Local Food in the winter

Local greens, root vegetables and garlic, etc., are still abundant during winter months in upstate New York through local CSA's.  CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  When you purchase a winter membership in a CSA, you'll receive local, fresh produce all winter long.

Here are some examples:

Blue Heron Farm in Lodi, NY
http://blueheronorganic.com/wintercsa.htm 

Genesee Valley CSA in Rochester, NY
http://www.gvocsa.org/About-GVOCSA.aspx  

Good Food Collective in Rochester, NY
http://thegoodfoodcollective.com/winter-share/membership/

Full Plate Farm Collective in Ithaca, NY
http://fullplatefarms.webs.com/ithacawintercsa.htm 

Sweet Land Farm in Trumansburg, NY
www.sweetlandfarm.org

Recipes: Essential Oil Blending Holiday Open House

Creating Essential Oil gifts for family and friends is a very special process because it involves the heart AND our sense of smell - a sense that is unique to each of us.

The gifts that that were created today were magical, personal - and smelled just amazing! Here is just a small sample of the amazing gifts that were created today.LAURA'S BLENDSBody Scrub 8 oz glass jar filled with sea and epsom salts, raw, organic sugar, jojoba
5 drops of Grapefruit
5 drops of Lavender
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Lemongrass

Blend for a friend with Restless Leg2 oz jar filled with Unscented Aromalotion
10 drops of Lavender
10 drops of Cypress
7 drops of Cedarwood
5 drops of Marjoram
5 drops of Tangerine

ANNE'S BLENDS
Hand Sanitizer for Natural Protection from Cooties2 oz snap top filled with pure aloe vera gel
4 drops of Cinnamon
4 drops of Orange
4 drops of Clove

Salve for Cold, Flu, Congestion, Winter Blues2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
6 drops of Balsam Fir
5 drops of Thyme ct thymol
9 drops of Grapefruit
7 drops of Peppermint
8 drops of Eucalyptus radiata

CATHY'S BLENDSBody Scrub
8 oz jar filled with sea and epsom salts, raw, organic sugar, jojoba
6 drops of Grapefruit
6 drops of Tangerine
6 drops of Ginger

Salve for Cold, Flu, Congestion, Winter Blues2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
7 drops of Lemon
7 drops of Orange
6 drops of Peppermint
4 drops of Melaleuca alternifolia
7 drops of Eucalyptus globulus

HANNAH & ELLIOT'S BLEND
Morning Shower Gel for Dad
2 oz Dr. Bronner's castile soap baby mild
3 drops of Peppermint
8 drops of Siberian Fir
5 drops of Lemon

ANN'S BLENDSSalve2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
4 drops of Lavender
3 drops of Jasmine
3 drops of Cinnamon
2 drops of Clove

Salve2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
5 drops of Ginger
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Vanilla absolute

Body Massage Oil / Natural Perfume 2 oz glass dropper jar filled with jojoba 5 drops of Bergamot
6 drops of Frankincense
3 drops of Lavender
3 drops of Vintage Patchouli
4 drops of Sandalwood

PATTY'S BLENDBody Scrub
8 oz jar filled with sea and epsom salts, raw, organic sugar, jojoba
10 drops of Vanilla absolute
5 drops of Orange

Easy, Healthy Morning Smoothie

Blending up a healthy smoothie takes less than 5 minutes.

Drinking smoothies in the morning fill me up and inspire healthy choices the rest of the day.

Here are some healthy ingredients to have on hand. Take a few extra minutes one day a week to cut fruit so you're ready to go in the morning.

• Almond Butter
• Almond Milk or Rice Milk
• Bananas (organic)
• Blueberries (fresh or frozen organic)
• Cocoa Powder (pure, organic)
• Ground Flax Seed
• Kiwi
• Mango
• NingXia Red (or Chinese wolfberries) (Young Living)
• Pineapple
• Raspberries (fresh or frozen organic)
• Strawberries (fresh or frozen organic)
• Water (purified)
• Yogurt (plain, organic)

What's in your morning smoothie? I'd love to read your recipe. Comment and share your recipe here.

Gifts that Go Away

This time of year, it's easy to get caught up in the excessive and wasteful consumerism that takes place.

More than likely, items purchased from big box stores eventually go out of style, take up space collecting dust, end up in a landfill, garage or estate sale.

We can make conscious and smart choices when buying holiday gifts.  As much as possible, give "Gifts that Go Away", support local service providers, farmers and artisans, purchase "Made in the USA", shop local, buy handmade, or make your own.

• Jam
• Beer
• Wine
• Soap
• Salsa
• Bread
• Honey
• Facials
• Knitwear
• Car Wash
• Massages
• Chocolate
• Pedicures
• Manicures
• Apple Cider
• Raw Honey
• Herbal Teas
• Maple Syrup
• Yoga classes
• Movie Tickets
• Beeswax Candles
• Infused Herbal Oils
• Essential Oils (these are all grown and distilled in the USA by Young Living: Clary Sage, Juniper, Idaho Tansy, Idaho Balsam Fir, Lavender, Western Red Cedar, German Chamomile, Hyssop, Oregano, and Lavender)

photo source: flickr.com

Behind the Label: Flu Shot

Before administering a flu shot, most medical practitioners do not follow the protocol that they are instructed to of reviewing the patient's current health and history as well as the pertinent information found behind the flu shot label (package insert).

For that reason, I believe it is crucial to educate myself by reading package inserts (information provided by the manufacturer) before making a decision about any shot - or anything that breaks my skin and is directly injected into my bloodstream.

You can click HERE to read the package inserts for the flu shots approved by the FDA.

Below, you will see behind the label of just one flu shot (Fluarix); its dirty, toxic ingredients and its long list of documented, unhealthy side effects.


FLUARIX Influenza Virus Vaccine contains:

• Formaldehyde
• Sodium chloride
• Polysorbate 80
• Hydrocortisone
• Gentamicin
• chick eggs
• Sodium deoxycholate

Adverse Reactions:

• abdominal pain
• allergic asthma
• angioedema
• angioneurotic edema
• arthralgias
• asthenia
• asthma
• autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• brachial plexus neuropathy
• bronchospasm
• chest pain
• chills
• conjunctivitis
• convulsions
• cough
• DEATH
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dysmenorrhea
• dyspnea
• encephalomelitis
• encephalopathy
• erythema
• eye pain
• eye swelling
• eyelid swelling
• facial palsy
• facial paresis
• facial swelling
• fatigue
• Guillan-Barre Syndrome
• headache
• Henoch-Schonlein purpura
• hives
• hypoesthesia
• injection site reaction/abscess/cellulitis
• lymphadenopathy
• malaise
• mouth swelling
• muscle aches
• myelitis
• nasal congestion
• nasopharyngitis
• nausea
• neuritis
• neuropathy
• optic neuritis/neuropathy
• pain in extremity
• partial facial paralysis
• paresthesia
• pharyngitis
• pneumonia
• pruritus
• rash
• respiratory distress
• rhinitis
• shivering
• shock
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• stridor
• sweating
• tachycardia
• throat swelling
• thrombocytopenia
• tongue swelling
• tonsillitis
• urticaria
• vasculitis
• vertigo
• vomiting

Source: Influenza Virus Vaccine Fluarix 2009-2010 Formula PRESCRIBING INFORMATION
MORE
Before receiving a flu shot, demand that your current health status as well as your medical and vaccine history be reviewed to determine sensitivity and to understand any previous adverse reactions, signs or symptoms.

PLEASE
read the package insert of any shot or pharmaceutical you choose to take.

Truth about the Flu Shot

Jane Burgermeister's investigation Swine Flu "pandemic"

Click HERE to learn more about Formaldehyde.

Click HERE to see how Mercury Causes Brain Neuron Degeneration.

Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 large sweet potatoes cubed
• 3 - 5 cloves of garlic
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1 organic apple (seeds removed) cubed
• 2 - 4 cups of vegetable broth or almond milk
• 1 TSP cumin
• 1 TSP nutmeg
• 1 TSP cinnamon
• 1 TSP ground cloves
• sea salt and pepper to taste

1. Place all of the ingredients noted above in a large skillet or sauce pain and drizzle with olive oil.
2. Saute till soft, approximately 20 - 30 minutes.
3. Let mixture cool 30 minutes.
4. Place mixture in a Vitamix and fill with vegetable broth or almond milk till covered.
5. Blend till smooth or desired consistency.

Serve with pumpkin seeds.

Adverse Reactions to Fluvirin Flu Shot

Adverse Reactions to Fluvirin Flu Shot

• Body as a whole: Local injection site reactions (including pain, pain limiting limb movement, redness, swelling, warmth, ecchymosis, induration), hot flashes/flushes; chills; fever; malaise; shivering; fatigue; asthenia; facial edema.

• Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions (including throat and/or mouth edema). In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions have lead to anaphylactic shock and death.

• Cardiovascular disorders: Vasculitis (in rare cases with transient renal involvement), syncope shortly after vaccination.

• Digestive disorders: Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain.

• Blood and lymphatic disorders: Local lymphadenopathy; transient thrombocytopenia.

• Metabolic and nutritional disorders: Loss of appetite.

• Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia; myalgia; myasthenia.

• Nervous system disorders: Headache; dizziness; neuralgia; paraesthesia; confusion; febrile convulsions; Guillain-Barré Syndrome; myelitis (including encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis); neuropathy (including neuritis); paralysis (including Bell’s Palsy).

• Respiratory disorders: Dyspnea; chest pain; cough; pharyngitis; rhinitis.

• Skin and appendages: Stevens-Johnson syndrome; sweating; pruritus; urticaria; rash (including non-specific, maculopapular, and vesiculobulbous).

Other Adverse Reactions associated with Influenza Vaccination Anaphylaxis has been reported after administration of FLUVIRIN®. Although FLUVIRIN® contains only a limited quantity of egg protein, this protein can induce immediate hypersensitivity reactions among persons who have severe egg allergy. Allergic reactions include hives, angioedema, allergic asthma, and systemic anaphylaxis.

The 1976 swine influenza vaccine was associated with an increased frequency of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Evidence for a causal relation of GBS with subsequent vaccines prepared from other influenza viruses is unclear. If influenza vaccine does pose a risk, it is probably slightly more than 1 additional case/1 million persons vaccinated.

Neurological disorders temporally associated with influenza vaccination such as encephalopathy, optic neuritis/neuropathy, partial facial paralysis, and brachial plexus neuropathy have been reported.

Microscopic polyangiitis (vasculitis) has been reported temporally associated with
influenza vaccination.

Source: http://www.immunize.org/fda/pa_influenza.asp

Thieves for Fall

Fall is the perfect time of year to create a medicine cabinet with products, which Support the immune system, Reduce fever, Calm coughs and Inhibit bacteria and virus, Naturally.

Essential Oils are on the top of my list when it comes to creating a natural medicine cabinet and Thieves - an essential oil blend - is one that I personally include.

Thieves contains 5 Essential Oils:

1.  Clove (Syzygium aromaticum):
numbs pain, is an Antioxidant, Anti-infectious, Antiviral, Bactericidal and Warming

2.  Lemon (Citrus limon):
Anti-infectious, Antiseptic, Antiviral and an Immune stimulant

3.  Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum):
Antibacterial, Antiviral and an Antioxidant

4.  Eucalyptus radiata:
Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Bactericidal, a Decongestant and Expectorant, Mucolytic

5.  Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct 1,8 cineol):
Antiviral, Decongestant, Expectorant and Warming

Suggested Safe Use:

• For children 1 - 5 years:  Blend 5 drops of Thieves in 1 ounce of all-natural lotion or carrier oil. Shake well before using. Massage well along the spine and feet.
• For adults:  Blend 15 - 18 drops of Thieves in 1 ounce of all-natural lotion or carrier oil. Shake well before using. Massage well along chest, spine and feet; gently inhale vapors.
• Diffusing in a cold-air Diffuser: Place 20 - 30 Total drops of Thieves essential oil blend in a cold-air diffuser.  Using a timer, set the timer to diffuse for 10 - 15 minutes on the hour every hour

Essential Oil Safety

• Avoid direct eye contact and contact with mucous membranes
• In the event of eye contact or contact with mucous membranes, flush with carrier oil
• Store Essential Oils out of reach of children and pets
• Store Essential Oils in cool, dark place - away from heat and light

What are Carrier Oils?
They are fatty oils, which help dilute Essential Oils, deliver them throughout the body, as well as protect and nourish skin.Some examples are:  jojoba, sweet almond oil, castor oil, grape seed oil, etc.

Resources

• Click HERE to buy Jojoba
• Click HERE to order Carrier Oils
• Click HERE to purchase cold-air diffusers
• Click HERE to order Thieves essential oil blend
• Click HERE to order Unscented Aromalotion (available by the gallon)

Green is the new Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. For many years, Americans have spent millions on pink jewelry, pink clothes, pink electronics, even pink M&M's to raise awareness about breast cancer.

In hopes to raise awareness without earning a profit, I would simply like to share some educational websites.

As you will learn from the websites noted below, there is overwhelming evidence that links cancer to the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the products we use on our bodies AND the chemicals we use to clean our home.

To reduce the risk in our home, we do have the power to make different choices about the products that we use to clean our home. In the long run, our lungs and immune systems are happier - kids and pets get healthier, too.
Examples of Commercial Household Cleaners

• Ajax (known cancer-causing product)
• Comet
• Mr Clean
• Lysol (registered pesticide)
• Scrubing Bubbles
• Tilex
• Windex (toxic to kidneys, live and blood cells)

Educational Websites:

• Breast Cancer & Environmental Risk Factors
• Breast Cancer Fact Sheets & Evidence
• Cancer Prevention Coalition
• Pure Prevention
• Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
• State of Evidence 2008: the Connection between Breast Cancer and the Environment
• What is Thermography

Fall Soup

Here's a recipe for a healthy fall soup. You can get all of the ingredients from your local farm stand or farmers market. Make extra for a friend or neighbor!

Ingredients:

• 5 - 8 red potatoes cubed (roasted in 450 degree oven with olive oil, sea salt, rosemary, thyme for 25 minutes)

• 1 large onion chopped

• 4 - 6 large cloves of garlic (or as many as you like) chopped

• 6 small leeks chopped

• olive oil

• 1 quart organic vegetable broth

• 1 cup of almond milk

• Spices: nutmeg, cayenne, cumin, black pepper

1. In large sauce pan, saute onion, garlic, and leeks with a drizzle of olive oil on low heat for ~ 15 minutes.
2. Add vegetable broth, roasted potatoes, and almond milk. Continue to simmer for about 15 minutes.
3. Remove 1/2 of soup mixture and blend in blender till smooth. Add back to sauce pan.
4. Add spices and simmer for 10 minutes.

• Garnish with pumpkin seeds.

Essential Oils & Lice. Happy Back to School!

Head lice (Pediculosis capitis) are parasites that can be found on the heads of people. Symptoms include intense itching and tickling feeling from movement of hair.

An investigation of Essential Oils (Lavender, Tea Tree and Lemon) on human lice showed that Tea Tree was most effective.

In another study, all of these oils were found to be effective (blended with vinegar and water) in vitro against lice....

• Aniseed, Cinnamon leaf, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Red Thyme

According to Jean Valnet, MD, he recommended the following essential oils for lice...

• Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Thyme

And in another study, Eucalyptus globulus was found effective against lice.

Other:
In Jane Buckle’s, Clinical Aromatherapy, suffocating agents (carrier oils) such as olive, sunflower or vegetable oil can be effective if used for more than 12 hours.

According to Valerie Ann Worwood, an excellent preventative blend would be equal parts of Rosemary, Lavender, and Lemon. Add 2 drops to the final rinse after shampooing. If lice are present, the following blend should be rubbed well into the scalp and sit overnight: 27 drops each of Rosemary, Geranium and Lavender; add to 1 oz beeswax (melted) and 2 oz of Castor oil.

More Information:
Please consider these guidelines for blending essential oils safely:
http://www.organicajane.com/essentialoils/howtouseessentialoils.html

Health Effects of Lindane Exposure
http://www.headlice.org/lindane/health/health_effects.htm

Win the Fight Against Head Lice without Toxic Chemicals
http://www.quantumhealth.com/news/fight_lice.html

Order Essential Oils:
https://www.youngliving.org/amy

Resources:Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery, Volume 2, Issue 4, August 1996, Pages 97-101http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17662541?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=2http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20496586
photo resource: flickr.com by albertogp123