Been on a tropical hiatus

Lots of exciting things going on right now, so I have not been able to post. I have some great fun recipes like chocolate covered bacon, juicer ideas, jewelry updates and some fun photos coming soon. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and has safe travels. Bless up and Hippy Holidaze!

Something Old + Something new= Something Awesome

I have been trying to come up with crafty gifts since, I am on a budget this year. I decided to make picture frames for some family members from some of their things.  I made a set of frames for my grandmother out of her collection of buttons.  I used a new frame and glued on the  buttons and cut out the backing of the frame out of printed paper and glues that together.  I also made a frame out of spent bullets casings for my dad. I can't wait to give my grandmother her frames, I know she'll love it, grandmothers are good like that. 

HERBAL ANTIBIOTICS FOR COLDS AND FLUS

Most colds and flus are not caused by bacteria, they are caused by viruses.  Therefor, standard antibiotics are useless as a remedy for colds and flus.  There are now anti-viral medications, but they are most effective if administered early on. 

It turns out that many common herbs are not only antibacterial but also antiviral, and have minimal to no side effects.  In the book Herbal Antibiotics, Stephen Harrod Buhner presents his top choices for cold and flu fighting herbs, including echinacea, wormwood root, balsam root, boneset, red root, licorice, sage, garlic and honey. Dosing instructions are provided in the book. This book gives you an overview of what herbs to use and the history of antibiotics. 

Here is a recipe from the book: The Best Cold and Flu Tea

2 teaspoons sage
juice of one lemon (or one teaspoon lemon balm herb)
Pinch cayanne pepper
1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey

To prepare the tea, pour one cup boiling water over sage and allow to steep for 10 minutes.  Strain out herbs, ad remaining ingredients, and drink hot.

SPICES FOR FIGHTING COLD AND FLUS

One of my favorite remedies for cold and flu season is a big batch of chicken soup. Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine, which can thin the mucus in your lungs and make it easier to expel.  Proper soup often includes an assortment of herbs and spices, many of which have healing properties.  The Weston A Price Foundation website states:

Stock contains minerals in a form the body can absorb easily—not just calcium but also magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and trace minerals. It contains the broken down material from cartilage and tendons--stuff like chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine, now sold as expensive supplements for arthritis and joint pain.

Including bay leaf in soups, is great because it is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.  Parsley is loaded with vitamins and minerals, and can act as a stomach soother.  Sage is another herb that is popular with poultry, and is also anti-bacterial and anti-viral.  Fresh sage is best when available because many of the beneficial compounds are concentrated in the oil.  Celery, too, has a long history of medicinal use.

Other spices that are commonly used in holiday cooking that help boost your immune system are cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary and cloves.

A good rule of thumb to follow is strongly scented and flavored herbs and spices come with strong oils that can add flavor, improve your health and often extend the life of your food.

Be generous with the spices.  Experiment with the flavors.  Regular use over time will help boost your immune system.

Shout out to my Grandfather

My grandfather, also lovingly known as PapPap is one the most accomplished and courageous man I know.  He fought in the South Pacific in the Navy and navigated the boats landing on shore.  He married my vivacious grandmother (Nanny) and had six remarkable kids (my aunts, uncles and father).  He has lived in 2 countries and 4 states.  He is a tough guy but has a very soft heart, especially for all 19 of his grandchildren.  He is the head cornerstone in the foundation of my family as I see it and am so thankful to have him in my life.  He has helped mold this large and comedic family's traditions that I too will pass on.  Today, I heard a story about my grandparents and how they learned to ski when they were young adults just so they could take all 6 of their kids skiing during the winter months.  They would all pack into the station wagon and head off to ski mountain.  Upon arrival my aunts and uncles would take off up the mountain while my grandmother and grandfather had cocktails in the ski lounge.  Not only did their love of having a good time seep down through the generations, but most of my family are great skiers and that part of our identity, although small, makes me proud.  My grandfather lives a great life, filled with so many people who love him.  My grandmother keeps him young and they are great team, who just celebrated 60 memorable years of marriage.  Last year my grandfather had his leg amputated and he has been so brave despite these fearful experiences.  I will always look up to my grandfather he is the strongest man I will ever know.  Love you Pappap!

Happy Thanksgiving

 

 

I am thankful for this picture!I love it!

Today I am thankful for the beautiful weather, my legs that allowed me to run several miles with my sister, my compost bin that has helped eliminate my household waste and reduce landfill waste and has produced an abundance of fruit fly life (eh not so good but whatever it's life).  The pumpkin pie my aunt is going to be bringing over for desert.  My blog because a lot of recipes would be forgotten if I had not recorded them.  My friends, a few in Florida, a few in California, a few in North Carolina, Colorado, Maryland, and a handful in New England, although they are far physically they are still important fixtures in my life.  I am grateful for my family all over the country and for their good health today! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and can think of a thing or two to be thankful for. 

Kombucha Holiday Flavors

How to Flavor Kombucha - Holiday Flavors

by Common Sense Homesteading

Cranberry Collins Kombucha

Since I brew my own kombucha, I am always trying to come up with new flavors for my liquid pleasure.  A blog that I follow, Common Sense Homesteading, just posted a bunch of new recipes and ideas for flavoring kombucha this holiday season, and let me say I am impressed, and cannot wait to try out a few of these flavors!

Most of these flavors start with green or black tea kombucha, I use green tea and my blog friend uses black tea.   She notes that "flavorings were added to a 16 ounce bail top jar, or a pint or quart mason jar." Flavorings are added when you bottle your Kombucha.  The longer you let it sit in the bottle, the more carbonation that forms.  I use bail top bottles as well as upcycled glass bottles and bottle my Kombucha and let it sit for 2-3 days. I will add flavoring at this time or right before I refrigerate. 

Recipes with lots of spices should be consumed within a few days to avoid losing your kombucha potency.  Many spices are antibacterial and kombucha, as most of us know, has tons of good bacteria for you, so we really do not want to kill off the bacteria.

Below are some recipes and images courtesy of Common Sense Homesteading

Cranberry Collins Kombucha (shown above)

To a quart jar add:
1/2 cup cranberry juice, plain unsweetened
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup

To a 12 ounce jar add:
1/4 cup cranberry juice, plain unsweetened
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoon  maple syrup

Pumpkin Spice Kombucha

Pumpkin Spice Kombucha

To a pint jar add:

2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
A "shake" each of powdered nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and ginger
3 drops liquid vanilla stevia (optional)

When ready to serve, strain or pour off the top of the jar to have a chunk free beverage, or stir to get all the pumpkin goodness.

Ginger Spice Kombucha

To a quart jar or a 12 ounce jar, add freshly slivered ginger to taste, generally from 1 1/2 teaspoons to 1/4 cup. (I like a little less, I have friends who like much more.)

Toffee Apple Kombucha

Toffee Apple Kombucha

To a 12 ounce bottle add:

1/4 cup apple cider
6 drops English Toffee liquid stevia

this flavor option also goes very well with almond blossom oolong tea from Frontier.

Toffee Almond Kombucha

To a 12 ounce bottle add:
6 drops English Toffee flavored liquid stevia
1/8 teaspoon almond extract

Apple Cinnamon Kombucha

To a quart jar add:

1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup apple cider

To a 12 ounce bottle add:

1 thin cinnamon stick (it will swell as it absorbs moisture and large ones will be hard to get out of the bottle)
1/4 cup apple cider

Cinnamon Spice Kombucha

To a quart jar add:

1 cinnamon stick
2 cloves
A small slice of fresh ginger

Cherry Bounce Kombucha

Cherry Bounce Kombucha

To a quart jar add:
1/4 cup dark cherry juice
Enough tart cherries to cover the bottom of the jar

Pomegranate juice and  African redbush tea also pair well with cherries.

Citrus Punch Kombucha

Citrus Punch Kombucha
To a 12 ounce jar add:
1 tablespoon each lime, orange and lemon juice

Peppermint Patty Kombucha

Peppermint Patty Kombucha

1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/8 teaspoon chocolate extract *

Fill jar with plain kombucha.  Serve immediately, or store for a few days (sealed) at increase carbonation.

*Note - chocolate extract may have questionable ingredients, so read the label. Alternately, you could use plain cocoa.

Law Of Attraction

Whatever you put out into the universe, whether it be thoughts, feelings or emotions you will attract like things back to you.  Just like Karma, law of attraction does not discriminate against good and bad thoughts or feelings.  Whatever you project can be projected back to you in a number of ways.  The first being exactly the way you envisioned it (which is highly unlikely), the second way being a version of the orginial thought and the third being something completely different with the same end result.  So if you are happy, keep spreading those good vibes, but if you are deep in the blues be careful how long you dwell their because you may be attracting negative attention.  Always remember you have a choice to be happy and attract blissful things, and you have a choice to be sad and keep attracting negativity.  Choose happiness!

Fried Egg and Brussel Sprouts

Simple and delicious.

You will need 1 cup brussel sprout
1/4 cup feta cheese
1 clove chopped garlic
1 tsp Virgin Coconut oil
1 Egg
1 tsp hot sauce

On medium heat, melt oil in pan.  Add Garlic and brussel sprout leaves.  Cook for 3 minutes.  Crack egg on top of sprouts and cover and cook until egg is cooked.  Add cheese and hot sauce and serve.

Dream Water

I tried it... and it's not water!  I think ill keep to my chamomile!

Crafty Farm Girl

Every week I get an email from a lady in Darien known as "Crafty Farm Girl" who does some homesteading and trading, and she lets everyone know what she has for sale for that week.   So far I have tried her delicious lettuce and get eggs from her every week.  The eggs are amazing,  they come in almost every color and I am a picky egg girl, especially having worked on several organic farms throughout the years, and I am totally pleased every week by her selection.

Check out Crafty Farm Girl

Super Glue and Gumballs

Here is a great craft to do with your friends, family, kids or yourself and decorate stylishly as a byproduct. 

All you need is a glue gun, gum balls, Mike and Ikes, 1 inch wide ribbon, styrophone tree and clay pot, all of these items can be found at Michael's.


Glue tree into clay pot.  Decorate with gumballs, or peppermints.  Glue ribbon down "tree stem" and add Mike and Ikes to base of tree.

Smoothie Time

My friend Anna and I were being creative in the kitchen and decided it was time to learn some juicing techniques so we decided to make a smoothie.  It was pretty tasty!


1 Naval Orange
2 Honey Crisp Apples
1 Lime
2 Clementines
1/4 cup of carrots
1/4 cup water
1 cup Ice cubes
Basil and Sliced carrot to garnish

Add all ingredients to blender except basil. Add Water or Ice to improve your consistency of the liquid.  Garnish with Basil and Carrot slices. 

Composting!

I have been composting for a while now that I have returned to Connecticut.  My composting is going very well.  My composting drum was worth the investment, it has made a normally somewhat unpleasant job so easy.  I keep my bin in the sun and rotate it every few days to allow the compost to mix.  When the compost is done, it turns to a dark brown, almost black soil that is super for organic growing.  This time of year is great for composting.  Save all your fallen leaves to add to your bin/pile.

My New Hoop!!

Cheap as hell, collapsible and colorful, what is there not to love about my new hoop?!

Garlic Panini with Asiago, Shitake Mushrooms and Prosciutto

Garlic Bread  from Trader Joe's
2 slices of red pepper
2 slices of aged asiago cheese with basil and olive oil
1/4 cup baby spinach
3 slices of prosciutto
few pieces of red onion
1 tbsp sage mushroom extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup slices shitake mushrooms

Combine all ingredients and grill for 10 mins.

Shitake Avocado Salad

You will need 1 Avocado pitted and cubed, 3 Shitake mushrooms chopped, 1/3 cup of cherry tomatoes, 1/4 red onion chopped, 1 tbsp garlic and 1 tbsp of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 2 Basil leaves

On medium heat add coconut oil

Once the coconut oil has melted add mushrooms and garlic and cook for 3 mins.

Now add tomatoes and cook for 1 more minute.

Add red onion and cook for 2 minutes. 

Combine all cooked ingredients with avocado and stir.  Add basil for garnish.