Take a grinder and create your own home made nutritious natural flavourant.

Mix coarse sea salt, freshly ground pepper, dried nettles, dandelions, parsley and celery, sesame seeds  or indeed any seed that adds to the general flavour.  Nettles contain iron that is easily absorbed  by the body and so provides more oxygen to the cells. Dandelion contains magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, and various vitamins that help ease  fatigue and depression and also increases resistance to infections.

 

Juices made from fresh fruit and vegetables have specific healing properties and can prevent and  help heal many conditions as well as providing us with the nutrients needed to sustain a healthy and happy life.

 

Fruit juices are known for their cleansing abilities. They purify the blood and eliminate toxins  from the cells. Vegetable juices help to regenerate and rebuild the body.  They help in the production of new cells.

 

Raw juices are usually easily absorbed into the bloodstream within roughly 15 minutes when taken on an empty stomach. 2 glasses a day is all that is necessary as a good preventative measure. Juices provide the body with new energy without depleting the energy needed for digestion. Fruit and vegetable juices should always be made and drunk immediately.

Storage changes the frequencies of the ingredients, which then lose their therapeutic effects.

 

Turn your kitchen or part of your garden into a productive health bar.

 

While many herbs can be grown successfully in your garden, others will most probably have to be obtained in dried form from the nearest health store.  Ensure a space  for your own kitchen remedies, in the kitchen!

 

Borage, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, comfrey (if you have the space), dandelion,  echinacea, elder, fennel, lemongrass, mullein, nettle, parsley, peppermint, sage and yarrow all grow well in our climate.  Some need protecting  from the intense sunshine, but correct planting will ensure success. Other herbs such as Alfalfa, fenugreek, ginger (use freshly grated!), hops, raspberry leaf, rose hips and valerian can be bought and stored.  Combining alfalfa, nettles, chamomile, dandelion and parsley  creates a wonderful nutrient filled supplement for yourself. When making a little daily pot of this brew be sure to add a teaspoon of freshly  grated ginger. Not only does this mix give you the nutrients you require for the day, it also ensures a good balance of all the tissue salts needed for the system to perform at optimum. Be sure to obtain information on any herb you do not know, especially if you are on any long-term medication. Alfalfa is rich in beta-carotene and contains many vitamins and minerals essential in maintaining basic good health. Hops are rich in vitamin C and help to ease stress and nervousness.  Catnip contains selenium, an anti oxidant and Vitamin B5 which is known as the stress vitamin. Ginger reduces intestinal gases and prevents nausea.  It also relaxes the muscles of the intestines. Peppermint calms the muscles of the digestive tract. Garlic promotes digestive acidity. Parsley is a gentle detoxifier that helps speed up the healing process. 

 

A simple rule to healthy eating is to use the leaf, stem, fruit, flower, root and seed together e.g. carrots, lettuce, spinach, tomato, wild garlic or nasturtium flowers and cucumber. The body knows the difference between real food and

“artificial food” and it processes each very differently! 

 

Add nettles and lettuce to soups and stews for a wonderful peppery flavour. Coarse salt or apple cider vinegar mixed with dried herbs and aromatherapy oils can also be used to make instant refreshing baths.  Most of us with gardens have rosemary, lavender, thyme, roses, elderflowers, chamomile, and peppermint or lemon balm growing. 

 

Start experimenting with what you have on hand and keep yourself in good health with the results! 

 

Another simple method of keeping that immune system functioning well in winter is to have a bowl of Chicken soup once or twice a week. Home made is always best and this is the recipe we use to good effect:

 

A few organic chicken pieces, washed, do not remove fat.

1 large onion, sliced        

3 or 4 cloves of garlic, whole but pricked with a knife

a thumb length piece of ginger, peeled and well pierced through

2 carrots, grated                 

2 to 3 full leaves of celery

2 little heads of parsley      

2 to 3 outer lettuce leaves, sliced thinly

1 to 2 chillies (remove seeds to minimise heat, but do leave a few)

water to cover                    

salt and pepper to taste

 

Simmer this broth slowly for at least 1½ hours and leave to cool before straining.  Freeze the left over (if there is any!) for the following week.