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WHAT’S NEW?

Well, I guess Coronavirus is still dominating the media, just with a different name. I yet have to hear anyone mention the importance of a strong immune system and how to go about it – keeping it strong or building it up. Once again, a wholesome diet and exercise to increase oxygenation in the body, are two easy and effective tools. Adding high dosages of vitamin C and raw garlic to your daily regime are also helpful. Apparently in China they are treating people with intravenous vitamin C. A link to that information will follow in another post.

I have turned my favourite bread recipe (no flour, gluten free, dairy free) into four small loaves instead of one big one. It works not only great but tastes fantastic. Prep time is short once you have the ingredients in your pantry. I am so grateful that this bread is also the favourite for my grand children. NOTE: bake time for the four small loaves is obviously shorter than in the recipe provided.

Ancient Grain, Seed, and Nut Loaf – Adapted from The Greenhouse Cookbook

Green blessings,
Gudrun

 

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS INVENTORY SALE

Come and browse for a great variety of “goodies” and super bargains. Just about everything on sale from little gifts, books, beeswax candles, etc. to all natural remedies.

Call me for shopping hours, 780.5332.2464.

Please bring your own shopping bags. Let’s help to put an end to the unnecessary and damaging use of plastic (bags). During our Germany visit in September it was very obvious how much more environmentally conscious Germans are compared to Canadians. For example, shopping bags are not even offered in stores, people walk and ride their bikes whenever and wherever possible…

See you soon.

Gudrun

 

ROSEHIP HARVEST in NOVEMBER

It is truly a gift from nature. Typically I like to go out right after the first frost but this year I was not able to fit it into my busy schedule. I will make a delicious Rosehip with my harvest and enjoy some of them in a tea.

ROSEHIP SYRUP

In herbal medicine, syrups refer to a form of herbal preparation that preserve the herbs using a sweet medium such as honey. There are many ways to prepare syrups but the following is my favourite for rosehips.

Ingredients

– 1 part Rosehips
– 4-6 parts water (using less water will produce a thicker syrup; rosehips absorb a lot of water)
– Honey
– Brandy (as a preservative)

Directions

– Combine rosehips with water
– Simmer over low heat until you have half the liquid left; in order to increase the extraction of the juice from the rosehips use a potato masher to create a pulp
– Strain the liquid through a sieve first, followed by straining through muslin or cheese cloth. Any particles left in the liquid increase the risk of fermentation and spoilage. It is recommended to use a clean and moist cloth because the moisture will help to trap smaller particles including dust.
– Pour liquid back into pot, bring to simmer over low heat
– Add honey to liquid (i.e. for 1 cup liquid add 1/2 to 1 cup honey) and stir until dissolved
– Remove from heat
– Add Brandy, 1 tablespoon (15ml) for every cup of syrup as a preservative
– Bottle in clean, sterilized jars
– Label and date bottles (ALWAYS label to avoid the creation of what I call “mystery products”)
– ENJOY – for yourself or as a great gift!

Green blessings,
Gudrun

WEEDS FOR WELLNESS – A GUIDE TO YOUR BACKYARD PHARMACY

Insect Bites

Biting insects including wasps and hornets are plentiful this year and can take some of the joy out of summer for some of us. Spit poultices from Plantain or Fireweed leaves can be a life saving tool. When neither one is available you could simply use mud (add water to dirt to make a paste). The mud applied to a nasty insect bite right after I got stung while filming the DVD, brought instant relief (see picture). It also helped to avert an allergic reaction. See more on the DVD at www.herbalinstructions.com.

Carrying a small spray bottle with (apple cider) vinegar while out and about may also prove to be helpful. When applied directly to a mosquito bite it will prevent the swelling and itchiness. I have no personal experience how it might work for other insect bites, but it would definitely be worth a try.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Some people respond with an over-sensitivity to even minor mosquito bites. If this is your situation, I suggest you look at your diet and eliminate all foods you suspect you are allergic/sensitive to. In my practice I have seen people who, almost miraculously, have stopped reacting to mosquito bites after changing their diet, for example taking out all gluten. Prior to this they were not able to leave the house without certain medications because even a simple mosquito bite triggered an enormous reaction such as huge swelling that would last for days. This makes total sense to me.

Happy herballing and green blessings,

Gudrun

PEACE BEGINS WITH A SMILE

As the seas of the world are rough right now
Let’s remember to build bridges, not walls.
Let’s sow seeds of hope, peace and love.
Let’s foster kindness, trust and tolerance.
Let’s remember that each one of us can make a difference.

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.
But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.  – Mother Teresa

Happy New Year & Green Blessings,

Gudrun

GENERATION ZAPPED – Remember to get your tickets now

Monday, October 29 at the Grande Prairie Live Theatre at 7:30 pm

Tickets only $17 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.

Live entertainment by the Saskatoon Mountain Pickers at the beginning of the show.

GENERATION ZAPPED is a powerfully moving and thought-provoking documentary, daring to shine light on the invisible inconvenience of background radiation caused by wireless technology. It empowers audiences to understand how to reduce their exposure to protect themselves and their families.

See you at the show!

Gudrun

WEEDS FOR WELLNESS – A GUIDE TO YOUR BACKYARD PHARMACY

Insect Bites

Biting insects including wasps and hornets are plentiful this year and can take some of the joy out of summer for some of us. Spit poultices from Plantain or Fireweed leaves can be a life saving tool. When neither one is available you could simply use mud (add water to dirt to make a paste). The mud applied to a nasty insect bite right after I got stung while filming the DVD, brought instant relief (see picture). It also helped to avert an allergic reaction. See more on the DVD at www.herbalinstructions.com.

Carrying a small spray bottle with (apple cider) vinegar while out and about may also prove to be helpful. When applied directly to a mosquito bite it will prevent the swelling and itchiness. I have no personal experience how it might work for other insect bites, but it would definitely be worth a try.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Some people respond with an over-sensitivity to even minor mosquito bites. If this is your situation, I suggest you look at your diet and eliminate all foods you suspect you are allergic/sensitive to. In my practice I have seen people who, almost miraculously, have stopped reacting to mosquito bites after changing their diet, for example taking out all gluten. Prior to this they were not able to leave the house without certain medications because even a simple mosquito bite triggered an enormous reaction such as huge swelling that would last for days. This makes total sense to me.

Happy herballing and green blessings,

Gudrun

WEEDS FOR WELLNESS – A GUIDE TO YOUR BACKYARD PHARMACY FIREWEED

Epilobium/Chamerion Angustifolium

The pale purple, pinkish flowers of Fireweed are lavishly decorating our landscape right now. You can watch bees swarming around the plants, they love the flowers. Fireweed is apparently the only plant in the world that has purple pollen. It is the first plant to grow after a fire, preparing the soil for other plants and trees to follow. Fireweed provides both food and medicine for us. Hippocrates said: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” How true this is.

The FLOWERS, UNOPENED BUDS and YOUNG LEAVES of Fireweed make a great addition to any salad, and of course, I add any of them to my Jungle Juice. The young shoots can be prepared like asparagus. A tea made from the LEAVES may simply be enjoyed as a beverage or used for medicinal purposes in cases of enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia – BPH). Note: Some sources suggest that Fireweed tea has a slight laxative effect whereas others say it is being used for certain forms of diarrhea. Therefore, be your own judge and enjoy the tea in moderation until you know how it affects you – this, of course, holds true for anything you ingest or put on your skin.

As mentioned in an earlier post, a SPIT POULTICE made from the leaves, just like Plantain, will provide great relief from insect bites – numbing the pain as well as reducing swelling and allergic reactions. I have heard from numerous people this year who have made use of this knowledge and were able to avoid hospital trips while watching the magic of the plant world unfold in front of their eyes. The gifts of nature are all around us. The poultice can also be used to minimize bruising and help draw slivers.

The FLOWERS, some sources include the leaves as well, provide effective relief for hemorrhoids. For this purpose, make an infused oil which can be used as is or made into suppositories. It is advisable to look at diet, lifestyle and liver function when dealing with hemorrhoids.

A decoction made from the WHOLE HERB, including the ROOT, has traditionally been used as an anti-spasmodic in the treatment of (whooping) cough and asthma. The preparation was allowed to cool before taken internally.

Fireweed can be considered a survival food with anti-inflammatory properties. It is relatively high in nutrients including vitamin C, beta-carotenes, calcium and magnesium. Always remember though, that the nutrient content (and flavour) of a plant varies greatly with the soil it is grown in.

RECIPE SUGGESTIONS

1. Add leaves, flowers and/or buds in any salad
2. Slightly steam young shoots until just tender. Melt butter, add lime juice, pour over Fireweed. Sprinkle with seeds/and or nuts on top (almonds, hemp hearts…)
Adjust proportions to your own liking. Remember, I consider myself a “free-flowing cook”. No recipe will ever turn out the same.

RESOURCE – QUESTION: Not sure how to prepare infusions, decoctions, infused oils etc? You find all these and many more preparations in my instructional DVD (over three hours of hands-on instructions): Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone – A Practical Guide to Creating Your Own Herbal Preparations. www.herbalinstructions.com. Subtitles in English, German, French and Spanish included as well as an appendix with all the recipes – just like a book.

Sunscreen – yes or no?

Summer is here and with it for many of us the question: sunscreen – yes or no?

What causes more harm: the sun or the reaction of the chemicals of sunscreen with our body?
If yes to sunscreen, how to pick the right one?

Following are some interesting facts and answers. Please share freely with as many people as possible.

http://herbalinstructions.com/SunscreenGuide.pdf

CRAVINGS FOR CHOCOLATE?

Healthy Chocolate Treat – WARNING: ADDICTIVE!

Here is your answer for the times when the cravings for chocolate are overpowering but you do not want to eat junk.

Thank you Crystal for introducing me to the basic recipe! It is so fast and easy to make and absolutely delicious. Be creative, the recipe allows for many variations.

Combine the following ingredients, slowly heat and stir until well mixed:

1/4 cup peanut butter (organic; I like chunky)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp. honey

Add the following and simmer mixture for about 5 minutes and take off heat:

1/4 cup organic raw cacao powder
1/4 cup maple syrup, high quality coconut or agave syrup or a combination
1-2 tsp. vanilla extract

Options:

1. Fast and easy (my favorite): pour mixture into a dish lined with parchment paper, or,
2. Pour/spoon into small candy moulds or cup cake paper cups. Place in fridge or freezer.

ENJOY!

Variations:

Add hemp hearts, dried cranberries or cherries, shredded coconut…