Very Berry Juice with a Carrot Twist

1 cup frozen mixed berries, thawed

1 lg Carrot or 8 baby carrots, peeled and cleaned

Makes 1/2, cup.  Mix well and drink as is.  Do not add sugar or other additives.

Tropical Smoothie with a kick

1/2 cup mango

1/2 large banana

8 Strawberries

1/4 unflavored yogurt (see instructions for casein-free)

1/4 cup coconut or almond milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp organic honey

1 tsp royal jelly

1 tsp liquid B-Complex vitamins

Add fruit, yogurt, milk, and then the rest of the ingredients.  If you are on a casein-free diet, you can use either soy or coconut milk yogurt or just ice.  Start the blender on chop, and slowly add in ice until you get to the consistency you desire, speeding up the blender one setting at a time until you get to “blend”.  Pour and enjoy.  Makes 2-16 oz smoothies.

It’s a new Year, and as I said before, I shaking things up around here.

Here is a list of things that I will be doing to make this blog really stand out, I hope.

Weekly posts

• The posts will be Monday-Friday. (Hey, even a business person needs a day or two off, right?)

  • Monday-Juice/Smoothie recipe

    • I will alternating these.  These are recipes that I have either tried and liked, or found in books or online.

  • Tuesday-Herbal Profile

    • This will be a post on an herb and it will include the latin name, origins, preparations, etc.

  • Wednesday-Essential Oil Profile

    • Same as Tuesday, but for an essential oil

  • Thursday-Article on Natural Health

    • I will research a topic, and provide an article for it on this day.
      • Any sources used will be placed at the end of the article so you can check me.

  • Friday-Mother Hen’s Corner

    • This will be common sense natural health tips, lists of  herbal uses and mixes, and even recipes that are casein free and/or gluten free.
    • You might even see me in a video or maybe hear me in an audio cast.  Who knows?

There will still be posts on new products as well as other, random things, but this will be the main format.  If there is anything you would like me to answer, or research, drop me a line by leaving me a comment.  To make sure that you are not SPAMMING me, I will be emailing you and asking some basic questions.  If the email is bounced back, or there is no answer within 48 hours, I will not be posting on the topic you contacted me to research.

from: http://www.homeopathyandmore.com/

Latin Name: Petroselinum Sativum

Synonyms: Apium petroselinum (Linn.), Petroselinum lativun (hoffm.), Petersylinge, Persely, persele.

Origins: Greece, Rome

Parts Used: Sprigs

Complimentary Herbs: Any herb that aids in digestion, and calms the stomach will compliment parsley.

Appearance: A forest green colored herb that features flared leaves and grows to about 12-24 inches.

History: Parsley was held in high regard by the Greeks and Romans.  They not only used to flavor and garnish dishes, but they used it as adornment for the tombs of their dead.  Folklore has it that they dedicated the plant to Persephone and to funeral rites.

Properties: Antibacterial, antifungal, antilithic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactagogue, hepatic, lithotriptic, nervine, parasiticide, purgative (gentle), stimulant.

Possible substitutions: Chamomile, Cascara Sagrada (small doses), Red raspberry leaves, Dandelion Root, licorice root.

Recommended Preparations:

• Digestive:
  • Infusion with lemon to reduce the cramping from colon contractions.
  • With Milk Thistle for liver disorders
  • With Yellow Dock or Hydrangea for stones
  • With Red Raspberry Leaves to produce mother’s milk
  • With Dandelion root for water retention
  • With Chamomile or Anise for indigestion
  • Placed in salads or juiced to promote good digestion and prevent gas.
  • Chewed by the sprig to relieve heartburn

Pricing and availability: Fresh and dried parsley can be found in any grocery store.  The fresh parsley can usually be purchased for between $2-5 a bunch.  It is highly recommended that the fresh parsley be bought organically.

Sources:

• Tenney, Louise M.H.  Today’s Herbal Health 6th Edition.  Copyright 2007.
• Grieve, Mrs. M.  A Modern Herbal.  Copyright 1971

Morning “Go” Juice

1/2 Green Apple, Peeled (Either Granny Smith or Golden Delicious)

1/2 Bartlett Pear, Peeled (It needs to be soft to the touch, but not over ripe.)

6 Strawberries

6 baby carrots or 1 large Carrot

2 sprigs Parsley

6-8 Baby Spinach Leaves

5 chunks of Broccoli

Makes 2-3, 6-oz cups.  Mix well and drink as is.  Do not add sugar or other additives.

The dosage on the back of the bottle is the average dose, but you have to take into consideration that body chemistry varies from person to person. People have different tolerances to what they put in their bodies. For example, some people can take the prescribed dose of a pain killer and still go about their day as normal while others are knocked out by the pill and can’t even walk straight.

The best thing to do is start with taking one with breakfast, and one with lunch. Give this dose , at most, two weeks. If you feel an improvement, this is the dose you should take. If not, add one to breakfast, and wait, adding another at lunch or even dinner and so forth until you begin to feel a difference in your health.

We’re looking for positive results.

Of you start feeling worse, get the sniffles or some other reaction, STOP. This means you’re having an allergic reaction. If this happens, then you need to research the family from which the herb originates. You may be allergic to one of its cousins. If so, you need to look for a viable substitute. There is a multitude of herbals from which to choose.

More next time. Until then, stay healthy and happy.

Also, for the new year, I will be posting weight loss and nutrition tips that will keep you healthy, happy, and slim without starving you.  Sound good?  Let’s have fun this year!

Mediterranean Holiday Facial Mask

click here to purchase

Mask ingredients:

Ground Chamomile Flowers: (Anthemis nobilis):  Known the world over for its ability to sooth upset stomachs, when applied to the skin it helps with puffiness, blemishes and soothes rough skin.

Spirulina: (Blue-green algae): This is a super food.  It is packed with amino acids, antioxidants, and minerals that help to fight acne, inflammation, and sooth skin.

French Clay: Helps with puffiness, absorbs oils, and cleanses while helping to thicken the mask.

Bentonite Clay: Helps to draw out dirt, and conditions the skin.

The Oil Blend…

Almond Oil: All purpose base oil that contains vitamins to help condition all skin types.

Grapeseed Oil: A base oil that helps with inflammation, wrinkles, and contains anti-oxidants.

Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea): Helps treat acne, regulate the sebaceous glands in the overproduction of oils, and also helps to smooth away wrinkles.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare): When used in small doses (like in this mask), the antiseptic properties of oregano help to detoxify the skin.  Please, perform a patch test before use.  Not for use during pregnancy or on children under five. Do not use near eyes or mucous membranes.

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens): Helps to regulate both oily and over-hydrated skin.

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis):  Helps with dull and oily skin.

Sources for post:

http://www.morethanalive.com/Bentonite-clay-powder

http://www.aworldofplenty.com/4-bath/powders.html

Lawless, Julia. 1995. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, The.  Element Books.

Tenney, Louise MH. 2007. Today’s Herbal Health. Woodland Publishing.

Wildwood, Chrissie. 1996.  Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy, The. Healing Arts Press.

Mediterranean Holiday Oatmeal Bath

Click here to purchase

Baking Soda:  Helps the sooth the itching and irritation.

Oatmeal: These whole oats where steel cut and ground in order for them to mix better with bath ingredients.  It soothes and softens the skin.  The milky properties that it gives the water helps to treat eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and  other skin conditions.

Borax:  Helps to tie the all the ingredients together and soften the water.  This is a naturally occurring mineral.  It soothes the skin.

The Rest of the Story…

Almond Oil:  Naturally soothing and softens the skin.

Avocado Oil:  High in fatty acids, beta carotene, and vitamin E.

Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea): Helps tame asthma, and throat infections.  It also works wonders with depression, migraines, nervous tension, and other stress related disorders. Also helps with aching muscles.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare): Helps with respiratory problems, and helps the body’s immune system defend against the flu and colds.  Not for use during pregnancy or on children under five. Do not use near eyes or mucous membranes. Very strong skin irritant. Dilute well before applying topically – not to exceed 2% oregano. Keep out of reach of children. For external use only.

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens): Helps to relieve nervous tension and stress related conditions.  Also helps improve breathing.  It has been used to treat varicose veins, hemorrhoids, edema, poor circulation, and rheumatism.

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis):  Helps bronchitis suffers to breath more easily.  Helps to calm those who have nervous tension, and stress related conditions.

Cautions:  May cause sensitivity to sunlight.

Lawless, Julia. 1995. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, The.  Element Books.

Tenney, Louise MH. 2007. Today’s Herbal Health. Woodland Publishing.

Wildwood, Chrissie. 1996.  Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy, The. Healing Arts Press.

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/borax_powder.php

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/14781/25_amazing_uses_for_baking_soda_youve.html?cat=46

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/atopic-dermatitis-eczema

The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.