Cold Infusions Quench the Thirst
Cold infusions (water infusions) are a great way to quench the thirst and cool down during the summer heat. They are easy and fast to prepare and at the same time delicious.
Cold infusions can be made with dried or fresh herbs and are of great benefit. See the recipe below or the DVD, disc one, chapter “Infusions”.
One of my favorite herbs to use is dried HIBISCUS flowers. They colour the water deep red and make a most refreshing drink. Add fresh lemon and ice cubes and you have the prefect drink. For an additional cooling effect you may want to add spearmint or peppermint leaves. Be creative and find your favorite combination.
You don’t need to use Hibiscus flowers, you can just make the drink with any fruit, herbs and spices depending on your personal preferences. This is the time to forage in the wild and add those lush green herbs for food and medicine to your daily menu. For example, you may want to add Chickweed and Fireweed to your drinks (and salads). Fireweed flowers add not only flavour, but also provide food for the soul, visually and spiritually.
ENJOY! Feel free to share your favorite recipes here.
Instructions
- Place herbs in a glass, ceramic or stainless steel container
- Add cold water (NOT city water!)
- Cover with a lid to avoid pollutants or insects from falling into it
- Let sit for 30 minutes to several hours at room temperature (personal taste preference)
- Strain
- If desired add natural sweetener or lemon for flavor
- Drink cold
Green blessings,
Gudrun
HEMP HEARTS & VEGETARIANS
Vegetarians are at risk of two possible nutritional deficiencies: taurine and vitamin B 12, both found in animal protein. Taurine, an amino acid is deficient in about 84% of depressed individuals and in many with epilepsy. B 12 is ordinarily present only in animal protein.
Hemp hearts are the best source of protein. They have about 33% of quality protein, better than the best sirloin tip beef and far better than fish. They are the best source of essential fats, vitamins and enzymes on the planet. Hemp hearts are the only vegetable containing taurine.
Hemp hearts are the shelled seed of simple hemp, a non-hallucinatory relative of marijuana.
Hemp fibre is the longest and strongest of all natural fiber and requires no fertilizer of pesticides etc, to grow exuberantly. It produces 4 times as much fibre per acre as trees. Indeed, it is a superb source for making biomass alcohol,–far superior to corn!! In fact, hemp is the oldest known agricultural crop, used as a source for rope, cloth and paper.
So, vegans and vegetarians, rejoice and eat up! Add hemp hearts to all your meals including fruits, salads, baking, smoothies… the sky is the limit.
Marketing tour quickly coming to an end
Herbs and Herbal Communities are sprouting everywhere. Whatever nature provides for us cannot be taken away from us. My marketing tour is quickly coming to an end. I am happy to say that both the book “Healing Spirituality” as well as the DVD “Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone” have been very well received by many libraries along the way. The Vancouver Island Herb Conference provided a great opportunity to connect with many fantastic people. A weekend of peace and harmony among like-minded folks. Great times and a big thank you to my dear friend Lana who did a marvelous job at my vendor table!
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
STINGING NETTLE – HARVESTING & RECIPES
Harvest the early spring shoots of plants four to eight inches high. You might want to wear heavy cotton gloves or even leather gloves for harvesting. Wash in cold water and remove with thongs from water. I enjoy the stinging feeling when harvesting nettles but most people will have a different feeling about this!
Stinging Nettles have a delicate flavour and pleasant texture. It is important to NOT overcook them.
I consider myself a “free flowing cook”; therefore see the following recipes as suggestions and use your own intuitive, creative senses to adjust the recipes and discover your own recipes.
(1) STINGING NETTLE – BASIC
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Water
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 cup Stinging Nettle, fresh, young leaves – washed
1 Tbsp. Butter
2 Tbsp. Sour Cream
Directions
Bring water to boil, add salt and nettle leaves.
Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Drain right away.
Melt butter in skillet, add nettle leaves and sour cream.
Stir well for a minute or two.
Serve as you would use spinach.
(2) NETTLE FRITTATA (by Darcy Williamson)
Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 onion, thinly sliced
4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cups cooked, chopped spinach
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp. (freshly grated) nutmeg
8 medium-sized organic eggs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit.
Beat together eggs, seasonings and cheese. Set aside.
In a cast iron skillet saute garlic and onion in olive oil until just wilted.
Add Stinging Nettle and heat through.
Pour egg mixture over ingredients in the skillet.
Place skillet in oven and bake until eggs are set, approx. 45 minutes.
Cut into slices and serve hot.
STINGING NETTLE – Great Spring Vegetable but BEWARE
“In early spring, anxious for some fresh greens, my friend Paula and her husband Dennis went to harvest some Earthy greens including Stinging Nettle. Due to circumstances lunch was missed. Paula had a variety of vegetables and grains for supper and added a helping of Stinging Nettle. Dennis on the other hand chose to only eat plates full of steamed Stinging Nettle enjoying them thoroughly. But alas during the night he was awakened by funny numbing sensations. These developed into localized paralysis that moved from one area to the next. After a scary night he was only too happy when the rising sun brought an end to his unusual experience. The moral of the story is: Don’t eat too many steamed nettles alone on an empty stomach because even with heat they’ll sting you numb.”
The above is a true testimonial; nevertheless I encourage you to enjoy the bountiful palette of wild spring greens this year. Watch for the next post with a recipe for Nettles.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
Time to think about SPRING CLEANSING
Time to think about SPRING CLEANSING – even though it may not feel like it while winter wonderland is still with us.
Spring cleansing made easy! I have a homeopathic drainage kit available to support the LIVER, KIDNEYS & LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. See below for more information or call me at 780.532.2464 to reserve your kit.
WHY SPRING CLEANSING
• When toxins accumulate in the body, they can cause tissue damage, disrupt cell metabolism, and bring about localized or systemic disease. Thus, “diseases” are what happens when the organism fights against toxins as it attempts to counteract and expel them.
• Toxins can either come from outside the body (exotoxins) or within the body (endotoxins).
• Homeopathic drainage provides strong stimulation of the elimination processes of the organs, tissues, and cells. It also has beneficial effects on emotions.
LIVER SUPPORT
Breaking down most of the body’s dietary and metabolic waste and preparing it for elimination via the bowels or kidneys, the liver is the primary organ of elimination. When structural or functional liver disturbances occur, digestive sluggishness, headaches, bloating, constipation, and skin irritations can result. Furthermore, due to toxic burden, bitter taste in the mouth, abdominal bloating, heavy head, overall tiredness and fatigue, flatulence, and constipation can be indicative of structural and functional dysfunctions in the liver and gallbladder. These dysfunctions can lead to chronic issues and may result in cholecystitis, biliary calculi, hepatitis, and hypochondria. Many consider the liver to be the centre of all therapies for chronic degenerative disease as well as for allergies, digestive disorders, skin problems, chemotherapy-associated ailments, and the side effects of pharmaceutical medications. Several remedies can assist in stimulating the liver’s detox pathways, facilitating the speedy removal and drainage of accumulated metabolic toxins. Some remedies can even regenerate the liver through their stimulation of hepatocytes.
KIDNEY SUPPORT
The kidneys are the primary filter of minerals, electrolytes, and protein metabolites, such as nitrogenous wastes. It also maintains acid-base balance. Improper kidney function can lead to inflammatory and congestive conditions within the urinary system. Stubborn organic wastes, such as uric acid and other inflammatory toxins, accumulate in the kidneys and can sometimes refuse to exit the body. Successful kidney and bladder drainage can be achieved using remedies with potent diuretic properties. Furthermore, particular attention should be given to ionic balance to help the kidney maintain a proper alkaline environment. Structural and functional dysfunctions of the kidneys or urinary bladder can lead to symptoms such as sharp, stinging pains in the kidneys (renal area), pains in the sacral region, burning sensations upon urination, piercing pains in the bladder, and chronic inflammatory conditions of the kidneys, and renal calculi.
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM SUPPORT
The lymphatic system is one of the most important and yet least talked about drainage pathways. It runs alongside the vascular system and drains the entire extracellular matrix. It is designed to pick up and remove all left-over metabolic waste around individual cells. Any improper functioning of the lymph system can lead to edema, glandular swelling, abnormal fat metabolism, and a weakened immune system. Supporting the lymphatics supports all other organ systems (liver, skin, kidneys, etc.) and helps purify both blood and body. Proper lymphatic function boosts innate immunity, neutralizes pathogenic infiltration, and facilitates the elimination of inflammatory toxins.
Next Radio Interview February 22
My next radio interview – 2 (!) hours live on WBAI, New York, Wednesday, February 22, 2-4pm.
We will talk about my DVD, HERBAL PHARMACY FOR EVERYONE and my book, HEALING SPIRITUALITY. The goal is to inspire people and provide them with tools for taking charge of their own well-being. I am very excited to once again being given the opportunity to share my passion with listeners in that part of the world.
WBAI is a non-commercial, listener-supported radio station, broadcasting at 99.5 FM in New York City.
Plagued by a Persistent Cough?
Here are some tips and simple home remedies to support the body in overcoming this affliction regardless of what causes the cough.
1. Cut out all mucous forming foods, especially dairy and wheat as well as all foods you know you are sensitive to.
2. Change your diet to at least 70% raw and drink lots of carrot juice and green smoothies.
3. Drink lots of good water – city water is typically full of chemicals and not recommended for consumption on a regular basis.
4. Keep the chest warm with appropriate clothing.
5. Apply poultices to the chest, i.e. onion poultice or castor oil pack (see DVD “Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone”, Disc 2 for instructions)
6. Cough Syrup – homemade, simple yet effective:
Cut up an onion, place in glass jar and cover with honey (honey can be hard; the juice of the onion will liquefy the honey).
Let sit for several hours to several days and strain. Take 1 tsp. as needed.
7. Herbs to use are the ones with anti-microbial properties such as Garlic and Thyme and expectorants for example Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum).
You can find good combination teas for the support of the respiratory system at the health food stores.
GREETINGS FROM DOWN UNDER
Australia is fantastic even though it is too hot to do anything outside other than first thing in the morning. The forecast for Tuesday is 41 degrees Celsius! The body butter I created the other day before my departure has served me well as sun screen – an unexpected bonus. No need for chemicals! I have been enjoying daily bike rides and walks in nature.
Even though I am off-duty I have been on-duty nursing someone’s extreme road rash from a severe fall from bike riding. Once again I have watched the healing power of herbs with amazement as the road rash began to heal within less than 24 hours. The main herbs we used externally as a wound wash were Calendula and Yarrow. I am so grateful for the bounty of healing gifts the Earth provides for us.
Green blessings,
Gudrun
CRAZY AND AMAZING STORY FROM MY JOURNEY TO DOWN UNDER
Australia is where I am at right now, enjoying time out in the sunshine and best of all some time with my son.
On my way here something amazing happened. The flight from Vancouver to Brisbane is terribly long (about 15 hours), so I make sure to move around as much as possible. A few hours before landing I was at the back of the plane where the flight attendants hang out when they are not serving the passengers. I overheard their conversation about the requirement of the use of pesticides on the plane after landing and while the passengers have to remain in their seats! Yes, it is true, after landing they open the overhead luggage compartments and then walk up and down the aisle while spraying pesticides in there as well as a heavy dose in the washrooms. Needless to say I engaged in that conversation which led from one thing to the next including my work and the publication of the books. Lo and behold, one of the flight attendants owned a deck of BACH FLOWERS UNFOLDING and since I almost always carry one copy of my books with me wherever I go, she bought a copy of HEALING SPIRITUALITY! This made my day and re-affirmed that all the hard work and perseverance is worth it.
Truly green blessings from a hot summer in Australia,
Gudrun
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