycle will never end and you will find yourself cooking separately for everyone in the house and picky eating will never be resolved!

P.S. I confess that this is work in progress. My husband only just started to realize the importance of diet and we only recently started having the same meals together. Before he would have a pizza or a sandwich for dinner whilst I and the kids and I were having salads! Wasn't that a workout for their craving endurance, wouldn't you say?

Talk to your kids, even if you think they don't understand everything you say.

Involve them in your shopping, food prep and cooking, talk about where the food comes from... Gardening would be awesome if you have the option, even if it's just a pot with Rosemary and Thyme on your window!
Explain why they cannot eat certain foods, as if you were explaining it to yourself when you were little.
When we started, my dear husband was not on board, he was actively against it. I had to fight for the sole privilege to feed my kids as I see fit. He had his "normal food" shelves in the fridge and in the pantry. I had to explain to the kids why Daddy eats differently in a respectful manner, so that they wouldn't offend anyone eating "normal" diet outside of our house.
They asked often. Over and over. I always took my time to explain.

Eventually my kids accepted this as the new normal, the fact that all people eat differently by choice or because of their health conditions.
Take one food at a time and talk with them about the harmful ingredients, and how it can destroy their body in simple terms, connecting this to how they feel when it does - they will get headaches and itches, their tummy will hurt, they won't be able to sleep...etc.
I told them that as their Mommy, because I love them more than anything in the world, I have responsibilities to feed them only the healthy foods and never the foods that can make them sick, even if they wanted those foods more than anything!
P.S. I think the past 3 years of my boring narrations about the food benefits and toxic ingredients effects has set with my husband too and I didn't even have to force feed him! God's mysterious ways!

Rule of tasting everything!

Meaning that they have to try a small bite of something they dislike or think they dislike, every time we have it in our meal. Try not to make a big deal or have a negative reaction to a refusal/distaste for foods because this can create a power struggle or fear of food. But a rule is a rule, so don't budge!
Have a positive and truthful attitude and tell them: "I used to hate brussel sprouts but I kept trying them and now I like them,... I do!! What if I would have never tried them again, I would never learn how good they are! I learned that brussel sprouts again, I would have never learnt how good they are! I learned that Brussels Sprouts are super high in antioxidants, protein, potassium, calcium, folate and vitamins: A, C, B6, K! These nutrients fight disease, especially cancer! They make your bones stronger, your brain smarter and help your eyes to see much farther!"

We love this book a lot! This book helped us to cement the rule of trying the foods we don’t like! Did you know there is only 50 different words in this book? 🙂

P.S. we are still working on the brussels sprouts! I wish there was someone there trying to make ME eat them! 😉

First-Then

When Melania was 2.5 yo and non-verbal, of course I couldn't convince her to eat brussels sprouts by spitting out the list of its benefits! We used a laminated board with velcro and pictures. The "First-then" concept worked great. She knew what to expect and what she needed to do. There were tantrums, yes, but that was to be expected! Essentially this is the main reason you are doing all of this - to get your kid healthy so that she could be reasoned with! Tantrums and other behavioral issues are the symptoms of the an impaired digestive system and brain inflammation. Fix the gut - No more tantrums! That easy, hah?

Hide!

Yes, hide the veggies, herbs and leafy greens in anywhere possible, until their gut health and their taste sensations are improved. You can try the following ideas:

  • In a soup they like – add veggies that are cut super fine in the end of cooking so that they stay practically raw and undetectable. 
  • Grind herbs into powder and add here and there into your gluten free baking, such as breads, pancakes, waffles, magnesium muffins, pizza crust and topping or even Birthday cakes! Salads, dips, dressings, and sauces, soups, stir-fries… etc. I even stuff dates with ground milk thistle, whenever they have a sweet tooth!
  • If you have meat in your diet, you can hide lots in meatballs, meatloaves, shepherd’s pie etc! Liver, herbs (culinary and medicinal), cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts…
  • Make your own sauces, dips, dressings and mayo, in which so many nutritious foods can easily be hidden!
  • Pack as much nutrition into meals as possible and lean heavily on whole, plant foods.

How to get kids to drink Green Smoothies

  • Transition slowly from fruit smoothies that they like to green smoothies with less fruit and more green veggies.
  • Serve in stainless steel cups or in a thermos, sometimes it helps when they don’t see the color green.
  • Freeze leftovers in popsicle molds.
  • Make it thicker and serve in a squeeze pouch like THIS or spoon feed. Even for older kids this sometimes work wonders!
  • Offer a choice between a smoothie and a salad. You may be surprised as I was when they said “yes!” to salads!
  • Make an offer to let them participate in deciding what will go into the blender, pressing the button etc. and experimenting with recipes and tastes.
  • If your smoothie is particularly gnarly, offer a “dessert” or a prize for after and talk about all the benefits they just consumed by drinking that smoothie (I don’t see much wrong in that!)
  • Blend until smooth – texture is important.
  • Drink the same smoothie with them!
  • Syringe (see the paragraph on that right below).
picky eating solutions
picky eating solutions
I add lots of herbs and wild edibles in their smoothies

With my two little ones I had to take a different route than with my oldest son. Daniel was 4 and barely had any language, but instead ODD and ADHD, so he was very hard to reason with. And Melania was 2.5 yo with nonverbal autism, so there was even less chances of reasoning with her. To get them to take their smoothies daily I used a plastic (ugh, yuck, I know) liquid dispenser, a syringe kind of thing.

From time to time we would play a game in which the smoothie was the “Invisibility Potion” and we would pretend that they were invisible after drinking it! It was a lot of fun!!!

Other times we’d use the “First-Then” concept with preferred foods as a reward after the smoothie.

Once my kids realized there was no backing out of the smoothies, things went much more “smoothly” 🙂 It’s no longer a chore, rather it’s just part of their diet. They like to think of smoothies as “fuel for their engines with the good gas”! 

There are some different opinions about force feeding and using foods as a reward. I think a lot will depend on the kid and we, the parents have to decide which method is best for them. Some say that rewarding children with food could lead to emotional eating, but I now think that this depends on the foods and your aproach. If you can keep up the good attitude and the entire diet is healthy, then emotions will be as well.

Your child will eventually eat what is offered

Even if your kid is older, and/or not budging, throwing temper tantrums and hunger strikes... more so you need to continue offering them healthy foods. This is because the kids who put up the most resistance are most in need of a healthy diet!

This is from Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s book, "Disease Proof Your Child":
“Children are not responsible for their poor eating habits. Their parents are…It is not necessary to coax them to eat or eat healthfully. In fact, battling with your child about food is counterproductive. The trick is to adhere to this one most important rule: only permit healthy food in your home. Children will eat whatever is available. They will not starve themselves to death; they adapt easily and learn relatively quickly to like the food that is offered.”

Within 6 months all my kids made amazing progress and chose to eat salads instead of smoothies about 50% of the time. Other times they drank their smoothies with absolutely no complaints. Their palate expanded to trying and liking new foods, and they experienced less and less cravings! And my life got that much easier! So can yours!

For some kids it take less time and for some longer. There are many factors involved, such as:

  • Your family, friends and school staff support.
  • Consistency.
  • Following through.
  • Infractions (accidents happen and you may experience a setback).
  • Your will to continue.
  • How strict the diet is.
  • How picky the child is.
  • Age and health of the child, the earlier, the better! But it is NEVER too late!

Take it Easy:

 

In those books there is always someone (generally a woman) in the kitchen, cleaning, shopping, meal-planning, cooking, baking, managing leftovers and juggling a million other undetectable to the men’s eye little things and If you don’t especially like to cook or not particularly organized, pressed for time, or all of that combined…  these strategies mean a certain amount of work, time and effort to learn. 

But it won’t do you or your kids any good if you run yourself down, you need to think about your own stress levels and comfort sometimes, and one way to do it is to get rid of the notion that dinner is the main meal of every day. 

There are lots of opportunities to get good food into kids in earlier meals and snacks, so maybe we should all just relax about dinner. My kids sometimes don’t eat dinner, and they are fine. We would have a carpet picnic with a healthy snack and watch a movie or play games, talk about the day or tomorrow and be grateful for what we have!

Some final ideas would be to prepare an easy breakfast for the morning before you go to bed – wash fruits or throw an overnight chia pudding or oats in the fridge and set an herbal tea for an overnight infusion

I really love this quote, and It really helped me get through! Legend says, King Solomon had it, yes?

by Josh Schneider

“James is a very picky eater. His dad has to get creative—very creative—in order to get James to eat foods he thinks he doesn’t like. He presents James with a series of outlandish scenarios packed with fanciful and gross kid-friendly details—like pre-chewed gum as an alternative to broccoli and lumpy oatmeal that grows so big it eats the dog—in an effort to get James to eat. But it is eventually James himself who discovers that some foods are not so bad, after all, if you’re willing to give them a try.”

the end...

“- Mo-om! Can I have something to e-e-eat?

– Sure! Salad or Smoothie?

– Salad!”

That’s the conversation we want to have! But do we?

I do. Most times now. At least in terms of salads and smoothies. We still have lots of work to do in the other foods areas, for example, my oldest son doesn’t like many fruits and veggies, but i think it’s because I started with him much later than with my two little ones and that’s where his residual pickiness comes from.

But the farther we continue the less he refuses and I think overall he is a good eater.

In the end I want them to be able to make the right food choices on their very own.

I want them not to react negatively to the society’s pressure, rather push back with their own opinions and knowledge!

I hope this post helps you if you have a picky eater. If you have any guilt, let go of it – it does not serve you or your kids. My kids aren’t perfect, they too have their moments! They sometimes take forever to eat and they complain, but overall I think they are great! And the most important – they are healthy and they understand the importance of good nutrition, and even able to explain this to people that are not in the know!

my secret section

I DON’T LIKE THE TERM “picky eater” to describe children. First, it suggests a child is constitutionally incapable of eating a variety of foods – an innate trait no more immutable than having brown eyes or a cleft chin. Second, it implies that a child’s (poor) eating habits are inborn, having nothing to do with his feeding environment. Lastly, labeling kids as “picky eaters” often results in a self-fulfilling prophecy whereby expectations are lowered, new foods are no longer offered and opportunities to expand the veggie repertoire beyond French fries never materialize.

Tamara Duker Freuman

To be sure, some children are absolutely more challenging to feed than others by nature. (My twins have very different attitudes toward new foods and vegetables despite being raised around the same dinner table; I joke that between the two of them, I have one perfect eater.) Still, this doesn’t let us parents off the hook as bearing significant responsibility for facilitating our kids’ abilities to grow into the healthiest, most flexible eaters that their natures will allow.

[Read: You’ll Gladly Die for Your Children; Why Won’t You Cook for Them?]

While you can’t change your child’s natural disposition when it comes to eating, you can change how you approach feeding him or her. In so doing, you may discover that your philosophy of feeding can play a significant role in your child’s success in broadening his or her food horizons.

Old feeding philosophy: “I’d rather he eat SOMETHING than go hungry.”

New feeding philosophy: “By allowing my child to feel hungry, I’m helping him be more successful at mealtime.”

 

https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/11/26/a-fresh-perspective-on-picky-eating

 

https://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/sensory-processing-disorder.html

 

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My kids - My Philosophy on Feeding them. Picky Eating Solutions for busy Moms.

I thought this song 

would fit the topic!  

so Just for the fun 🙂

“Don’t want to argue, 

I don’t want to debate
Don’t want to hear about 

what kinds of foods you hate
You won’t get no dessert 

’till you clean off you’re plate
So eat it”

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detox protocols and herbs

DETOX. Protocols & Herbs

Detox.
Protocols & Herbs.

Why is there a need to detox?

Environmental issues such as global warming, ozone-layer depletion, overuse of pesticides and other chemicals, indoor pollution (electromagnetic fields, dust, animal hair, bedding, carbon monoxide, disinfectants, hair sprays, household cleaning products, lead, mold, TV and computer screens low level radiation, microwave radiation, paint, pesticides, radon, solvents, tobacco smoke, carpets, manufactured wood, clothes, plastic, pipes, …), are causes for concern.

Particularly if they affect the quality of water, food supply and our level of exposure to radiation and toxic metals. The body’s immune system can be the last line of defense against these environmental assaults. It is a complex network that protects us from infectious agents (viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms), allergens (substances that causes allergic reactions) and other pathogens (substances that causes disease). When something foreign threatens the body, the body responds by forming antibodies and producing increased numbers of white cells to combat the intruder. The kidneys and liver work to rid the body of toxins.
Thus, a properly functioning immune system is vital for good health, and proper nutrition is becoming increasingly important to help the body detoxify itself. When pollutants in our environment invade our bodies, they can cause such reactions as watery eyes, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach, ringing in ears, asthma, bronchitis, stuffy nose, arthritis, fatigue, headache, eczema, depression, immune deficiency, cancer, poor academic performance, behavioral, emotional and learning disabilities.
The symptoms of environmental toxicity and environmental allergies can be very similar, but the mechanisms that cause them are different. Allergies result from an overreaction by the immune system to some substances encountered in the environment.
Environmental toxicity, on the other hand, is not a result of an immune system reaction, but a direct poisoning of tissues or cells, so that they can no longer function as they should. Allergic reactions usually begin to subside when contact with the offending allergen ceases, whereas toxicity-based problems can persist long afterwards, depending on the type and extent of the damage the toxins have caused (IgG, IgE).

What can you do to help your body to Detox?

Detoxing involves not only getting the toxins out of the body but also stopping the contamination sources as much as possible.

 

1. Diet - this is first and foremost!

Every bite we take
is either fighting disease
or feeding it"

  • Go 100% Organic.
  • Remove Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Corn, Sugar, and all processed foods.
  • Start with whole foods diet. 
  • Transition into eating more fiber – at least 75% of your diet should be vegetables, leafy greens, fruits and berries.
  • Add home fermented veggies to your diet. Do it the right way, read my article: “Full Guide to Wild Fermented Sauerkraut for Gut Health”
  • Add 1/4 cup raw organic pumpkin seeds to your diet daily as a source of magnesium which helps the body to detox. Read about why we need magnesium HERE.
  • In case of lead toxicity make sure your diet is low in fat and contains adequate amounts of iron and calcium sources. The body absorbs lead more easily if it is lacking in calcium and iron or if it has been exposed to a high fat diet.

3. DETOX. Simple Protocols

  1. Epsom salt baths
  2. Consider Colon Cleanse, Enemas
  3. Homeopathy and EO.
  4. Juicing
  5. Exercise
  6. Rebounding
  7. Sauna.
  8. Forest Bathing
  9. Barefooting
  10. Dry brushing
  11. Sun exposure
  12. Consider WATER FASTING 3 days each month to help the body to get rid of toxins. More HERE
  13. Castor oil packs have been said to help improve liver detoxification naturally, support uterine and ovarian health, improve lymphatic circulation and reduce inflammation.
  14. Yoga. See my article “Inversions for detox, immune system, brain, stress and more…benefits of being upside down”
  15. Massages.
  16. And Lots of LOVE!

The 4 Minute Workout - The Nitric Oxide Release.

a new workout by Dr. Zach Bush, Doctor of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Internal Medicine and Palliative Care.
What is nitric oxide?
Your body produces nitric oxide for ”vasodilation, meaning it relaxes the inner muscles of the blood vessels, causing them to widen and increase circulation. Nitric oxide production is essential for overall health because it allows blood, nutrients and oxygen to travel to every part of your body effectively and efficiently.”

the Nitric Oxide Dump is a new version of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that is designed to stimulate the release of nitric oxide, which can catalyze and promote health.

Detox with Epsom Salt Baths.

This is one of our first interventions we had done on our healing journey. And we saw an immediate result!
My kids get Epsom salts baths 5-7 days a week. 1-2 cups of Epsom salt in a tub of water filled up to the belly button. Minimum 20 minutes. As a precaution: start with 1/4 of a cup, as some cannot tolerate high amounts of Epsom salt.

The skin is our largest organ, 60% of chemicals in cosmetics ends up in the bloodstream. It takes 26 seconds for cosmetics to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
“if you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin.”
there happens to be some controversy on that, and some say that 

 

"our skin protects us from the daily onslaught and can stop certain chemicals from getting into our bodies. Every person is different and every chemical is different. It is always good to question what you put on your skin but your body’s response will be individual."

So be mindful of what you are putting on yours and your kid’s skin. The clothes, the laundry detergent, oils, sprays and sunscreens…

Top benefits of Epsom salt baths:

  • Stimulate detoxification pathways in the body.
  • Prevent Magnesium Deficiency.
  • Eases stress and relaxes the body. 
  • Reduce anxiety and irritability and improves sleep patterns.
  • Constipation can also be relieved by taking Epsom salt baths. Magnesium salt promotes gastric activity in the intestines which provides a laxative effect. The stimulation of movement in the gut and colon further promotes detoxification processes.
  • Epsom Salt Baths Reduce Inflammation.

Magnesium and sulfate are both fine consistency minerals that can be absorbed through our skin and taken up into the bloodstream. Just as your skin perspires to remove toxins through your pores, these same pores also allow minerals in. Think “reverse osmosis” to understand the process which moves toxins out of the body and pulls magnesium and sulfate inward. When you soak in bath water containing epsom salts, reverse osmosis occurs to help cleanse your body.

 

Tips for Getting Maximum Benefit From Your Epsom Salts Bath
– Add herbs such as nettle, calendine, red clover, bergamot (bee balm), mullein, chickweed, yarrow…) Adding these herbs can stimulate the detoxification pathways, and help with skin conditions, plus it smells heavenly!
– Add Essential Oils − Turn your Epsom salts bath into a luxurious spa treatment by adding several drops of essential oils. Mix the oils with epsom salt 15 min prior to adding it to the bath water. This’ll prevent them from floating on top and get on the skin and bathtub surface. Therapeutic oils such as lavender essential oil and frankincense can promote relaxation and stimulate healing and/or just use any essential oils that you enjoy. I also love to add Bergamote, Rose-Geranium and blends like “Release”, “Stress Away”, “Peace & Calming” by Young Living brand.

– Use only natural, chemical free soaps and shampoo.

This is most trusted and affordable choice, you can order bigger 25 lbs bags directly from their site and they ship for free.

Read about the difference between Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt) and Magnesium Chloride (Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes) HERE.

Detox with Hugs and Kisses. XOXO!!!

“A hug a day keeps the doctors away” 🙂
We all know that Children NEED hugs! But how really Important the hugs are? 
I always say that every little thing is important in the process of healing our kids!
A good genuine hearty hug can release a great amount of oxytocin – the “love hormone” a neurotransmitter and it can stay in your system for up to an hour (just to compare: oxytocin that is released with orgasm only stays for 5 min!)
They say you need to hug a child until he* releases, not you first. I noticed that my kids needed less and less hugging time when they started to heal 🙂
Oxytocin:
***promotes attachment and solidifies relationships
***is an antidepressant
***crystallizes emotional memories
***reduces cravings
***improves social skills, reduces social fears
*** induces sleep
*** heal wounds (through its anti-inflammatory properties)
*** relieve pain — everything from headaches, cramps and overall body aches.
*** fosters generosity
Oxytocin – It’s what makes us human 🙂 

So, hug your kids for dear life! XOXO!

detox protocols and herbs

DETOX HERBS

Although this may not be the tastiest of herbs, it is an incredible blood cleanser and loaded with detoxifying nutrients, such as Iron, vitamins A, B1, B2,C, E, flavonoids, magnesium, amino acids, fiber….
Burdock is also a diuretic, helping to expel toxic buildup in your blood and eliminate it through your urine.
Burdock is a strong herb and it would be advised to include this, once you have gone through other detoxification protocols. It has a very strong affinity for the liver and works extremely well to eliminate toxins, therefore it can make you feel quite ill if other detoxification pathways are not optimized(!)
Burdock is high in fructooligosaccharides or FOS, which will increase the beneficial bifidobacterium and eliminate the bacterial pathogens that can build up in the gut. In addition, burdock increases saliva and bile secretions to help break down, bind and excrete toxins from the body.
Burdock is also great for supporting the adrenals, helping to balance blood sugar and contains antimicrobial compounds. Helps protect the healthy cells in the liver from free radical damage or inflammation caused by toxins. It also stimulates the regeneration of new healthy cells and aids the body in mopping up toxins.
It helps to increase glutathione production, the body’s major antioxidant substrate. This herb has no adverse side effects, though it may loosen stools slightly as it increases bile flow.

Parts used: root, seeds.

This herb is most widely used for liver detoxification and is readily available. Milk thistle can help to regenerate liver cells and provides vital nutrients for the liver in helping it to expel toxins and metabolic waste. It also helps to produce bile, which assists in supporting digestion.Milk thistle acts in a similar fashion to detoxify other synthetic chemicals that find their way into our bodies, from acetaminophen and alcohol to heavy metals and radiation. Milk thistle was approved in 1986 as a treatment for liver disease and it is widely used to treat alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic fatty liver, cirrhosis, liver poisoning and viral hepatitis. Milk thistle also supports the pituitary gland. 

Where to buy: www.iherb.com   

To use: Grind the seeds and store in fridge. Then add to smoothies, salads and any other dishes as a spice. Add to your baking – in bread and pancakes, anywhere really! I even stuff dates with this! 🙂Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe

Purifying and diuretic herb and as such – good for detox support.

Red clover is incredible for cleansing the blood.

The flowers have the ability to carry waste out of the bloodstream, making this herb a valuable part of a detoxification protocol. Red clover can be used to relieve the symptoms of liver ailments.
“Red Clover is everything you thought soy would be, with none of soy’s drawbacks. Instead of leaching minerals from the bones, Red Clover contributes generously to bone health. Instead of disturbing the thyroid, Red Clover helps normalize it. And Red Clover has an iron-clad reputation for preventing and countering breast cancer. An easily assimilated form of calcium and other necessary elements is the common Red Clover tops.”
Health benefits of red clover include assisting in combating minor digestive problems like indigestion, increased acidity, heartburn, etc.

Red clover is also a powerful tonic, helping to assist in toxin breakdown within the lymphatic system. Its expectorant properties are also great for individuals needing lung support. However, make sure to do your research, as red clover is only appropriate in certain forms and amounts. Source of many valuable nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C.

***Red clover is also considered to be one of the richest sources of isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens and are found in many plants), 

BUT the FACT is: – the Red Clover Plant is only** starts to produce estrogen as a survival mechanism for instance when sheep feed heavily on it. The estrogen compounds basically act as a contraceptive to the sheep, which brings down the population over time and eventually reduces the damage from overfeeding and restoring the natural balance within the ecosystem!

Now, the nearby cloverfield plants (with no livestock) can “anticipate” the danger and can begin to produce the same hormone-mimicking compound simply because they’ve been already “informed” from the nearby plant community!
And once the threat has been reduced – so is the production of estrogen!
Plants really are amazing! 🙂 Buy it HERE.

This herb is a Nature’s multivitamin! 

The Alfalfa plant raises minerals deep in the earth that aren’t accessible for most other plants since it sends its roots 20-30 ft down! 

Alfalfa is extraordinarily rich in nutrients, minerals and vitamins that play big roles in the health, development, and strength of our bones. Alfalfa contains digestive enzymes and eight essential amino acids of protein and a high chlorophyll content. Alfalfa is an extremely rich source of Beta-Carotene, Minerals, Trace elements, and vitamins A,B-1, B-6, B-12, C, D, E, K, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin and Pantothenic Acid. Minerals are Calcium, copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

Herbalists have used Alfalfa leaf for centuries to help with a variety of infections. 

Main benefits: 

  • Cleansing the blood.
  • Alkalises the body and detoxifies the body, especially the liver.
  • helps remove heavy metals out of the body
  • helps alleviate allergies,
  • aids in blood clotting,
  • promotes healthy digestion,
  • can ease morning sickness,
  • stimulate a healthy appetite.
  • Is helpful in reversing tooth decay and remineralizing teeth,
  • great source of Vitamin K so it helps improve Baby’s Vitamin K levels at birth if mom drinks during pregnancy.
  • Helps lower blood cholesterol (by impeding intestinal absorption) without affecting heart-healthy HDL cholesterol.
  • supports the pituitary gland,
  • Supportive during nursing.
  • contains an antifungal agent.
  • Anti inflammatory

Infusion: mix 1 tbsp. dried herb with 8 oz. of boiling water, infuse overnight. Drink 1 cup of this  daily.

Fresh: toss alfalfa sprouts in a salad. The alfalfa sprouts and the dry leaf are very mild in flavor and because of this, it can be used in many different ways.

Herbal Tea recipe:

Herbs in this tea are nourishing and detoxifying and are useful in ridding the blood of waste products and toxins. Dandelion and red clover are two such herbs that can be combined with other nutritive herbs (plants rich in vitamins and minerals) for the perfect springtime tea. 
1 part alfalfa
1 part dandelion leaf
1 part oatstraw
1 part red clover
1 part red raspberry
1 part lemongrass
Combine all the herbs. Use one tablespoon per cup of water. Pour boiling water over herb mixture, let steep for 40 minutes or best overnight, strain and drink.

It is important to insist on certified organic alfalfa, since the plant concentrates cadmium, copper, lead, nickel… when it is grown in contaminated soils. they do have a GMO, Roundup ready alfalfa, so be careful when you order yours! 

www.iHerb.com

The great thing about dandelion is that the flowers, leaves and roots support the health of your entire body. The bright yellow flowers contain high amounts of antioxidants and flavonoids, which are all great for supporting the liver and renewing cells. You can add the flowers to a pot of water and simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes to make a sweet tasting, detoxifying tea. Dandelion leaves are an important part of a detox because of their diuretic action, and unique because they do not leach out potassium, an important electrolyte mineral. The nutritious leaves are a good source of vitamins A, B, C and zinc. Although dandelion can be bitter, it’s the bitterness that helps to stimulate the liver and gallbladder, thereby improving digestion.
Dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect, allowing your liver to more quickly eliminate toxins. It also helps strengthen the immune system, balance blood sugar levels, relieve heartburn and soothe digestive issues.

Nettle is one of the archetypal “Alterative” herbs, which nourishes our health by strengthening and balancing metabolic functions. It aids the liver in detoxification, and treats skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis and other rashes, which are believed to result from poor metabolic function.
Nettle improves protein metabolism.

It is a powerful antihistamine herb
Its diuretic properties help rid the body of wastes. Nettle contains a host of nutrients, and is arguably the most nutritious wild vegetable in North America.
Nettle is especially high in chlorophyll, protein and  iron. This high iron content makes it a very valuable aid in treating anemia, for which Nettles should become a regular part of the diet. 

Nettle not only provides iron, but also improves the body’s ability to effectively utilize it. You can add Nettle to pasta sauce, noodles, stir fries, soups, and lots of other stuff. It can also be combined with other wild greens as a regular part of your diet, being sure to cook it enough to get the sting out (though you don’t have to boil the life out of it). Fresh Nettles can be cooked in foods wherever spinach is called for.
In the words of southwest herbalist extraordinaire Michael Moore:
“Every year we see some new harebrained food supplement derived from weird sources, containing new stuff we didn’t know we needed (or even existed), and which we can now obtain… usually at great expense. Nettle is something you can gather yourself in places that you trust, and you can add it to smoothies and salad dressings, put it in bread, add it to your tea, home beer and so forth. It is green food that your body recognizes and can help build blood, tissue and self  empowerment.”
The Mineral Content  (per ounce)
Calcium – 966 mg
Chromium – 130 mcg
Iron – 1.4 mg
Magnesium 286 mg
Potassium – 583 mg
Selenium – 70 mcg

There are many benefits on the daily use of nettle infu­sion across the age spec­trum. 

The high con­cen­tra­tion of min­er­als sup­ports chil­dren in build­ing strong bones, mus­cles, teeth and ner­vous sys­tem. The effect on the ner­vous system, through­out the life­ cy­cle, induces a calm­ing effect lead­ing to increased focus, aware­ness and con­cen­tra­tion. This is ideal for chil­dren who tend to be over­whelmed or high energy. It’s nick­name is “Green Milk”, which is a great way to get your kids started early on this won­der­ful heal­ing herb.
As girls move into puberty sting­ing net­tle helps with exces­sive bleed­ing dur­ing men­stru­a­tion. Net­tles has a hemo­sta­tic affect, mean­ing it is used to stop exces­sive bleed­ing. It slows the heavy bleeding and sup­ports young women through the emo­tional ups and downs of menstruation.
Expec­tant and new moth­ers can use net­tles to nour­ish their unborn child, increase their own energy lev­els, and reduce hem­or­rhage after deliv­ery. Many moth­ers see a sig­nif­i­cant increase in breast milk by con­sum­ing 1–2 cups of net­tle infu­sion daily. The nutri­ents in the net­tles will then be passed onto the new­born as well.
Net­tles helps women to heal dur­ing the post child­bear­ing years. It restores the body’s nutri­ent reserves and helps to tonify the repro­duc­tive system.
Once women move past the age of child­bear­ing, sting­ing net­tle bal­ances the hor­mones and improves the brain func­tion often noted with the onset of menopause.
Boys and men also ben­e­fit from the high nutri­ent con­tent of sting­ing net­tle. They are sup­ported in bal­anc­ing their emo­tions, cre­at­ing more clar­ity and nour­ish­ing the entire body.”

How to make a nettle Infusion using Cold Infusion Method which is recommended for nettle by Michael Moore. 

Ground ivy tea is famous for its great natural detoxifying properties and it can be of a great help to those who live in the regions with high toxicity.
Ground ivy is great for removing lead and other heavy metals, making it a great herb to add in a detox formula. This herb is also a great diuretic, helping to eliminate waste and toxins from the kidneys and liver.
A well tolerated herb is a good treatment for gastritis and acid indigestion.
Also helps with dyspepsia (indigestion), tumors, diarrhea, cough, headache, nasal congestion, urinary system and bladder disorders, sore eye, abscesses. Ground-Ivy is being studied for use in preventing Leukemia, Bronchitis, Hepatitis, many kinds of cancer, and HIV.
Anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of this medicinal herb can be used to treat and prevent all sorts of infections, especially the ones that affect skin and the mucous membrane.

Parts used: whole herb. Preparations: Infusion, tea, tincture.
Precautions: do not use if pregnant of breastfeeding. Its use is also contraindicated or prohibited by patients enduring epilepsy. Read my article about Ground Ivy HERE.Ground Ivy

protects the liver from incoming toxins through its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has a particular affinity for the liver and is therefore used in most detoxification programs. Like milk thistle, it may soften stools. Turmeric has been shown to increase the production of bile by over 100 percent, making it a powerful aid to toxin excretion.

Best to use fresh, or buy ground turmeric (not powdered) HERE.

yours truly, Milla Ezman

Resources:

“Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine” by Andrew Chevallier.
“Medicinal Herbs” by Rosemary Gladstar.
“Prescription for nutritional healing” 3rd edition. by Phyllis A. Balch and James F. Balch
“The Top 10 Detox Herbs” by Dr. Edward Group

“Detoxification” – www.herbs2000.com

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Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe

Cold Summer Soup from Russia. Dairy free recipe.

Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe

Cold Summer Soup from Russia. Dairy free.

Okroshka.

Grain free, Dairy free, Soy/Corn free, Refined sugar free, MSG free, Low fat... No Nasties!

Okroshka is a cold, light and refreshing soup that is very popular in Russia. This nourishing and filling is perfect for the hot summer weather. 

Some call it “The Most Bizarre Russian Soup”!  🙂

Maybe because it was originally made with Kvas and a salad!  Some say that kvas is similar to coca cola, but I think those two are nothing alike! Kvas is made with fermented rye bread, and technically is very beneficial if made with the proper ingredients. Having said that, I am from the Eastern Parts of Russia, and my family never made it with kvas, always with sour cream and/or milk whey.

With our new healthy Whole Foods Diet lifestyle, I had to substitute some of the ingredients. I think I’ve done a great job on preserving the original taste that I am used to and missed. I now use homemade mayo or homemade young coconut meat milk for a fat free version). Better with mayo in my opinion. 

I make a huge 12 Quart Pot Stockpot and it lasts us a week of not cooking! You can eat it any time of the day, put it in a thermos and take it to go. 

My kids absolutely love it and my Daughter even asked it to be one of the dishes for her Birthday! 

Here they are eating it for her Birthday Branch:

Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe

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My family’s recipe just as any other calls for meat, more specifically – bologna, but I didn’t find that omitting it the taste, and I’d rather not have any meat in it. Although I have made it with cooked and cubed cold beef and chicken and it was very good. 

Of course, it is best to use only 100% organic ingredients!
Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe

Okroshka. Cold Summer Soup from Russia. Dairy free.

Okroshka. Cold Summer Soup from Russia. Dairy free.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 

Okroshka is a cold, light and refreshing soup that is very popular in Russia. The nourishing and filling, it is perfect for the hot summer weather. Make once - eat all week! The Recipe is for a big 12 Qrt stockpot

Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
  • 6 lbs potatoes
  • 10 hard-boiled eggs
  • 2 medium cucumbers
  • 2 bunches red radishes
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion
  • 1 bunch of parsley
  • 1 bunch of dill
  • 2 Tbsp ground dry Nettle leaf
  • 1 Tbsp Ground Milk Thistle
  • 2 Tbsp Herbal Gomassio (optional)
  • 1/2 cup of chives
  • 2 Tbsp of fresh chopped thyme
  • 2 cups (optional) cooked and cubed beef, chicken, pork.
  • 1 Tbsp of freshly grated Ginger
  • 1 Tbsp sea salt
for the liquid: Version #1:
  • 1-2 cups homemade mayo
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
Low Fat Version #2
  • 1-2 young coconuts
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
Instructions
  1. Cook the eggs and potatoes. Cool, peel, then slice and dice into small cubes or chunks (whatever you prefer) put in the large stockpot (12 qt is ideal)

  2. Cut radish, cucumber, parsley, onion, and dill and add to the pot. Add the rest of the ingredients except for salt. All of this should fill the pot up to more than a half. 

For the Base. Version #1:
  1. In a 2 qt size measuring cup (or any large bowl will do) mix 2 cups of homemade mayo with water and salt. whisk to dissolve and pour into the stockpot with other ingredients. Add water up to 2 inches from the top or less (if you prefer it to be thicker)

  2. Taste. Adjust the salt and the acid. It should be on the sour side.

For the Base. Version #2:
  1. Open, clean and cut the young coconut meat into chunks. Place in your blender with lemon juice, salt and a cup of water. Just enough to get it going. blend till very smooth.

  2. Pour the mixture into your stockpot. Add more water to fill it up 2 inches from the top or less to your liking of the soup's thickness. Taste and Adjust the salt and acid. 

And that's it! no more cooking for a whole week!
  1. Put the pot in your fridge to cool down and Enjoy your summer! 

    Blessings!

Recipe Notes
  • store in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze the extra.
  • If your radishes came with the tops, add them to the soup as well, just chop them tiny.
  • if 3 gallons of soup is too much you can divide the recipe ingredients to make half of it or make it and freeze for later. 

This is how I make mayo. Since the video was made I no longer add honey in.

Tips I found useful to make the Okroshka:

I usually cook the eggs and potatoes the night before. You can cook it skin on and then peel or peel and then cut. 

If your radishes have tops – use them in the soup too! It will be the complete Whole Food as radish tops are amazingly nutritious!

 

Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe
Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe

Eggs cooked the best in an egg cooker. Cool them in ice water and to peel – crack the shell all over the egg, peel the tip and stick it under the cold running water. 

My eggs are fresh from the chickens and sometimes it’s impossible to peel them, but this method works like a charm!

Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe
Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe

I grind Milk Thistle seeds in my Nutribullet and keep it stored in my fridge in a glass container. 

I keep whole Ginger rhizomes in my freezer (prewashed) and grate as needed with the skin. 

Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe
Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe

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Cold Summer Soup from Russia Dairy free recipe

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Healthy Birthday Cake recipe with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips

Healthy Birthday Cake recipe with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips (GFCFSF)

Healthy Birthday Cake recipe with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips

Healthy Birthday Cake recipe with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips

Raspberry and Lemon flavor

Grain free, Dairy free, Soy/Corn free, Refined sugar free, MSG free, Low fat... No Nasties!

A Healthy Birthday Cake recipe with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips? 

Well, when I say that I add herbs everywhere, I’m not exaggerating. 

Ever since we started the diet, I was terrified of baking, and it took me 3 years to finally come up with a recipe that turns out great every time! 

I bake cakes only for birthdays, that’s why it took so long! At first my cakes were truly awful! But because we limited all baking to a minimum while we were healing, my kids didn’t mind and still loved them! This also lowered their and everyone else’s expectations towards my desserts!  (No kidding here!) 

This Healthy Birthday Cake recipe with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips is not dense, not too sweet, Has a great lemon/raspberry flavor combination and it is really not hard to make!

Not only can you make it ahead of time, it even tastes 10 times better the next day! Just bake it, set aside, do other Birthday party crazy necessities and decorate with fruit at the last minute! 

I used a healthy, dairy-free version of Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting for this cake, but if you want it fat free, use a maple glaze as I did last year. It’ll be all covered in fruit anyway.

Of course it is best to use only organic ingredients!
Healthy Birthday Cake recipe with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips

For my son’s Birthday back in March he asked for a chocolate cake. I used the same recipe and just added cocoa powder into the frosting. 

Healthy Birthday Cake recipe with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips

this was my Daughter’s Chocolate Birthday Cake last year(2017), where I used coconut glaze instead of frosting

Healthy Birthday Cake recipe with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips
Healthy Birthday Cake with Milk Thistle & Rose Hips

Grain free, Dairy free, Soy/Corn free, Refined sugar-free, MSG free, Low fat... No Nasties!

Can be adjusted to egg-free by substituting with a flax egg or aquafaba.

Not only can you make it ahead of time, it even tastes 10 times better the next day! Just bake it, set aside and do other Birthday party crazy necessities and decorate with fruit the last minute!

Course: Dessert
Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups cassava flour
  • 1.5 cups almond flour or meal
  • 1 cup arrowroot flour
  • 2 T poppy seeds (optional)
  • 2 Tbsp Ground Rose Hips
  • 2 Tbsp Ground Milk Thistle
  • 1/2 t salt
  • juice and zest from 2 lemons & 1 orange (medium)
  • 1/2 t baking soda
  • 1/2 cup coconut or olive oil (optional)
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups frozen raspberries
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350F. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. Beat eggs until fluffy. Add honey or maple syrup, oil(if using) and water. Grate the zest from 2 organic lemons and 1 orange, squeeze out the juice and add it to the wet mix. 

  3. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together. 
  4. Quickly mix in 2 cups of frozen raspberries (I used a hand mixer). 

  5. Line the bottom of two 8-inch spring cake pans with parchment paper and divide the batter evenly. 

  6. Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 

    This recipe is for a two-layer cake.

  7. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely. Frost and decorate!

    Happy Birthday!

Recipe Notes

✿Other frozen berries can be used - red raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, currants) but I think the wild raspberries were great here.

✿Poppy seeds are optional, but they go well with the lemony taste. 

✿Coconut oil is optional. Last time I didn't use any and it came out great (see the pictures). With coconut oil, it's just a bit less dry.

✿ Arrowroot flour can be substituted with sprouted brown rice flour. 

✿Two tips that I know of for gluten-free baking to make it airier:

  1. mix the lemon juice and baking soda in a spoon right at the end of any recipe to make the fuzzy reaction, and mix in while still foaming.
  2. Separate the eggs and whisk them until soft picks, then fold in the batter. Makes all the difference!!

 

 

Dairy free Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting with Palm Shortening

When I found this frosting idea, I experimented with the ingredient ratios to obtain  not too sweet taste so as not to overpower the cake itself. Then I stopped looking for other recipes, because this is perfectly perfect, except for the palm shortening of course, but after all this is a birthday cake and some cheatings are allowed, right? 

I didn’t add any flavors or colors to it this time, it blended very well with the fresh berry and lemon flavors.

Dairy free Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting with Palm Shortening

This frosting is very stable, great for piping designs and can easily be made ahead of time and even frozen. Just double the batch and freeze the extra so you don't have to make it again next birthday! 

Course: Dessert
Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
  • 4 Large farm fresh egg whites room temperature
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup, honey or maple sugar
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup palm shortening
Instructions
  1. add egg whites, maple syrup and lemon juice in your stainless-steel mixer bowl and set it on top of a small saucepan with boiling water in it. Make sure the bottom of the mixer bowl doesn't touch the hot water. Start whisking continuously until its about 160 degrees (because depending on the source of your eggs, you don't want to end up consuming raw eggs). Also, ensure it is not too hot to the touch. If you are using sugar it should be completely dissolved. It will take about 5 min.

  2. Remove from the heat and transfer the bowl onto the mixer with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium for 5 minutes. Increase the speed to medium-high and whisk until glossy peaks are formed and meringue is cooled to about 90 degrees.

  3. Reduce to medium speed and begin to add softened room temperature palm shortening. Spoon by spoon at a time and beat well after each edition. 

  4. It will take a while and your mixture will go through some different textures, it may look like it all separated, but just keep on mixing and it will come together. 

Recipe Notes

✿ you can make a chocolate frosting by adding 4-6 tsp of raw cacao powder.

✿ you can add 1-2 tsp homemade vanilla extract

✿ for natural colors:

  • maroon to pink - add dried and powder beet or powdered freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries.
  • purple - add blackberries, dragon fruit, blueberries (powdered freeze-dried blueberries)
  • green - add nettles, spinach, or dried and powdered kale
  • yellow - add ground turmeric, powdered freeze-dried mango, pineapple, carrot.
  • blue - add red cabbage (see my recipe for natural food colorings below)

Homemade All Natural Food Coloring recipe

I personally don’t see the need to make the coloring, my kid’s are no longer expecting over the top decorated cakes 🙂 I’ve added this recipe just for you!

Homemade All-Natural Food Coloring recipe

These are fairly easy to make and can be frozen for later use. Just make a double batch and freeze in ice cubes for easier thawing and measuring. 

Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
Pink food coloring
  • 3 cups fresh beets
  • 1/2 cup water
Yellow food coloring
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 tbsp dry ground turmeric
Purple food coloring
  • 1 cup blueberries, blackberries or dragon fruit fresh or frozen (thawed)
  • 1 cup water
Green food coloring
  • 1 cup Nettle, dry, fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) can sub with spinach
  • ½ cup water
Blue Food coloring
  • 1/2 head red cabbage
  • 1-2 cups water
  • 1/3 tsp baking soda
Instructions
Pink /Maroon - Beet
  1. For the liquid version: In a blender or food processor, blend the beets and water together until smooth. Strain the beets - the juice is your food coloring. 

    For the dry version: shred or process your beets in a food processor, spread it in a dehydrator, dry to a crisp on the low setting, grind into powder, pass through a stainless-steel strainer to remove larger specs. Store in an airtight container for up to a year.

Yellow - Turmeric
  1. For the liquid version: In a small saucepan, simmer the water and turmeric for 2 to 3 minutes. Allow to fully cool. Play with the concentration of the liquid by increasing or decreasing the amount of turmeric added to the water.

    dry: Or use plain ground turmeric to add to your foods, to turn them yellow.

Blue - Red cabagge
  1. For the liquid version: Cut half of a red cabbage into fairly small chunks, add water (as little as possible), to cover it in your pot. Simmer for 10-15 min on medium with the lid off, occasionally mixing, strain the liquid out and cool - it'll be purple. But when you add the baking soda, it will turn bright blue!

Purple - Dragon fruit, Blueberries or Blackberries.
  1. for a liquid version: In a blender or food processor, blend the blueberries (dragon fruit or blackberries) and water together until smooth. I like to use frozen berries because they have a better color after thawed. Strain, to remove the skins and pulp from the mix so that you have the purple liquid to color your foods.

    For a dry (powdered) version: use organic freeze-dried or dry the blueberries, blackberries or dragon fruit in a dehydrator, then grind into a powder.

Green - Nettle, Spinach
  1. For a liquid food coloring - use fresh or frozen(thawed/drained) spinach or nettle simply juice it or blend and use it as green food coloring. 

    For dry food coloring - use dry spinach or nettle - grind it into a fine powder in a blender or a spice grinder, pass through a stainless-steel strainer to remove larger specs. 

Recipe Notes

***Store your liquid food colorings in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks in the refrigerator or freeze in ice cube trays and thaw before use.

*** Store your dry food colorings in an airtight container for up to a year. 

Add your Homemade All-Natural Food Coloring to icings, frostings or batter. Play with ratios, and always start adding low, and if it's not enough - then add more. 

Cabbage juice is a PH indicator, it will react to solutions of different PH, hence the color change to blue after adding the baking soda. Like magic!

Just for the fun of it - These are the cakes I used to make before switching to this diet - pretty horrifying, right? (click to enlarge)

Organic Freeze-Dried Blueberries

These are great for coloring and flavoring! 

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List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION

A Complete Guide to making an Herbal COLD INFUSION (FREE printable)

List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods

A Complete Guide to making an Herbal COLD INFUSION and

List of Herbs that are BEST prepared 

with COLD INFUSION

4 ways to make it and 2 of them are magical! 

Out of all the methods to extract herbs, water-based preparations are the simplest and safest (see the fact-sheet on the bottom of this post), because you only need simple tools that most kitchens already have and water. So, if you are a beginner – this is a good starting point for you. 

Making a cup of tea by dropping an herbal tea bag into a cap of hot water is fine, but not ideal, especially for some herbs that should be prepared as a cold infusion. 

“This is usually due to the presence of mucilage or bitter principles that are denatured, to a certain extent, by boiling water” (Richo Cech, 2000). 

Tools you'll need:

One or Two quart size jars with matching lids (wide mouth jars like THIS are easier to wash)

A finely meshed stainless steel strainer large enough to catch a cup or so of herbal material
A cheese cloth or muslin 
A label. 

Herbs and Cold water.

Ratio:

a standard ratio is 1:32

1(by weight):32(by volume) 

1 ounce of herb and 32 ounces of water.

which is about same as 1 cup of loosely packed crashed herbs to 4 cups (1 quart) of water. 

other sources suggest different ratios:

  • 1 part herb (in grams) in 20 parts cool water (in millilitres) per Todd Caldecott.
  • and In Ayurveda a cold infusion is called hima, prepared by allowing 1 part (by weight) of the coarsely ground herb to infuse in eight parts (by volume) of water overnight. Hima is dosed at 100 mL, 2- 3 times daily.

Dosage:

4 cups (1 quart) a day of a nourishing infusion is the standard dose for an adult. But this is a therapeutic dosage for when you are sick. On a normal any given day when you are just trying to support yourself with extra nutrients half of it is fine. 

 

Infants & Children Dosage:

  • 6-12 months old – 1/10th of an adult dose
  • 1-6 years old – 1/3 adult dose
  • 7-12 years old – 1/2 adult dose.

As an example, I made that sun infusion with 2 cups of fresh and dry herbs using 2 quarts (8 cups) of water, and we finished it in 2 days. See the pictures below – this time I doubled the recipe. We treated it as a lemonade! 

Nourishing Herbs like these are very hard to overdose on. The worst that can happen is that you will not see any results. If you see worsening of symptoms after starting on herbs with this dosing, do not discontinue, just lower for a few days, because chances are your body is detoxing. 

 

4 ways to make an Herbal COLD INFUSION

1. the simplest way:

therefore, my preferred one! 
I usually do this before I go to bed…

– I take 1 oz (about a cup) of my chosen herbs, crush them and put in one of the clean glass jars.

– fill the jar up with cold water.

– attach the lid firmly. 

– shake the jar well.

– label it and leave it on my countertop overnight.

when I wake up in the morning, I shake it and taste. Sometimes it needs more time, so if you feel like this is the case – put it in your fridge till the next morning. 

Or if it’s ready you can filter your herbs through the strainer directly into the second jar, squeeze all the tea out the best you can.

Some suggest to add water to the tea to bring the liquid content back to 32 ounces. Others like it stronger, but you choose what you like best. .

Then store for up to 3 days in fridge or freeze for later.

Straining is optional,  you can leave the herbs in and strain as needed right into your cup.   The longer the herbs are sitting in, the stronger the infusion will be. You can even freeze it without filtering and strain after thawing when ready to drink it.

Strained herbs should be thanked and composted 🙂

2. The most common (traditional) way

is to place the herbs (1 oz by weight) in a cheesecloth or muslin and sink it in cold water (32 fl.oz) then let it sit overnight. In the morning you would squeeze the herbs out through the cheesecloth it’s in.

Here you can also add water to the tea to bring the liquid content back to 32 ounces or leave it as is.

Richo Cech says this method is necessary to allow clear water to flow through the tea bag, while the infused water with herbs is circulating down. This “circulatory displacement” will  force the clear water back to the top of the jar where the herbs are floating.

 

3. Magic Sun Herbal tea. Refreshing summer cold infusion.

List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods
Fresh raspberry leaves, fresh Ground ivy. Dry herbs: Hibiscus, Red Clover, Calendula, Marshmallow, Bergamot.

Cold infusion powered by a direct sunlight could be made with fresh or dried herbs, flowers; fresh or frozen fruits, berries and veggies.

The water slightly heats up with the Sun’s rays and its powerful energy. The herbs let out its medicinal and healing benefits into the water. Sun tea is especially helpful for those people who tend to be fatigued, cold and depressed. 

Solar herbs often have a warming, drying and energizing effects, moving your energy and helping with blockages.

The herbs that are especially good for making a Sun tea have red or yellow colored flowers, are in a sunflower shape, often grow in sunny places and have a good strong aroma and taste. The classic sunny herbs are Calendula, Angelica and St. John’s wort, but many other fresh herbs, berries and flowers will make an awesome cap of sun tea!

Our favorite way to make a fresh plant sun tea is to walk around the garden and pick a few leaves and flowers here and there – clover blossoms, raspberry leaf and flowers, wild violets (flowers and leaves), rosemary, dill, parsley, hibiscus, Ground Ivy, Bergamot (bee balm),  spring Nettle, lemon balm, nasturtium flowers…or any combination from the List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods will make great Sun Tea. 
Once you know the steps to making the tea with cold infusion methods, the flavor is all up to you and the possibilities are endless!

How to make it:

Add 1 cup of fresh and dry herbs into a 1-quart glass jar, fill it up with cold water, stir mixture with a spoon to help release the flavorful oils in the herbs.   Then just let the sun do its magic… steeping the tea all day. Strain out herbs after the sun goes down or stick it in the fridge and strain the next morning to enjoy the cold summer refreshment throughout your day. 

Add a handful of fresh or frozen berries, some sliced cucumber and a lemon wedge or orange slices, and sweeten tea if desired. Serve over ice or as is. Will keep refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.  

Fresh or frozen pineapple and thyme is also our favorite flavor.

6 hours later...

List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods
the next morning, strain and add cucumbers and lemon slices. No sweetener needed.
List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods
Isn't it magical? yes it is!

4. Magic Moon Tea. Lunar Tea.

 

This is so far my favorite way of making tea is with the magical power of the Moon. I like to use a wide crystal bowl instead of a jar, a flat glass lid and place the bowl in the middle of my garden. Since you can only have a few full moons over the summer I like a real life witch doing this! In a good, magical way! 

On the night of the Full Moon, follow the same directions as for the Sun tea, except place the crystal bowl outside in the open and let it steep in the moonlight for an entire night, and then drink it in the morning. This is especially helpful for people who run too hot and tend to be anxious and “wired”. Moon tea helps you to become… happier, in a way.

 

Long ago, people noticed a link between the ups and downs of their mental state and the moon, therefore the word lunatic was derived. Probably this has a lot to do with internal parasites mating around full moon.

In Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbs for the Home Medicine Chest, she says that we are children of the sky and that working with the light of the stars and the moon brings in a special touch to the teas, and that lunar tea is  magical and the fairies love it!  An excellent remedy for when you are feeling too serious or stressed out, because it brings a bit of that “lunacy” with it 😉

Did you know that Moon in Latin and Russian is “Luna”? That why its called Lunar Tea.

 

Classic Herbs of the moon are succulent and juicy in nature. Also they are cooling, moistening, and nourishing, helping to regulate fluid and hormones and can often be helpful before and during menstruation. 

Lemon balm, willow, nasturtium, Aloe, cleavers, marshmallow are some of the best to make a Lunar tea with.

Save the date to make your next Magic Moon Tea in 2018:

June 28,  July 27,  August 26, September 24…

for farther dates refer HERE.

 

List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods
Wild Violets Lunar Cold Infusion.
List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods
this was the actual color! My kids said it looks like a potion!
List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods
my fridge... 🙂 tea, tea, tea and ferments! 🙂

Useful tip:

once you strain the herbs out, before you compost them, wait, because there is much goodness still there and you can make a cup of tea for yourself, as I do all the time. Just pour boiling water over the strained herbs, cover and let sit for few hours or overnight. After that compost them knowing that nothing is wasted. Or if you have chickens, toss it to them, they will pick at what they like and compost the rest. 

Summary: 

There isn’t much difference between the 4 ways of making the Cold Infusion at all. You can either mix the loose herbs with the water and filter them later or place the herbs in a cloth and not worry about a strainer as they are wrapped in the muslin already.

Also you can either leave your jar to infuse on the countertop, fridge, under the Moon or the Sun. Ether way you will get a very nice cup of tea!

5 from 1 vote
List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods
Herbal Sun Tea
Author: Milla Ezman
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup dry Hibiscus calyx
  • 2 Tbsp Marshmallow root
  • 2 Tbsp Dried Bergamot blossoms & leaves
  • 2 Tbsp Dry Red Clover blossoms
  • 2 Tbsp Dry Calendula petals
  • couple of fresh Raspberry leafs
  • Couple of fresh stalks of Ground Ivy
  • 4 cups Cold Water
Instructions
  1. Place all the herbs (it should be about a cup in volume) in a clean glass jar, add the water, put the lid on, give it a shake and place on a sunny spot for the entire day.

  2. after the sun goes down, move your jar in your fridge.

  3. In the morning, strain the herbs out, thank them for coming and compost them.

  4. Add lemon, orange, ginger or cucumber slices and honey and drink your tea through the day! 

  5. Blessings!

Recipe Notes

Any mint family herbs are great for this method: lemon balm, peppermint, ground ivy, catnip, lavender, hyssop, lemon thyme, bee balm(bergamot)...

Other combinations: 

  1. Hibiscus, Chamomile, Marshmallow, lemon, and honey.
  2. Calendula, chamomile, cucumber, blessed thistle, lemon balm, and honey.
  3. Hibiscus and Marshmallow, with frozen blueberries and fresh celery stick.
  4. Marshmallow, licorice, and calendula with cucumber and honey
  5. Lavender, rose petals and mugwort with added cucumber and lemon.
  6. Hibiscus, orange slices, red clover and burdock root...

...the possibilities of the combinations are truly endless! You can make a different tea each time you make it for the rest of your life, never repeating! 

REFERENCES:

Making Plant Medicine, by Cech, Richo

Moore, Michael “Cold Infusion” list of herbs. Retrieved July 2014 from http://www.swsbm.com/ManualsMM/CldInfus.txt

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Helpful optional tools

these jars are the ones I use to make a small batch of cold infusion. 

this looks like it would be perfect to make a larger batch of cold infusion, if you want to freeze some for later. 

I had this set for years, and the sizes are perfect to strain anything. 

I just got this set recently, after been using a small plastic funnel. these are on a larger side, which will be very very handy! and they just look so sturdy! Very well made. 

this muslin is great to strain the tiniest specs of your tea as well as making seed and nut milks.  My kids don’t like when herbs floating on top, and it mast be organic, because cotton crops are sprayed with glyphosate the heaviest. 

Or just use an old dinner napkin that had been washed a hundred times 🙂 I’ve done it. Worked great too!

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List of Herbs that are BEST prepared with COLD INFUSION methods

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** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs that are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **

A Complete Guide to making an Herbal COLD INFUSION (FREE printable) Read More »

Ground Ivy

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Benefits, uses, facts, recipes & more.

Ground Ivy

(Glechoma hederacea)

Health Benefits. Medicinal Uses. Preparation.

Ground Ivy

Ground Ivy, better known as creeping Charlie is a balsamic mint that came to us from Europe and has spread throughout much of North America.
There was a time when ground ivy was very well accepted for its therapeutic, as well as its culinary properties. But, currently it is considered a weed because it invades lawns.
Ground Ivy contains a volatile oil which aids in relieving congestion and inflammation of mucous membranes associated with colds, flu, and sinusitis. Ground ivy tea or juice is well tolerated and can be given to small children.

The Herb was reportedly used for centuries to prevent and treat a type of lead poisoning called “painter’s colic” and other heavy metals, making it a great herb to add to a detox formula. This herb is also a great diuretic, helping to eliminate waste and toxins from the kidneys and liver. Herbalists Matthew Wood and David Winston have both used ground ivy for mercury poisoning.

It is also beneficial for liver and kidney function, since it is said to relieve gravel and stones. Combined with Yarrow or/and Chamomile Flowers it is used to make a poultice for abscesses, gatherings and tumors.
Ground ivy has a reputation for being a tonic for the kidneys and bladder.

It is used as a bitter tonic, as a nutritive tea high in Vitamin C, and as an excellent remedy for a stubborn cough.
The fresh leaf can be bruised and applied to ease cuts and insect bites.

If you search this plant on the internet you will find a lot of information on how to kill it once it has invaded your lawn. Gardeners hate the Creeping Charlie! Needless to say – I have it everywhere now! It is quite invasive, but because I know how beneficial the Herb is, he and I are in a very good symbiotic relationship!

“In Spring he is found;

He creeps on the ground;
But someone’s to blame
For the rest of his name—

For Ivy he’s not!
Oh dear, what a lot
Of muddles we make!
It’s quite a mistake,

And really a pity
Because he’s so pretty;
He deserves a nice name—
Yes, someone’s to blame!”

~Ground Ivy Fairy~

Common Names:

Creeping Charlie, Gill-go-over-the-Ground, Haymaids, Field Balm, Cat’s-foot..

Botanical Name:

Glechoma hederacea

Parts used:

The aerial part of the herb, gathered from early in May to late June, when most of the flowers are still fresh.

Taste:

Pleasant, moderately aromatic,  mild flavor – minty and musky with a touch of bitterness.

Key actions:  Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-allergenic, Antihistamine, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Anti-tumor, Expectorant, Diuretic, Tonic, Immune-stimulant, gentle Sedative.

Uses: colds, flu, sinusitis, digestive disorders, gastritis, diarrhea, kidney & Liver diseases, indigestion, lead & mercury poisoning. Arthritis. Joint and muscle pain (rheumatism). Ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Diarrhea. Hemorrhoids. Stomach problems. Bladder and Kidney stones. Wounds or other skin conditions, when applied directly to the skin. 

Constituents:  Vitamin C, flavanoids, volatile oil, sesquiterpenes, a bitter principle (glechomine), caffeic acids and tannins.

Growing:  Ground Ivy is an invasive weed, you may not need to grow it. It thrives in shady and sunny areas alike, on the outskirts of woods, and along paths and hedges. Ground Ivy is a great herb for wild-crafting, due to its abundance. If you don’t keep an eye on it – it will invade your garden and may expel the plants which grow near it. It loves to grow on the edges of grass, covering exposed soil and creeping around as far as it can go. If you notice a somewhat minty smell when you are mowing the lawn, you’ve probably mowed some ground ivy!

Harvest: As early in May. Gather leaves, flowers and stems year-round. Although most herbs are harvested very soon after they go into flower, with ground ivy it is preferable to wait until a bit after the middle of its flowering period. This is because the flowering stalks that you harvest are relatively small It is best to wait until they are almost at their maximum height. I usually harvest it from early to mid June. As with all the other herbs it is absolutely best to pick them around midday after a few dry days.

ground ivy

Preparation:

Other than making an herbal tea with dried Ground Ivy, the young leaves maybe cooked similar to spinach, used in the form of a flavoring and/ or added to soups, stews and other foods, or juiced. Dry Ground Ivy can be crushed and added to spice blends.

Fresh juice: Take in 1 tsp. doses 3 times a day.

Herbal tea: 

Pour 1 cup of water brought to a rolling boil, over 2 tsp of dried herb, steep/infuse for 30 min to 10 hours. Flavor with honey to taste. Take in one cup doses 2-4 times a day.

Children Dosage:

  • 6 – 12 months old – 1/10th of an adult dose
  • 1 – 6 years old – 1/3 adult dose
  • 7-12 years old – 1/2 adult dose
ground ivy
homemade cough syrup

Homemade Cough Syrup

Our first go to cough remedy and also great to give as a preventative in the winter months! The formulation of this Homemade Cough Syrup is not to stimulate the immune system, but rather support it with Vitamin C rich & Nutrient-dense Organic Ingredients.

Read More »

from Susan Weed:

Safety:

this herb is safe in small medicinal doses.
Considered Unsafe if you trying to become or is Pregnant or breast-feeding.

Resources: My invisible notes:

Ground ivy (Glechoma) Spring’s Healing Yard Weed

https://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_ground_ivy.htm

https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/i/ivygro16.html

https://altnature.com/gallery/groundivy.htm

https://michaelvertolli.blogspot.com/2013/07/harvesting-ground-ivy.html

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** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs that are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Benefits, uses, facts, recipes & more. Read More »

My 4 reasons to buy secondhand clothing​

My 4 reasons to buy secondhand clothing​

My 4 reasons to buy secondhand clothing​

4 reasons I buy secondhand clothing

One of them, so that I can continue to be stay at home Mom for my three littles and afford 100% organic diet. It is absolutely crucial for health to eat Organic foods. But it can get pretty expensive which stops many from even trying. How I afford organic diet on one income?

My new toxin-free lifestyle lead me clearing my kitchen, makeup, and medicine cabinets of toxins and opened my eyes to many of the ways we’re exposed to environmental toxins on a daily basis, from cleaning products, to perfume and personal care.

And as it turns out – if you refuse to buy some of the toxic items and make your own DIY necessities like cleaning & personal care products, make your own medicine out of herbs, grow some of your own food… you save an unbelievable amount of money allowing you to spend it on more important purchases… such as organic produce!

 

And as it turns out, I also needed to look inside my closets.

And as it turns out, there are benefits all around in shopping secondhand!

1. used things Saves you Money!

A family of 5 that lives in 4 seasons, and on one military income, clothing can become a huge budget expense!

So, because I prefer to eat organic food than wear expensive and new  clothes that are made in ethical and Earth friendly ways, I started shopping for secondhand Items. 

Fashion is big and cool and some people are just disgusted by a thought to wear something that was worn before by someone else. May be you heard some bad stories or prefer to buy the latest designer clothing, or just don’t care.

I used to be all the above!

Until I watched The True Cost movie about the horrific ways that fashion impacts the environment and exploits people and animals, how Fast Fashion is one of the most corrupt and polluting industries in the world. These facts were just some hippy ideas floating around with no present and real life experiences to show for it until you see it with your own eyes… For some reason, I had just never made the connection before between my shopping habits and their effects.

I guess we all have different “moments of impact” in our lives that make us who we are today and how we changed our ways and thoughts over time.

Most sustainable choice with any type of good - is used,

because it doesn’t take any new resources to make and you are pulling it out of the waste stream. We shop for lots of things at thrift stores, except for items like underwear and socks. I keep all of our wardrobes minimal and choose natural fibers whenever possible. 

I store my oldest son’s clothes and shoes that he grew out of to reuse it for my middle son when he grow into it. Then my littlest daughter gets some of his clothes, to wear around the house or outside, when expected to get dirty or pajamas, t-shirts. We welcome any hand-me-downs from friends and family, because those are the best in every way.

2. It’s Less toxic

While I was shopping for my own clothing at thrift store, I would still buy new things for my kids, because I thought they deserve better. Yes, my thinking was all “funny” back then!

Conventional cotton is grown with genetically modified seeds and sprayed heavily with Roundup (primary ingredient is glyphosate – highly neuro-disruptive water soluble toxin) ) and other toxic pesticides—and these stay in the fabric even after manufacturing. Many textiles also contain chlorine bleach, formaldehyde, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals), ammonia, and/or other harmful chemicals. Add to that heavy metals, PVC, and resins, which are involved in dyeing and printing processes.

We can easily absorb toxins directly through our skin from the clothes.

All that is not a problem with used, natural fiber clothing.

And you can easily spot the quality since most of the things you come across has already been broken in, you can see what has it and what does not. Practical and affordable.

With secondhand things, my #1 concern is the mold. Although we don’t have the mold gene and do not react, it still is very toxic for anyone, so I always assume that there is mold in the thrift stores or homes the things came from and yard sales. Better safe than sorry.

Before I buy anything – I always think: How am I going to clean it? is it worth to do it?

Cloth items I clean on “heavy duty” cycle and rinse with a good amount of vinegar, then wash again and rinse 1-2 times, before drying outside. 

Non-cloth things I spray with vinegar and put through dishwasher cycle on “hot”. If its a big item – I leave it outside for a while to air out and clean it before bringing it home. 

 

3. It’s Earth-friendly and Helps charity.

“We Do Not Inherit the Earth from Our Ancestors;
We Borrow It from Our Children”

 

It feels good to recycle!!

If the people who owned my secondhand findings didn’t take the time to donate it or organize a garage sale and instead chose to toss it into a garbage – all these beautiful things now would be rotting in a landfill somewhere!

And so many beautiful, useful things are* rotting in millions of landfills posing damage to the environment, loss of habitat for animals, and pollution of natural resources.

Also your money staying in the community. Helping the charity or people that are trying to raise a buck on a garage sale is a good thing too. I never ever bargain for a price. If I feel like something is overpriced or I just don’t have the budget – I do not buy it. 

That said – I confess that I do not stay away from buying new things if there is a need for it. Its just that now I don’t feel bad about either choice. I am trying to work towards the Zero-waste approach, but it is in progress and I don’t have much to brag about…yet. 

Whatever the old or new thing you bring home though – make sure it’s needed, wash it thoroughly and have a happy life with it! 

ZERO-waste Movement - what is it?

This is very new to me and very exciting, because I think we absolutely must teach this to our kids! The plastic waste in the environment reaching or reached already it’s safe level (if there was a safe level in terms of how much toxins each of us sends into the earth!) and we have to do something to fix this!

My favorite resources to learn more about the Zero Waste ways of living 

is the Eco Goddess Blog and her Youtube Channel: She is a Zero waste vegan and I learn a lot from her!

4. It’s a Treasure Hunt!

one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! 

And I have so many true treasures from Thrifts stores, Yard sales and Hand-me-Downs that I love and cherish! From books to furniture items… And my precious silver that takes so much time to clean:

Other ways to save and move that cost towards Whole Organic foods & Herbs:

Take a good care of the things you own.

Repurpose. Patch up. Fix. Refinish.

Make it yourself. I can make lot of things myself. I would probably make everything myself if I only had the time! 🙂

Don’t buy high maintenance items such as “dry cleaning Only” clothes or too many things that require batteries…

Do not buy unless you need it!

Borrow what you only need once.

Don’t rent what you’ll use it more than once. Sometimes you’ll spend more on rent than on a purchase.

Sell or give away things that you do not need. 

Request useful and needed items for birthdays and holidays from family instead of having them buying plastic toys and such.

Simplify your life. Learn to live with less and enjoy it. Take pleasure in your home and make it cozy and fun to be in so you’re not tempted to go out every night. Apply this approach to everything in your life: keep what you love and what brings you daily joy and cut out the rest. 

Love a smaller and intentional wardrobe, kitchen, pantry, and living space without clatter and large mounts of laundry to fold all the time. 

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My 4 reasons to buy secondhand clothing​ Read More »

Colt's Foot Herb

Colt’s Foot Herb (Tussilago farfara) Benefits, Uses, Facts.

Colt's Foot

Health Benefits. Medicinal Uses. Preparation.

Colt's Foot Herb

I keeping a store of dried coltsfoot on hand for those winter coughs and colds that are bound to come. Coltsfoot  is one of the most effective cold herbs I have tried. Still, I keep it for reserved for short term use because of the presence of the very small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (see Safety bellow).

Coltsfoot has been a widely used as a folk remedy in Europe for thousands of years. Coltsfoot is used as a respiratory disinfectant, expectorant, and cough suppressant and makes an effective tea to clear congestion. Since the days of ancient Greece and Rome coltsfoot has been used to relieve asthma and bronchial congestion. 

Anather name for coltsfoot In some regions of Eastern European countries is “son before the father,” referring to the fact that the bright yellow flowers come out early in the spring and disappear before the leaves emerge.

Common Names:

Coughwort, Son before the father, British Tobacco, “Мать-и-Мачеха”(Russian), Tussilage (French), Foal’s Foot…

Botanical Name:

Tussilago farfara

Parts used:

 Dried flowers with stem. Leaves. 

Taste:

Tasteless, with slight pleasant aroma

Key actions:  Antiscrofulous, Antitussive, Astringent, Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Tonic

Uses: Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds, Congestion, Nicotine addiction, Cough, Whooping cough

Constituents:  mucilage, alkaloid, saponins, tannin (especially in the leaf), zinc, potassium, calcium.

Growing:  Coltsfoot is a native of Europe, but grow now in much of North America. Coltsfoot is often found in wet areas, such as ditches along roadsides and trails. Which is where I found mine!  It spreads aggressively, and is considered highly invasive, so I wouldn’t recommend planting it in your garden. Plant it around your trees, and side areas

Harvest:  Harvest flowers and stems at the peak of blooming in early spring. Leaves are harvested later in the spring and the best ones to pick are the ones that have all the black spots on them, because that’s the oil that’s surfacing on top, and telling you that it’s ready to be picked.

Preparation:

Coltsfoot is most often taken in teas or in cough syrups. Coltsfoot is also one of the herbs traditionally smoked, and may be of help as a transition those who wish to quit smoking tobacco.

Adult Dosage:

1 Tbsp (4-5 g) of herb on 3 quarts water. 

Take 1 cup – 3 times a day

Children Dosage:

  • 6 – 12 months old – 1/10th of an adult dose
  • 1-6 years old – 1/3 adult dose
  • 7-12 years old – 1/2 adult dose
homemade cough syrup

Homemade Cough Syrup

Our first go to cough remedy and also great to give as a preventative in the winter months! The formulation of this Homemade Cough Syrup is not to stimulate the immune system, but rather support it with Vitamin C rich & Nutrient-dense Organic Ingredients.

Read More »

from Susan Weed:

Safety:

Keep it for reserved for short term use. The presence of some amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in coltsfoot caution against consumption large doses, as this chemical can cause liver damage. Moderate use in tea form is considered safe by most herbalists, but you may want to form your own opinion.
Coltsfoot may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to ragweed.

Considered not safe during Pregnancy and breast-feeding.

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Then join the community of like-minded subscribers 

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** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs that are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **

Colt’s Foot Herb (Tussilago farfara) Benefits, Uses, Facts. Read More »