tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86921870409035264252024-03-13T03:10:44.083-08:00Mountain Marysfor body home & spiritMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-61703597021358485912010-03-13T16:53:00.000-09:002010-03-13T16:54:29.357-09:00Good Earth Garden School...Gardening by Asking Mother Nature<br />GEG Bulletin<br />March 13, 2010<br /><br /> <br />Dear Eco-Gardeners,<br /><br /> <br /><br />Slugs in your lettuce?<br /><br />A wasp nest on your deck?<br /><br />Weeds invading your yard? <br /><br />Trees to cut down? <br /><br />Is there is a way you might work with nature? <br /><br /><br />Yes! Come learn to consult the wise consciousness of nature itself. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Co-Creative Organic Gardening<br /><br />April 10-11, 2010<br /><br />Anchorage Alaska <br /><br /> <br /><br />You’ll learn how to <br /><br />--Select organic fertilizers<br /><br />--Perfect your composting<br /><br />--Reduce pests without poisons<br /><br />--Consult directly with the joyful Devas and Nature Spirits<br /><br />--Reduce pests without battles or poisons<br /><br /> Saturday –Sunday April 10-11 from 10 am - 6pm <br /><br /> <br /><br />Information and registration: see flyer attached, and please register on line to hold your place at www.goodearthgardenschool.com<br /><br /> <br /><br />I’d love to have you. Please come join the fun! <br /><br />Ellen Vande Visse<br />Good Earth Garden School<br />www.goodearthgardenschool.com<br /> <br />“We farmers and gardeners are responsible for the health of this nation. As growers, we can do more to keep people healthy than all the doctors and hospitals combined. Human health is an agriculture issue.” --John KempfMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-6421433121294924592010-03-13T16:49:00.001-09:002010-03-13T16:54:54.307-09:00Good Earth Garden School....Classes,Seminars,Workshops,Films,Training<br />GEG Bulletin<br />March 13, 2010<br /><br /> <br /><br />Dear Sustainable Eco-Gardeners, <br /><br /> The sun is scribing an arc ever higher over the horizon. Warm rays stream into our windows. Underfoot, can you feel the sap of cottonwood, birch, willow, and spruce creeping upward? Like the first quiet notes of a symphony that builds to a furor, so do ancient and powerful forces conduct the glorious acceleration into spring. We are riding on a planet that is once again hurling us toward Spring Equinox.<br /><br /> Just as buds will soon swell and burst open, so is my head about to burst open. I am full to popping with exciting news. I don’t mean to overwhelm your INBOX, but wow, I have much to tell you. There is an explosion of opportunities for you to indulge in—new gardening courses, workshops, and conferences!<br /><br /> At last, we feel waves of electric enthusiasm about sustainable agriculture—local food, growing food, community-building, healthy diets, root cellars, and alternative energy systems. So if seed catalogs and spring fever are quickening your heart rate, read on!<br /><br /> <br /><br />In this bulletin:<br /><br />Co-Creative Organic Gardening Workshop <br /><br />How to Build Powerhouse Soil Fertility <br /><br />Terra Bella Eco-Seminars<br /><br />Terra Bella Wed Night Movies<br /><br />Food Films in Mat-Su<br /><br />Local Foods Class<br /><br />Gardening for Market training<br /><br />Small Scale Livestock class<br /><br />Compost Class <br /><br />Healthy Food Class<br /><br />Spring Creek Farm classes<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Okay, this is the comprehensive list. I’ll be sending out reminders of the individual classes as I am able to. <br /><br />But check my website for reliable assistance.<br /><br /><br />Gardening Courses and Films<br /><br />Opportunities, 2010 <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Through Good Earth Garden School: <br /><br />Register through www.goodearthgardenschool.com<br /><br /> <br /><br />Co-Creative Organic Gardening Workshop <br /><br /> With Ellen Vande Visse, Sat-Sun Apr 10 -11-Anchorage<br /><br />How to Build Powerhouse Soil Fertility - Palmer<br /><br /> With Experts Bob & Christine Greig of Alaska Sea-Agriculture<br /><br /> Two repeat sessions at their warehouse site in Palmer: <br /><br /> Sunday, April 18th, 2-4 p.m. and Thursday, May 6th, 3-5 p.m.<br /><br />2- Hour Seminars at Terra Bella Café in Anchorage<br /><br />To register for classes at Terra Bella Café: Go to www.goodearthgardenschool.com and sign up for the courses you would like to take.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ask Mother Nature: Spiritual Tools for Gardening…Tue March 16 at 10am-noon<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Shopping for Food You Can Trust………………Tue March 23 at 4-5:30pm <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Grow Your Own Windowsill Greens……………..Tue April 6 at 10am-noon<br /><br /> Grow Your Own Windowsill Greens….Repeated Wed April 7 at 10am-noon<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Breaking the Chemical Habit—<br /><br /> How to Choose Organic Fertilizers ……………..Tue, May 11 at 10-11:30am<br /><br /> <br /><br />Wednesday Night Movies —Sustainability, Food, & Health<br /><br /> at Terra Bella Bakery Café<br /><br /> Anchorage on Dimond Next to Bed, Bath, & Beyond<br /><br /> <br /><br />All start at 6pm. Come hungry! When you come, get a free packet of coffee grounds to fertilize your garden and repel slugs! For complete list of titles and descriptions, please go to www.goodearthgardenschool.com <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Other Opportunities not to be Missed<br /><br />Alaska Sea-Ag<br /><br />Film Showing of “FRESH”…………. Mon Mar 22 -Wasilla<br /><br />Film Showing of “ Dirt” ………………Tue Mar 23 -Wasilla<br /><br />Both at 7 - 9 pm at The Alaska Club in Wasilla. For more information call 745-5725.<br /><br />Also, see above for Bob & Christine Greig’s class “How to Build Powerhouse Soil Fertility” both April 18 and May 6.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Anchorage Gardening Series <br /><br />Compost and Soil …………….......…….. Wed Mar 31, 7-9pm -Anchorage<br /><br />Healthy Food ………………………..….…Wed Apr 28, 7-9 pm –Anchorage<br /><br />Community Planting at the C-St Garden.....Wed June 2 Time TBA-Anchorage<br /><br /><br />Sponsored by Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Alaska Center for the Environment, <br /><br />UAF Cooperative Extension Service, and Alaska Women’s Environmental Network http://akcenter.org/sustainable-communities/local-food/gardening-workshops For more information or to register, contact Diana at ACAT at diana@akaction.org 222-7714 or Alli at ACE at alli@akcenter.org 274-3662<br /><br /> <br /><br />Spring Creek Farm<br /><br /> <br /><br />Spring Gardening Series for 2010: Classes and programs in Palmer, including:<br /><br />Ÿ Seed Starting for Herb Gardens, <br /><br />Ÿ Home Chicken Flock, <br /><br />Ÿ Seed Starting for Vegetable Gardens, <br /><br />Ÿ Apple Tree Grafting Workshop, <br /><br />Ÿ Planning a Children's Garden<br /><br /> <br /><br />Spring Creek Farm Garden & Art Event Sat June 12 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Come on out and visit the farm. Events for all ages includes: Valley Arts Alliance "Second Saturday" Fireside Books gardening books, Soaring Crane Natural Health Center & many others.<br /><br />http://www.springcreekfarmak.org/eventannouncements.htm <br /><br />Call 746-2714 for information & to register. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Mat-Su College Palmer<br /><br /> <br /><br />Organic Gardening………………….……….Agri 138 credit course Fri Mar 19-Apr 17 (Class full)<br /><br />Gardening-Cultivate & Grow…………………. CED A049 non-credit M-W Mar 15-29 <br /><br />Local Food Sources………………………... CED A049 non-credit M-W Apr 5-19 <br /><br />Small Scale Livestock: Raise & Nurture…CED A049 non-credit M-W May 3-17<br /><br />Market Gardening: Grow and Sell ………. CED A049 non-credit M-W May 24-June 9 <br /><br />To register for classes go to www.matsu.alaska.edu. Need help? Call 745-9746 or stop by Mat-Su College at Mile 2, Trunk Rd, Palmer, AK.<br /><br /> <br />Ellen Vande Visse<br />Good Earth Garden School<br />www.goodearthgardenschool.com<br /> <br />“We farmers and gardeners are responsible for the health of this nation. As growers, we can do more to keep people healthy than all the doctors and hospitals combined. Human health is an agriculture issue.” --John KempfMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-15221551374219186212010-01-21T09:55:00.008-09:002010-01-21T10:35:44.005-09:00Kitchen Cosmetics Blog Party!I'm so glad my friend Cindy (Sagescript Institute and Colorado Aromatics) asked me to join in this Blog party. I don't blog often enough, I usually convince myself that I have nothing to say, lol, but subjects like this are near and dear to my heart, as these are the things I love and enjoy! Thanks Cindy for getting me off my butt! :O)<br /><br />I have always liked the do it yourself approach to most things. I also believe that if you can do it inexpensively and with things you already posses, all the better. I love the natural approach...so with that in mind...open your cupborads & refigerators and get 'beautified" without breaking your bank! <br /><strong><br /><br />Coffee Body Scrub </strong><br />Coffee tightens and rejuvenates skin (and who doesn't love the smell of coffee?!), raw sugar exfoliates (contain calcium, iron and vitamins) and is antibacterial, and olive oil seals in moisturize.<br /><br /><strong>Ingredients</strong><br />2 cups of coarse (to fine, dependant on your preference)ground coffee <br />1/2 cup Turbinado raw sugar (you can sub any kind of sugae, however there will be more benefit form the less processed sugars)<br />3 Tbsp olive oil (or other oil of your preference)<br /><strong><br />Instructions</strong><br />Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Take a warm bath or hot shower to open your pores and hydrate your skin. Rub the coffee mixture into your skin in large circles with even, firm pressure. Shower to rinse, pat dry, and follow with unscented body lotion or light vegetable oil.<br />//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br /><strong>Lemon Salt Glow</strong><br />Sea salts(rich in minerals and microelements) bring a healthy glow to dull, dry skin, exfoliates it, and helps it better benefit from the antioxidant properties of lemon and the nutrition of almond oil(rich in proteins and vitamin D).<br /><strong><br />Ingredients</strong><br />½ cup sea salt (there are many to choose from, any one will work)<br />½ cup sweet almond oil (you can substitute other skin loving oils)<br />½ tsp finely grated lemon zest<br /><strong><br />Instructions</strong><br />Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Before showering, stir the ingredients again, then apply to body in firm scrubbing motion with hand or soft washcloth. Step into the shower and let power of the water stream rinse off the mixture. <br /><br />I'll be posting other recipes on my other blog that I also do not spend enough time on :O) http://peacefullivingnews.blogspot.com/<br /><br />For more on the Blog Party go here: http://sagescript.blogspot.com/2010/01/kitchen-cosmetics-blog-party.htmlMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-36758111493139255232009-10-30T15:24:00.002-08:002009-10-30T15:30:03.490-08:00Winter Herbs, Oils & First-aid<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sut2gAOA2tI/AAAAAAAAAJM/aYpLMR65JeA/s1600-h/winter+pic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sut2gAOA2tI/AAAAAAAAAJM/aYpLMR65JeA/s400/winter+pic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398538870520339154" /></a><br />With the first winter chill breezing into town it's time to start thinking about how to keep the sneezes and sniffles away. While there's talk of the value of vitamin C, echinacea and garlic as natural treatments, herbalist claim herbs can prevent colds and flu. There are three main herbs, as well garlic, which are widely used to ward off winter woes. They are Echinacea, andrographis and astrolagus.<br /><strong><br />Echinacea</strong> is effective for the early treatment of colds and flu because it's an immune stimulant but is best taken before a cold sets in, however, it can help shorten the duration of flu if you take it once you've become ill and can assist with treating respiratory infections.<br /> <br /><strong>Andrographis</strong> and <strong>Astrolagus </strong>work in much the same way. Andrographis is also used for coughs and sore throats. These herbs are highly effective alone or in conjunction.<br /><br />The frequent use of<strong> Garlic</strong>, referred to as nature's antibiotic, puts you well on your way to preventing a winter cold. <br />And don’t forget your <strong>vitamin C</strong>. Citrus, grapes and strawberries are high in C, and it doesn’t hurt to add zinc from beans, nuts and whole grains. <br /><br />You may wish to try this herbal remedy, shared by a friend who swears by it. She hasn’t had a cold/flu in years. <br /><strong>Total Tonic Formula</strong><br />1 Handful of split Garlic cloves<br />1 Handful of chopped Onions<br />1 Handful of chopped Ginger<br />1 Handful of chopped Horseradish<br />1/2 handful of chopped Habanero Peppers.<br /><br />Throw in a blender and chop, then cover with <br />an inch or two of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. <br />Let tincture for a week or two (shake now and then) <br />and strain, then drink a little of the juice daily, <br />or twice daily. (It is very HOT) <br />A small amount in V8 Juice is good and Turmeric can be added for extra benefit.<br /> <br /><strong>Winter Herbal Medicine Chest</strong><br />Several herbs are effective for treating not only the symptoms of too much winter, but also the causes of colds and flu… Impaired immunity to virus/bacteria, maintaining blood circulation and warmth, ensuring vitality of the lungs and reducing the build up of congestion in the body. In addition to the herbs already mentioned, some herbs to keep on hand in your “medicine chest” are:<br />Ginger, Elderflower, Yarrow, Sage, Rose Hips, Mullein, Thyme, Fenugreek & Marshmallow. <br /><br />Other beneficial ingredients to your chest would be<br /><strong>Winter Essential Oils </strong><br />Aromatherapy brings us the aromatic energy of living plants in the form of essential oils. These fragrances are a natural antidote to the emotionally debilitating effects of winter. Winter essential oils cleanse and freshen air in homes closed tight against the cold weather and can be beneficial in treating winter ailments. Some useful winter oils are:<br />Bergamot, Black Pepper, Eucalyptus, Juniper Berry, Lemon, Orange, Rosemary & Tea Tree.<br /><br />Try these Essential Oil remedies in a massage, a bath, infused in the air or in a “sniffy” bottle. In all of them combine the oils listed. <br /><strong>WINTER WARMTH BLEND </strong><br />10 drops of cedar wood <br />25 drops of bergamot orange<br />15 drops of fir needle <br />30 drops of juniper berry <br />20 drops of sandalwood <br /><strong>SINUS CONGESTION BLEND</strong><br />5 drops of Eucalyptus <br />3 drops of Lavender<br />2 drops of Tea-Tree <br />2 drops of Pine. <br /><strong>PICK ME UP BLEND</strong><br />7 drops of Bergamot <br />5 drops of Grapefruit <br />3 drops of Rosemary<br /><strong>SUNSHINE BLEND</strong><br />5 drops of Lemon<br />5 drops of Orange <br />3 drops of Geranium<br />2 drops of PeppermintMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-16311950089771552972009-10-28T06:37:00.000-08:002009-10-28T06:38:24.749-08:00Traditional Herbal Medicine Under Threatwww.cropwatch.org<br />THE FIRST TRULY INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG FOR THOSE<br />WORKING WITH NATURAL AROMATIC MATERIALS<br />E: info@cropwatch.org T: ++44 (0)7771 872 521<br />Traditional Herbal Medicine Under Threat.<br />The purpose of this Cropwatch emergency mailing is primarily to ask<br />all of you to seriously consider signing the Save Our Herbs petition at<br />http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-herbal-medicine.html This<br />organisation not only campaigns on behalf of the general public, but<br />also represents a very significant proportion of medical herbalists of<br />both Eastern and Western traditions, practising in the UK.<br />Time is very short - if you want to support this very worthy campaign<br />ensuring the continued availability of safe Herbal Medicinal Products,<br />the continued free use of a wide range of our safe endemic &<br />imported Herbs by ordinary people according to our traditions,<br />preventing the takeover of small Herbal Medicine Suppliers by<br />pharmaceutical concerns, & opposition to Statutory Regulation of<br />Herbalists, you will need to sign the petition by 31st October 2009.<br />The Save Our Herbs campaign’s official website can be found at<br />http://www.saveourherbs.org.uk/index.html and provides a wealth of<br />background information to this potential crisis for Herbal Medicine.<br />Cropwatch strongly recommends you to read through the<br />comprehensive information to be found there.<br />Cropwatch’s Own View.<br />There are a number of inevitable consequences for Traditional Herbal<br />Medicine as a result of the implementation of the EU Commission’s<br />Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive 2004/24/EC, which<br />came into force on 30th April 2004.<br />§1. Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products (THMP’s). All THMP’s<br />placed on the market post the implementation date of the new EU<br />2<br />legislation, must have a national authorisation to be marketed, and<br />whilst several EU member countries have had national schemes in<br />place, the UK has previously enjoyed a virtually unregulated market.<br />In the UK, for products already on the market prior to the introduction<br />of this legislation, marketing concerns have until 30th April 2011 to<br />obtain authorisation (from the Medicines and Healthcare products<br />Regulatory Agency - MHRA) and to work to GMP. The MHRA’s<br />Traditional Herbal Registration Scheme, and its relative lack of<br />uptake – undoubtedly due to the excessive costs involved (as shown<br />by the low cumulative total of THR registrations) can be viewed at<br />http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Howweregulate/Medicines/Herbalmedicines/<br />PlacingaherbalmedicineontheUKmarket/TraditionalHerbalMedicinesR<br />egistrationScheme/index.htm As we have witnessed in other seento-<br />fail & discriminatory areas of EU legislation (that pertaining to<br />Biocides regulation for example), unnecessary, over-intrusive and<br />crippling financial burdens are placed on the SME’s which market<br />natural products, a situation which plays straight into the hands of the<br />pharmaceutical / chemical companies. It should also be remembered<br />that the MHRA themselves have been severely criticised as being too<br />close to the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. in House of Commons<br />Health Committee Report (2005) entitled ‘The Influence of the<br />Pharmaceutical Industry’:<br />“A House of Commons Health Committee Report from 2005, entitled<br />‘The Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry’ is highly critical of the<br />MHRA and its close relationship with the pharmaceutical industry. It<br />states, ‘(t)here are regular interchanges of staff, common policy<br />objectives, agreed processes, shared perspectives and routine contact<br />and consultation. Many of the senior staff of the MHRA have previously<br />worked with the industry …’1 It is therefore doubtful whether the<br />MHRA can be trusted to serve the best interests of herbal<br />medicines, herbalists and their patients”.<br />For a breakdown of expected MHRA fees for THMP’s, please refer to<br />a document drawn up by Dave Blackwell of Herbs4Healing Ltd. under<br />Appendix A at the end of this document, and reproduced with his kind<br />permission.<br />§2. The Possible Illegality of Actions by Regulatory Officials Meddling<br />with the Free Availability of Natural Remedies in the UK.<br />The UK differs from other European Member States, since there has<br />long been a legal recognition of Herbal Practitioners, dating back to<br />3<br />Henry VIII’s Charter, which defines a Herbalist and the right to<br />practice & minister:<br />Common Law set down by Henry VIII defines a herbalist '…henceforth it<br />shall be lawful to every Person being the King's subject. having<br />Knowledge and Experience of the Nature of Herbs, Roots, and Waters,<br />or of the Operation of the same, by Speculation or Practice, within any<br />part of the Realm of England, or within any other the King's Dominions,<br />to practice, use, and minister in…'<br />(see Watt 2009: http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/traditionalherbalists.<br />htm, reproduced by kind permission). Cropwatch<br />understands this Charter has never been repealed.<br />It should also be remembered that there is a clause in the Treaty of<br />Rome of 25th March 1957 which can be interpreted as preventing<br />interference with the availability of natural remedies: “2. The Union<br />shall respect fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European<br />Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental<br />Freedoms signed in Rome on 4 November 1950 and as they result<br />from the constitutional traditions common to the Member States, as<br />general principles of Community law.” Watt (2001) discusses the<br />validity of the above argument and further protections of natural<br />remedies afforded by other clauses in the Treaty of Rome at<br />http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/mlx249.html (scroll down to<br />“Controls on Natural Remedies.”<br />The interference with free availability of natural herbs and medicines<br />also impacts on religious freedom & worship and use of herbs in both<br />the Islamic and Judaeo-Christian traditions. Cropwatch understands<br />that representations to Ministers / MP’s by a delegation representing<br />views of individual members of the Islamic and Christian faiths<br />respectively, are in progress, in order to avert any possibility of the<br />prospect of religious or cultural discrimination by the regulatory<br />authorities.<br />§3. Statutory Regulation of (the Title & Function of) Herbalists.<br />A Consultation Document was published by the Department of Health<br />(DH) of the UK Government on 3rd August 2009: A joint consultation<br />on the Report to Ministers from the DH Steering Group on the<br />Statutory Regulation of Practitioners of Acupuncture, Herbal<br />Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Other Traditional<br />4<br />Medicine Systems Practised in the UK. The consultation period ends<br />on 3rd Nov 2009. The Save Our Herbs campaign has produced a<br />draft response to the consultation at<br />http://www.saveourherbs.org.uk/files/Download/Response%20To%20<br />Consultation%20Document.pdf which Cropwatch strongly<br />recommends you read.<br />We are told by the Department of Health (DH) that the purpose of<br />Statutory Regulation (SR) is / was to safeguard public safety but<br />many herbal practitioners would maintain that this is a nonsense,<br />since existing self-regulation is already proven adequate. The Pitillo<br />Report (see below) further states: “Statutory regulation can more<br />effectively assure the standards of those regulated, protecting the<br />public from poor or bad practice, because legal sanctions exist to<br />remove individuals from a register. Statutory regulatory bodies<br />determine standards of practice and competence.” But as Cropwatch<br />pointed out in 2008, CAM is not the issue. The UK-based inquiry<br />started in 2000, decided that the medical practitioner Dr Harold<br />Shipman allegedly killed up to 250 of his patients, some 218 of whom<br />have been subsequently identified. Similarly the confidence &<br />assurance in health officials supposedly assured by regulation did not<br />help the victims of Nurse Beverly Allit, knicknamed the ‘Angel of<br />Death’ by the popular press. Health care authorities had to<br />subsequently carry out heavy modifications to medical practice,<br />belatedly increasing patient protection. Conversely, we are not aware<br />that any practicing Herbalist has killed or injured anybody in the UK<br />(an MHPRA document (July 2008) “Public Health Risks with Herbal<br />Medicine: An Overview” only identified (only) a single major incident,<br />in a Belgian slimming clinic, where an irresponsibly prescribed herb of<br />the Aristolochia spp. resulted in 100 women developing kidney failure<br />many of whom allegedly went on to develop cancer). Further, in spite<br />of 22 million annual visits to herbalists in the UK (Thomas et al. 2001<br />thro’ The Pitillo Report) and with one in three US citizens taking<br />herbal medicines on a regular basis, no safety assessment of herbal<br />medicine has ever taken place, either in the UK or at an international<br />level. Attempts to demonize widely used herbal medicines such as St.<br />Johns Wort Hypericum perforatum by the pharmaceutical industry,<br />pale into insignificance when it is realised that the herbal drug has<br />been found to be as effective as major conventional synthetic antidepressants,<br />and to have fewer side-effects (Linde et al (2008)<br />5<br />Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8 (4)). In conclusion, under the<br />government's own protocol, before Statutory Regulation can be<br />established, a risk assessment tool for herbal medicine would have to<br />be established, and no such assessment tool exists. There is also a<br />requirement for an established knowledgebase to be in place, and<br />this is also not established.<br />On the other hand, with regard to conventional medicine, for some<br />curious reason we hear relatively little in the media about the<br />statistics surrounding the failure of MD's working in the National<br />Health Service (NHS) to correctly diagnose & prescribe the<br />appropriate treatment for a given patient's ills (a major concern). The<br />British Medical Journal (BMJ) Evidence Centre at<br />http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/ceweb/about/knowledge.jsp reveals<br />that of around 2500 [commonly used NHS] treatments covered, 13%<br />are rated as beneficial, 23% likely to be beneficial, 8% as trade off<br />between benefits and harms, 6% unlikely to be beneficial, 4% likely to<br />be ineffective or harmful, and 46%, the largest proportion, as<br />unknown effectiveness.<br />Further, tens of thousands of patients die or suffer serious sideeffects<br />from certain prescribed (and by now, notorious)<br />pharmaceuticals. It has been admitted that in the decade up to the<br />year 2007, 80,000 patients had died from iatrogenic disease and that<br />a further £46 million had been spent by the NHS on treating the<br />survivors. Since that time reports have been issued that this state of<br />affairs has further deteriorated, in part blaming the increasingly<br />complex MHRA approved drug regimes employed. By comparison,<br />those therapies now being attacked with the threat of regulation are<br />becoming ever increasingly safer! (Information provided by Robert<br />Scott).<br />Finally, let us turn to the darkly hilarious but thorough reporting of an<br />extensive study by the Union of Concerned Scientists to the effect<br />that embarking on a course of conventional drug treatment appears<br />to statistically increase the chances of shortening your life. This is<br />quite aside from the serious chances of dying or losing limbs from<br />hospital acquired infections, or recent media reports of lack of care &<br />attention and even cruelty shown towards elderly NHS patients. Yes,<br />the conventional medical profession / NHS is in serious need of<br />effective statutory regulation, whereas any need for increased<br />6<br />regulation of CAM is, by comparison, not only completely<br />disproportionate to the degree of health risk posed, but, is essentially,<br />nothing but a sideshow, and a waste of taxpayers money.<br />4. The Government Reconsiders the Need for Statutory Regulation.<br />There are some strong signs that the Government is re-examining<br />any need for the imposition of Statutory Regulation (SR) of Herbalists<br />whatsoever (in spite of a House of Lords Select Committee<br />recommendation and the recommendation of three DH working<br />groups in favour of SR). At the same time they are apparently<br />reconsidering any need and the practicality of changes to the 1968<br />Medicines Act Section 12.1 (bear with us: this is an exemption from<br />various medicines licensing requirements in the Medicines Act which<br />allows herbal practitioners to prepare or obtain from a third party,<br />unlicensed herbal medicines to meet individual patient needs<br />identified in a consultation). Instead some reports indicate that they<br />are considering a less severe licensing system, perhaps based more<br />around self-regulation or self-licensing. This follows the publication of<br />the Report to Ministers from The Department of Health Steering<br />Group on the Statutory Regulation of Practitioners of Acupuncture,<br />Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Other Traditional<br />Medicine Systems Practised in the UK May 2008 (‘The Pitillo Report’)<br />which can be accessed by following links from<br />(www.dh.gov.uk/en/consultations/liveconsultations/DH_103567).<br />However, one of the recommendations of the above report is that<br />Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine<br />(TCM) should come under statutory regulation by the Health<br />Professionals Council (HPC), a body totally unsuited to the task.<br />It was pointed out by Robert Scott in a letter to the Health Authorities<br />(seen by Cropwatch), that the proposal to regulate Herbal Medicine<br />by Mr. Marc Seale, registrar of the HPC, was made after aggressive<br />lobbying by the chairman (a certain Mr. Michael McIntyre) of the<br />European Herbal Traditional Practitioners Association (EHTPA) who<br />sat as one of three stakeholders on the committee chaired by<br />Professor Pittilo mentioned above. The recommendation to ‘strategy<br />regulate’ was originally sent by Marc Seale to Alan Johnson in his<br />role as the previous Secretary of State, although we believe the<br />matter was handled by Ben Bradshaw a junior Minister of State at the<br />Department of Health. It appears that both these gentlemen have<br />7<br />now been transferred to different departments. But to quote from the<br />letter mentioned above:<br />“The chairman of the EHTPA, by his own admission, had a major<br />influence on the Pittilo report. As he is also closely associated with<br />the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH), this establishes a<br />somewhat troublesome incestuous link between these organisations,<br />which jeopardises the integrity of the final report.<br />Although the EHTPA likes to put forward that its stance in favour of<br />statutory regulation is supported by the majority of practising<br />herbalists, this claim is not supported by their voting record. The<br />largest body within the EHTPA certainly is NIMH, but only a<br />ridiculously small amount of its membership actually voted in support<br />of this move. The vast majority either abstained or voted against.<br />The membership of the Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners,<br />another organisation that is a member of the EHTPA, was threatened<br />with expulsion from their professional register if they voted against<br />this proposition.<br />The lack of support for statutory regulation from the membership of<br />URHP had even been acknowledged in writing by the chairman of the<br />EHTPA.”<br />These extracts seen by Cropwatch only touch the tip of the iceberg<br />regarding the political manoeuvring and ‘behind the scenes’ power<br />games invisible to the hapless regulatory officials who are only<br />served up selected titbits by those players who would seek to control<br />the direction of the regulation of Herbal Medicine. If Cropwatch can<br />find the time, we may open this can of worms further and dissect the<br />odious contents a little later on.<br />As you can gather then, the basis of the HPC’s support for Statutory<br />Regulation based on the recommendations of the above report is<br />therefore totally undermined – not only has it failed to take into<br />consideration the unique character of Traditional Herbal Medicine but<br />it is also in danger of acting contrary to the principles of the Islamic &<br />Judaeo-Christian religions (see §2 above).<br />Thanks to Martin Watt & Robert Scott for kind permission to include<br />their material.<br />8<br />Appendix A – by kind permission of David Blackwell.<br />CRITIQUE OF THMPD AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN THE UK<br />The latest information and detailed explanation on costs are attached.<br />Dried Herbs and simple Tinctures (Reduced categories I and II)<br />Many herbal suppliers currently offer a wide range of dried herbs or tinctures for<br />direct sale to the public (e.g. Baldwins and many internet shops). The fee per<br />item (£577 - £864 every 3 years) plus other costs such as inspection and<br />preparation of dossiers will mean that many raw herbs and simple tinctures will<br />cease to be available to the public. The costs are considerably higher where a<br />herb has not previously been included in a product which has been granted a MA<br />or THR, which the vast majority in the western herbal pharmacopoeia have not.<br />In this case the fees rise to an eye-watering £5,185 per herb/tincture. Each<br />different preparation requires a THR. This means that if you supply a single herb<br />as a dried herb (tea), powder, capsules, tinctures of different strengths, alcoholfree<br />extracts, fluid extracts, infused oils and essential oils, plus the organic<br />versions if marketed separately, each would require a separate application. For<br />example Baldwins currently offer in the region of 550 products of which between<br />10-15% will be considered for the Reduced categories, while the rest will be<br />Complex i.e new registrations. This adds up to an estimated £2,600,000 initially<br />then £360,000 every 3 years thereafter.<br />This is a very unfair system, since the first to apply for a previously unregistered<br />product will have to pay the full cost (Complex), while subsequent applications<br />will fall into the Reduced category.<br />Herbal Remedies (Reduced categories I and II) - usually referred to as<br />Complexes, but this term is avoided to avoid confusion with the THR category<br />In theory this applies in a similar manner as for simples (above), but in most<br />cases will be subject to higher fees if there are more than 3 ingredients, ranging<br />from £864 for teas to £1,297 for other preparations and £7,7791 for previously<br />unregistered ingredients. However Herbs Hands Healing have been told that it<br />will not be possible to register very complex products and to consider issuing<br />them as kits containing all the ingredients separately. The MHRA Public<br />Assessment Reports reveal that where a product includes 2 or more active<br />ingredients genotoxicity data will need to be provided, at least by the time the<br />registration has to be renewed. EC genotoxicity testing involves expensive in<br />vitro and in vivo (live animal) procedures. The assumption here is that<br />combinations of herbs pose a significantly elevated risk and ignores the long<br />history of herb combining and the lack of evidence to suggest that a potential<br />problem exists. If we compare hospitalizations and deaths through food<br />1 Applies to combinations of 2 or more ingredients<br />9<br />consumption (e.g. allergic reactions and food poisoning together with the health<br />risks of long term poor food choices) with that arising from the use of herbs, it is<br />clear that food is far more dangerous. Yet it is ludicrous to imagine a time when<br />a simple aubergine bake in tomato sauce with oregano, black pepper, salt and<br />topped with cheese could be subjected to similar concerns and regulations, but<br />here it is happening with herbal medicines. Also we are well aware of the<br />limitations of such testing when it comes to protecting the public from<br />unforeseen adverse effects, as has happened with many pharmaceuticals.<br />It is anticipated that most specialist herbal suppliers, which can be classed as<br />small to medium businesses, will be unable to finance the registration of their<br />existing range of products and those consulted have come to the conclusion that<br />they will have to wind up their businesses.<br />Oriental and other World Herbs<br />Many products will fall foul of the 15 year rule. This includes complex products<br />and herbs from traditions such as Ayurveda and Unani-Tibb, which have no longestablished<br />OTC history in the EC. TCM products are more widely available in the<br />UK and tend towards traditional i.e. fixed formulations, however it may still be<br />difficult to establish 15 years use in many instances. Furthermore the “applicant<br />and registration holder must be established in the Community”, meaning that the<br />onus falls upon importers to arrange THRs. This means that ethnic communities<br />and those who show a preference for oriental medicines are likely to be more<br />disadvantaged by the new rules.<br />Potential Outcomes<br />The regulations will undoubtedly change the face of herbal medicine within the<br />UK. It is anticipated that there will be an upsurge in the marketing of a small<br />range of commercially viable herbal products; those that have entered the wider<br />public consciousness and which have gained a reputation as being cures for<br />certain conditions. Examples would be Black Cohosh for the menopause,<br />Feverfew for migraines, Valerian for stress, Echinacea for colds etc. Other herbal<br />ingredients and remedies are likely to disappear from the nation’s shelves or be<br />drastically reduced in range. There will be a shift in public perception of herbal<br />medicine towards a more pharmaceutical model where herbs are treated as<br />drugs for specific conditions rather than to treat individual symptom patterns.<br />THMPD will also enable mass marketing of products and will usher in a transition<br />towards supermarkets and chemists as the primary outlets.<br />Many existing businesses will be severely impacted by the new regulations<br />(wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers) and it is envisaged that many will<br />close as a result, either as April 2011 arrives in the following 3-5 years. The<br />impact of this restructuring of the herbal industry will be felt by herbal<br />practitioners in 2 ways. Firstly the increased demand for certain ‘popular’ herbs<br />10<br />and the buying power of larger corporations will lead to an inevitable price rise<br />and possible supply problems for these. Secondly, the contraction in demand for<br />other less popular herbs due to the closure of businesses may see a reduction in<br />the range stocked by wholesalers. It is impossible to foresee the full<br />consequences of this, just as no one predicted the sharp rise in world food prices<br />and shortages caused by biofuel production.<br />The effects could be devastating. Without wishing to be alarmist, the vast<br />majority of small to medium UK herbal businesses could rapidly disappear,<br />leaving many unemployed. Pharmaceutical companies, Chemists and<br />Supermarkets will gain from increased freedom to market products and will no<br />doubt increase their market share and profits. It’s somewhat akin to selling<br />mineral and timber extraction rights in the Amazon; the big conglomerates move<br />in and extract everything of value, leaving behind cultural and environmental<br />devastation.<br />The system is unwieldy, expensive, overly bureaucratic and unnecessary. If<br />anyone truly believes this will protect the public, they are sadly mistaken. There<br />is simply no evidence that there is any significant health risk to be protected<br />from, plus it will be impossible to prevent internet purchases from abroad,<br />thereby creating an uncontrolled marketplace where before there were<br />responsible UK companies who were subject to regulation.<br />MHRA Charges for THMPD Registration, not including site inspections,<br />stability testing, genotoxicity testing or other miscellaneous costs<br />CATEGORY<br />£<br />FEE<br />Standard<br />All products unless Reduced or Complex<br />3 or fewer existing herbal active ingredients 2,593<br />More than 3 existing herbal active ingredients 3,890<br />Reduced<br />Category I<br />Herbal teas, excluding ingredients not previously registered*<br />3 or fewer existing herbal active ingredients 577<br />More than 3 existing herbal active ingredients 864<br />Category II<br />Tinctures, Essential Oils, Oils, or Capsules, excluding ingredients not<br />previously registered*<br />3 or fewer existing herbal active ingredients 864<br />More than 3 existing herbal active ingredients 1,297<br />Complex*<br />Applies where an active ingredient has not previously been included in a<br />11<br />medicinal product which has been granted a MA or THR<br />Single new herbal active ingredient 5,185<br />2 or more new herbal active ingredients 7,779<br />The definitions for fees categories are as follows:<br />"Reduced registration application category I" means an application other<br />than a complex registration application for a traditional herbal registration<br />relating to a medicinal product which is presented in the form of a herbal tea;<br />"Reduced registration application category II" means an application, other<br />than a complex registration application, or a traditional herbal registration where<br />the application falls within one of the descriptions specified in sub-paragraphs (a)<br />to (d) as follows -<br />(a) the application relates to a medicinal product which is presented in the form<br />of a herbal tincture;<br />(b) the application relates to a medicinal product which is presented in the form<br />of an essential oil;<br />(c) the application relates to a medicinal product which is presented in the form<br />of a fatty oil; or<br />(d) the application relates to a medicinal product which contains only herbal<br />substances in a capsule;<br />"Standard registration application" means any application for the grant of a<br />traditional herbal registration which is not a complex registration application, a<br />reduced application category I, a reduced registration application category II or a<br />change of ownership application;<br />"Complex registration application" means an application for a traditional<br />herbal registration relating to a medicinal product containing an active ingredient<br />that has not previously been included as an active ingredient in a medicinal<br />product in respect of which a marketing authorization (other than a product<br />licence of right) or a traditional herbal registration has previously been grantedMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-7968565081841784092009-10-14T15:33:00.000-08:002009-10-14T15:34:29.271-08:00Winter Detoxification & Remedies<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/StZfi4P4whI/AAAAAAAAAJE/a8UnGjJ9V8k/s1600-h/bottles4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 85px; height: 128px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/StZfi4P4whI/AAAAAAAAAJE/a8UnGjJ9V8k/s400/bottles4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392602656641958418" /></a><br />Detoxifying is the process of releasing accumulated toxins and waste products that build up throughout our bobies. Every day we are bombarded by toxins, both externally from environmental sources, and internally as our organs give off waste products that accumulate in our bodies. Emotions also take part in polluting our system with excess chemicals such as free radicals, homocysteine and cortisol. <br />Detoxifying is essentially an easy process. Our bodies do much of the process through urination, defecation and perspiration. As our bodies age and our immune systems weaken, we sometimes need to lend extra help. That is why conscious detoxing is a great way to get back to optimum health. <br />One of the best ways to start your detoxification is with the body's biggest organ, the SKIN. A detox diet strengthens the organs involved in detoxification and releases stored toxins, expelling them through the organs of elimination: the skin, intestines, liver, lungs, kidneys, and lymphatic system. <br /><strong>TIPS FOR DETOXING</strong><br />1. Eat a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables & fruits. <br />2. Eat whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. <br />3. Adopt a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise. <br />4. Avoid drugs, alcohol & processed foods. <br />5. Take a high potency multi vitamin and mineral supplement.<br />6. Take nutritional and herbal supplements to protect and enhance liver function. <br />7. Go on a three day fast, four times per year. <br />8. Fasting at the change of the seasons is a good rule to remember.<br /> <br /><strong>MAKE YOUR OWN WINTER REMEDIES</strong> Seasonal trends-dropping temperatures, fading light, and your body's dipping defenses-invite all manner of ailments: colds and coughs, flues, and the winter blues. But with a few herbal tinctures, simple yet powerful remedies that you can make yourself, you'll be ready to ward off these ailments and, if they do find a foothold, minimize your discomfort and speed up your recovery. <br />Tinctures, which are concentrated liquid extracts of medicinal plants, are excellent remedies for wintertime ailments because of their sheer potency. Taken by the dropper-full, they work well, and they work fast. Also called herbal extracts, tinctures have been made for thousands of years by soaking fresh or dried herbs in a solvent, such as vodka or brandy, to extract the plants' medicinal properties. While mass manufacturers use more complicated exacting methods, the traditional technique is simple. It requires only easy-to-find ingredients and common kitchen tools, yet makes some of the most effective tinctures available—for pennies per dose. <br />Medicinal herbs can be tinctured alone or with other compatible herbs. The herb combinations here are among the most trusted, time-tested remedies. Echinacea, goldenseal, and turmeric make up Super Support, for fending off infections. Cold & Fever Buster contains elder, yarrow, and peppermint to help ease colds and fevers. Cough & Throat Relief features soothing, lung-supportive mullein, licorice, and wild cherry bark, plus ginger for a little kick. Garlic, onion, ginger, cayenne, and horseradish give Fire Tonic its warming, infection fighting kick. And Mood Lifter, for easing seasonal depression, includes hawthorn, oat tops, lemon balm, and St. John's Wort <br />Whether you make one or all of these recipes, keep in mind the two essential principles of herbal medicine making. 1. Quality ingredients make quality products. If you can't grow your own herbs, buy them from reliable growers or distributors. When choosing your solvent, the medium used to extract and deliver the plants' medicine, choose the best. 2. Just as important, intention matters. Native American healers, who used many of the herbs in these formulas, had a deep reverence for the plants' healing powers. When they dug the plants, they did so with respect and prayer, and when they made them into medicine, they also prayed. Without prayer, they said, the plant's medicine, its essence, stayed in the ground. Among people who use "green medicine" today, there is still a deep sense of respect for the plants. Apply this technique as you gather your herbs and brew your tinctures. Herbal remedies made with clear intention and an appreciation for the plants are much more effective. <br /><strong>SIMPLE TINCTURE MAKING </strong><br />1. Gather the materials. Keep it simple and make small batches, tinctures are highly concentrated and taken in very small doses—a little goes a long way. To make about a pint of tincture, you'll need a clean, dry, quart-sized jar with a tight-fitting lid, enough herbs to fill the jar halfway, and roughly a pint and a half of solvent (the herbs will soak up some solvent). Most of these formulas call for 100-proof brandy or vodka (use what you prefer). If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute vinegar. <br />2. Prepare the herbs. If you have any fresh herbs, use them. High-quality dried herbs, however, are just as potent, and available year-round. If you are using fresh herbs, rinse them with water to remove any dirt, dry thoroughly, then chop them finely. Pack your jar halfway with herbs. For a strong, effective tincture, be sure the herbs in the jar are packed firmly. <br />3. Add the solvent. Pour the solvent over the herbs until they're completely covered, then add an additional 2 to 3 inches of solvent. The herbs must be completely submersed to prevent bacteria from growing (this is also why the fresh washed herbs should be dried before adding to the jar). Cover the jar with a tight fitting lid. Herbs may swell as they soak up the solvent, so you may need to add more solvent to keep the herbs covered. Note: If using vinegar, warm it, do not boil it, on a stovetop before pouring it over the herbs; this helps facilitate the release of medicinal properties. <br />4. Let the tincture sit for 4 weeks. During the process of soaking the herbs in the solvent, the plants soften and break down (a process known as maceration), releasing their medicine. Most Western herbalists recommend letting tinctures macerate for 4-6 weeks. The longer tinctures macerate, the more effective they are, so consider a month your minimum. When starting the maceration process, label and date your jars so that you remember when you started. <br />5. Shake daily, with intention. Shaking the tinctures while they're soaking facilitates the breakdown of medicinal properties and prevent the herbs from remaining packed at the bottom of the jar. It's also an opportunity to add some magic to the science of herbal medicine. When you shake your tinctures, do so with your best healing intention. Remain focused and visualize the end result, your remedies will be the better for it. <br />6. Strain the herbs. After at least 4 weeks, your tincture will be ready for use. Line a stainless-steel strainer with cheesecloth or muslin, and place over a large glass jar or measuring cup. Pour the liquid slowly through the strainer. When finished straining, squeeze the herb-filled cheesecloth or muslin to wring out every drop. Reserve the liquid, this is your medicine, and discard or compost the herbs. Pour the finished tincture into a clean, dry glass jar with a tightly fitting lid. Label your tincture with the contents and date. <br />7. Store the tincture properly. When stored properly, tinctures can last for years. Both light and heat can break down the medicinal properties, so keep your jars of tinctures in a cool, dark place. It's a good idea to keep a small supply of the tincture ready for use in a 1- or 2-ounce amber-colored bottle with a dropper top. <br />Dosage and Use varies depending on the individual and the herbs being used. For chronic problems and for remedies you're using as a tonic, the general adult dosage is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon three times daily. For acute ailments, small, frequent doses are much more effective: for adults, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon every hour. Tinctures can be taken directly under the tounge, however some have a strong flavor, so most people prefer to dilute them in a small amount of water and “shoot” them rather than sip them. <br /><br /><strong>SOLVENTS </strong><br />The solvent is the liquid used to extract the herbs’ medicinal properties. The solvents used in these recipes have different benfits, however can be interchanged to your preference. <br /><br />Alcohol extracts most plant constituents, including fats, resins, waxes, and most alkaloids (some of the strongest plant compounds). The body rapidly assimilates alcohol tinctures, and their effects are quickly felt. Alcohol makes an excellent preservative, maintaining the integrity of the tincture for many years. Brandy and vodka are perfect for the traditional tincture method . Both can be purchased at 100 proof, which provides an ideal alcohol-to-water ratio. (Water extracts many important constituents, like vitamins and volatile oils.) For preservative properties and extraction purposes, you must use at least 50-proof alcohol. <br />Vinegar is completely nontoxic, and well tolerated by most people. While it is not as strong or effective a solvent as alcohol (it does not break down as many plant components), it's a good alternative for alcohol-sensitive people and children. You can easily integrate vinegar tinctures into your daily diet, using them in place of vinegar in cold foods (use apple-cider vinegar if possible). Reports state that vinegar tinctures have a short shelf life, however when stored in a cool, dark place, tightly sealed when not in use, they can last for several years. <br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>WINTERTIME FORMULAS </strong><br />Note: If you have a serious condition, are pregnant, or take medication, consult your health-care provider before using these or any herbal remedies. <br /><strong>Super Support</strong><br />Take 1/4- 1/2 tsp. per hour at symptom onset.<br />Solvent: 100-proof vodka/brandy<br />2 parts echinaces root, flower and leaf<br />2 pa1 part turmeric<br />1 cultivated goldenseal root (Use cultivated goldenseal; this herb has been over-harvested.)<br /><strong>Cold & Fever Buster</strong><br />Take 1/4-1/2 tsp. per hour at the onset of symptoms.<br />Solvent: 100-proof vodka/brandy<br />1 part elder flower and elder berry<br />1 part peppermint leaf<br />1 part yarrow flower and leaf<br /><strong>Cough & Throat Relief</strong><br />Take 1/4- 1/2 tsp. per hour at the onset of symptoms.<br />Solvent: 100-proof vodka/brandy<br />2 parts mullein leaf<br />1 part licorice root<br />1 part wild cherry bark<br />1/2 part gingerroot<br /><strong>Fire Tonic</strong><br />Take 1/4- 1/2 tsp. per hour at the onset of a cold, or as a daily warming tonic. Makes a great salad dressing.<br />Solvent: apple-cider vinegar<br />1 part garlic<br />1 part onion<br />1/2-1 part freshly grated horseradish<br />1/2 part ginger small pinch cayenne<br />honey to taste (add to finished product)<br /><strong>Mood Lifter</strong><br />To prevent or ease the winter blues, take 1/2 -1 tsp. three times daily.<br />Solvent: 100-proof vodka/brandy<br />2 parts hawthorn berry, plus flower and leaf if available<br />2 parts lemon balm<br />1 part St. John's wort<br />1 part milky green oat topsMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-91702806831856045402009-10-14T15:18:00.003-08:002009-10-14T15:25:46.671-08:00Winter Herbs, Oils & First Aid<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/StZd8UircFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/oEY7IHL9f_Y/s1600-h/bottles3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 128px; height: 83px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/StZd8UircFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/oEY7IHL9f_Y/s400/bottles3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392600894710444114" /></a><br />With the first winter chill breezing into town it's time to start thinking about how to keep the sneezes and sniffles away. While there's talk of the value of vitamin C, echinacea and garlic as natural treatments, herbalist claim herbs can prevent colds and flu. There are three main herbs, as well garlic, which are widely used to ward off winter woes. They are Echinacea, andrographis and astrolagus.<br /><br />Echinacea is effective for the early treatment of colds and flu because it's an immune stimulant but is best taken before a cold sets in, however, it can help shorten the duration of flu if you take it once you've become ill and can assist with treating respiratory infections. <br />Andrographis and Astrolagus work in much the same way. Andrographis is also used for coughs and sore throats. These herbs are highly effective alone or in conjunction.<br />The frequent use of Garlic, referred to as nature's antibiotic, puts you well on your way to preventing a winter cold. <br />And don’t forget your vitamin C. Citrus, grapes and strawberries are high in C, and it doesn’t hurt to add zinc from beans, nuts and whole grains. <br />You may wish to try this herbal remedy, shared by a friend who swears by it. She hasn’t had a cold/flu in years.<br /> <br /><strong>Total Tonic Formula</strong><br />1 Handful of split Garlic cloves<br />1 Handful of chopped Onions<br />1 Handful of chopped Ginger<br />1 Handful of chopped Horseradish<br />1/2 handful of chopped Habanero Peppers.<br /><br />Throw it all in a blender and chop, then cover with <br />an inch or two of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. <br />Let tincture for a week or two (shake now and then) <br />and strain, then drink a little of the juice daily, <br />or twice daily. (It is very HOT) <br />A small amount in V8 Juice is good and Turmeric can be added for extra benefit.<br /> <br /><strong>Winter Herbal Medicine Chest</strong><br />Several herbs are effective for treating not only the symptoms of too much winter, but also the causes of colds and flu… Impaired immunity to virus/bacteria, maintaining blood circulation and warmth, ensuring vitality of the lungs and reducing the build up of congestion in the body. In addition to the herbs already mentioned, some herbs to keep on hand in your “medicine chest” are:<br />Ginger, Elderflower, Yarrow, Sage, Rose Hips, Mullein, Thyme, Fenugreek & Marshmallow. Other beneficial ingredients to your chest would be<br /><strong>Winter Essential Oils </strong><br />Aromatherapy brings us the aromatic energy of living plants in the form of essential oils. These fragrances are a natural antidote to the emotionally debilitating effects of winter. Winter essential oils cleanse and freshen air in homes closed tight against the cold weather and can be beneficial in treating winter ailments. Some useful winter oils are:Bergamot, Black Pepper, Eucalyptus, Juniper Berry, Lemon, Orange, Rosemary & Tea Tree.<br />Try these Essential Oil remedies in a massage, a bath, infused in the air or in a “sniffy” bottle. In all of them combine the oils listed <br /><strong>WINTER WARMTH BLEND</strong><br />10 drops of cedar wood <br />25 drops of bergamot orange<br />15 drops of fir needle <br />30 drops of juniper berry <br />20 drops of sandalwood <br /><strong>SINUS CONGESTION BLEND</strong><br />5 drops of Eucalyptus <br />3 drops of Lavender<br />2 drops of Tea-Tree <br />2 drops of Pine. <br /><strong>PICK ME UP BLEND</strong><br />7 drops of Bergamot <br />5 drops of Grapefruit <br />3 drops of Rosemary<br /><strong>SUNSHINE BLEND</strong><br />5 drops of Lemon<br />5 drops of Orange <br />3 drops of Geranium<br />2 drops of PeppermintMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-25195565727087770792009-09-13T10:37:00.001-08:002009-09-13T10:38:58.291-08:00The Alaska Local Food Film FestivalMark Your Calendars!<br /><br />Great Movies Oct 2-8th, 2009<br /><br />Join Alaska Center for the Environment, the Beartooth Theatrepub & Grill, Delicious Dave Catering, AK Root Sellers, NOLS, and Bioneers Alaska for the first Alaska Local Food Film Festival! The festival will take place October 2nd-8th at the Beartooth Theatrepub in Anchorage, and will feature the Alaska debut of Food Inc, as well as the films The Garden, Eating Alaska, FRESH, and The End of the Line. There will be opportunities to eat fresh Alaskan food and discuss the films, as well as to learn more about how you can get involved with the Alaska local food movement. <br /><br />The Beartooth Grill will be preparing specials made with local ingredients brought in by AK Root Sellers from the Valley. Ellen Frankenstein, filmmaker and feature of Eating Alaska, will be in town to answer questions after screening her film, and Dave Thorne of Delicious Dave Catering along with Kathy Ciarimboli brings you FRESH the movie with an opportunity for discussion after the film. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and learn more about how you can get involved with the Alaska local food movement! Additionally, Bioneers Alaska will host a dessert, coffee, and Q&A opportunity on the last night of the Film Fest, Thursday 10/8th - stay tuned for details!<br /><br />========Clip and post this film schedule======<br /><br />10/2 - 5:30 - FOOD, INC.<br /><br />10/3 - 5:30 - THE GARDEN<br /><br />10/4 - 5:30 - EATING ALASKA with discussion w/filmmaker Ellen Frankenstein after the film<br /><br />10/5 - 5:30 - FRESH with discussion after the film<br /><br />10/5 - 8:00 - END OF THE LINE<br /><br />10/6 - 5:30 - THE GARDEN<br /><br />10/7 - 5:30 - END OF THE LINE<br /><br />10/8 - 5:30 - FOOD, INC.<br /><br />These are exciting and well worth coming out for!<br /><br />Thanks to Alaska Center for the Environment for this bulletin and support.<br /><br />Harvest blessings, <br /><br /><br /> Ellen Vande Visse<br />Good Earth Garden School<br />www.goodearthgardenschool.comMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-25811603992119514092009-07-12T07:55:00.000-08:002009-07-12T07:56:01.946-08:00RetirementIT'S A TOUGH JOB, BUT SOMEONES GOTTA DO IT!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SloHEMYL3nI/AAAAAAAAAI0/AnIep1aciVU/s1600-h/retirement.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 195px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SloHEMYL3nI/AAAAAAAAAI0/AnIep1aciVU/s400/retirement.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357602475334164082" /></a>Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-33802962968587658912009-07-10T11:03:00.003-08:002009-07-10T11:06:03.323-08:00Melon Panzanella<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SleQ5xZrrfI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Y5tQRi7bRBo/s1600-h/Melon+Salad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SleQ5xZrrfI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Y5tQRi7bRBo/s400/Melon+Salad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356909603968495090" /></a><br />Makes 6 servings, about 1 cup each<br /> <br />4 ounces whole-grain bread, torn into bite-size pieces (about 2 ½ cups)<br />3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil<br />1 ounce thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into thin strips (about ⅓ cup)<br />2 cloves garlic, minced<br />2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar<br />¼ teaspoon salt<br />¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper<br />4 cups torn arugula leaves<br />2 cups cubed firm ripe melon <br />2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil<br /><br />1. Preheat oven to 250°F. <br />2. Spread bread pieces on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly toasted, about 20 minutes. <br />3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add prosciutto and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 30 seconds more. Remove from the heat and stir in vinegar, salt and pepper. <br />4. Place arugula, melon, basil and the toasted bread in a large bowl. Add the prosciutto mixture and toss to combine. Let the salad stand for about 20 minutes before serving so the bread can absorb some of the dressing.Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-37690004002005520782009-07-10T10:37:00.003-08:002009-07-10T10:40:53.272-08:00Cantaloupe Ice Pops<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SleKshxMxvI/AAAAAAAAAIk/4kHA8cptrVc/s1600-h/cantalope+ice+pop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SleKshxMxvI/AAAAAAAAAIk/4kHA8cptrVc/s400/cantalope+ice+pop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356902779364099826" /></a><br />Makes eight 2-ounce pops<br />Equipment: 8 popsicle molds or small (2-ounce) paper cups<br /> <br />1 small cantaloupe<br />½ cup water <br />¼ cup sugar<br />1 tablespoon finely slivered fresh mint leaves<br />¼-⅓ cup lemon juice, depending on the sweetness of the melon<br /> <br />1. Cut cantaloupe in half; remove and discard the seeds. Scoop out the flesh and transfer to a food processor. Puree until smooth; measure 1 1/3 cups puree and transfer to a small bowl. (Reserve any remaining puree for another use, such as a smoothie.)<br />2. Pour water into a small saucepan, add sugar and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in mint and immediately remove from the heat. Let stand for 1 minute.<br />3. Stir the mint syrup and lemon juice into the cantaloupe puree. Pour the mixture into 8 individual popsicle molds or small (2-ounce) paper cups. <br />4. Freeze until beginning to set, about 1 hour. Insert frozen-treat sticks and freeze until completely firm. Dip the molds briefly in hot water before unmoldingMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-40463729713620761842009-07-07T18:57:00.004-08:002009-07-07T19:15:41.614-08:00Shrimp & Pasta<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SlQPMtvOYBI/AAAAAAAAAIc/dOXY_VxmhcY/s1600-h/DSC04360.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SlQPMtvOYBI/AAAAAAAAAIc/dOXY_VxmhcY/s400/DSC04360.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355922567960879122" /></a><br />I just made a really great shrimp pasta :O)<br />The huge shrimp were on sale so I had to!<br />I didn't have enough pasta so I grabbed a box of <br />Pasta Roni, Butter & Herb Italiano. It worked out<br />great because the seasoning mix I was planning to<br />use anyway was my very own Sundried Tomato Pesto<br />blend Pasta Sauce Mix. (you can find it on my web site :O)<br />They complimented each otehr very well! <br />Here is a pic of the finished product...<br />top with parmesean cheese & cracked pepper if you like!Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-29839438234224191602009-07-07T08:05:00.003-08:002009-07-07T08:12:40.466-08:00Alaska Garden and Art Festival<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SlNzwxa2NbI/AAAAAAAAAIU/cZidum2FAxs/s1600-h/garden+failr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 105px; height: 140px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SlNzwxa2NbI/AAAAAAAAAIU/cZidum2FAxs/s400/garden+failr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355751663610508722" /></a><br /><em>"The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses."</em><br />- Hanna Rion<br /><br />Hello, Sustainable Green Thumb-ers,<br />So many wonderful things are happening —enjoy the opportunities<br /><br />In This Issue: <br />1. Alaska Garden and Art Festival<br /> -book signing WHOOEE, I’M PUBLISHED! & event details<br />2. Worm Composting Class in Anchorage<br />3. Food Blog in Anchorage Daily News<br /><br /> <br /><br />1. Alaska Garden and Art Festival—this Saturday July 11 <br />Book signing- Come find me and my book Ask Mother Nature—A Conscious Gardener’s Guide. Look for the Fireside Books table<br />This is one of the few books about organic gardening under Alaska conditions.<br />Grab one for you and gift for a friend. I’ll sign them for you, and you avoid shipping costs, tra la! (Buy from Amazon and nobody makes any money.)<br /><br />-What else?<br />Hands-on workshops, demonstrations, children’s activities, food, entertainment, and garden-related vendors. Tour the amazing Fair gardens, and quiz horticultural master artist Becky Myrvold.<br />Where: Alaska State Fair grounds in Palmer<br />When: Saturday, July 11, 2009<br />Red Gate Entrance Adults $5; Children 11 & under- free<br />For more info, please see www.alaskastatefair.org<br /><br /> 2. Worm Composting Class—Anchorage July 16 <br />Wriggle into class & learn about buying or making a bin, set up, feeding, preventing flies, and harvesting the castings. Lowly the Worm & I will be teaching.<br />Date: Thursday morning July 16<br />Time: 10:30am - 12 noon<br />Place: Terra Bella Bakery Café in Anchorage Next to Bed Bath and Beyond, across from Dimond Mall<br />Tuition $10 (bring with you)<br />Please sign up to squirm into a space—call 907 745-0758 or email me at <br />information@goodearthgardenschool.com<br /><br />3. Food Issues Blog in the ADN <br />Kim Sollien asked me to take over her on-line column. Check in and comment on the discussion of where your food comes from, and what’s happening for locavores. <br /><br />The community Blog spot is called <br />AK Root Cellars<br />Anchorage Daily News on line<br />http://community.adn.com/?q=adn/blog/69017<br /><br /><br />Ellen Vande Visse<br />Good Earth Garden School<br />www.goodearthgardenschool.comMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-73047694398551249352009-07-03T08:57:00.002-08:002009-07-03T08:58:16.337-08:00Simple Pleasures<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sk44n_HVdYI/AAAAAAAAAIE/bMRBB5j0NmY/s1600-h/simple+pleasures.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 290px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sk44n_HVdYI/AAAAAAAAAIE/bMRBB5j0NmY/s400/simple+pleasures.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354279266598352258" /></a>Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-59572767389924984752009-07-03T08:19:00.000-08:002009-07-03T08:20:17.655-08:00Everyday Love Fest<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sk4p5fZsBDI/AAAAAAAAAH8/WuapUiJzxJc/s1600-h/love2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sk4p5fZsBDI/AAAAAAAAAH8/WuapUiJzxJc/s400/love2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354263074648622130" /></a><br /><br />Actually, everyone is reasonable.<br />They just have their own reasons.<br /><br />And usually it's worth trying to learn what<br />they are to maximize chances of a full-blown, <br />60's style, psychedelic lovefest. <br />Which is always a good thing.<br /><br />Groovy you,<br /> The Universe<br />www.tut.com<br /><em>If each of us strives everyday to understand someone else, someone outside our comfort zones, our friend & family circles, our culture, our race, our neighborhoods....We are one step closer and ever advancing to World Peace, Harmony & Joy! Love your fellow man, even if he is not related to you.<br /> MM</em>Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-28736166998597493732009-06-28T16:42:00.001-08:002009-06-28T16:46:52.037-08:00TEA<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkgOabfED_I/AAAAAAAAAH0/Y9OEhGZqoc8/s1600-h/herb+tea.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkgOabfED_I/AAAAAAAAAH0/Y9OEhGZqoc8/s400/herb+tea.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352544004347269106" /></a><br /><blockquote></blockquote>When I drink tea<br />I am conscious of peace<br />The cool breath of Heaven<br />rises in my sleeves, and<br />blows my cares away<blockquote></blockquote><br />Chincese Poet LotungMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-36791512154965113192009-06-27T09:39:00.000-08:002009-06-27T09:40:09.868-08:00Summer Solstice: Seasonal Simmers<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkZYx2-HQ3I/AAAAAAAAAHs/n2TORhyCaLg/s1600-h/potpourri.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 131px; height: 87px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkZYx2-HQ3I/AAAAAAAAAHs/n2TORhyCaLg/s400/potpourri.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352062820769284978" /></a><br />Good Morning!<br />Simmers are a special mixture of herbs and spices, which are combined<br />into a blend or potion, created to bring the power of aromatherapy<br />and intention into your life. They are also designed to capture the<br />attention of those around you.<br /><br />Based on folk remedies, grandma's recipes and the ingredients<br />provided by nature, these simmers are recipes used to make your<br />kitchen smell delightful. They can be used along with a "special<br />intention" and later, can even be enjoyed as tea!<br /><br /><br /><br />Summer Simmer<br /><br />Used for: scenting the kitchen/any room with aromatherapy, inviting<br />Summer, honoring the Solstice, invoking Summer love, as a cooling<br />iced tea.<br /><br />-Blend 2-4 quartz of water with:<br />-1 lemon, sliced<br />-1 lime, sliced<br />-sprig of mint<br />-1 tsp. vanilla<br />-4-6 tsp. of two of the following herbs: Jasmine flower, Chamomile<br />flower, Chrysanthemum flower, Rose petals.<br /><br /><br />Slowly simmer on the stove. Allow the smell to permeate the room.<br />Cool and refrigerate for iced tea.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Peppermint Simmer<br /><br />Used for: scenting any room with aromatherapy, creating a cooling<br />iced tea or used as a insect repellant.<br /><br />-Blend 2-4 quartz of water with:<br />-15 - 20 peppermint or spearmint leaves<br />-1 orange, sliced<br />-two drops of peppermint, spearmint or wintergreen essential oil<br /><br />Slowly simmer on the stove. Allow the smell to permeate the room.<br />Cool and refrigerate for iced tea.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Special Notes:<br /><br />With each simmer you can:<br />-take advantage of their aromatic properties.<br />-say a positive affirmation, invoking words, a special prayer or give<br />thanks.<br />-use them at the start of each season to give honor to yourself and<br />your intentions for that season.<br />-as it cools, share, drink, these simmers as a tea.<br />-the health properties of these ingredients are appropriate for each<br />season, relate to the internal organs and are associated by taste,<br />temperature and color.<br /><br /><br />Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac<br />http://www.peacefulmind.com<br />Therapies for healing<br />mind, body, spiritMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-58204489345815736492009-06-25T08:03:00.001-08:002009-06-25T08:06:35.979-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkOgITqPKxI/AAAAAAAAAHk/d1AwVnlaO6E/s1600-h/thank+you.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkOgITqPKxI/AAAAAAAAAHk/d1AwVnlaO6E/s400/thank+you.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351296846823107346" /></a><br />TO: Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.<br />http://www.peaceful mind.com<br />Therapies for healing<br />mind, body, spirit<br />For sharing all of his wonderful knowledge so freely!Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-39761653750350890112009-06-25T08:01:00.001-08:002009-06-25T08:01:51.548-08:00Summer Crystal Reiki Grids<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkOe_Yxw_TI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ZjPzSGiFIbg/s1600-h/crystals1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkOe_Yxw_TI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ZjPzSGiFIbg/s400/crystals1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351295594066410802" /></a><br />Good Morning!<br />Many Healers are called to facilitate 'distance' energy sessions for<br />people that do not have access to in-person care. Often, this<br />includes seriously ill clients/friends/ family that could use Reiki or<br />healing energy each and every day. Distance energy work in the<br />same way as sending a 'prayer'. A prayer is energy that transcends<br />time/space to interact with a situation/person/ event. The<br />requirement for any distance energy to be effective is a strong,<br />concentrated intent from the person sending the energy/prayer.<br />This includes Reiki work and all other forms of 'sending energy'<br />across a distance.<br /><br />There are many props that can be used to assist us in 'sending' our<br />healing energy in a coherent and concentrated manner. First, we<br />must adequately establish a connection with the receiving person.<br />Photo's, personal items, or a previous meeting with the receiving<br />person (ie, someone we already know) are usually the best ways<br />to connect. Second, many Healers find it very useful to facilitate a<br />full session on a proxy... like a stuffed animal, with the other items<br />(if they are available) close by.<br /><br />You may also want to create a grid for the season's solstice. This<br />grid allows for the purification of the energy around you in your<br />home, office, meditation space or garden! Creating your own grid<br />with your crystals is a personal and balancing way of manifesting<br />good energy for a good season! There are many combinations you can<br />create! Here is one suggestion:<br /><br />Evoking the Element of summer, which is fire, make a space that is<br />for your crystal grid. This should be in the south direction of your<br />home, garden, meditation space or office. Use a fire stone in the<br />center of your grid such as garnet, ruby or red spinel. Evoke the<br />other seasons and directions by placing 4 crystal quartz points<br />around the center red stone with the points facing away from the<br />center. in between the 4 quartz points you may put 4 complementary<br />color to red, which is green (such as jade, aventurine or peridot).<br />Bless the grid with incenses, herbal sage or sweet grass or simply a<br />prayer for a bountiful harvest (which is surely a metaphysical<br />metaphor for our lives) and then allow the grid to do its work.<br /><br />Working with Reiki Energy<br /><br />Many Reiki Practitioners and Energy Workers add the<br />subtle vibrations of stone energy as a complement to their<br />healing sessions or daily lives. Usually this includes the<br />laying on of the appropriate colored stones to coordinate<br />with the Chakra centers, meditating with a particular<br />stone, or wearing the stones as jewelry when the<br />inspiration hits. There are, however, even more uses when<br />stones are set up in a 'Grid' and are properly 'activated'.<br /><br />A 'Grid' is more simply put, a way to arrange the stones in<br />a sacred geometric pattern. They are then consciously<br />'activated' by connecting a 'line of Light' between the<br />stones so that they radiate an energy field in the immediate<br />environment in which they are constructed. Those of you<br />who are sensitive to energy will be able to tell immediately<br />that there is a shift of energy in the room where you<br />construct a Grid. Depending on which stones you choose,<br />there will either be a gentle shift... or a very tangible one.<br /><br />Creating a Sacred Space:<br /><br />We live and work in a variety of environments. Many of these<br />environments have a specific function to fulfill that can be<br />consciously and energetically supported. The current attention on<br />Feng Shui and similar 'getting the energy in the room just right'<br />techniques have shown that we, as a society, are becoming more<br />aware of how our immediate spaces can either be harmonious or<br />disharmonious to our goals. Constructing a Crystalline Grid in an<br />environment that supports the function of the room is yet another<br />way to contribute to the overall energy flow.<br /><br />Most people wish to create a Sacred Space in personal rooms;<br />such as, Healing, Meditation, and even Bedrooms. Healing rooms<br />should be warm, inviting, supportive, loving, and full of Light<br />(Selenite, Rose Quartz, Turquoise, Crystal Points, etc.). Meditation<br />rooms should be soothing with an added emphasis on reaching<br />high vibrational states of consciousness (Amethyst, Azurite,<br />Moldavite, Angelite, Celestite, Selenite, Crystal Points). Bedrooms<br />are the alchemical combination of dreamtime, regeneration, and<br />(hopefully) intimate bliss (Herkimer Diamond, Rose Quartz,<br />Garnet, Lapis, Azurite, etc.). These are all examples of rooms one<br />might wish to support with appropriate Crystalline Grids... but<br />certainly not the only kind.<br /><br />There are other spaces that can be supported by a general 'vibe'...<br />such as living rooms, children's spaces, offices and workspaces,<br />etc. In a living room, one may wish to add a Grid that supports<br />harmony of a group or general feelings of Love and Comfort<br />(Crystal Clusters, Rose Quartz). A Grid in a Child's space might<br />include nurturing, creative, and joyful energies (Moonstone,<br />Citrine, Rose Quartz, Kyanite). An office Grid might include<br />harmony of a group, calmness, grounding, and shielding (Crystal<br />Clusters, Amethyst, Black Tourmaline, etc.).<br /><br />There are no right and wrongs.... you choose the space, you<br />choose the Crystalline Grid to support it the way your intuition<br />guides you. Familiarizing yourself with the various metaphysical<br />properties of minerals can be very helpful to you as you make your<br />choices. You can get a nice list of stones you may want to use and<br />then use a pendulum to figure out which ones would be the most<br />effective for you.<br /><br />The Star of David Pattern<br /><br />Place quartz crystal points under our massage table in a pattern<br />called the Star of David layout. For this, place crystals on the<br />points of an imaginary Star of David: one each below the head and<br />foot, one each below the shoulders and hips.<br /><br />This layout creates a very stable and relaxing energy pattern which<br />seals in the Reiki energy. We also recommend it for meditation.<br /><br />There are many possible variations to this pattern. Amethyst or<br />citrine may be used instead of quartz, and the points may be<br />alternated with stones of another kind (rose quartz for a love grid,<br />aventurine for healing, aquamarine for creativity, hematite for<br />psychic protection).<br /><br />Hands On<br />Often clients enjoy holding a crystal in one or both hands during the<br />treatment. You can either let them choose the one(s) to which they<br />are attracted, or make suggestions, such as:<br /><br />For grounding issues: hematite, tiger's eye, black tourmaline, red<br />jasper, smoky quartz<br /><br />Anxiety/nervousness : amethyst, rhodochrosite, aquamarine<br /><br />Love issues: rose quartz (for relationship issues); emerald, for<br />feeling cut off from divine love or one's spirituality<br /><br />Opening up spirituality: clear quartz, chrysocolla, amethyst<br /><br />Spiritual Teaching Grid<br />(suggested by Zoe Lan)<br /><br />For my grid I use stones which I purchased specifically for the grid.<br />They happen to be phantom amethyst raw chunks from Africa. I have<br />this great shallow bowl which I have filled with sand which I<br />reikied, and then I program each crystal to sit *proxy* for a person<br />or a situation. I then arrange them in any formation I wish.<br />Often, I will put a crystal in my grid representing a spiritual<br />teacher - Sai Baba, the Dalai Lama, Sri Ganapathi - others who I<br />consider avatars or great teachers who I feel are able to also focus<br />grace into my grid. For our circle, I begin by washing all the<br />crystals I have at my disposal. It is quite a ritual for me since I<br />just enjoy that sort of thing. I often prepare myself by taking a sea<br />salt and soda bath.<br /><br />I invite my reiki guides and any other beings who have the permission<br />of my higher self to come and assist me. I then *ask* the pile of<br />clean crystal *beings* who would like to sit proxy for so-and-so.<br />Invariably, one of them speaks up or I perceive a light from them. I<br />then program that crystal just as one might program a piece of paper<br />for distancing reiki. I state the name and the request and I place it<br />in the grid and move on to the next one.<br /><br />Then program the entire grid itself stating that by the law of<br />correspondence, whenever I reiki the grid that the people the<br />crystals are sitting proxy for will receive a complete reiki<br />treatment. During our circle I spend much more time and individually<br />connect with each crystal since I put them in an order and know who<br />is who. But in between circles, I reiki my grid as a whole. I find it<br />also easy to add crystals as the need arises...more requests in<br />between etc.<br /><br />For me, it is sort of a mini-medicine circle or my personal<br />stonehenge! It is also like walking a labyrinth in a way since I work<br />my way with the energy step by step.<br /><br />I top off my grid with a gold-plated pyramid which surrounds the grid<br />and creates a standing columnar wave...I find it very powerful to<br />reiki right over the apex and I am also able to perceive that the<br />sacred geometry shape has an effect as well being over them. I am<br />also into pyramid energy so have thrown that into the mix because it<br />works for me!<br /><br />Healer's Energy Grid<br />(suggested by Laura Kuaffman)<br /><br />The first thing to do is develop clear intent of the purpose of your<br />grid. It is best to start with a grid to help you with your distant<br />healing, then if you want you can move on to grids for specific<br />projects or situations.<br /><br />Do a prayer of intent that you wish to the perfect grid to assist you<br />in your distant healing work, and be guided to select the right<br />crystals for it.<br /><br />It is best to use single terminated quartz or quartz-like for the 6<br />outer crystals (unless you receive strong guidance to use something<br />else). They can be any color of quartz or quartz-like i.e. clear,<br />rose, amethyst points, citrine, etc.<br /><br />For the central crystal select something "special" i.e. a cluster, a<br />sphere, a pyramid or just something particularly meaningful to you.<br /><br />Then you need a crystal that feels powerful and strong to you for<br />your master crystal. I feel that a crystal that is a blend of<br />masculine and feminine energies is most powerful for me. i.e. it is<br />very clear in areas and cloudy and filled with inclusions in other<br />areas. It will probably be slightly larger than the 6 outer crystals.<br /><br />Allow a couple hours to create this tool the first time. It deserves<br />a sacred space in your life and is very worth the time. After it is<br />created it only takes a few minutes each day to maintain the energy<br /><br />Preparing the Crystal Grid<br /><br />-Cleanse the crystals<br />-Hold them one at a time and put all the Reiki symbols in them,<br />intending to charge them and asking them to serve as channels for the<br />Reiki energy. This can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes per crystal<br />depending on your guidance<br />-Place them in formation. ( uses a Star of David Pattern with a<br />cluster or other special crystal in the center.)<br />Then take your master crystal in your hands and pray to have the full<br />power of the Reiki energy flow through you as you empower your grid<br />to heal with love and light. Create an affirmation to do this<br />something like:<br /><br />"I empower this grid to heal, to heal, to heal, with love, with love,<br />with love, with light, with light, with light". <br /><br />repeat this three times as you connect the grid lines moving counterclockwise around the grid.<br /><br />To connect the grid lines start by pointing the master crystal toward<br />the central crystal holding it a few inches above the grid . . . when<br />you feel the energy flow move the master crystal up to the crystal at<br />the top of the grid drawing a line of energy, then move diagonally to<br />the crystal on the left, then back to the center, then retrace the<br />line you just drew, then move to the next crystal on the left. Go<br />back to center and then retrace that line you just drew, then<br />continue around the grid as you say your affirmation.<br />It actually looks kind of like you are cutting a pie, except you are<br />retracing each line from the center back out. When you feel that you<br />are finished come back to the top crystal and then move to the<br />central crystal . . . let the final burst of Reiki flow into the<br />central crystal. You can then draw a power symbol over it if you<br />want, intending that you are increasing the power of the grid.<br />(connecting the lines and affirming the healing power is done daily<br />to keep the grid active 24 hours a day)<br /><br />Next you just need to link the names of the people you want to send<br />Reiki to or the situations. I have my grid on a table that has a<br />drawer. The grid is on top and the names are in the drawer. You can<br />also can put a bowl under a table or simply keep a bowl or basket<br />with pieces of paper with the people's names on it near the grid and<br />intend that it is linked to the grid.<br /><br />For crystal healing in person:<br />The crystals and stones can be placed:<br />-Upon the subject in a grid or pattern.<br />-Be extra careful when placing crystals or stones in particularly<br />sensitive areas such as eyelids.<br />-You can use a pre-planned grid or pattern, or place the stones on the<br />chakras, or use your intuition to access healing information from the<br />-Divine and use a pattern of your own devising.<br /><br />Below the subject.<br />-Again, you can use pre-planned grids or patterns or use your intuition.<br />-Be careful of accidentally causing stone bruises, and pad the stones<br />if necessary when placing them under the healee.<br /><br />Around him or her.<br />-Near or touching the body in a pattern around the healee can work<br />well for healing. You can effectively make the healee part of the<br />pattern in this way.<br /><br />For long distance healing:<br />You can use a substitute to stand in for the actual healee who is at<br />a distance from you. A photograph of the healee is a great<br />substitute, however, if no photo is available, writing down their<br />name and using that is good also.<br /><br />For ritual magick:<br />After preparing for your magickal ceremony, use the stones to help<br />focus the energy of your ritual magick, or as specified in the spell<br />or charm you are working with.<br /><br />See our Stone and Crystal community files for great Reiki Grids!<br />http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/StonesandC rystals/files/<br /><br /><em>Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.<br />http://www.peaceful mind.com/ specialties. htm<br />Alternative medicine and therapies<br />for healing mind, body & spirit!</em>Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-18959704460079636532009-06-24T08:22:00.002-08:002009-06-24T08:23:25.867-08:00Summer Solstice Week: Summer Essential Oils<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkJM27WN5YI/AAAAAAAAAHM/J_qMVuDT37M/s1600-h/sunshine+sunflower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 87px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkJM27WN5YI/AAAAAAAAAHM/J_qMVuDT37M/s400/sunshine+sunflower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350923813797094786" /></a><br />Good Morning!<br /><br />Summer is a time of full growth, red, hot, joy, spiritual awareness<br />and traveling. Life is at it's greatest potential in the summer.<br />Trees, plants, grasses and seeds are now at their full peak offering<br />up the "fruits of their labor"! Take a minute to enjoy this most Yang<br />time of energy and production! These essential oils are great for<br />your first aid kit, as insect repellent, for soothing sunburn,<br />freshening and cleaning! Enjoy these soothing scents for relaxing and<br />letting go.<br /><br />Tea Tree:<br />antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal,<br />expectorant, insecticide, cicatrisant (wound healer), etc.<br />infections, ringworm, athlete's foot<br />sunburn<br />shaving and other cuts<br />warts, pimples, etc. May irritate sensitive skin.<br /><br />Lavender:<br />antiseptic, antibiotic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, diuretic,<br />analgesic, nervine, immune stimulant, sedative. antiviral,<br />carminative, decongestant, fungicide<br />burns and blisters<br />wounds (cell regenerator, minismizes swelling and scarring)<br />insect bites. stings<br />heat exhaustion, Avoid during the first trimester of preganancy<br /><br />Peppermint:<br />digestive, carminative, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, febrifuge,<br />nervine, analgesic, astringent, decongestant. expectorant, stomachic,<br />vermifuge<br />indigestion, flatulence, halitosis<br />skin irritations<br />flu, colds, coughs, fever<br />headaches, migraines<br />fatigue, toothache<br />flea and ant repellant May irritate sensitive skin and mucous<br />membranes. Avoid during pregnancy and while nursing. May antidote<br />homeopathic remedies.<br /><br />Eucalyptus:<br />vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, diuretic,<br />insecticide, stimulant, analgesic, antiviral, decongestant,<br />expectorant, febrifuge<br />coughs, colds<br />cystitis<br />sunburn, heat exhaustion<br />insect repellant Avoid if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy.<br />May antidote homeopathic remedies.<br /><br />Citronella:<br />antiseptic, antidepressant, deodorant, insecticide, stimulant,<br />parasiticide<br />bug repellent (mosquitos, moths, fleas)<br />to refresh tired and sweaty feet after exercise<br />germ killer<br /><br />Chamomile :<br />antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic,<br />sedative, anti-allergenic, antidepressant, stomachic, vulnerary,<br />antiemetic, carminative. digestive, febrifuge, nervine<br />external inflammations<br />teething<br />nervousness, irritability, depression<br />burns, sunburns<br />asthma, hayfever<br />sprains, strains<br />nausea, fever Avoid during the first trimester of pregnancy.<br /><br />Clove:<br />antiemetic, antibacterial, antiseptic, analgesic, carminative,<br />insecticide, stimulant, stomachic<br />toothach<br />digestive problems, nausea<br />sinusitis Skin irritant. Do not use in massage<br /><br />Rosemary:<br />antiseptic. analgesic, antirheumatic. antispasmodic, antidepressant.<br />astringent. carminnive. cicatrisant. digestive, diuretic. stimulant.<br />vulnerary, stomachic, nervine, etc.<br />muscular aches and pains<br />sprains<br />fatigue (mental and physical)<br />headaches, migraines<br />coughs, flu<br /><br />Seasonal Healing is one of the best ways to remind ourselves that it<br />is time to evaluate our health. Our moods and bodies change as the<br />seasons change. See more on seasonal healing:<br /><br />http://www.peaceful mind.com/ seasonal. htm<br /><br />Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.<br />http://www.peaceful mind.com/ oils.htm<br />Therapies for healing<br />mind, body, spiritMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-14610006729148251432009-06-24T07:58:00.001-08:002009-06-24T08:01:16.202-08:00Summer Solstice Week: De-Cluttering, Cleansing and Feng Shui<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkJNXIb1ZOI/AAAAAAAAAHU/-BHyGRr3GyE/s1600-h/summer+solstice.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 343px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SkJNXIb1ZOI/AAAAAAAAAHU/-BHyGRr3GyE/s400/summer+solstice.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350924367066129634" /></a><br />Good Morning!<br /><br />1. Cleansing the Body<br />This is one of three processes that should be done 4 times a year.<br />Using the seasons as a guide, allows us to work with the "flow of<br />nature" and change as our bodies change. Consider a healthy detox or<br />work with the power of an herbal cleanser.<br />Here is a nice Detoxification Bath to get you started:<br /><br />Detoxification Bath<br />2 Cups Sea Salt<br />2 Cups Baking Soda<br />4 Tbsp. Ginger Powder<br />Place all ingredients in a hot bath and bathe for 20 Minutes<br />Drink plenty of water. This bath withdraws impurities from your body<br />and helps you to feel better. This bath can be done<br />2 to 3 times in a week or as needed.<br /><br />Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative and is high in both fiber and<br />mucilage. Psyllium seeds contain 10-30% mucilage. The laxative<br />properties of psyllium are due to the swelling of the husk when it<br />comes in contact with water. This forms a gelatinous mass and keeps<br />the feces hydrated and soft. The resulting bulk stimulates a reflex<br />contraction of the walls of the bowel, followed by emptying.<br /><br />De-cluttering the space around you can make all the difference in the<br />way you feel. Start small. Try organizing a drawer or desk, your<br />closet or one room in your house, first. Then move on to a bigger<br />project. Learn the secrets to de-cluttering and re-organizing your<br />life with the proponents of Feng Shui<br /><br />2. Cleansing the Mind<br />This is the 2nd in the trilogy. Learn how to think in "affirmations"<br />that are positive! These are statements that you make either aloud or<br />to yourself. Always approve and accept yourself. You cannot love<br />yourself unless you first, approve of and accept yourself.<br /><br />A disciplined mind is a free mind. Gain control over your thoughts<br />and you maintain control over your life. Retrain your mind and you<br />regain your freedom. Calming the mind is a behavioral technique used<br />to interrupt, minimize and eliminate "psychological noise".<br />Obsessive, repetitive thoughts, anxiety and fears are all apart of<br />negative, self-destructive patterns that can benefit from the<br />positive affirmations and mind quieting.<br /><br />"Love Thy Self"<br />I am perfect, whole and complete NOW, the way I am.<br />I deserve all that I require.<br />I am worthy, loveable and strong.<br /><br />3. Cleansing the Spirit<br />This is a life long lesson and third in the trilogy. Utilize the<br />strength of yoga therapy. What is your belief system ? Does it serve<br />you well? How about discovering some great meditations !<br />The Sun Salutation in yoga is a great wakening and cleansing<br />exercise. This is a flowing combination of some of the asanas in<br />hatha yoga.<br /><br />Sun Salutation<br />Stand in Tadasana, take a deep breath, clasp thumbs in front of you<br />and raise arms in front of you over head. Arch back from the waist.<br />Now, fold over at the waist as you exhale, placing palms on the<br />floor, Uttanasana, step your right leg back into Lunge, step your<br />left leg back to Plank, come into Bhujangasana, flow into Adho Mukha<br />Svanasana, step your right foot forward to Lunge, left foot forward<br />for Uttanasana, inhale up to Tadasana. Repeat, stepping your left leg<br />back into Lunge.<br /><br />Sun Salutation can be found at:<br />http://www.peaceful mind.com/ yoga_therapy. htm<br /><br />Cleansing Meditation<br /><br />Breath is life! Exchange of electrons. Flow of energy. Air is the<br />primary nutrient. Survival without it is measured in minutes. It is<br />so important that you do it without thinking. Your breathing is the<br />voice of your spirit. It's depth, smoothness, sound, and rate reflect<br />your mood. If you become aware of your breath and breathe the way you<br />do when you are calm you will become calm. Practicing regular,<br />mindful breathing can be calming and energizing. With the addition of<br />music and it's rhythm, the "musical breath" can even help stress-<br />related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive<br />disorders. Fall into the rhythm of the music and breathe. Focus on<br />your breathing and the music.<br /><br />Focusing on the breath is one of the most common and fundamental<br />techniques for accessing the meditative state. Breath is a deep<br />rhythm of the body that connects us intimately with the world around<br />us.<br /><br />Close your eyes, breathe deeply and regularly, and observe your<br />breath as it flows in and out of your body. Give your full attention<br />to the breath as it comes in, and full attention to the breath as it<br />goes out. Whenever you find your attention wandering away from your<br />breath, gently pull it back to the rising and falling of the breath.<br />Inhale through your nose slowly and deeply, feeling the lower chest<br />and abdomen inflate like a balloon. Hold for five seconds. Exhale<br />deeply, deflating the lower chest and abdomen like a balloon. Hold<br />for five seconds. Do this three or four times, then allow your<br />breathing to return to a normal rhythm. You will begin to feel a<br />change come over your entire body. Gradually you will become less<br />aware of your breathing, but not captured in your stream of thoughts.<br />You will become more centered inward. You will just "be there."<br /><br />Feng Shui for summer can be a great experience. For more Feng Shui<br />tips:<br /><br />http://www.peaceful mind.com/ feng_shui. htm<br /><br />Seasonal Healing is one of the best ways to remind ourselves that it<br />is time to evaluate our health. Our moods and bodies change as the<br />seasons change. See more on seasonal healing:<br /><br />http://www.peaceful mind.com/ seasonal. htm<br /><br />Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.<br />http://www.peaceful mind.com<br />Therapies for healing<br />mind, body, spiritMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-51550677926493028512009-06-19T06:38:00.003-08:002009-06-19T06:42:47.847-08:00The New "It" herb for summer<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SjujSRXki7I/AAAAAAAAAG8/Ud3ZY2HYeyA/s1600-h/chives.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SjujSRXki7I/AAAAAAAAAG8/Ud3ZY2HYeyA/s320/chives.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349048516727835570" /></a> <br />Here’s a finishing touch you can add to any salad or burger patty to really jive up your health this summer: <br /><br /><strong>CHIVES</strong><br />Those pungent, tender green shoots are packed with vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, and folic acid, according to Maoshing Ni, a doctor of Chinese medicine and author of Second Spring. <br /><br />Chives are used in many parts of the world to do more than spruce up the flavor of bland dishes. In traditional Chinese medicine, chives are used to relieve congestion, stomachaches, and even bad breath. They are also believed to help improve circulation -- a nice bonus if you’re prone to having cold hands and feet.<br /><em>www.realage.com</em>Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-5014902692934888412009-06-19T06:35:00.001-08:002009-06-19T06:35:40.708-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SjuhXzz9PVI/AAAAAAAAAG0/DHRe_IXL_zk/s1600-h/worms.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 329px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/SjuhXzz9PVI/AAAAAAAAAG0/DHRe_IXL_zk/s400/worms.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349046412849790290" /></a><br />GEG Bulletin June 18, 2009<br />Worm into this Class!<br /> <br />Worm-crazy Ellen will hold forth about<br /><br />WORMS & WORM COMPOSTING<br /><br />Definitely try this at home!<br /><br /> O boy O boy!<br /><br />How can you pass this up?<br />Even Lowly the Worm will be there<br /><br />Wriggle into a seat and learn about:<br />Worm bins purchased or home-made<br />Setting up your bin<br />What kind of worms will work?<br />What to feed them?<br />What to do if…<br />How to harvest the compost<br /><br /><strong>Date: Tuesday July 7 <br /><br />Time: 6:30-8:30pm<br /><br />Place: VCRS (Valley Community for Recycling Solutions) on Palmer-Wasilla Highway <br /><br />Tuition $10<br /><br />Instructor: Ellen Vande Visse, Good Earth Garden School </strong><br />Sign up to reserve a place (seating is limited unless you are very skinny): information@goodearthgardenschool.com or 745 0758<br /><br />Ellen Vande Visse<br />Good Earth Garden School<br />www.goodearthgardenschool.comMountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-2315016118259971832009-05-27T07:42:00.007-08:002009-05-27T08:04:21.766-08:008 Super Food Swaps for Longevity<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sh1jqlsmPPI/AAAAAAAAAGU/rEWgl_NObEw/s1600-h/blueberries.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 107px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sh1jqlsmPPI/AAAAAAAAAGU/rEWgl_NObEw/s400/blueberries.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340534316456099058" /></a><br /><br />Trying to change your habits and routines can be daunting, even when you know the changes are for the better. Try these 8 simple switches below to slim down and live a long and healthy life.<br /><br />1. Swap green tea for coffee<br />For many people, the first thing they reach for in the morning is coffee. Caffeine acts as a CNS (central nervous system) stimulant, causing you to experience stress, anxiety, a racing mind, and even insomnia. For a calmer energy boost, cut the coffee and go for green tea. On average, a cup of green tea contains about one sixth of the amount of caffeine you would get from the same cup of coffee. Even better, green tea is full of powerful antioxidants that ward off cancer, and tea is a proven preventive and treatment for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Also, when combined with exercise, green tea can help you lose weight.<br /><br />2. Try trailmix in place of fatty snacks <br />Carry dried fruits and nuts with you as healthy snacks to replace any unhealthy ones you usually eat. Just a handful every day can help improve circulation and muscle tone. Research shows that many of these nuts and seeds are rich sources of vitamin E, lignans, and omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart disease and protect you from the ravages of aging. <br /><br />3. Switch brown rice for white rice <br />Modern staples around the world often include refined bread, pasta, rice, and corn. These carbohydrates that have been found to be the culprits in serious conditions like diabetes, stroke, and heart disease, arthritis, and allergies. And there is no question that refined carbohydrates contribute directly to weight gain. So change to whole grains to get complex carbohydrates; said another way, swap "white" for "brown". Substitute white rice, bread, and pasta with brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole wheat pasta. Other "browns" will bring you anti-aging benefits also. Quinoa and amaranth are two tasty grains rich in protein and easy to cook. Millet, sorghum, and buckwheat are packed with B vitamins.<br /><br />4. Swap fish for red meat<br />Red meat does have some health benefits-when eaten in moderation. However, studies have shown that men and women who eat meat every day are three times as likely to develop breast cancer and prostate cancer as those who almost never eat high-fat animal foods. Of all animal products, fish is the healthiest because of its high protein and low-fat content. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish, along with other nutrients, protect blood vessels from plaque, reduce inflammation, and prevent high blood pressure. If you just can't leave the red meat behind, choose only free-range, grass-fed, and hormone- and antibiotic-free lean meat, and eat it no more than three times a week. <br /><br />5. Use olive oil instead of butter<br />Butter is the bad kind of fat. Also included in this saturated fat category: peanut oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and lard. All of these elevate cholesterol and triglyceride levels, leading to an increased chance of heart attack and stroke. Switch for olive oil or one of the other monounsaturated fats, which increase good cholesterol and protect you from heart disease and premature skin aging. Others include canola oil, rice bran oil, walnut oil, flaxseed oil, peanut oil, and sesame oil. Like butter on your bread? Try hummus instead.<br /><br />6. Swap sweet potatoes for potatoes<br />While filling, potatoes just do not contain the nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes. Yams and sweet potatoes are powerhouse foods that contain higher amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin C than carrots, more protein than wheat and rice, and more fiber than oat bran. They are also rich in plant DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)-a precursor hormone that is essential for the body's anti-aging defenses to work.<br /><br />7. Swap berries for refined sweets<br />The average American consumes nearly 240 pounds of sugar per year. Most of the excess sugar from candies, pastries, sodas, and other refined sweets end up being stored as fat in your body, resulting in weight gain and elevating heart disease and cancer risk. Instead, satisfy your sweet tooth with a berry tasty treat: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, and cherries. Berries are rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals and can also help remove toxic residue from the system, which is often the cause of chronic fatigue and low energy.<br /><br />8. Switch to water in place of soda<br />Soda pop is very high in phosphorus, which in excess actually causes calcium loss from your bones, possibly leading you to osteoporosis. Diet soda is filled with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or saccharin, which have shown dangerous results in tests with laboratory animals. Your best beverage is filtered water, which flushes your system of the chemicals and toxins that you encounter every day. If water by itself doesn't appeal, turn to juice and tea. One caution about fruit juice is that it tends to be filled with sugar. Cut back on sugar content by watering down your juice: one part juice to three parts filtered water. Unsweetened herbal tea, brimming with health benefits, is another way to go. For a selection of healthy teas that promote total body wellness, click here.<br /><br />Make these switches and you are on your way to a healthier you!<br /><br />May you live long, live strong, and live happy!<br /><br />--Dr. Mao<br /><em>by Dr. Maoshing Ni a Yahoo! Health Expert for Alternative Medicine </em><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sh1j1HWyWLI/AAAAAAAAAGc/rXyRbHEDi0A/s1600-h/eggs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 86px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGHfW7vtXQw/Sh1j1HWyWLI/AAAAAAAAAGc/rXyRbHEDi0A/s400/eggs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340534497290115250" /></a> <br />Don't forget to check out these, and other, "power foods": <br />eggs, raw chocolate, buckwheat honey, avocado, pumpkin, black tea, cinnamon, tomato paste, blueberries, wasabi.Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692187040903526425.post-68600872415458046132009-04-19T13:51:00.002-08:002009-04-19T13:56:16.910-08:00May Feldenkrais Classes<strong>Happy Spring!</strong><br /><br /><strong>Now Announcing…our Yukon Island Women’s Weekend Retreat!</strong><br />Invite a friend & join us for solitude, scenic beauty, beaches & trails, fresh air & friendship as we journey across Kachemak Bay from Homer to relax & rejuvenate. Save the dates August 28-30 and join us for a Feldenkrais & Bones for Life Retreat that will refresh, restore & revive you! Sign up now for our Early Bird Special!<br /><br />Take a May Feldenkrais class to limber up for summertime activities as you regenerate agility, balance and ease. Let Shari’s soothing voice guide you through gentle, easy moves that reduce stiffness & pain, so you can feel your best again! <br /><br />Hands-on Individual Feldenkrais sessions are available at Shari’s Movement Options Studio and at two medical offices in Anchorage (Eastside & Midtown) where you can use your health insurance. Contact me for more info, or contact the office directly to schedule your session with me at either clinic location. Or, take advantage of the lower cost convenience of self-pay at Movement Options. Call 274-3539 or email me feldenlee1@aol.com to schedule your app't here at Movement Options studio.<br /><br /><strong>Think Sun!!!</strong><br />Shari <br /><br /> <br /><strong>Move Freely Without Pain </strong><br />Tu/Th 11:15-Noon May 19, 21, 26, 28 <br />4 days $65/ Drop-in $18/class<br /> <br /><strong><br />Yukon Island Women’s Weekend Retreat </strong><br />August 28-30, 2009<br />Includes: 2 nights lodging, All meals & snacks, Water taxi from Homer, <br />Six Feldenkrais or Bones for Life group movement explorations, Sauna, <br />45 private acres, 2 Beaches, Berry picking-in season, Walking Trails.<br /><br />Individual Feldenkrais sessions available for additional fee.<br />Early Bird Special $425+tax when paid in full by May 15, 2009<br /><br />Individual Feldenkrais Sessions Insurance Billing at<br />Natural Health Center <br />561-2330<br />3330 Eagle St. <br />Known to many of you as “Hope Wing & Rick Abbott’s Clinic”. Choose a Naturopath or Chiropractor to initiate your Feldenkrais treatment plan of neuromuscular re-education. Use your health insurance to pay for your Feldenkrais sessions. <br /><br />My current schedule here: Monday afternoons & Thursday mornings.<br /><br />Medicare patients: *IF you have secondary insurance coverage from a group policy that covers you to see a Naturopath, you MAY be able to use your secondary insurance to cover your sessions with me for neuromuscular re-education. *Be sure to check with your secondary insurance carrier to confirm this!<br /><br />Insurance Billing at<br />Alliance Chiropractic <br />337-6770<br />Dr. Rich Tieszen 4316 Kingston Drive <br /><br />Bill your insurance directly for sessions at Alliance, just pay your deductible & co-pay out of pocket. My current schedule here: Tuesday & Thursday afternoons. <br /><br /><strong>Self-pay at Movement Options Studio</strong> <br />274-3539<br /><br />Schedule your sessions at Movement Options and make payment in full. Receipts are available upon request if you wish to submit them to your health insurance carrier, or use pre-tax dollars from your health care reimbursement account. <br /><br />My schedule here: Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri mornings and Wed & Fri afternoons. <br /><br />***Total cost of sessions with Shari at Movement Options Studio is substantially less than the price of sessions at the above medical offices. Out of pocket expenses at Movement Options may be higher or lower than at one of the clinics, depending on your health insurance coverage. <br /><br />Shari Lee<br />Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner <br />Certified Bones for Life® Teacher & Trainer<br /><br />Movement Options LLC<br />907-274-3539<br />feldenlee1@aol.com<br />www.FeldenkraisJourneys.com <br />Feldenkrais® is a registered service mark of the Feldenkrais® Guild of North America.Mountain Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08185347701223334035noreply@blogger.com0