New Beginnings

This is a time when most people are reviewing their past experiences and are making resolutions about what they are going to change about their future.   

I have one friend who’s whole family: children, siblings, in-laws and cousins are planning to run a marathon this coming summer at Disney World.  She has already started by researching a new (for her) stress-free running style called ‘bare foot running’. Tomorrow is her first scheduled training session.

On the cusp of the New Year, many people are making commitments to improving their food habits or are making promises to increase the amount of activity they experience.  Weight loss or more energy may be a hoped for goal.  In some way, a fresh start in improving ones health seems to be part of the intention. 

Very interesting stuff; sort of a New Years Revolution!

What we eat changes us

My first thought is that it is important to eat consciously. To me, health and food are profoundly inter-connected.  I like the taste of food.  It feels good.  But I also want to feel energy tingle down into my arms and fingers when I eat the right meal at the right time.   

I embrace the philosophy of moderation when it comes to what I ingest.  I never want to have to say to my body  ‘’I’m sorry’’.  I really want to tune into my body to discern what it needs to feel better, stronger, more peaceful and vital.

I do supplement my daily food intake with concentrated herbs vitamins and minerals.  The operative word is ‘supplement’.  Concentrated food supplements are designed to buffer temporary shortfalls in our daily diet. Taking pills will never make up for a poor lifestyle. Health products never make up for bad food or careless living.

Manage Your Health on a Daily Basis

When we look at our finances on a daily basis we can see how the cash comes in and how the accumulated supply gets spent and depleted.  Day by day we create our financial future. 

In the same way, how our body receives energy and how we invest that energy really shows over time by living it out day by day by the choices we make.  Good health isn’t magic.  It is usually just wise investments.

Hold more peaceful thoughts

I have a special category called ‘auto-generated’ stress.  This is the ‘fake’ stress we generate with our own thoughts and imagination. 

This is what prompted the famous author and humorist Mark Twain to state, ‘of all the awful things I have experienced, some of them really happened”.   This type of manufactured stress can really take a toll on our bodies resources.

My personal New Years resolution is to ‘laugh boisterously’.  I have been diligently practicing. 

Commit to small changes that yield big results over time

Our bodies work in 12 week cycles.  It takes a full 12 weeks to balance cholesterol in the blood vessels.  It takes 12 weeks to fully clear an infection.  It takes 12 weeks for the body to fully utilize nutrition.  It takes 12 weeks to fully heal a bone break. 

This time line is only true if the body has all the building blocks at its disposal that it needs.

The Human Body is a Self-Cleaning Mechanism

The human body does much better in its self care when it has a chance to clean house once every 7 days. In practical terms, this may mean that we plan to fast or eat lightly and carefully one day a week.  Our liver and kidneys function as the avenues of detoxification.  This break gives them a chance to catch up.

Food Complexes improve our health day by day

Factors such as environmental toxins, stress and excessive free radical exposure challenge us each and every day. Food complexes, such as green food concentrates as well as antioxidant complexes, used on a daily basis can dramatically decrease toxins and boost immunity over time.

Greens foods are highly alkaline, full of wonderful phytonutrients and should be considered one of the cornerstones of any supplement program.

Berries contain many of nature’s most potent antioxidants and phytochemicals, yet many of us fail to consume the optimal amounts necessary to maintain vibrant health. Free radicals are reactive compounds that can damage the cells that they come into contact with. Although impossible to avoid, we need to minimize our exposure to free radicals while simultaneously supporting our body’s ability to neutralize them. 

The human body likes nutrition delivered through infusions

Using these cleansing and nourishing teas can really help our bodies’ clean house.  Bija teas (marketed by Flora in Canada) are excellent an excellent choices. Variations on a Native Indian recipe for nourishing and cleansing the body systems and tissues are Essiac, Essigen or Florescence tea.  Some people like to research herbal handbooks and then build their own formulas from bulk natural herbs.

Our bodies are an amazing self-healing and self-cleaning mechanism.  However, how well this design works, depends on how we manage the equipment.

When we choose to live wisely and consciously, we can 'help our body help itself'.

Keep Well_
Nelda

Peace on Earth

  Its Christmas again.  

The Old Fashioned Christmas seems to be beyond me

Every year I really intend to send out Christmas cards.  

I intend to mail gifts in time

I intend to connect with each and everyone of the people dear to me, near and far

I intend to decorate

I intend to wrap before December 25th. 

I intend to make my special Christmas candy

I intend to make cookies

Every year though, Christmas just sneaks up on me

 

The perfect solution is....this year I am going to have a Cyber-Christmas.  

  

SO

This Christmas Season

  Wishing you a very happy holiday 

&

Best wishes for this coming New Year

What I do seem to be able to pull off every year without fail, is a batch of home-made Irish Cream  

Warning:  this is not a politically correct and healthy version, but it is good for the soul

Home Made Irish Cream (40 oz)

375 ml Rye Whiskey

1 can condensed sweetened milk (Eagle Brand)

500 ml heavy cream

500 ml half and half

1 egg raw

2 Tbs really strong coffee

1 tsp vanilla (or coconut, or almond) flavoring

Mix in blender.  It will store in the fridge indefinitely.  It tastes better made 3 weeks ahead of serving time. 

Keep well_ 

Nelda

Detox Patches - Another way of reducing your toxic burden

Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel, mercury and aluminum are difficult to detox from the human body . In the past, I have had issues with methyl-mercury toxins being locked in my system.  Many attempts to move this toxic metal out of my body through the usual drainage protocols have been very ineffective.  Electronic Homeopathy treatments wouldn’t even budge it.

Mercury is one of the most potent neuro-toxins known to man.  Although your dentist may be very casual about putting mercury amalgams in your teeth, he/she, by law, has to be very particular about how this material is disposed of when they take it out of your mouth.  The reason is that mercury is a very toxic environmental substance.  Some agricultural chemicals are also difficult to detox through the usual channels of liver and kidneys.  Detox methods using the skin as a detox organ seem to be more effective.

I considered investing in an Ion Foot Bath Machine, but the machine is really expensive and not OK for everyone.  Why I chose the patches over the machine is there is no problem with using the patches for pregnant/nursing women for example.  Some people feel their heart racing when having an iron foot bath treatment.  The detox patches are slower and gentler.  There are no concerns for clients with cardio-vascular issues.

I have been using Body Detox Patches for about a year now. The patch looks like a square tea bag; and contains a course powder/fibre.  It is white and dry when it goes on.  What it looks like when it comes off, is a whole different thing.  Generally it is dark, black or dark brown and gooey, rather like honey. The used patches may smell nasty as well.  Over time, with consistent use, and your body unloads its toxin residues, the patch gets lighter in colour.  Sometimes I feel the patches ‘pull’.  It doesn’t hurt, but it feels weird.   They really do enhance any drainage program. 

I am a ballroom dancer as well, so getting the toxins and lactic acid out of my joints, feet and legs is a big deal.  These little wonders are also effective for removing metals, which is really tough any other way.  At bedtime, I just peal back the shield on the adhesive sheet, stick the patch sunny side up, and slap it onto the arch of my foot.  In the morning, I peal off the adhesive patch, and wash my feet.

Liver cleanses can be a misery if the stored toxins that are being released have difficulty exiting the body.  Nausea, cramping, bloating, prolonged fatigue and headaches are a common complaint, when there is ‘no easy way out’.  The whole digestive tract is governed by the liver.  This multi-purpose gland is located just beneath the ribs on your right side. The busy liver also works to filter the blood, biodegrade hormones and balance aspects of the immune system. 

The large intestine is the last process in the liver/digestive system.  In the bowel water is reclaimed and re-cycled back into the body and wastes are eliminated.  This is the reason for auto-intoxication.  When bowel transit time is slow, many people experience chronic sinus/bronchial congestion, laborious digestion, lymph congestion, or various skin issues.  Surprisingly, when questioned, most people consider their bowel elimination to be good even when they experience these signs of overload.

The body also pushes some forms of toxins to the adipose (fat) cells.  I believe there is a correlation between weight gain and toxin.  Extra care needs to be given to weight loss programs where the toxins released can damage the liver/gall bladder and kidneys.   

As a practitioner, I like to develop specific and unique programs for every client. An alkalizing food plan can initiate and enhance any detoxification process.  I recommend Vegge Greens, an alkaline ash green food complex that passively and consistently detoxes the blood and tissues.  It is nourishing and protective to the tissues as well.

Some people want or need a gentler approach. For some, a week of lemon juice in warm water every morning and fasting until lunchtime may work well. Others may do well with a more aggressive cleanse/fast.  Finding a good fibre product can really help to move toxins through the bowel.  Also some forms of fibre will bind with toxins held in the bowel and can really help the body release some of its toxic burden. Cleansing herbs can also really help the body ‘unload’.
 

The bottom line is, that I encourage everyone to do ‘anything in their power’ to maximize their body’s healing potential.  Taking care of oneself every day, doing simple things can have long term benefit. The Detox patches are simple and they can really help.

When I was really struggling with metal poisoning, this salad is all I wanted to eat.  I drizzled Udo's Oil on top of the cooled salad and garnished it with a topping of Japanese Gomasio.

Wilted Kale Salad with Mushrooms and Red Onion

Curly Green Kale sliced fine, enough to fill a large heat proof salad bowl, taking out the large stems and veins

Slice ¼ medium red onion in thin slices

Slice 2 Cups of firm white button mushrooms 

Heat 1/3 Cup of light oil in sauté pan on medium heat

Add the sliced mushrooms sauté and stir frequently until you see the mushroom exuding juice

Quickly add ¼ Cup of Balsamic vinegar and cook for 2 minutes

Take off heat and add 1 heaping tsp of Dijon Mustard into the centre of the pan stirring well to mix

Quickly pour hot dressing over the kale and mix well

The Kale will turn a bright green.

Taste add more Balsamic dressing if needed

Add onions and toss lightly

To serve, grind Gomasio coarsely and sprinkle on top

In this way Gomasio tastes like bacon

 

This can be made ahead of time as the Kale holds up well if it is not eaten right away.

Japanese Gomasio

Rinse 1 cup of brown sesame seeds in sieve under tepid running water

Let drain

Use dry cast iron skillet –medium heat 

Cut dulse into small bits

Toast in pan until dulse is crisp

Add 1 tsp Celtic salt –ground fine

Up end sieve and dump in sesame seeds all at once

Spread over bottom of skillet and leave it to dry for a bit

Stir gently and fairly constantly (you may need to reduce heat)

This is ready when seeds are fragrant, slightly golden and hollow

Cool slightly and store in an airtight jar.

To release the calcium and minerals inside the seed, grind the seeds with a mortar and pestle or small coffee grinder just before serving.

Keep well_  Nelda

Non Paying Tenants

Recently, people have been asking me about treatments to prevent parasites.  Parasites can be contracted from soil, foods, and contact with other people or pets. We have become quite accustomed to purchasing fruit and vegetables that originate from other countries. The 100 Mile Rule is a consumer movement that advocates only buying products that are from our own locality and one’s own ecology. 

My grandmother felt that parasites where a thing to be actively reckoned with.  Tonics and de-worming potions were routinely given in the spring and fall.  However, in my mother’s generation an unusual arrogance settled in.  For some reason, people began to believe that if we lived in a first world country, we were too sophisticated to have such visitors.  This was a great time to be alive if you were a parasite.

Opportunistic organisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites are…well…. opportunistic.  That means if you give them an inch, they will take a mile.  Parasites don’t thrive well in a healthy body.  When our immune systems are strong and vigilant  and when our digestive systems have appropriate stomach acids and the enzymes are plentiful, we are more resistant to parasites are working well.

Many kinds of parasites but generally they fall into two groups; single celled or large body.  In children we find the very common parasites:  round worm and pin worm.  There are also single celled micro-organisms such as amoeba and protozoa that can cause misery.  In addition there is thread worm, tissue worms, tapeworm, flukes of all sorts, salmonella, neospora, just to name a few.

It isn’t just the parasites that cause us grief; it is the toxins they generate as well.  Many people with unresolved skin issues will find parasites and their toxins at the root of their problems.  Parasites may not be the first thing that occurs in a person’s body, but if the ‘digs’ are right, the parasites move right in.  Usually, parasites go hand in hand with other opportunistic overgrowths such as bacteria and Candida yeast and fungus.  This rogue ecology can really overwhelm the body’s elimination systems.

There are foods that are very effective for reducing infestations of parasites.  In the fall we have many foods available that help our bodies resist and eliminate parasites.  Raw pumpkin seeds are effective, as is garlic, cloves, apple cider vinegar, cranberry juice and pomegranates.  Calmyrna Figs are a great addition to the general diet.  If you have ever eaten a Fig Newton, you probably have noticed that when you chewed the seeds well, they felt like you were crushing glass.  These seeds damage the body of the parasites.

Wormwood is a herb that is effective in powder or capsule form.  This has been an age old remedy for parasites.  Another common herb that is a deterrent to parasites is Black Walnut.  I prefer this in a tincture form. Homeopathic Cina in low potencies can be effective to rid the body of parasites.  Also homeopathic complexes have been designed for helping to rid the body of parasite overgrowths,

It makes sense to re-build the body after a parasite cleanse.  Making a real effort to clean up the digestive tract can help the body to be more resistant to overgrowths.  Taking a supplement of bacteria with low toxin (such as acidophilus) helps to ‘fill the space’ and crowds out infectious bacteria, yeast, fungus and parasites. Having a wellness program in place that includes supplementing with digestive supports at every meal can really give our digestives systems the ‘edge’ against parasites taking hold.

As with every bit of advice, something may be generally true, but not necessarily specifically true.  If you feel that parasites may be at the root of a chronic concern, it is best to contact a health professional. 

Keep Well_
Nelda

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An Interesting Brew

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I really hate the taste of Oil of Oregano, yet it is one of the most amazing remedies when bacterial overgrowth is an issue.  Oil of Oregano is a definite ‘keep on hand’ for your home care and first aid kit.

In point of fact, many of the culinary herbs and spices that we use on a daily basis have anti-microbial benefits.  Herbs such as thyme, rosemary, basil, cilantro, and lavender, all have infection fighting qualities.  Turmeric, often used in the making of pickles, is a great anti-inflammatory. Cloves discourage parasites, as does Cumin and Coriander seed.  Parsley cleans the blood, and black pepper aids digestion and circulation.

I usually buy a natural throat spray (Natural Factors and Organika make good ones) that usually contains bee propolis, Echinacea and other herbs.  I then add about 10 drops of my Oil of Oregano to it.   I spray this brew into the back of my throat as a defence when the masses are sniffling and sneezing around me. 

When I was on holiday in March I ran out of it, just when my throat was feeling a little scratchy.  Yikes!  What to do! My son-in-law had some vodka on hand, and my daughter had some oil of oregano.  I re-filled the spray bottle with the vodka and added the oil.  Whew, saved.

When I got back home I had used most of this concoction up.  I found a little spiced rum in the back of my cupboard and thought ‘why not’, its food grade alcohol.

This was the find of the century! The spice of the rum seems to cancel out the spice of the oil of oregano.  All that is left is kind of a vanilla under taste.

I have heard from the grapevine that Sailor Jerry’s is the best rum, but I used Capt Morgan’s.  Whichever you prefer, you may want to give this strange brew a try.  Let me know if it works.

Keep well

Nelda

There is No Such Thing as a Small Thing

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In my world, there is no such thing as a small thing.  Small adjustments in our lifestyle can gain huge benefits.  Let me tell you a story:

I had a history of sinusitis, rhinitis, and tonsillitis as a child.  In fact, I have lymph scaring from repeated tonsillitis.  I was also repeatedly treated with antibiotics.  By the age of 12, I had the appearance of very angry looking adolescent acne.  This misery continued through most of my 20’s.  For a time, I was under the care of a dermatologist who put me on (Tetracycline) a wide-spectrum antibiotic for at least 5 years.  He would often give my breakouts local injections of cortisone

My digestive system and menstrual become wonky (now I recognize the typical signs of Candida and yeast overgrowth).  I took my self off the medication, before I found that I was pregnant, thank God, but unfortunately, my baby still had the signs of Candida yeast as well (cradle cap, thrush and a wicked chronic diaper rash).

In hind sight, this is what I know about myself. 

I was very allergic to cigarette smoke.  When I was growing up, both of my parents smoked inside the home.  My Dad quit at some point, probably when I was near my teens, but my Mom continued to smoke for the rest of her life.  When I was in my early 30's, I had a session with a Specialized Kinesiologist to reverse the allergy to cigarette smoke.  It worked very well.  Now I don’t like being in a smoky environment or smelling it on other people's clothes, but at least it doesn’t ‘zone me’.  I have to be honest here and admit that I smoked as well, off and on throughout my 20’s.  Cigarettes make me feel really sick, no matter who smokes them.

I am intolerant of cow’s dairy.  I don’t have any acute reactions to dairy.  Rather it congests me over time, and if I keep ingesting it, I begin to get cysts under the skin of my face, chest and upper back. I was fed cow’s milk from the time I was born.  It was in every desert and sauce, and a staple in the home where I grew up.  I loved milk!  I love cheese!

I am very allergic to oranges and kiwi fruit.  I break out in weeping hives almost immediately.  It used to appear on my face, but fortunately, if I get a reaction now while really being vigilant about avoiding most fruits, I just get a small breakout on my butt.  I loved orange juice, and drank it happily every day!

My first solid food as an infant was Pablum, wheat and other grain mush.  Like most of Blood-type A’s, I am also sensitive to wheat and have trouble digesting gluten (grain based proteins).  When eaten over time, wheat causes me to feel very fatigued, constipated and congested as well.  I have more energy and my elimination is better if I ingest wheat very sparingly.

I don’t want to be overly simplistic here, and don’t assume that this is a Formula.  We are all created differently.  However, if my mother had known some small things about me, my health would have taken a better turn.

I manage my own health now.  I do small things like prefer ‘smoke free’ environments, avoid cow’s milk and restrict my intake of cheese and frozen dairy treats, only have moderate amounts of yogurt and butter.  I eat very little wheat and limit other gluten grains.  I avoid oranges and kiwi like the plague.  I am very moderate with other fruits and eat them in season.

Just little things.

Keep Well_

Nelda

Changing Our Inner Programing

We often find ourselves is a rut of the ‘same old, same old’, the same litany of thoughts, the same negative feelings and the same limiting outlook.  Here are some simple solutions to help us immediately move into a better state of being.

Breathe!

When we get stressed out, our breathing becomes rapid and shallow.  Often people will hold their breath when they tense up.  Taking a few deep and slow breaths can really help us ‘pull out’.  Tibetan nasal breathing can really de-stress us.  Use your right thumb to block your right nostril and just take a few minutes of deep slow breathing. 

Posture

Over time, we take all our issues to the body and lock it in the body.  Pay attention to your posture.  Often just changing position; straightening your spine, or moving and releasing your hips will make a huge change in your thoughts and feelings.  There is actually a trauma defusion technique that uses posture as a key-in.  For example, if you were injured with your body in a certain posture, re-visiting that same posture will key up the trauma.

Bach Flower Essences

A fundamental part of my supply needs when I first started out in private practice in 1989, was a complete set of Bach Essences.  Just as nutrition is for the physical body, Flower Essences are energy remedies to balance and support the emotional body.

Dr. Edward Bach was an M.D. in the 1930’s and 40’s, specializing in bacteriology and endocrinology.  He wanted to, as he put it, “treat the whole person”.  As he listened to his patient’s stories he began to notice re-occurring themes emerging.  He developed his ‘Bach Essences’ in response to these themes.

 

Flower Essences have been an essential part of my services from the very beginning.  What is interesting to me is that after almost 20 years in practice I have had to replace and refill five of the 38 remedies.  This has given me a chance to reflect on what life issues have been the most commonly evident in the last 20 years.

Centuary:  In the negative (or stressed) state, one’s connection with one’s own will is poor.  This is the ‘doormat’ personality, who will tend be overly influenced by stronger personalities or to loose themselves in service to others to the degree of doing themselves harm.

Pine:  In the negative state, pine will tend to cling to feelings of quilt.  This can be conscious or unconscious as well.  This is the person who feels the need to apologize constantly. An example would be growing up knowing you were an ‘unwanted pregnancy’.

Red Chestnut:  In the negative state, these people suffer for those they love.  They easily and excessively tune into other people and situations and are great transmitters as well.  This essence relates to a powerful energy link, or locked energy between two people. 

  

Vervain:  These people experience anticipatory stress; trying to be on call or on time to the point where they are squandering their energies.  Imagine a tennis player running all over the court until the point of exhaustion.  He is knocking himself out, but he’s not centered enough to connect with the ball.

Vine:  These people are natural leaders.  In the extreme negative state, a person is greedy for power, having no respect for the individuality of others.  Bossy vine types wonder why people are so upset with them, saying “it was for their own good”.

 

Walnut relates to new beginnings and unaffected ness.  This is the final step remedy.  All your belongings are in the moving van, and yet there is still a reluctance to let go.  This is that last attachment.  It can be to a place, person, attitude or job.

Star of Bethlehem relates to the qualities of awakening and reorientation.  This is one of the most important remedies in Rescue Remedy.  This is for shocks or trauma whether it be physical emotional or mental.  This remedy restores our self-healing mechanisms.

Willow relates to the qualities of personal responsibility and constructive thought.  This is used when people tend to blame others, hold on to grudges or get lost in self pity.  Disappointments and resentment can be powerfully projected into the outside world.

White Chestnut relates to the qualities of tranquility and discernment. Long after the argument is over, your mind refuses to shut down and relax.  Unwanted thoughts of ‘should have saids’ go around and around like clothes in a dryer. This remedy relieves the constant mental chatter can lead to headaches and unrelenting tension.  Often used when

experiencing insomnia.

Flower essences may also describe the nature of people around us (past or present) that ‘stress us out’.  Often a grown person will say “that sounds just like my mother” or “this isn’t me, it sounds like my husband”.

It is wonderful to find remedies that so gently and sweetly bring a person back to balance.

Which Bach Essences might be helpful for you?  Why?

The most useful approach in regard to self-care is awareness.  Pay attention to the body’s subtle cues. Our bodies are always talking to us.  There is amazing healing potential when we begin to listen.

Have a great summer_
Nelda

Food For Life

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The other day my favourite downstairs neighbours invited me to join them for lunch.  We were chatting together about the foods we liked, and Mike asked me a very intriguing question.

“If you had to choose a full meal of your favourite foods, and you would have to eat this one meal only for the rest of your life, what would it be?”  It would include 1 beverage, 1 salad, 1 main course, 1 bread and 1 desert choice.

This really got me thinking.  These choices would have to keep me happy and healthy.  After some pondering time, here are my choices.

Beverage would be my homemade tonic iced tea.  I love this stuff.  It is a meal in a glass that is the perfect refresher between clients, or to bring my blood sugar to an even keel if I’m over hungry.  This way, I can avoid the Piranha Feeding Frenzy.

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Tonic Tea Recipe
In a large teapot add_

2 bags organic Orange Pekoe Tea

1 bag Lemon Zinger Tea – Celestial Seasonings

1 bag Hoodia Slimming Tea – Bija

1 bag Cranberry Tea with Roobos – Bija

Add any mild tasting herb you need:  Raspberry leaf, horsetail, nettles (I like 1 bag Flora Uri tonic Tea)

Fill teapot with water that has boiled (4 Cups) and steep until cool

Put into a large jug

Add 1 can PC Choice naturally flavoured Lemonade

Add 1-2 Heaping Tablespoons Minute Maid Pink Lemonade/Limeade. 

Chill in the fridge and serve in a beautiful glass with a wedge of lemon or lime and a sprig of mint.  Any leftover fruit can be frozen and used in place of ice cubes.

This ice tea is great for balancing blood sugar and supporting kidney drainage for those who ‘puff’ with the heat.

The salad would definitely be a field green or Mesclun mix with tomatoes and cucumbers and red onions sliced thin, tossed with my simple homemade balsamic dressing.  Options would be grated carrots, cubed avocado, green onions, lightly grilled asparagus, chopped fresh herbs such as lemon thyme, Thai basil, cilantro, mint, ….

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Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

-->2 parts oil to one part white or red balsamic vinegar - If you find dressings have too much bite, add 1 tablespoon of water. (Red Balsamic Vinegar is strong tasting – so add a little less than the full part)

Crush 1 garlic clove and add to oil

Add 1Tbs of Dijon mustard (emulsifier)

Herbamere to taste and whisk or shake well

The main meal would actually be another salad with a little more body and more 'warmth' to it.  This would be a whole grain salad, such as organic whole grain rice, barley or my very favourite, Quinoa.   The parsley, arugula and fresh mint growing like explosive bushes in pots on my deck are part of the big appeal.  I could really live on this.

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Quinoa Tabouli Recipe

! Cup of the largest, whitest Quinoa you can find (organic Bolivian)

Quinoa has a resin on the outside which will be bitter is you don’t rinse like mad

Put in a large measuring bowl and add cool water

Whisk vigorously and drain carefully (over a sieve so you won't loose any)
*Repeat this rinse at least 5 times and cover with water to the 4 cup mark

Soak for 8 hours on counter (or in fridge if you need to buy more time) and grain will almost triple its size

Meanwhile:
Soak ¼ Cup organic raw Sunflower seed and ¼ Cup organic raw pumpkin seed in water for 1 hour (refrigerate them at this point if you need to buy more time)

Before cooking drain the Quinoa carefully 
*Rinse and whisk another 5 times.

Drain well and transfer to a good rice pot

To the plumped soaked Quinoa add 1 cup of cooking water

Bring to a boil, stir

Put lid on and turn off heat

Time for 8 minutes. Careful, you want an el dente grain

Take off the lid right away and test.  If it is not cooked to perfection (water fully absorbed and tender) time for 3 minutes more and test again.
When it is perfect (but not over-done) fluff with a fork, and let it cool in fridge

Basic White Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
in a medium salad bowl-

½ Cup canola oil

¼ Cup white wine vinegar

Herbamere (Vogel) 
Whisk well just before adding the vegetables

1 Cup cherry tomatoes halved

1 Cup Cucumber diced

½ Cup Green onions chopped

1 Cup Red pepper diced

1 Cup Parsley chopped

Rinse and strain the seeds and add to vegetables

Mix well to coat.

Add quinoa and stir lightly to mix

Quinoa has a very delicate flavor and can be overpowered by strong herbs so keep it light  

Cover and marinate in fridge for 1 hour or so. 

Bread was the one category I had no interest in.  I passed on this one.  However in retrospect, wouldn't want to face a whole life without  PEI Style Homemade Biscuits.
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PEI Biscuit Recipe  – from Carol Harris

 3 cups flour

1 scant tsp salt

3 tsp baking powder

1 Tbs sugar (or less)

Stir well

Make well in center

Add 250 ml (small carton) whipping cream

Fill empty carton with water up to the line of the first bend

Stir, it will be sticky

Dump onto floured counter top and scrape bowl

Flour hands and work dough

Put into a mound and flatten to ¾ inch (rolling pin)

Poke top with a fork

Cut biscuits with a cutter (a can with the top and bottom removed will do)

Spin and plump up each biscuit as it is cut

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 15 to 16 minutes at 400 F.

Dessert?  My mind was playing over the choice of fresh mixed berries with fresh whipped cream on the side.  Would I eat this every day?  Probably not.   

What I did choose instead was my smoothie recipe, made with fresh mixed berries (in a most perfect world with no winter).  This would be a perfect meal on its own, either for breakfast, lunch on the run, or as a light supper. 

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In the real world, I try to work with fruits in season, unless it is winter (months and months of it here).  This is when I use frozen mixed berries.  I buy a big bag and divide it up into single servings.

Smoothie Recipe
8 ounces pure water

½ banana (optional)

¼ cup berries

½ ripe avocado (optional)

1-2 heaping Tablespoons protein powder (Rice Pro or Soy or Harmonized Vegan Protein

1 teaspoon Progressive Nutrition - Vegge Greens or Vegge Greens Blueberry Medley

1 Tablespoon Progressive Nutrition – Phytoberry Powder

1Tablespoon Berry EFA Plus (essential fatty acids) or 1 Teaspoon Super EFA Liquid

¼ teaspoon acidophilus powder (or open 2 capsules)

Blend with a blender/hand blender until smooth.  Dilute down with more water as desired.

Optional:          Use juice instead of water

                        Use peaches or any soft fruit

                        Use a purchased smoothie blend diluted half and half with water                       

Add 1 tablespoon organic golden flax seed, freshly ground or a soluble/insoluble fiber mixture

This mixture, probably because it is a little thicker than water, is a great way of me getting my daily vitamins down my throat.  I usually have my Multi, GSF Complex for adrenal support, selenium which is essential for me, and a herbal nervine formula which keeps my nervous system running strong and sturdy.

Would I enjoy these choices?  Yes, and better yet I would thrive on them.  Of course I would be (in a perfect world) living in a climate with no winter and fresh foods available all year round.

What would your choices be?

I hope this finds you well, happy and enjoying the wonderful fresh foods of early summer

Nelda

Notes About Observing People Over Time

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I seem to have found myself in the perfect place and time.  I am in the ‘mastery’ phase of my career, just when the rest of society has woken up to realize that they want more choice in respect to their health services.  I’m not really sure how I actually navigated here into this future?  It’s a wonder, really!

In retrospect, it looks like a straight line, but from the starting point, it was all about faith. Twenty six years ago, I had already been a hairstylist for 13 years.  (By the way, my professional goal was to become a hair colour technician.) Being a complimentary health care provider wasn’t something I had even heard of, so that was definitely not on my list of career choices. 

In the course of my usual hair-type occupational duties, I would observe people’s skin and hair.  I would take note of things like chronic dryness, irritated, skin that was inflamed or dull.  I would notice that some people would be inclined to swelling and ‘bloat’ while others would appear to be under-nourished, and ‘dried up’. Many clients were already using creams and treatments that were either over the counter drugs or products that were prescribed by their physicians.

Was I observing a whole body problem? This got me to wondering about what was going on inside them.  One could suggest topical creams and conditioners, but really that was not going to change the chronic nature of the problem.

I also had the privilege of listening to people. People who get haircuts, tend to talk about whatever stress they are chewing about inside.  This was a rare chance for me to view the world from another perspective and to see how other people ‘ticked’.    Along the way, I got to hear really fascinating stories and learned a lot about people’s dreams and hopes, their losses and pains.  All in all, it was quite an education, and although I didn’t realize it at the time, a wonderful training ground for the intuitive observer.

One of my favourite customers was the daughter of the Patent Medicine Woman of the local First Nation community.  She knew that I had an interest in herbal remedies.  I knew the English names for many herbs, and with an introduction to my client’s mother; a whole vast area of knowledge was generously shared with me. 

I also studied with a practising Herbalist who was willing to teach me the basics of Iridology, which is the study of the body using the iris of the eye as a ‘map’.  From this start point, a charmed journey unfolded; correspondence courses, a major move, workshops, serendipitous meetings, mentors, seminars, falling into Behavioural Kinesiology, more questions, more courses, more moves, more mentors, and more questions….

Maybe God does work in mysterious ways.

And I still have more questions….

I hope this finds you well and happy_

Nelda