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Thursday, February 21, 2013

You are You, that is Truer than True

Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel, pen name Dr. Seuss, was born March 2, 1904. He was an American poet, writer, cartoonist, but most widely known for his children's books.

Initiated by the National Education Association, Seuss' birthday, March 2nd, has been designated as the date for National Read Across America Day.

Countless story hours and bedtimes are fondly remembered by children and adults alike with the sing song lines from Seuss' classic books.
Below is a collection of these 13 titles compiled into one volume. They include:

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, Horton Hears a Who!, McElligot's Pool, If I Ran the Zoo, Happy Birthday to You! Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book, Yertle the Turtle, The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax, The Sneetches, and Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Buy on Amazon
 The one day of the year each of us sets aside to call our very own, is our birthday. A quote by Seuss says, "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."
Each of us should put that phrase to memory and recite it at the beginning of every new day. A reminder that though we walk out the door, and feel one with the world as we all make it through another day, we are still individuals. Unique individuals born with a distinct personality, temperament, ambitions and abilities.

Let us not become too immersed in the cultural soup pot of society that we become followers of everyone else. The person you are was a gift at birth, your birthright to pursuing your passions and dreams. Have the confidence to be a doer, not a pleaser, and a leader, not a follower.

A person once told me "When in doubt, just go for it. What's the worst that can happen? You fail? So what, check it off and try something else. Someday you'll look back and laugh." That advice certainly is better than torturing yourself with the "what ifs" in life and never knowing what could have been.


If you're looking for craft ideas as to how to celebrate Dr. Seuss day, here is an excellent tutorial by The Tip Junkie.  Forty-four fun ideas involving games, food, crafts and the love of books.


Celebrate Dr. Seuss Tutorial



Happy Birthday Dr. Seus!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Super Foods Lemons, Avocado, Ginger, Coconut.....You Know Their Value now Learn How to Use Them


 Earth Diet
Based on the beliefs of Hippocrates, "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food."

These four foods are popping up again and again for both nutrition and cosmetic purposes. Many people are aware of their benefits but don't utilize them very often because they just don't know how. We think lemons and we get lemonade, avocados and guacamole comes to mind, ginger is ginger-ale. When we see coconut in our diets it is usually in granola or a candy bar. Using them on a regular basis as part of our diets hasn't really been all that common.
Hopefully, these ideas will encourage you to add these superfoods to your family's diet.


 The following is the original lemonade recipe but we stretch it by using  five lemons which make about one cup juice to 2 cups sugar and 4 quarts or one gallon water.
 
Enough lemons to made 1 cup juice (about five large)
1 cup sugar
2 quarts water

The amount of water or sugar can be adjusted to your liking


This recipe for an herbal rub is a good way to use those lemon rinds.

From Jenn's Gardening Spot
                                                                                         
1/4 Cup Fresh Rosemary Chopped (dry it out for a couple of days)

2 Tbls. of dried Oregano

2 Tbls. dried Sage

2 Tbls. dried Garlic Flakes

1/4 cup Sea Salt or Kosher Salt

2 Tbls Red Pepper Flakes (add extra Tbls. for a bit of kick or pinch of Cayenne)

4 to 6 Tbls. of Lemon Zest

Mix Herb mixture well. Put all the contents of your mixture into a jar.



This recipe is enough for one batch or small jar shown above. 
This amount can be used for one whole chicken.
Also good on fish .


Did you know that the lemon peels contain 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the juice?
Below is a great tip to using the whole lemon without any waste.

Use organic lemons if possible to avoid ingesting pesticides which may be in the peel.
Place the lemons in the freezer. When you have a need for lemon, get your grater and shred the whole lemon, peel and all. Use these shreds to top your food or drinks. You'll discover a new taste for lemon, as well as increase the nutritional value of your food or drink. Are you aware that lemon peels help to eliminate toxic elements from the body in addition to the boost in Vitamin C?


When we hear avocado we usually think guacamole. Here is a very healthy, meatless pita pocket sandwich, full of antioxidants, B vitamins and protein. 
This recipe came from the May 1998 issue of Vegetarian Times

Brain Power Pita Pockets

Tahini Sauce:
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp. sesame tahini
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
salt to taste

Pita Pockets:
4 large whole wheat pita breads
8 oz. soft tofu, drained and cubed
4 plum tomatoes, diced
1 cup torn spinach leaves
1 cup sprouts (alfalfa, sunflower or mung bean)
1 large ripe avocado, pitted, pealed and cut into pieces

In a small bowl, mix the sauce.
In another bowl, mix tofu, tomatoes and spinach.
Add 1/4 cup of the sauce and mix.
Spoon the mixture into the pocket breads.
Top with sprouts and avocado and drizzle with sauce.

This dip recipe comes from "The Natural Healing Cookbook" by Bessie Jo Tillman, 

Black Bean and Avocado Dip

2 ripe avocados
1 cup cooked black beans
1 cup cooked brown rice or cooked millet
1 - 2 tbsp. minced onion
salt and pepper to taste

Place beans in a bowl. Chop the peeled avocados and with a wooden spoon, mash it into the beans. Mix in the rice or millet, onion and seasoning.
Serve chilled or at room temperature


Ginger is actually a root, the rhizome of the plant Zingiber Officinale.
Ground ginger is used in baking but for stir-fry or Asian cooking the taste of fresh ginger is no comparison to the dried. Being a spice, I figured rather than have a few recipes I just give a few tips on how to use this funky shaped root.
These tips came from The Steamy Kitchen
The best way to store ginger is to place the root in a paper bag and keep in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.
To use as needed, get yourself a microplane grater. Using such a fine grater eliminates the frustration of trying to peel the root and then dealing with stringy pieces of ginger. For a recipe you want it smooth and fine, not in pieces large enough to actually bite into while eating the dish. Any pieces of fiber will cling to the microplane grater. Another option is to peel it first using a spoon. 
The skin will come right off when scraped with a spoon.
If you doubt you'll use the whole root on a regular enough basis or for convenience, you may want to freeze it. The easiest way to do this is to microplane the whole root onto a piece of plastic wrap. Spread it into a nice line and twist up the ends. When you need a piece, just snap off. It defrosts quickly or can be regrated. Just remember that things like minced garlic, ginger or sesame seeds burn very easily, so don't leave unattended while sauteing.


Coconut oil has gone from a no no for our health to a superfood. Go figure.
A great site for information and a source for purchasing good quality coconut oil is:

If you love to bake or saute with vegetable shortening but would prefer to avoid the hydrogenated fats, then using coconut oil as a substitute would be a healthy decision.
 Coconut oil contains no water, therefore when substituting the measurement for shortening it isn't exactly a 1:1 ratio. Use slightly less coconut oil, about 25% less. So if the recipe calls for one cup of shortening you would use 3/4 cup coconut oil.

To substitute coconut oil for vegetable oil, the ratio would be 1:1 but melt the coconut oil first to get that same measurement. Be sure that the other ingredients, such as milk or eggs, are at room temperature so that they do not cool down the coconut oil enough to make it solidify.

Coconut oil solidifies at temperatures below 76 degrees F. It is much harder to scoop than vegetable shortening, so the easiest way is to take a large metal spoon and scrape across the surface. Those shavings will make it a lot easier to measure in a cup and cream together with perhaps sugar or butter.


Enjoy! 
 







Thursday, February 14, 2013

Legend, Lore and Love


The traditional gifts for Valentine's Day are usually a heart of some sort, chocolates and perhaps a rose. Where did all this begin? Why do we do the things we do?
Valentine's Day itself is steeped in legend. During the third century, the Roman Empire was ruled by the cruel tyrant, Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. He involved his kingdom in so much turmoil that he began to have trouble recruiting enough soldiers. The twisted thinking of this man interpreted  the problem as one of distractions caused by the desire for love and family.  Therefore, this tyrant relieved men of all family commitment by canceling the practice of the marriage ceremony in Rome.
A Christian priest, Valentine, fought back by secretly marrying soldiers before they went off to war. Claudius found out about it in 269 AD and threw Valentine in prison, sentencing him to death. While in jail, the story has it that Valentine met and fell in love with the jailer's blind daughter. He used ink squeezed from violets to write her a sonnet so beautiful the words restored her sight. 
The romance was brief, as Valentine did indeed die by clubbing at the hands of the Roman executioners. The spirit of this man became such a passed down. beloved story of love and self-sacrificing commitment, that eventually the Catholic Church granted Valentine Sainthood and a feast in his honor. They picked February 14 as the day of celebration because of the ancient belief that birds began to mate on that day. 
 
The rose is the one flower most steeped in folklore as the symbol of love. If you look at the letters in the word ROSE you can jumble them and get EROS, the Greek God of Love. The color red is associated with strong emotions, and all the different shades and hues of red can be romantically associated with the emotional roller coaster of lovers everywhere.
 According to Greek mythology, the rose was born and crowned the Queen of Flowers by Chloris, the goddess of flowers.
Upon finding the body of a beautiful nymph, she asked the Three Graces, Aphrodite, Dionysus and Zephyr to create a flower in her honor. The Graces added joy and charm, Aphrodite gave the flower its beauty, Dionysus added a special nectar, and Zephyr, the wind god, blew away the clouds so the sun could kiss the petals.
Roman mythology tells how the color was obtained when Jupiter caught Venus bathing and her blush turned the white rose to red. The Greeks claim the deep color stems from when Aphrodite scratched herself on a rose thorn and in sympathy red roses sprung up from the blood.
In Eastern traditions, when a soul knocks on the door to the next world, only the rose is allowed to follow, leaving all other possessions behind.
 Early Christians symbolized the red rose with martyrs' blood and life after death. The white rose portrayed the innocence and purity of the Virgin Mary.
The cultivated rose was most likely from Northern Persia or what is now Iran. From there it traveled to the Mediterranean where we so often hear how the Romans lavishly used rose petals in their baths, banquet halls, marital beds and funerals.
Avicenna in the 10th century was the first to make rosewater. Pliny listed 32 medicines prepared from roses. Otto or attar of roses was discovered in the 16th century in Persia and is now a major ingredient in perfumes and the world of aromatherapy.
 
Chocolate comes from the seeds of the tropical cacao tree. The Swedish naturalist, Linnaeus, named the tree in the 17th century. The Greek term theobroma means "food of the gods".
The Aztecs used cocoa beans to prepare a hot beverage reserved for warriors, nobility and priests. It was said to contribute to one's wisdom and vitality. Believed to be an aphrodisiac, cocoa was associated with the goddess of fertility, Xochiquetzal. 
The reason for it being the symbol of love is that eating chocolate releases chemicals called Phenyl ethylamine and Serotonin into the system. Such a mood elevator earns chocolate the reputation of being not only an energy booster but adds to the desire for intimacy.

And why is everything from candy hearts to cards to chocolates made into the shape of  a heart?  For thousands of years the heart was the soul, therefore love must come from the heart. Signifying life itself, if you give your heart to someone it means you are handing over your very existence to that other person. Cupid, a god during Roman times, would shoot an arrow into the heart of one person and then into the heart of another, thereby a union as one is created.

Have a little fun with this Holiday. Don't get caught up in all the commercial hoopla. Enjoy the company of the positive energy within and around you. Give out plenty of hugs and you'll get just as many in return. As Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get".  Perhaps the same can be said about Love. You never know what you're going to get till you take the chance. Maybe you will find "the one", the chocolate with the perfect center. Or maybe you'll bite into a hopeful whose center is just a gooey drip.  
Holistic, all natural, homemade gift ideas for the special people and pets in your life are available at:
www.meadowmuffingardens.com
www.meadowmuffin2010.etsy.com 
www.zibbet.com/meadowmuffin2010

Monday, February 11, 2013

Love is in the Air, Let's Try to Keep it There

 "Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving."
Kahlil Gibran


Contentment in this life basically boils down to the need to love and be loved. To feel productive and a part of something that matters. We need to know that should we just disappear, someone would notice. Even those who like being alone need social stimulation once in a while.

Doing for others for the sake of helping isn't purely altruistic, since if we really examined ourselves we do what we do not only for that other person but because those actions make us feel better about ourselves. The desire to please and do for others are wonderful qualities, but if you go into it with expectations of the other person's reaction, you may be disappointed. Trying to understand why people behave the way they do, which may not be the way we think they should, will drive you crazy.

Perhaps that is why Valentine's Day can range from being a day of fun and fulfillment to tearful and heart wrenching. As long as men and women are wired so differently, men will be frustrated about what they did wrong and women will continue to hope their life can be as in an unrealistic harlequin romance novel.

Men need to remember that most of the supposedly irrational behavior of women stems from their desire to be noticed, appreciated and heard. It's the little everyday things that matter, not the seesaw of going overboard just because it's a Hallmark holiday, and then slipping right back down into the pattern of indifference. Repeat back to her what she says to you so she knows you are paying attention. Let her talk without trying to "fix" things right away. Men do that and then wonder why she gets annoyed. Just listen. Hearing oneself talk often solves the problem and relieves the pent up emotions.

Women need to remember to make their man feel like a man. Men need to feel needed, respected, and the king of their own home. In today's society where many women make their own money and deal with just as many stresses when they walk in the door, it is easy to overlook that fact. Women have the need to talk about the day, while men have the need to close the door to the world's craziness and enjoy some quiet. Just give them an hour to themselves, a hot meal, and be amazed.

Everyday life can get routine very quickly. Marriage, a home, children...they don't just fall into place if kept on the back burner of our careers. They are work, a job in themselves. A house doesn't become a home all by itself. Love is a verb, and it needs action on the part of both partners in order to move forward and not become stagnant.

Love is an ongoing stretch of effort; a series of highs, lows, tears, joys and rewards. What it is not, are fleeting feelings wrapped up in emotion and lustful passion. Feelings are fickle and just like the wind, they can come out of nowhere and disappear around the corner.

In order for romance to remain alive and full of hot energy we must periodically add some fuel and stir up the simmering ashes. The actual meaning of the word "passion" is an intense, burning desire for something. Those embers don't spark all by themselves. Throw some of yourself into the relationship once in a while and see how hot your fires can get.

What plans do you have for an ideal romantic Valentine's Day experience?

A little imagination and you can create an evening worthy of any romantic novel. And you do not need to spend a lot of money to impress. Men may often say they don't need all the fluff to get in the mood but half the excitement is in the planning and the anticipation. Besides, sending the message that the other person is worth all the effort is rewarding for both partners.

Focus on the five senses:


Touch - Plan a relaxing foot or whole body massage and/ or a warm, scented bath.

Taste - A special meal is wonderful but wine and chocolate make a great combination all by themselves.

Smell - The sense of smell holds deep seated memories. Stir up a fantasy or two with a sensual
bath or massage oil containing true, therapeutic essential oils. These plant essences work on both mind and body to relax and release emotional blocks.

Hear - Music is food for the soul. Be sensitive to what is pleasant for both of you and make a playlist. Instrumental background music or soft soothing melodies can be a band-aid for the spirit. To lose oneself in music can really set the mood. The right song may get even the most reluctant dancer on his feet.

Sight - A visibly pleasing atmosphere and everything in it will be the first thing a man notices. Candles add a touch of magic and do wonders for that warm glow to your complexion. Remember ladies, the best accessory you can wear is a smile. That is a tidbit from my husband that I hear all the time.

Massage Oil


Bath Oil


























Think you can't cook? The following recipe is a no-cook candy/bar that tastes like a cross between a Tastycake and a Reese's peanut butter cup. Easy to make with only five ingredients and can be done within fifteen minutes!

NO COOK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER TREATS

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 pound box (or 4 cups) confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. butter, divided
1 28 oz. jar chunky or smooth peanut butter
1 12 oz. package semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups) or chocolate melting wafers

Combine brown sugar, confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup softened butter and peanut butter.
Mix well. May need to use your hands. Pat the mixture into an ungreased 15 x 10 x 1 inch jelly-roll pan. Smooth the top of the mixture.

Melt the chocolate and remaining 1 Tbsp. butter in the top of a double boiler or the microwave. To melt in the microwave set it for one minute, stir, set it for another minute, stir till creamy.
Spread chocolate over the peanut better mixture.

Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set the chocolate. Allow to come to room temperature before cutting into squares or the chocolate topping will crack.

Store in refrigerator or freeze



If you want to bake this is a sure hit with your loved one or family for Valentine's Day:

CHOCOLATE HIDDEN HEARTS CAKE








HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!










Friday, February 8, 2013

Give That Spice Rack a Second Look!

We see wonderful charts such as these telling us the health benefits of various herbs, which is great, but how many of us know what to do with them?   Did you know these culinary herbs have other uses as well? Learn how you can utilize these plants not only in seasoning your food, but to improve your health and as part of your beauty care.
You don't have to be a gardener to easily find these plants. Being they are cooking herbs and spices they can easily be found at most grocery, health food or natural food stores. 
Dried herbs need to be used within a year for best potency.
The strength of the scent reflects the potency of the herb.
The worst things for dried plants are exposure to sunlight and moisture. 
Store your herbs in a cool, dark cabinet protected from exposure to light. They are out in the open on store shelves, so try to purchase from reputable suppliers where you can be confident they were not sitting on the shelves for months.
  


Oregano
Oregano is usually associated with Italian food or Mediterranean food and rightly so. 
The leaves are used fresh or dried as a seasoning herb. 
Medicinally, not only is oregano good for indigestion and flatulence by way of soothing the stomach muscles, it has also been used to relieve diarrhea and vomiting. To use for this purpose, drink it as a hot tea or in the form of capsules. 
Another use for oregano tea is to utilize its antiseptic properties as a  gargle or mouthwash.
For those achy joints and muscles, put oregano leaves in a mesh bag, tie it to the spout on the tub and let the hot water run over it as you fill the tub. As you relax in the warm, fragrant water you will notice how useful it is to open up your respiratory tract.
A poultice can be made by pounding the fresh leaves into a paste with a bit of water. Apply the paste to swelling, itching or aches and hold in place with a strip of cloth.


  Thyme is a very versatile herb, long a staple in Middle Eastern cooking. It enhances soups, stews, and is a perfect seasoning for roasted or grilled vegetables.
Its thymol content and strong antiseptic properties make it useful for respiratory conditions, wound washes, athlete's foot soaks and blemish masks.
The standard procedure for treating acne is with washes and creams containing benzoyl peroxide. Though this method works, long term use may cause irritation.

 Try making a tincture:
Take a mason jar and fill to the top with fresh thyme or half way with dried thyme and cover with 100 proof vodka or apple cider vinegar. Using a wooden spoon, push down the herb so it is covered with the alcohol. Make sure the herb is covered at the top (fresh herb will mold unless submerged). Cap with a lid and put in a dark place for 4 - 6 weeks. Strain. Bottle in amber, glass dropper bottles for convenience to use and store the mason jar in a dark cabinet till needed.
This tincture can be applied to blemishes by way of a cotton ball or sprayed on the area from a mist spray bottle (avoid getting it in the eyes). 

For fungal conditions such as athlete's foot or jock itch the tincture method can be used and spot treated or make a strong thyme tea and use it as a foot bath.

 As an expectorant to help expel mucus from the respiratory tract, use the tincture internally. 
A recommended dose is 1/3 to 1 tsp., three times daily. Thyme tincture is considered to be safe, with no known side effects but check with your physician.

An herbal steam does wonders to open up the airways and relieve a stuffy head. Put a heaping tablespoon of thyme in a small bowl, cover with boiling water and form a tent by leaning over the steaming bowl with a towel over your head. Breathe the vapors for about 10 minutes. Fresh herbs are best but dry will work too. A great combination is a mixture of thyme, rosemary and peppermint.



Mint 
Mint was mentioned as a stomach soother in the world's oldest surviving medical text, the Ebers Papyrus. Both spearmint and peppermint owe their value to aromatic oils, menthol and carvone. 
Many of us can remember picking mint as a child for homemade tea, hot or cold. Mint spreads by underground runners so it can easily escape a garden bed and turns up on roadside ditches or around ponds. 
Mint tea is great for bellyaches, intestinal gas and even hiccups.
Use the tent method described above to gain relief from not only headaches and asthma but it does wonders for perking up a tired complexion.
Infuse mint leaves in vinegar or oil (as described above for tinctures) and you'll create a tasty salad dressing.
Ants and rodents dislike the smell of peppermint. Sprinkle the leaves around the suspected areas of entry.



Turmeric
Tumeric is gaining popularity amidst the western world as an aid in the fight against cancer, as an anti-inflammatory, and even protects the heart by preventing clots.
For thousands of years, turmeric has held a place of honor as a healer in Ayurvedic medicine.
Not grown as a garden herb in North America, this tuberous root is grown from India to Indonesia.
Keep this powdered spice handy for sprinkling on wounds to prevent infection. With anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric reduces swelling, reduces pain, and speeds up healing.
                 Stimulate the flow of bile and improve digestion by including curry in your diet.
Those who may be at risk for liver damage from alcohol or pharmaceutical drugs can protect the liver tissue with the use of this pretty yellow spice. Add it to soups, casseroles, smoothies, or rice dishes.
Make a blemish treatment by adding a teaspoon of turmeric to coconut or jojoba oil. Dab onto the acne and leave on overnight. A few days of this routine should take care of the problem.



Ginger
There is an old Indian saying, "Every good quality is contained in ginger". This aromatic root has been used in cooking and healing since the dawn of history. 
Known as an heating herb, it is used to warm the body and increase circulation. Great added to a foot bath to warm up if chilled but don't use if you have a fever.
Nip a cold in the bud by drinking plenty of ginger tea. Grate one teaspoon of the fresh root in a cup, cover with boiling water, simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and add honey and lemon.
  
Deal with nausea, motion sickness, or morning sickness by keeping on hand crystallized candied ginger. Suck and chew as needed for relief. These are also good dropped into a cup of black, green or herbal tea. Candied ginger is very convenient to take along while traveling or on vacation. Be prepared for the bellyaches, headaches, and nausea caused by the motion of being in a car.
Have it on hand for the churning stomach caused by amusement park rides or the swaying of a boat.



Basil
As with all mints, basil contains volatile oils that break down easily when dried. Open a jar of dried basil, if it has very little smell, it probably is no longer very potent. Basil is a sun loving annual, easy to grow during the heat of the summer. Use fresh or to preserve for later use, it works best to freeze it.  Lay the individual leaves out on a cookie sheet and freeze them. Once frozen put them in a plastic tub or bag till needed.
Basil is good for calming the nerves, ease cramps and settling the stomach. If you haven't a taste for it as a hot tea, perhaps you would enjoy a good pesto recipe. Serve tossed with pasta or a nice addition to soups.
Basil makes a great hair rinse for dark hair. Fill a mason jar with fresh basil leaves and top with apple cider vinegar. Cap with a plastic lid (a metal lid will corrode from the acidity of the vinegar), and let sit for a 2 - 4 weeks. Once strained it can be used as a hair rinse to remove gunk and residues (mix 1 tbsp. to a pint of water and pour over freshly washed hair). 
Basil infused vinegar makes for a delicious salad dressing.
And last, of course basil is a staple in cooking. Combined with oregano, fennel, bay leaves you have a recipe for great tomato based sauces, soups and pizza.



Garlic
Listed in the Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian medical reference dating to 1550 BC, garlic was the people's antibiotic long before the age of penicillin discovered in 1928.
 In the book "Herbal Medicine" there is the quote, "If garlic wasn't so cheap we would treasure it as if it were gold".  It sweeps through the body in a cleansing fashion without destroying the body's good intestinal flora.
 Known to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce the chance of blood clots, garlic's allicin and ajoene content stand the test of time for a healthy heart.
Diabetics use garlic to reduce blood sugar.
There is growing evidence that garlic can be used in the treatment of cancer.
AIDS patients can even see an improvement in immune function by taking daily garlic cloves.
Any recipe that sautes onions can easily be adapted by adding a few crushed garlic cloves. Those who don't want to have garlic breath can follow a meal by chewing on a sprig of fresh parsley.
 Garlic is also easily found in capsule form to take as a daily supplement.

    A great way to help an ill child is to apply garlic to the soles of the feet. Steep three minced cloves in four ounces of olive oil 8 - 12 hours. Rub the oil onto the soles of your child's feet before bedtime and cover with socks. Garlic's healing antiviral properties will be absorbed through the skin and circulate throughout the bloodstream. This garlic oil can also be used for an earache. Warm the bottle a bit by running it under hot water. Add a drop into your child's ear and plug with a small piece of cotton. Keep the bottled oil in the refrigerator. Good for about one year.



Black Pepper
Pepper at the dinner table is such a common sight we may be surprised to know that in ancient times black pepper was actually used in the market in place of money. 
Its most common use is to relieve digestion problems. By causing the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid, pepper helps pass food along, thus an aid in treating gas and heartburn. Sprinkle this "warming" spice on your food as not only a seasoning, but as a way to help your system avoid the belching and bloat associated with poor assimilation of foods.



Fenugreek
Before the 19th century, Fenugreek played a major role in healing, but has since fallen by the wayside. Veterinarians have long known that sick horses or cattle will eat fenugreek (Greek hay) when they wouldn't eat anything else. Animals have a sense of what is good for them and we now know that fenugreek seeds contain a great deal of mucilage. Mixed with water, it becomes very gelatinous and soothes inflamed tissue. 
It is also said that the seeds will increase milk production in nursing mothers.
Add fenugreek seeds to homemade scrubs and poultices for their soothing benefits.

There are studies observing the benefits of using fenugreek to help non-insulin dependant diabetics and as an aid in controlling cholesterol levels. Researchers are very interested in these findings since both high cholesterol and diabetes put one at risk for heart disease. Fenugreek can be taken in pill form or as a tea. For a tea, bruise the seeds a bit and simmer in water for 10 minutes. It will be bitter so add honey to improve the flavor.
Always check with your doctor before starting a new supplement for a medical condition.



Cayenne
 Cayenne is often added along with or in addition to chili pepper in any food dish that needs a touch of hot spice to perk it up. Red pepper owes its heat to the chemical found in the fruit called capsaicin.
Capsaicin is a digestive aid by stimulating the output of gastric juices.
 Capsaicin increases blood flow to the area of application, so a homemade liniment can be helpful at reducing pain and swelling in the joints.
Bring a pint of apple cider vinegar to a boil and add a tbsp. of cayenne pepper.
 Rub the vinegar onto the painful area and discover that the friction from the rubbing, the benefits of the vinegar and the heat of the cayenne, all combine to bring relief.
  For treatments to relieve the chronic pain associated with shingles or diabetic foot pain,
 ask your physician about the use of capsaicin.

Here is a folk remedy said to knock a cold out flat. 
It needs to be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator.
To a jar of honey add:
A one inch piece of bruised ginger, one chopped lemon including the rind, one tsp. cayenne pepper and five cloves sliced garlic.
Leave this blend to steep several months. 
When needed, add 2 tsp to a cup of hot water. Take three times a day.

There are reports that a heart attack can be halted by using cayenne. As long as the person is breathing, give him a cup of hot water with one tsp. of cayenne pepper. Don't ever fool around with a possible heart attack. Discuss this theory with your doctor before the need to ever use it.


Fennel
Fennel is the secret ingredient that turns a good spaghetti sauce into a pizza sauce. Italian sausage uses fennel as its key component and it goes very well with fish.Sweet fennel tea has a pleasant, licorice flavor. All parts of the plant are safe. For a tea, use either the dried leaves or a tsp of bruised seeds per cup of boiling water. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Fennel has been used as a means to help lose weight. It has both diuretic properties as well as acts as and appetite suppressant. It has been used to help people get through a fast.
Eliminate bad breath by chewing on the seeds.
Being fennel helps relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract, it works great for gas and as a weak tea for infant colic.

Fennel makes a great eyewash remedy for reviving tired eyes, allergies irritated from allergies, and infections. Add chamomile to the wash and it becomes a good antiseptic. Being you are using seeds the wash has to simmer longer than the delicate leaves for an infusion. Let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Facial steams are very refreshing and for those with dry skin, fennel is hydrating and smells so good.



Cinnamon
 Cinnamon is called a spice with a punch. 
It is eaten as cinnamon sugar on toast and oatmeal, added to many quick bread recipes and is great in smoothies. More than a sweet treat, modern science has been supportive in its value for prevention of infection and indigestion.
As with many culinary spices, cinnamon is a powerful antiseptic. That is the reason you find it added to mouthwash and toothpastes. It kills decay causing bacteria in the mouth.

A fun and very useful project is to make cinnamon toothpicks.
 The first cinnamon toothpick was made by a drugstore owner in 1949 as a treat for neighborhood children. Cinnamon toothpicks are very useful to not only clean between the teeth but help curb the urge to smoke or snack.
Take a pack of toothpicks and add them to a mason jar. Cover them with cinnamon oil. 
You must use caution with cinnamon essential oil. It is hot and will burn if applied directly to the skin. Don't let the toothpicks soak longer than about six hours. Take them out of the oil and lay them on a non-porous surface to dry. Don't lay them on a paper towel or the oil will be absorbed out of the toothpick. If you get the oil on your fingers, wash very well with soap and rinse with water. 
Do not touch your eyes.

We are hearing a lot about cinnamon's usefulness in controlling blood sugar.
Cinnamon comes in two varieties -- Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is the kind found in most American supermarkets and the one usually used for baking and cooking. It's also the variety most researchers have used when they've studied cinnamon and diabetes. Cassia cinnamon is from the same family of tree as Ceylon cinnamon and has similar properties but Ceylon cinnamon may be harder to find and is more expensive. Though Cassia cinnamon is cheaper, it contains more of the anti-coagulant, coumarin, which can be irritating to the liver, so those with liver trouble should be careful. If using an herb or spice for medicinal purposes, it is important one be in communication with his/her physician.


 Cloves
Chances are your dentist is very familiar with the use of cloves in the care of the mouth and teeth. Clove oil is 60 to 90% eugenol which is the source of its anesthetic and antiseptic properties.
Cloves can offer temporary relief of toothache pain until you can get to the dentist.
Dip a cotton swab in clove essential oil and dab it to the affected area.
Don't overdo it, clove oil is very strong. 
An alternative would be to wedge the actual clove at the gum line of the affected tooth. Your inner cheek and tongue can help hold it in place.
Clove oil can also be used for blemishes by dabbing just a bit directly onto the blemish.


Dill
Dill is usually associated with flavoring pickles.
It is also a natural preservative, infection fighter and soothing digestive aid.
Dill is recommended for children over other digestive herbs such as fennel and anise because it is milder in its action with colic and stomachache.
As a digestive aid, take in tea form or a tincture as described under Thyme.  
Add  1/2 to 1 tsp. of the tincture to a glass of water and take up to three times a day.
For children under two, make a weak tea from the seeds.
Older children and adults use 2 tsp. seeds per cup of boiling water, let steep 10 minutes, and enjoy up to three times a day.
Chewing dill seeds makes a good breath freshener.



Sage
Sage is wonderful as a poultry seasoning but it has a unique property
 that sets it apart from other healing herbs - it reduces perspiration. 
A homemade deodorant recipe is rather easy to make:
Combine 3/4 cup arrowroot powder and 20 drops lavender essential oil in a small saucepan. 
(Use a pan you will not be using for cooking food)
Cover with a lid and gently heat for a few minutes until warm.
Add 12 drops of sage essential oil and 8 drops sandalwood essential oil.
Mix with a wooden spoon. Transfer to a miser bottle or a powder container. 
Let sit in a dark place for 48 hours before using.

Sage makes a great hair rinse for darker hair to not only help retain the color but to deter dandruff by maintaining a healthy scalp, and restore shine. Its antiseptic action helps remove scalp funk and the vinegar removes build-up from styling products. Make a vinegar hair rinse by filling a mason jar half-way with dried leaves or all the way with fresh leaves. Top to cover the herb with apple cider vinegar. Cap with a plastic lid and let sit in a dark place for six weeks. Strain.
To use as a hair rinse add 1 tbsp. to a pint of warm water. Stopper the sink and pour repeatedly over just washed hair or while in the shower, you can just pour a bit into the palm of your hand, rub throughout the scalp and rinse.
Sage vinegar also makes an excellent gargle for a sore throat.
Dilute a bit in a cup with water and gargle a few times a day.



Rosemary
Rosemary is known as the herb of Remembrance. 
Rosemary has long been used to help preserve meat dishes.
This herb helps delay meat spoilage because it is strongly antioxidant. 
Antioxidants prevent the fats in meat from oxidizing and going rank.

People began to also believe it helped preserve memory as well. Some cultures still add rosemary garlands to wedding ceremonies as a symbol of fidelity and to funerals to help remember the dead.
Over time, the association with weddings turned rosemary into a love charm.

Rosemary has the same excellent qualities for a hair rinse as does sage. Follow the same instructions for the vinegar rinse. An option would be to combine the rosemary with the sage for the infusion.
Rosemary is such a stimulating astringent and antiseptic herb that it makes an effective liniment for the relief of stiff joints. Queen of Hungary's Water originated in 1235 when Queen Elizabeth of Hungary became paralyzed. According to legend, a hermit soaked rosemary in wine and when ready he massaged it on a regular basis into her limbs which helped her regain function.
The rosemary vinegar can be used for stiff joints or if preferred you can make an olive oil infusion by soaking the rosemary sprigs in an olive oil filled mason jar. Let sit for 6 - 8 weeks and strain. 
Use the oil as a massage or moisturizing body oil.

A pot of rosemary by the door is good for the soul. Whenever you walk by the plant, take a pinch, rub together and inhale. You will find yourself smiling with a sigh and may not even realize it.
Rosemary not only wakes you up and helps sharpen your thinking skills, but is very good for uplifting one's spirits. Take along a sprig to work or school if you know it'll be a long day of test taking or meetings requiring mental alertness.