Weed Walk Invasive Garden

When we did our weed walk we started in the invasive garden. This garden has a mind of it's own. I've long given up trying to tame this beast. Every year the plants duke it out for space so I will have different winners often. 

The root crops I have are Sunchokes and Horse Radish

The flower crops are Feverfew and Calendula

The aromatics are Oregano, Rosemary, Lemon Balm, Mint

There are a couple plants who's leaves have medical uses, Artichoke and Grape.

I am working on pages to give you the benefits of each plant, medical and culinary. There will be pictures for easy identification, not all pictures are from my garden, some will be from the interwebs. Some of my plant are so close together it's hard to see which is which. 

The individual plants will be on the pages of this site. I will post as I have time. Enjoy!

 

 

Weed Walk!

Above is a picture of those that participated on the second weed walk.  So now I wonder if that makes it the 1st annual as its the first time it was done on a yearly basis or if it's the second annual as it is the second time we've done it.  Anyone know?

What's a weed walk?  We wondered through the property as I was pointing out plants with nutrition or medicinal properties.  We happened upon over 30 plants that day.  It was done in three sections and I will post the plant information per section soon. We had the invasive garden, the berry garden, and yard weeds. There is a lot of information and I will put up pictures as well to help identification. 

We are provided with so many great ways that nature keeps us healthy.  This was but a taste of what's out there. We didn't get a change to see it all, but I will do this again next year and add plants that help with poison oak, and natural St. Johns Wort, to name a couple. 

It was a lovely day and I appreciate those of you that came out that day.  Most were from the Placer  County Freedom Coalition, which is a ministry of the Church of Glad Tidings. This church is doing some great works! They are currently focusing on creating a sanctuary to help save children from human trafficking. There is a great need there and they are stepping up.  For more information and how you can help, go to  https://youtu.be/VC_KFyGPoQU or churchofgladtidings.com 

Blessings to you all!

Welcome 2024!

New Year, New Things!

It's no secret that 2023 we not a great year for me. So,I'm starting this year with a 3 day liquid diet. Can't say I'm loving it, but it's good for me, right?  Day one wasn't so bad, day 2 I have very little energy, I'm sure day three will be a blast!  :)  After the 3rd day I am going on a very low carb diet for the rest of the 3 weeks. I am hoping to jump start some good habits 

So on the first I decided to ferment some lemons, I had purchase quite a few and wanted to preserve them for future use, I also fermented a bunch of garlic.  I enjoy garlic flavors and this way I can get it in bulk and keep it around for a while.  The new thing I'm trying is making a ginger bug. I did my research and found I can make natural fizzy drinks.  Just seems like a fun thing to get into. 

We will start doing a new medicinal plant preview every Wednesday.  It's a great way to see what plants, weeds and herbs can help the body.  I've made may tinctures, salves and teas that will help us keep in balance. I want to share what I have learned, I feel everyone should know the natural ways to stay healthy. 

I also want to share "how to" classes once a month. January is soap month.  I make soaps to sell at craft fairs and I have a website you can purchase from too. So January 20, will be the first class. It will be limited to 5 folks.  Email me at tammie5750@yahoo.com please put "soap" in the description line.  This will be a demonstration, and explanation of the science of making soap.  Cost will be $20. 

That's all I have for now.  Have a great start to this wonderful new year!  

Tammie

 

 

Fermenting Pickles!

 

My garden got a late start this year, and I am just getting a few pickling cucumbers.  Not enough to can a batch, but enough to do a jar or two of fermented pickles. These taste a lot like the Claussen pickles you get in the refrigerated section at the grocery store. They are crispy and tastey!

Fermenting is rather easy, there are only a few things you need to be aware of.

1.  Keep the vegetables submerged in the salt water

2.  Fermentation can produce gases and there is a chance some liquid will bubble out.

3.  Make sure said gases can escape so you don't have any broken glass from pressure build up.

Fermented foods are very good for you. The natural process helps the good gut bacteria thrive. Digestion is better and you use your nutrients better!

This recipe is really simple. Pack your jar as tight as you can with cucumbers, dill and garlic. I used 4 cloves of a lovely garlic that was gifted to me. I used about a loose cup of dill. 

The salt you use can't be iodized, I use Redmond's salt, but you can use pickling salt or Himalayan pink salt. 

So I put 4 teaspoons salt per quart in warm water. Remember you won't need a whole quart of water, I usually do a little less than half a quart.  Make sure it dissolves. 

After packing your jar with cucumbers, dill and garlic, pour the water over the top and leave an inch of head space. 

To submerge the vegetables and herbs in the brine you will need a weight, I use a fermentation puck, but you could use a rock, a bag of pennies, anything to keep it submerged.

The top I use has a little nipple with a hole in it to let the built up gases escape. You can also loosen the lid every day, but I worry I won't remember so I use the fermentation top. 

Leave it on the counter for a few days, you will see it bubble up a bit, that means it's working.  During the summer it won't take all that long, maybe a week.  Nothing wrong with a taste test now and then to see when it gets to where you like it. 

After you are satisfied, keep the jar in the refrigerator. The cold will slow the ferment process, and you can actually put a normal lid on it.   

You can change it up and add onion, peppers, pepper corns, mustard seeds, what ever you like in  your pickles. 

If you don't have it all submerged you can get mold, if you do, throw it out and try again. 

Let me know how yours turned out!

 Behold the wonders of Mallow!

This "weed" grows everywhere!  Common mallow or cheese weed can be found along road sides, next to flower boxes, in flower boxes, along driveways. 

I am dealing with GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Things have been  little tense lately and my body is reacting to it. 

My neighbor stopped by today and was asking me about the giant mallow I have growing near my garden. He sparked my memory and I decided to make a tea to ease my tummy.  I used equal parts of mallow, mint and basil. 

The mallow is a mucilage plant meaning it will coat and sooth.  Mallow is also great for thickening soups and stews. 

Mint has anti inflammatory properties.

Basil can protect against ulcers. 

This combo soothed me very quickly. 

So simple, so good. All these plants have vitamins and other uses as well. We have what we need, it's all about research and learning about the gifts that grow in our own back yards!

Have a great week!!!  

 

There has been a lot of information out about keeping your gut healthy. There are studies that show there is a strong correlation between a healthy digestive system and your brain power! Makes sense really, your fuel for running your body comes from what you eat. I also read a paper that shows serotonin production begins in the digestive system. 

There are more supplements than you can imagine to keep your gut healthy. They all claim to be natural, but how about a simple daily smoothie that can take care of that for you!

I make my own Kombucha. It's simple, inexpensive and so very good for you. 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/6785643731867106352/3408316654671325142

So I start this smoothie with Kombucha, about a cup. I add in some juice for nutrition and and flavor. It's winter time so I'm using pineapple juice for the Bromelain.  It's a natural cough and congestion suppressant. And carrot juice for the vitamins, beta-carotene and potassium. I add a splash of Aloe Vera juice for the anti-oxidants and digestive help. I then add a couple tablespoons of plain yogurt. In the summer time I freeze the yogurt to give the smoothie a nice chill. (recipe below)

Since my surgery and wanting to help my tendon heal, I also add collagen powder. It is so good for tendon health as well as bone, skin and hair. My healing is coming along quite well. 

I always need a bit of energy in the morning so I add beet powder as well. I like it better than coffee because you don't get that low feeling a few hours later. 

This smoothie has everything you need to keep your gut working the way it should. It's hard to eat healthy when we are busy, and this smoothie is a great start to the day. 

I just wanted to share what is working for me, just in case it works for you! 

Stay warm and dry!!!

Recipe

1 cup Kombucha

1/2 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup carrot juice

2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice

2 tablespoons of plain yogurt

additionally I use:

Beet Powder

Collagen 

Blue Berries

Strawberries

 

Day 3 of captivity….

As most of you know I had surgery Thursday to reconnect my Achilles tendon to my heel. It was an unremarkable surgery of simply attaching filament wire to the tendon, and anchoring to my heel via plastic anchors and screws.

Day one was okay, as the nerve block was holding, however day two was a challenge as said block decided to wear off and the full force of what it feels like to have things drilled into bone became apparent. But not to worry, a wee bit of self-medication and a few (okay a lot) of choice words got me through.

So here we are to today. I realize that there are times you really must ask for help. I am blessed to have it granted. Before surgery my awesome son Neal took my grocery shopping and to the bank so I had supplies for this adventure.  A lovely lady, Sherrie that  I sold a saddle to agreed to feed my horses day and night. Jim, bless his heart did the driving and came by to help me with firewood, bringing in seedlings and various other things.  My dear friend Deborah brought me a pizza to satisfy my need for comfort food. To my delight, Dan came by and put up a ramp for me so when I have to go back to the Dr. I am able to get to the vehicle. And last, but certainly not least were the prayers sent up by friends, my bible study table, and I was blessed to have the surgeon pray with me before the surgery.

So here I am day three, figured out how to do some of the simplest things, wash my hair, tidy up a bit, how to get from my knee scooter to bed and chair without crashing into things. I cannot use my right foot for weeks. The healing takes a bit of time. I am not used to such constraints. Many have had it worse, but trauma is measured on how much you have dealt with in the past.

I have had a lot of things pass my way that were a trial, mostly emotional, and I was able to eventually handle it. But this has taught me many things.

1.       Patience. I laugh when I type this because I can’t really say I have mastered that art, but I am getting better. It is so frustrating to slow down to a crawl and take all day to do a couple of simple things.

2.      Asking for help, although nearly choked me, has shown me that inherent kindness that resides in most people. We are in a time when it appears humanity is losing it’s ability to care. I am happy to report that in my circle that just isn’t true.

3.      Dealing with disappointment. I am supposed to be in Israel right now. I booked the trip first of summer, got it paid off and was planning on a 10 day excursion through the holy land.

So now on day 3, stew is simmering on the stove, easy little projects are being completed, people are reaching out.  I will finish labeling soaps I made to take to Christmas craft fairs that will be sold likely in Spring. I do have bookkeeping work to do, and a few other life things I can take care of.

So if nothing else I want to remind you, when you feel the tug to slow down and pay attention, but you are just too busy to do so, don’t be so arrogant. Take the time to ease up when your body is tired, your mind is racing and your soul is weary. Do it when it’s your choice, before the choice is made for you. Just sayin

 

 

 

The End of the World is Near!

Folks stand on boxes telling the world to watch out Armageddon is coming! The world doesn’t end, it just changes. Each generation fights to bring a new look to the landscape, either by style, belief, war or peace. Each generation has something to offer. They fight for their changes. I was born in 1957. Enter the 60’s, the day of the men’s club, woman at home, children playing outside till dark, and the grand 50’s moral standard. People went to church, they knew their neighbors, and there were no safety caps on medicines. Government was trusted, presidents had a more regal bearing.   

Fast forward to now. None of those things are true anymore. None of them. Children have play dates, they don’t roam the neighborhood looking for all the bikes parked outside a neighbor’s house to see where everyone was hanging out.  Now it’s all scripted, children don’t learn interactive skills or communication. Mom’s set up everything. Kids have phones so they are tethered to their parents, yet when they are all together they don’t interact.

We are feeling a crossroads yet again. There is a call to change the moral rules to allow for all kinds of new and some disturbing behaviors. There is a breakdown in the family unit. Both parents work, just to make ends meet. There is more control via advertising to tell you what you “need” to own to be one of “us”.

So many want it all to take a step back, to stop running amok. And so many want a new way. So as with every generation the fight is on. It does seem different to me than the changes of the 60’s and 70’s. There was a freedom type revolution that kept spilling over into the 80’s and 90’s and even the first decade of the 2000’s.  But now even though they speak of freedom, people are anything but free. They are tethered to their phones that record where you are at all times. Government agencies have more control over your life than ever before. They say it’s for your safety, but it’s really just another excuse to take away any thing that resembles the freedom you might have thought you had.

In its stead, we have schools that go behind parent’s back to teach children things children aren’t ready for. They are in a massive indoctrination camp in the guise of learning. They took out PE and marvel at how active children are, so they put them on drugs. The logic is out the window.

While I do understand that life is a constant line of changes, it would be nice to keep the pleasant things. Keep moral high ground, teach kids how to communicate, how to handle disappointment, how to be proactive. We have a generation that has no idea how to make this all work.  Things have gone a bit too far, and it needs to be throttled back. We all know there will be change, but it has to make some kind of sense to bring joy, love, enlightenment, contentment back into the world. All I see now is chaos, anger and fear. Look at what is happening. We can do better.

 

 

Greetings,

I’m sitting here listening to the lovely sound of rain! We haven’t had a good rain in a very long time and we really need it. Had a very busy week last week, a combination of tax prep, real estate, gardening, and preserving. 

My harvest last week was pretty good, and I decided to give fermenting a try. I do like to can, but I really didn’t have enough to feel like I should go through the energy and expense of canning. I have been watching a lot of videos on fermenting. Fermented foods are very good to keep a healthy gut.  I am a solid kombucha drinker already, so I thought I would add this too!

 

I’ve also started my cole crops for my winter garden. This year I’ve started broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts and bok choy.  I’ve ordered my garlic from a place in Idaho, and my onion sets should be here soon.  I’ll be putting in root crops too, another must have!

 

 

 

Just a reminder this is a good time to start your Fire Cider. It takes a few weeks to infuse and cold and flu season is right around the corner. Here is the link, in case you’ve never made it.  

http://www.thereikiranch.com/p/fire-cider-for-those-pesky-winter-colds.html

  I do think it helps with congestion and sore throats. It doesn’t taste great, but enough honey helps it go down.

 

Guess I better go label some soaps, they aren’t going to label themselves! 

 

Bye for now,

Tammie

 

 

 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

 

I will post my fermentation experiment in a few days and let you know how it went. 

 

 When God He is speaking

That voice in your ear

He talks of your joys

He shows you your fears

The pain of the others

The weary and lost

Those that have found Him

At joy and at cost

They call Him the savior

They greet him with cheer

They forget with the knowledge

That binds us all here

To draw Him the open

To welcome with glee

To live through His might

With bowed head and bent knee

To see it is coming

To taste this new test

There is no great winner

There is no real best

The sorrow it comes

The balance be made

The payment extracted

For the table we have laid

We fight and we conquer

We chose our new foe

We say we are righteous

But inside we all know

The love we have in us

We hide and we dare

We choose only the worthy

To honor and share

But now time has come

To look what we wrought

To wonder the payment

For what we have bought

So we sit and we ponder

We try not to think

We are sick with the knowing

We are the weak link

It’s time to take hold

To do what is right

To share that love

To honor His light

So smile with knowledge

And find joy in what you see

Start your day with grace

And be what you are to be.

Open your heart

Be brave and to dare

For all He really wanted

Was for us to care

33

Let's talk about Kombucha!

 

Kombucha is easy to make, with the simple ingredients on the above plate.... but what is that brownish slimey looking thing?  Well it's a SCOBY. A Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast.  Sounds and looks yummy.  lol  It is this SCOBY that enjoys the sugar that ferments the tea into making a lovely drink full of good bacteria, antioxidants and more!  It is simple to make and a must for good gut health.

Kombucha has been around for centuries, originating in the Chinese and Japanese cultures. There are many claims to what it can help and cure, but little scientific testing has been done. I am my own guinea pig, and I have to say I do enjoy this tasty drink every morning.  

I make mine with black tea which is why my SCOBY is brownish. If you use green tea it is closer to a white color. However, I think that green tea tastes like feet, so I don't subject my SCOBY to it. lol

All my SCOBY's go back to Scoby wan Kinobe.  lol Okay it's a little silly, but I was given one years ago. And then made my own. They are very easy to make.  Just take a serving of Kombucha, pour it in a jar and leave it for a couple of days. You will see a white film start to form on the top of the liquid, and as the days go by it gets a little thicker. With this thick disc that floats on top you can make your own Kombucha

To make a 1/2 gallon all you need is 3 tea bags of either black or green tea, or a combo of both and 1/2 cup of sugar. You might think it would be healthier with less sugar, but you would be wrong. The SCOBY needs that sugar to ferment your tea. So use the amount recommended and you won't be sorry!  After about a week, less in the summertime your kombucha will start to smell a little vinegary. If you wait too long, it will smell and taste a lot like vinegar.  At this point save one cup of kombucha to keep your SCOBY happy and put the rest in the refrigerator.

You can drink it like that or do a second ferment. I like to add blueberries and ginger to increase the health benefits.  I don't add a lot, a handful of each. Then put it in the refrigerator. 

So too begin, boil water and dissolve your sugar, then turn off the stove and add your tea bags.  Let the tea cool off before adding it to the SCOBY. It is live culture and you don't want to hurt it! Fill your 1/2 gallon jug till the SCOBY is at the top and cover with a paper towel or coffee filter, I affix mine with a rubber band, set it were it won't be disturbed. Wait about a week and TADA! you have Kombucha!

My favorite way to start the day is with a drink of 1/3 Kombucha, 1/3 Carrot Juice and 1/3 Pineapple Juice with two dollops of plain yogurt. I put it all in a blender to get it to a good consistency. A nice little smoothie type thing to get your day started. 

Don't keep your SCOBY in a tightly sealed container. It's working and can develop gas (can't we all?),  and you don't want to let too much pressure build up. That is why we cover with a paper towel or coffee filter. 

If any of you are in the Grass Valley area, I will gladly share my SCOBYs with you! Just email tammie5750@yahoo.com and we can set a time to get one.

Happy 2022!

Okay, now that I have your attention!  Isn't this just the cutest goat!

 

Wow, we made it to 2022!  So now we take the time to enjoy the good things in life. If the past two years has taught us anything, the most important things aren't things at all!  They are the people in our lives. So to start this year, I got a good nights sleep. What a concept!  After chores I took the dogs for a walk and said my morning prayer of thanks. We have had a tough December in my area, and I was blessed to come out of all that unscathed. 

Started out this year with a little champagne brunch. Good food, great people and enlightening conversation. I don't think you start a year out better than that!  

We did have a bit of the bubbley.  :) 

Finished up with some good food and laughs. I call that start a winner!

Healthy Heart!

 

What's ailing you: Heart disease

 

Oatmeal

Why it's good: It's rich in soluble fiber, which latches on to cholesterol compounds and helps carry them out of your body. Research shows that people who eat an average of 2.5 servings of whole grains (like oats) daily have a 21 percent lower risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke than people who hardly eat any.

 

Eat up! Enjoy oatmeal at least three times a week, and spruce it up with berries, nuts, dried apricots, even peanut butter.

 

Sweet potato

Why it's good: Sweet potatoes deliver more heart-healthy fiber than their white cousins, along with a hefty dose of potassium, a mineral that helps offset sodium's negative effect on blood pressure.

 

Eat up! Try to eat at least two of these spuds a week. I like to mash them with a drop of skim milk, a pat of whipped butter and a bit of cinnamon.

 

Wild salmon

Why it's good: Wild salmon is one of the most concentrated sources of omega-3 fats, which can help lower triglycerides, raise levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol, and help reduce inflammation in the body — a factor that's been linked to an increased risk of diabetes as well as heart disease. What's more, numerous studies have found that people whose diets are high in omega-3s have a substantially lower risk of coronary heart disease, as well as sudden death from arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat).

 

Eat up! Aim to eat salmon at least twice a week. Although wild and farmed salmon contain similar levels of omega-3s, wild is lower in contaminants and has as much as four times the amount of vitamin D. But wild salmon is more expensive and not as widely available as farmed. If you can't make room for it in your budget, you're better off eating farmed salmon than going without it completely.

 

Foods that help Osteoporosis

 

What's ailing you: Osteoporosis

 

Broccoli

Why it's good: Broccoli gives you four bone-building nutrients in one convenient package: vitamins C and K, potassium and some calcium. Studies have found that getting enough of vitamins C and K is linked to having high bone density. Potassium (and other compounds found in produce) may reduce bone loss by acting as a buffer against metabolic acids, which some studies suggest contribute to the breakdown of bone tissue.

 

Eat up! Serve broccoli at least three times a week, and if you need extra incentive to dig in, sprinkle your florets with a bit of grated cheese (which adds more calcium!).

 

Skim milk

Why it's good: Skim milk is an obvious choice for strong bones, since 1 cup contains 300 mg of calcium — about a third of the daily recommended amount.

 

Eat up! Work it into your daily diet by making oatmeal with a cup of skim milk instead of water, including 1 cup in a fruit smoothie, or having a mug of low-fat cocoa made with 1 cup of nonfat milk. Feel free to substitute soy or almond milk (as long as the carton says it's fortified with calcium).

 

Yogurt

Why it's good: If you don't get enough calcium in your diet your body will start "borrowing" what it needs from the calcium stored in your bones. What's great about yogurt is that it's a good source of calcium and protein — and both are necessary for bone strength. Studies show that people who don't get enough protein have lower bone density.

 

Eat up! Opt for Greek varieties over traditional yogurt to get twice as much protein (and go for non-fat).

 God has put this on my heart and it needs to be shared. Take a moment and call someone you have been meaning to call. Start with the person that is the hardest, remember the elderly person in a home, your sister you had a fight with, friends, relatives, co workers. Call and check on them. Don't text! Call. Reach out. Connect. If you can, go visit. It's important.

The Joys of PMS

 

What's ailing you: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

 

Cheese

Why it's good: Studies have found that women with PMS have lower levels of calcium around ovulation than women who don't experience PMS symptoms, so amping up your intake of cheese and other dairy products is worth a shot if you're prone to cramps and mood swings.

 

Eat up! Make sure you're getting at least the recommended amount of calcium daily — experts say only 10 percent of us are getting it through diet alone! Women younger than 50 need 1,000 mg; if you're 50 or older, 1,200 mg. Aim for three servings of calcium-rich foods like cheese and yogurt daily; women older than 50 should tack on a fourth serving. If you don't think that's possible, talk to your doctor about taking a calcium supplement.

 

Pineapple

Why it's good: This fruit has three things going for it. First, it's one of the best sources of manganese, and one study found that women with low manganese intakes were more likely to experience premenstrual mood swings, breast tenderness and cramping. Second, pineapple and other water-rich fruits and vegetables (think berries, citrus fruits, melon, cucumbers, bell peppers) can help banish bloat associated with your monthly cycle because their high water content helps flush out excess fluid. Lastly, deliciously sweet pineapple is a healthy way to indulge sugar cravings, which often intensify as your period approaches.

 

Eat up! In the seven to 10 days leading up to your period, have 1 cup of fresh pineapple daily. If it's too expensive or underripe, see if your store carries frozen chunks or canned pineapple packed in 100 percent juice.

 

Almonds

Why they're good: Almonds are an excellent source of magnesium, another mineral that may provide some PMS relief. Studies have found that magnesium — in addition to helping relieve PMS headaches — can improve mood and lessen water retention in the week or two before you get your period.

 

Eat up! Enjoy an ounce of almonds (about 22 nuts) a day, and enrich your diet with other magnesium-rich foods like quinoa, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, dark leafy greens, edamame and green beans.

 

Health for Type 2 diabetes

 

What's ailing you: Type 2 diabetes

 

Beans

Why they're good: Whether they're kidney, pinto or navy, beans provide a winning combination of high-quality carbohydrates, protein and fiber that helps stabilize your body's blood sugar levels and keeps hunger in check. (People with type 2 diabetes have trouble keeping their blood sugar levels stable because their bodies can't produce or properly use insulin, which helps move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells.)

 

Eat up! Have beans as often as you can. Protein-rich beans and lentils are a smarter side dish than carb-filled pasta, rice or potatoes. Turn chickpeas (garbanzo beans) into a crunchy snack. Pat cooked beans dry, sprinkle with paprika, cumin or other spices, and roast in a 400°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned and crunchy.

 

Egg whites

Why they're good: Egg whites are the perfect base for a diabetes-friendly meal because they're low-calorie (17 calories apiece) and rich in high-quality protein, so they can help keep your weight and blood sugar level on an even keel. And they’re cholesterol-free, since all the cholesterol is in the yolk.

 

Eat up! Aim to have at least three or four egg-based meals a week. An omelet with 4 egg whites (or 1 whole egg plus 2 or 3 egg whites), plenty of vegetables and some reduced-fat cheese for breakfast will set you up for a day of even-keeled blood sugar.

 

Nuts

Why they're good: Nuts — all types, including peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, pecans and cashews — are primarily composed of heart-healthy fats and protein, two ingredients that keep blood sugar stable by slowing down the rate at which your body absorbs carbohydrates. Nuts also contain monounsaturated fat and, in some cases, omega-3s, both of which improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Since having type 2 diabetes also puts you at a higher risk for heart disease, nuts are a win-win.

 

Eat up! Snack on an ounce (one small handful) of your favorite nut daily — they all contain healthy fats.

 

Foods to keep you moving!

 Good foods for Arthritis 

What's ailing you: Arthritis

 

Ginger

Why it's good: This spicy root contains compounds that work similarly to some anti-inflammatory medications. However, ginger can also act as a blood thinner, so if you're taking a blood-thinning medication, ask your doctor if it's safe to eat ginger.

 

Eat up! Ideally you want to get a hit of ginger every single day. Steep a few slices of the root in hot water to make tea, grate it into stir-fries or add ground ginger to smoothies.

 

Pumpkin

Why it's good: Research has shown that certain antioxidants may help prevent arthritis, slow its progression and relieve pain by reducing inflammation associated with this condition. And pumpkin's bright-orange hue is a clue that it's rich in two of these antioxidants: beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. In fact, researchers from the UK found that people whose diets were high in beta-cryptoxanthin were half as likely to develop a form of inflammatory arthritis as those who ate very foods containing it.

 

Eat up! Try to eat one can of 100 percent pure pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling!) every week. I make a "pudding" by stirring a dollop of pumpkin purée into vanilla yogurt along with a dash of cinnamon. You can also add a scoop of the puree to ground turkey meat sauce, taco filling or chili (the puree doesn't altar the taste).

 

Red bell pepper

Why it's good: Red bell peppers contain an impressive amount of inflammation-fighting carotenoids, but they also have more than 250 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. Research suggest that people who eat a diet low in vitamin C may be at greater risk for developing certain kinds of arthritis.

 

Eat up! Aim to have three red bell peppers a week. Mix pepper with cucumber, chickpeas and feta for a quick and easy lunch.

 

Making a difference

Sometimes it feels like we aren’t doing enough. So many people can use some help, you do what you can, but it never feels like it’s making a difference.

I walk my dogs every morning on the property. I live in the foothills and my property is dotted with pines and oak trees. I do several laps as my property isn’t all that big, but I do have a small creek and an irrigation canal and it does make for a lovely and peaceful walk.

This morning my mind wandered, (I call this a walking meditation) and I recalled an incident from my childhood. I grew up in the 60s .. yes a very long time ago!  I lived in a neighborhood and it was considered a nice upper middle class area. Of course at 10 years old I had no concept of those things. It was an area that us kids roamed freely, going from house to house to see if anyone could “play”. We didn’t have playdates back then, you just looked for bicycles in a front yard or listened to playing in the back. We had a large orchard to one side and we actually walked to school.

I happened to be wandering around and noticed a car I hadn’t seen before, it was old and a little rusty. My neighborhood wasn’t a place you drove through to get somewhere else, it was all winding streets and cul-de-sacs.  So an odd car would catch your attention. I had seen it driving around for a couple days and never saw it pull into a driveway. One afternoon I saw it parked in a cul-de-sac, and one of the little neighbor girls was talking to the person in the car. I was about 3 houses away and saw the door open. I remember I had a gut punch of panic when I yelled to the little girl of about 5 years old to RUN!  And she did, she took off like a flash and the car sped away, right past me. I wasn’t smart enough to get a license plate and I didn’t even look at the driver, I was running to make sure the little girl (I think her name was Shelly) was okay. She was frightened, but alright. We just sat on the lawn for a bit and talked, then she went inside.

You know, I don’t even think I told my mom. I didn’t really understand the concept of child predators at the time. I just had a feeling she was in great danger. I have no idea why I thought of that this morning. It was an odd vague memory I hadn’t pulled up in years. But as I was pondering that day, I thought about how much different that little girl’s life would be if I hadn’t yelled out. Something so simple, so basic, but made a difference, an impact I have no concept of reconciling.

I am not sharing this to get a pat on the back, heck, I was 10 years old. I am sharing this to remind us all that everything we do has a ripple effect. The simplest smile, the littlest complement, can change a person’s day. 

It is a good idea to pay attention to your surroundings, to help watch out for other’s children in public. Sometimes it takes a village. Sometimes it takes a young girl screaming one word. But all the time it takes sharing, caring and love.

Finding my way to healing

It’s funny how life seems like a maze, you go one way and get rewarded, go another and you hit a dead end. Gently life brings you to your purpose, one lesson at a time. After a life of raising my sons, competing on horses for 50 years! And work in real estate and income tax prep, which I still do, it was time to do what I was being called to do. Not that any of it is a waste of time, just one step that leads to many.

I found my gift of healing in the strangest way. I had this pain in my left side, I told my doctor I must have a 10 pound ovary.  We did ultra sounds and everything was normal. I found that really odd. I’m pretty good about pain, I respect it of course, but I don’t seek it.  Then one day I got on my little mare and the pain was striking! I got off and it went away. Now I’m thinking I am losing it, so I get on her again, and BAM! Here comes the pain again. I step off and it’s gone. So… I called the vet and had her ultra-sounded. Sure enough she had cysts on that ovary!  I sheepishly told my doctor and he wasn’t even surprised. He had heard of such things before.

Not too long after, at a race my big mare and I crashed going around a barrel. She rolled over on top of me and we were both pretty banged up. I felt fine after a couple of days, so I went and rode my trusted gelding just to make sure I was alright. It was all good. Then I got on my big mare and BAM! Great pelvic pain. But not mine, it was hers.

So here I am able to feel their pain and felt there must be something I could do to help. I laid hands on and pictured energy coming from the earth through me, to them and back to the earth. A circle current. It really worked. It was a day later I was able to tell she was feeling better. It worked on the small mare too, she stopped sending me her pain and was back to work.

I realized through a couple of flukes, that I really had no control over how the energy was working or if I was using my own emotional energy. I did some reading and found that emotional energy is very unstable. Makes sense to me, on so many levels. So I decided to learn a proven modality. I had just found Christ, and was worried about working in this arena. I found a Reiki Master that had been attuned by a Catholic Nun!  Okay, that pretty much told me I was on the right path. 

So now I doing Reiki treatments in my home. I have a specific room set up for gentle healing. I work by appointment, and being a Reiki Master, I am able to facilitate physical, emotional and spiritual healings. Seem recently it has been a lot of emotional during this trying time. We have to remember what an honor it is to be here for this event. So many things being opened up, so many changes. Life gets so rewarding when you stay on the right path. This will be no different.