Pretty Kale and Mushrooms

If you have looked at my recipes you have probably noticed there are a few things that are really important to me about food.  First I think food should be healthy, simple and easy or I (and most other people) won't make it.  Also food should be an experience of delight for the senses.  It should taste good for sure.  Think for a moment about how your food smells and how it makes your house smell.   mmmm....  I love the sound of chopping veggies and how they sizzle when I toss them in coconut oil.  Most importantly it has to be pretty.  If I am going to take the time to pick out the best ingredients it has to be vibrant and reflect how healthy it is going to be.

I have really started to love Kale for breakfast because it feeds all my senses.  There is just something wonderful about how easy and pretty it is.  You can add (or subtract) anything you want to this dish.

Ingredients:

1 bundle Kale, washed and stemmed
2 pieces bacon, chopped  (or for a no meat version just use coconut oil)
1 small onion, sliced
2 cups mushrooms
vinegar
salt and pepper to taste or use braggs liquid aminos  if you like that better

First chop the bacon to the size you want and cook in a skillet.  While that is cooking chop the onion and then place in the skillet with the bacon and stir till the onion starts to look translucent.  Add the mushrooms and cook for few minutes.  Add a splash of vinegar and stir till the mushrooms have absorbed it and are tender.  Add the kale and keep it moving in the skillet or it will burn.   Very quickly it will cook down and become vibrant green.  Place in a bowl and top with salt and pepper or braggs.  Enjoy!

It is just that quick and easy!

 Sooo pretty!

Squash bugs!

This year I planted a garden and it has been so fun and rewarding to be able to gather salad greens and herbs any time I want. 

One problem is squash bugs.  Everyone tells me that they are just a fact of life when gardening here in the desert.  Squash bugs are ugly little things that lay brownish/redish eggs on the under side of the leaves and reproduce at an alarming rate.  They suck the life out of your squash plants and eventually kill them.

See what I mean?  Ugly......


I have tried all kinds of natural remedies like planting garlic by the squash, marigolds, basil and washing the plants down with different concoctions.

Finally I found something that actually works!  A simple shop vac.  Thats right people just vacuum up the little suckers.    Use the wand attachment to suck them up, cut off any dying leaves and burn the leaves and the contents of the shop vac.  Use a solution of dawn dish soap and green tea (cooled) to wash off the eggs.  You may have to do this two or three times to get them all. 

Thanks for the great tip Kerry!

new whip!!

I'm going to be studying self defense using the short whip and a staff.  I am SUPER excited and ready to learn.   So, I needed a short whip for the course. 

This is my new 4.5 foot bullwhip built by The whip man!   It is not as pretty as my first one but it is fast becoming my favorite!

Apricot Preserves (sugar free)

We were really lucky this year to have all of our apricot trees produce fruit.  I picked and picked and gave away boxes and boxes this year.  I love that feeling when the abundance is just overflowing and a little overwhelming.  I dried apricots, froze them and Bottled them because those are all really easy to do.  Jim ask if I could make some apricot preserves so I thought I would give it a try.  I think it turned out really good.

First you have to take a look at the size of these things!  The tomato is just a medium one....but still!  I believe they are as big as the peaches were last year!

First wash the apricots.  I just soak them in the sink in cold water with a splash of apple-cider vinegar and then rinse really well.

Ingredients:
Apricots, pitted and sliced
1 can crushed pineapple, with juice
1/4 C. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 -2 boxes of Pectin (no sugar kind) 
1 T. butter

Mix everything in a big stock pot and bring to a full boil.  This should take 10 to 15 minutes.  Take off heat and skim off the foam.  (If you want to use sugar this is the time to add it)  Put back on the heat and bring to a full boil for 1 to 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and skim foam again. The butter is in there to cut down the amount of foam and it really works.  (If you don't skim it off it will turn into nasty solidified bubbles on the to of your jam.  Yuck!

Transfer preserves to clean canning jars.  Place the lids and rings on the jar and wait for the little popping sounds as they seal.

Note: 1. Make sure that you wipe the rim of the bottle clean before you put the lid on so it will seal. 2. the jars are super hot so make sure they are on a towel or a surface that is heat resistant.  (and far enough away from the edge that sticky little kiddo fingers can't reach up and get burned)

This is so easy!  The hardest part is cleaning and cutting the fruit.   Just look how beautiful it is when you are done.

Natural PMS Relief

Over the years I have spoken with many many wise women in the salon.  The subject of female problems always comes up sooner or later.  PMS, child birth and menopause are the glue that binds us all together.  I am always so fascinated by the women that go through this naturally and gracefully.  Over the years I have picked up quite a few tips and treatments.  I thought that today I would share some of the PMS cures.  It is interesting to me that quite a few of them have the same ingredients even though I picked them up from different women in different cities. 

Cramp Tea
1 T. crampbark
1 T. dried red raspberry leaves
1 T. stinging nettle leaves
1 t. dried comfrey leaves
1 t. oat straw
3 C. boiling water

Place herbs in a bowl and pour the boiling water over the top.  Let the mixture steep for 15 minutes.  strain the herbs out.  Drink on cup 2-3 times a day.

Massage oil for cramps
4oz olive oil
10 drops cypress essential oil
8 drops geranium essential oil
12 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops chamomile essential oil

Combine all oils in a sealed dark bottle.  The oil will keep of up to 16 months.  Massage oil into abdomen 3 times a day or as needed.  *as with all essential oils, do not used on irritated skin and stop use if your skin reacts to the oil.

Cramp oil #2
2 T. olive oil
4 drops lavender oil
3 drops geranium oil
2 drops chamomile oil
3 drops marjoram oil
1 drop ginger oil
1 drop patchouli oil

Combine and store in a dark glass bottle.  Massage on abdomen and hips as needed.  This one has a comforting heat that seems to melt the pain away.

Cramp oil #3
10 drops peppermint oil
5 drops clary sage oil
5 drops cypress oil
5 drops lavender oil

Combine oils and store in a dark glass bottle.  This oil is better for spasms and can be applied any ware you need to.  I personally like to use it as a soak in the bath tub.  a few drops is all you need.

Iron Womyn tincture
2 parts stinging nettle tincture
2 parts dandelion root tincture
2 parts dandelion leaf tincture
1 part yellow dock root tincture
1 part red raspberry leaf tincture

Combine all tinctures and store in a glass dropper bottle in a cool dry place.  It will keep up to 2 years.  Start 2 or 3 days before period is expected.  Drink 30 drops in a glass of water 2 to 3 times a day or as needed.  This tincture helps to replenish iron lost from heavy bleeding.

Periwinkle blend
1 C. water
1 T. dried american cranesbill root
1 T. beth root
1 T. periwinkle leaves

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes.  strain and discard the solids.  Drink one cup a day during period.  *note: do not combine this one with the other teas.  Will keep for 48 hours

for Profuse menstration
3 cups water
2 t. yellow dock root
2 t. dried red raspberry leaves
2 t. dried stinging nettle leaves.

Bring water to a boil and add yellow dock root. simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and add the red raspberry leaf and nettle.  Steep for 20 minutes and strain.  Drink 1 cup 1 to 3 times a day as needed

Sever Cramp Extract
1 part cramp bark extract
1 part motherwort extract
1 part wild yam extract

Combine extracts in a glass dropper bottle.  Take 30 drops every 10 minutes till cramping subsides.  Keeps for 3 years.

I recommend labeling and putting the date on all potions just to be safe.  Also it is up to you to make sure you aren't reactive to any of the ingredients used.  A patch test on the inside of the arm works well.


I love all the wild wise women in my life but special thanks to Miss Julie, Miss Melva and Miss Ramona for these recipes.  I love you for sharing your wisdom with me when I needed it most!

Primal stuffed Peppers

I used to make stuffed peppers all the time when I was vegan.  I haven't had them in over two years now mostly because I cut out grains and didn't know what to stuff them with.

I came up with a good solution. Use zucchini instead!

Ingredients:
bell peppers, washed and seeded
ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
spaghetti sauce
zucchini, shredded
cheese

Cut and see the peppers and set aside.

Cook the ground beef and drain off the extra fat.  Add the onion and saute for a minute then add the spaghetti sauce.   You want this to be thick so go easy on the sauce.  Optionally, add some cheese to the mix and maybe some chilli powder.  After it is cooked down a bit add the shredded zucchini and cook for a minute or two. 

Stuff the peppers with your meat mixture and place in an oven pan.  I like how it looks to put the top back on.  Bake at 350 till the pepper is as done as you like it.  Mine took 45 minutes.  Take out of the oven and sprinkle with cheese when there is about 5 minutes lift. cook the remaining time.
Enjoy!

Dilly Beans

This is a recipe that Aunt Billie gave me.  I wasn't sure how it would go over but My family really loves it.

Ingredients:
about 4 quarts Green beans
1-2 hot red peppers, per jar
1/2 t. whole mustard seed, per jar
1/2 t. dill seed, per jar
1-2 cloves Garlic, per jar
5 C. vinegar
5 C. water
1/4 C salt, non iodized

Wash and drain beans.  Cut into lengths that will fit into the jar.  Add peppers,mustard, dill and garlic.

Combine vinegar, water and salt.  Bring it to a boil and pour liquid over beans and spices.  Fill to 1/2 inch of the top of the jar.  Seal jars and process in boiling water for 5 minutes if you are at sea level up to 1,000 feet. Add one more minute for every extra 1,000 feet above sea level.

This makes about 7 pints depending on how you pack the bottles.

Citrus Mint Body Scrub

Summer is in full swing and its time to pamper that skin!  This citrus mint scrub is my absolute favorite for smoothing the rough bits off of my feet to get them sandal ready.  If you already have a tan it is sure to make you glow.

Ingredients:
1/2 C. Sea salt
1/2 C. olive oil
1 or 2 lemon slices
1 or 2 orange slices
small bundle fresh mint

All you do is put everything in a blender and give it a spin!  The citrus peel is great in the scrub so don't cut it off.  (I use the end pieces of the orange and lemon so more peel is used.) 

There is just something about the combination of mint and citrus that leaves me feeling refreshed and pampered.... and it is pretty too.

I like to keep this in a squeeze bottle for quick use in the shower or for an easy access hand scrub.  Apply to skin and use hands or a washcloth to scrub in circular motions.  Rinse off and pat dry.  Do not wash it off because you want the oil to stay on your skin. 

Enjoy this one!  You deserve a summer glow.

Red Currant Jelly

I'm so lucky!  My amazing Aunt Sherry gifted me a big bucket of red currants and her recipe for jelly!  I had to tweak it a tiny bit to get the sugar out but I think it turned out great. 

Just look at these things.... they are so beautiful.

Currants are kind of a pain to stem and clean.  At least they don't stain your hands.

Ingredients:

3 pounds of red currants, cleaned and stemmed
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
a piece of ginger root, bruised
3 cups water  (I substituted apple juice)
1 cup white wine vinegar (I used 1/2 cup rose vinegar and 1/2 half cup orange juice)
6 cups sugar  (I took this out completely and added some sure jell pectin instead)
 (butter If using pectin)

 Put the currants and spices into a saucepan with the apple juice and simmer until the currants are soft.  give them a spin in your blender to separate the seeds.  Strain the mixture through a jelly bag.  It will take an hour or two.   

Add the vinegar to the juice and bring to a boil.  (If you are using sugar add it now and stir until it is dissolved)  Add the pectin and about 1 T unsalted butter.  Bring to a rapid boil until the setting point is reached- about 20 minutes. 

Bottle in jars immediately, and seal.   This is a little work but it is SO worth it!  Not only is the color just spectacular, it made my house smell great for days.

Thanks Aunt Sherry!

Cucumber Avocado Moisture mask

The sun is out and summer is here!  Now is the time to moisturize your skin if there is any hope of saving it from the desert sun.

I love this mask not only for my face but also for my hands and feet.  If your up for a little adventure, give it a try!

Ingredients:

1/2 C. cucumber
1/2 C. avocado
1 egg yolk
3 T. honey
1 T. cream or yogurt
3 drops lemon oil  (or your favorite essential oil)

Mix everything in the blender till it is nice and smooth.  Use a fan brush to apply evenly over the skin.  Set back and relax for 30 minutes or till it dries.  When you are done rinse with cool water and pat dry.   Your skin should be silky smooth and revitalized.

Note: I have found this works best if the skin is freshly exfoliated.

Yes, it is totally normal for it to turn a rather ugly color of brown before you are done... just go with it and have fun!

Primal Pudding

There is just something comforting about chocolate pudding.  If you are an emotional eater you know what I mean.  For me it is a texture thing. 
This pudding is super quick and easy to make.  The best part about it is that I can feed it to EVERYONE I love.  It is primal, vegan, gluten free, casine free and sugar free so everyone is happy. The next time you have a family party think about serving this for dessert. 

Ingredients:
1 banana
1 avocado
1 can coconut milk  (full fat not lite)
1 big scoop coco

*I know avocado seems weird.  Trust me it makes all the difference in the world in the texture.  You never see any green and all you taste is the chocolate.

Blend using an immersion blender or the food processor till it is nice and creamy.  Chill it in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes so it sets up a bit.  Serve as is or over berries.  mmmmm......   This is also really good frozen into a popsicle if you have little ones.

Natural Sunburn Relief

It is the time of year to be outside.  There are lots of garden projects to do and hiking trails calling my name.  It is great that it is finally warm enough to get out there in the sun. 

A little bit of sun is a wonderful thing.  Not only does it feel fantastic on your skin and give you a pretty glow, it helps your body produce vitamin D3 and boosts your immune system.  Too much sun on the other hand can be a really real pain.  About 15 to 30 minutes of sun a day is going to be good for you and after that you need to cover up.

Prevention is the Key.  By all means, avoid getting a sunburn.  However, if it does happen, here are some natural remedies that really work.

Avoid further sun exposure until your symptoms have subsided.  Sunburns can continue to develop 12 to 24 hours after exposure.

After being in the sun, take a cool shower.

Place a cool moist towel over any areas that got too much sun, and take a rest.  Do not apply ice.  It can take several hours for a sunburn to become apparent.

Drink plenty of water and peppermint tea to keep you hydrated and to cool you from the inside out.

Sun Soak
1 C. apple cyder vinegar
1 C.  dry oatmeal
1 C. baking soda
7 drops peppermint oil

Mix ingredients into a tepid bath and soak for 30  minutes.

Sun soak 2
make a tea of chamomile, black and green tea.  Pour it in your bath water and soak.  Alternately you can take the moistened tea bags and place them directly on the burn.

Burn pultice
1 C. regular yogert
1 grated raw potato
1 grated raw cucumber

Apply mixture to your skin and let set for 20 to 30 minutes. 

Aahhh  Aloe Sunburn Spray
1 C. aloe juice
20 drops lavender oil
10 drops rosemary oil

Apply to burn with a spray bottle or a cotton ball.  Keep in the fridge and use within 4 to 6 months.

Sunburn Spray 2
1/4 C. distilled water
2 T. aloe vera gel
1 T. witch hazel
6 drops lavender oil
1 drop chamomile oil
1 drop tea tree oil

Mix the essential oil with the witch hazel.  Add the distilled water and aloe.  Store in a spray bottle.   Shake well before using.

After sun Skin Conditioner
1/2 t. sweet almond oil
1/2 t. aloe vera gel
1/8 t. liquid lecithin
12 drops evening primrose oil
1 drop tea tree oil
1 drop carrot seed oil

Using a whisk mix the almond oil,primrose oil, and liquid lecithin together.  Add the aloe gel and mix.  add the essential oil and mix again.  Gently massage into skin.  Store any leftovers in a jar with a lid.


Check out sun kissed skin cream!

Greek on the go

It is spring time and this little appetizer just hits the spot.  It is fresh, easy and light.  I sprung these on my family last week at the family party and they went over really well except for one aunt who wanted to know EXACTLY what the white stuff was.   "Because if it is the Tofu, I refuse to try it!" she says.  Gotta love her.

Ingredients:
Cherry tomatoes (get the smallest ones you can find)
1-2 cucumbers, sliced
1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1 block of Feta, cubed

1 T. fresh lemon juice
2 T. olive oil
1 t. oregano
Fresh pepper to taste

Use a toothpick to skewer the tomato cucumber olive and feta in that order.  Use the cube of Feta as a base to make it stand up.  Continue till you have used all the ingredients.  These bite sized Greek salads will keep in the fridge for a while.

Put the oil, lemon, oregano and pepper in a jar and shake it like it lied to you.  =)  Drizzle it over you little kebobs immediately before serving.  

Baked eggs in avocado

This is another very simple and easy breakfast idea.  It is perfectly Primal and has the feel of something really special with out any mess or fuss.

It is very normal for me to have an avocado and a cup of tea for my breakfast.  The other day I cut one that I was sure would be the perfect texture and sadly, it way to hard for my liking.

Jim ask if we could try "that egg thing" with it.  He is a big fan of eggs cooked in something.

The avocado is not good to me so why not?

Ingredients:
1 avocado
2 eggs
spices and toppings of your choice    We tried red pepper, cheese, salt, and bacon.  Jim said it would be great just plain and topped off with salsa.

Pre-heat the oven to 425.  Slice the avocado in half, take the pit out and situate the two halves cut side up on a baking dish so that it doesn't tip over.  If it is giving you trouble just stick a couple tooth picks each side to stabilize it. 

Crack the egg right into the middle of the avocado.  Make sure to get the yolk in the hole where the pit was or the egg will slide off.

Add what ever spices you want to the top.

Place in the oven and cook till it is as done as you like your eggs.   Its just that easy!  

Life - the Owners manual

My friend Becca emailed me this list and I just love it!   (I'm not sure if she wrote it or not.... but thanks either way!)

I hope you find as many pearls of wisdom and some absolute truths in here.  Enjoy!

~ Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully ~

~ Memorize your favorite poem ~

~ Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want ~

~ When you say, "I love you", mean it ~

~ When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye ~

~ Be engaged at least six months before you get married ~

~ Believe in love at first sight ~

~ Never laugh at anyone's dreams ~

~ Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely ~

~ In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling ~

~ Don't judge people by their relatives. "NO KIDDING" ~

~ Talk slow but think quick ~

~ When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?" ~

~ Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk ~

~ Call your mom ~

~ Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze ~

~ When you lose, don't lose the lesson ~

~ Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions ~

~ Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship ~

~ When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it ~

~ Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice ~

~ Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, his/her conversational skills
will be as important as any other ~

~ Spend some time alone ~

~ Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values ~

~ Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer ~

~ Read more books and watch less TV ~

~ Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time ~

~ Trust in God but lock your car ~

~ A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home ~

~ In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past ~

~ Read between the lines ~

~ Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality ~

~ Be gentle with the earth ~

~ Pray. There's immeasurable power in it ~

~ Never interrupt when you are being flattered ~

~ Mind your own business ~

~ Don't trust a man/woman who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss them ~

~ Once a year, go someplace you've never been before ~

~ If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction ~

~ Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck ~

~ Learn the rules then break some ~

~ Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other ~

~ Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it ~

~ Remember that your character is your destiny ~

~ Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.