Nettles

Nettles usually appear in the same places year after year. Look for them in rich soil, disturbed habitats, moist woodlands, thickets, along rivers, and along partially shaded trails.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica and the closely related Urtica urens) has a long medicinal history. In medieval Europe, it was used as a diuretic (to rid the body of excess water) and to treat joint pain.

Stinging nettle has fine hairs on the leaves and stems that contain irritating chemicals that are released when the plant comes in contact with the skin. While the hairs, or spines, of the stinging nettle are normally very painful to the touch. When they come into contact with a painful area of the body, they can actually decrease the original pain. Scientists think nettle does this by reducing levels of inflammatory chemicals in the body, and by interfering with the way the body transmits pain signals.

General Uses

Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), for urinary tract infections, for hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or in compresses or creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Stinging nettle root is used widely in Europe to treat BPH. Studies in people suggest that stinging nettle, in combination with other herbs (especially saw palmetto), may be effective at relieving symptoms such as reduced urinary flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, post urination dripping, and the constant urge to urinate. These symptoms are caused by the enlarged prostate gland pressing on the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). Laboratory studies have shown stinging nettle to be comparable to finasteride (a medication commonly prescribed for BPH) in slowing the growth of certain prostate cells. However, unlike finasteride, the herb does not decrease prostate size. Scientists aren't sure why nettle root reduces symptoms; it may be because it contains chemicals that affect hormones (including testosterone and estrogen), or because it acts directly on prostate cells. It is important to work with a doctor to treat BPH, and to make sure you have a proper diagnosis to rule out prostate cancer.

Osteoarthritis

The leaves and stems of nettle have been used historically to treat arthritis and for sore muscles. Studies have been small and not conclusive, but they do suggest that some people find relief from joint pain by applying nettle leaf topically to the painful area. A few other studies show that taking an oral extract of stinging nettle, along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), allowed people to reduce their NSAID dose.

Hay fever

One preliminary human study suggested that nettle capsules helped reduce sneezing and itching in people with hay fever. Researchers think that may be due to nettle's ability to reduce the amount of histamine the body produces in response to an allergen. More studies are needed to confirm nettle's antihistamine properties, however. Some doctors recommend taking a freeze-dried preparation of stinging nettle well before hay fever season starts.

Other

Some preliminary animal studies indicate that nettle may lower blood sugar and blood pressure, but there is not enough evidence to say whether this is also true in humans.

Plant Description:

Stinging nettle is the name given to common nettle, garden nettle, and hybrids of these two plants. Originally from the colder regions of northern Europe and Asia, this herbaceous shrub grows all over the world today. Stinging nettle grows well in nitrogen-rich soil, blooms between June and September, and usually reaches 2 - 4 feet high.

Stems are upright and rigid. The leaves are heart-shaped, finely toothed, and tapered at the ends, and flowers are yellow or pink. The entire plant is covered with tiny stiff hairs, mostly on the underside of the leaves and stem, that release stinging chemicals when touched.

What's It Made Of?:

Stinging nettle products are usually made from the leaves and stems, and sometimes the roots. Root preparations are used to relieve symptoms of BPH.

Available Forms:

Stinging nettle is available as dried leaf, freeze-dried leaf, extract, capsules, and as root tincture (a solution of the herb in alcohol). The root appears to have different pharmacological effects than the leaves.

How to Take It:

Pediatric

Although available in many combination formulas to treat colds, asthma, and allergies in children, a specific safe and effective dose for children has not yet been established. Talk to your doctor before giving stinging nettle to a child, so the doctor can determine the proper dose.

Adult

• Tea: prepare a cup by pouring 2/3 cup of boiling water over 3 - 4 tsp of dried leaves or dried root and steeping for 3 - 5 minutes. Drink 3 - 4 cups per day. You can also make an infusion with fresh nettle leaves. Always drink additional water along with the tea.
• Dried leaf: 2 - 4 grams, 3 times a day
• Fluid extract (root,1:1): 1.5 mL, 3 - 4 times daily
• Fluid extract (leaf, 1:1): 2 - 5 mL 3 times daily
• Tincture (root, 1:5): 1 - 4 mL 3 - 4 times daily
• Creams: use as directed

Precautions:

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.

Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). It is important to be careful when handling the nettle plant because touching it can cause an allergic rash. Stinging nettle should never be applied to an open wound.

Because nettle can alter the menstrual cycle and may contribute to miscarriage, pregnant women should not use nettle.

Do not self-treat with nettle for BPH; see your doctor to receive a diagnosis and to rule out prostate cancer.

Possible Interactions:

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood-thinners) -- Stinging nettle may affect the blood's ability to clot, and could interfere with blood-thinning drugs, including:

• Warfarin (Coumadin)
• Clopidogrel (Plavix)
• Aspirin

Drugs for high blood pressure -- Stinging nettle may lower blood pressure, so it could make the effects of these drugs stronger:

• ACE inhibitors: Captpril (Capoten), Elaropril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Zestril), fosinopril (Monopril)
• Beta blockers: Atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), propranolol (Induran)
• Calcium channel blockers: Nifedipine (Procardia), amlodipine (Norvasc), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)

Diuretics (water pills) -- Because stinging nettle can act as a diuretic, it can increase the effects of these drugs, raising the risk of dehydration:

• Furosemide (Lasix)
• Hydrocholorothiazide

Drugs for diabetes -- Stinging nettle may lower blood sugar, so it could make the effects of these drugs stronger, raising the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) -- In a scientific study of patients with acute arthritis, stewed stinging nettle leaves enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of diclofenac, an NSAID. Although the effect can reduce pain, talk to your doctor before taking or using stinging nettle if you also take NSAIDs.

Alternative Names:

Nettle; Urtica dioica; Urtica urens

Recipes:

Clean and chop nettles wearing rubber gloves. Once you have cooked them a little, the stingers are deactivated, and the plant becomes wonderfully edible.

Nettles have a bad reputation as an unpleasant-tasting survival food in some circles. That's because people don't know how to prepare them. They often boil them, which is awful. Nettle leaves are good simmered in soups 5-10 minutes, but my favorite method is the waterless steaming method.

I enjoy nettles as a vegetable side-dish with rice and beans. Sometimes I make creamed nettles more satisfying than creamed spinach. Because nettles have the richest, hardiest taste of any green, I often combine them with lighter ingredients, such as celery, zucchini, lemon juice, or tomato sauce.

I also dry nettles for winter use and tea. I frequently sip on warm nettle tea. It doesn't taste like a normal tea bitter, spicy, minty or lemony. It is more like a strong stock of a rich, deep, green plant essence, and it's one of the most nourishing drinks of all. Whenever I feel run down, tired, or even irritable, I think of making myself some.

I could list a bunch of recipes, but instead I am going to simply tell you to find any recipe you like that calls for greens, such as spinach or kale. Then, replace those greens with nettles.

Get out your favorite soup, stew, quiche, lasagna, pesto or even spanakopita recipe, and replace the greens in the recipe with nettles.

Heck, you can simply steam nettles and serve them as a delicious side dish. Sprinkling some Parmesan cheese on top is really nice.

What about the stings?

Good question. Definitely use gloves to transport the nettles to your pan or pot, but as soon as it begins to cook, the sting goes away. The sting quickly dissipates once you steam or cook it.

If stung look for jewelweed it cures the rash. Plantain and dock also work. "Nettle in, dock out!," say the English. Surprisingly some people actually find nettle stings invigorating, and use them to wake up the body.

How do I pick nettles?

Collect nettle leaves before they flower in spring. They may be bad for the kidneys after they flower. New nettles come up in the fall, and you can pick them before they're killed by frost.

Collect them using work gloves, and wear a long-sleeved shirt. If you happen upon nettles when you have no gloves, put your hand inside a bag. The young leaves are the best part of the plant. They come off most easily if you strip them counter-intuitively, from the top down.

Rose Recipes

With Valentine's day right around the corner I thought it would be great to tell you about some wonderful recipes. After all there is no better way to our lovers heart than through the stomach! ENJOY!

Rose Water
Rose Petals
Distilled Water
Enamel Pot (any size)
Directions
1. Fill the bottom of an enamel pot with the rose petals a few inches deep. Pour distilled water over the petals until they are just covered.
2. Turn on heat for the water to be steaming hot, but do not boil. Let the water steam until the petals have lost their color, the water has taken on the color of the rose petals and you see rose oil skimming the surface. This will take approximately 60 minutes.3. Strain the water and squeeze out the liquid from the rose petals, this is your rosewater.

Rose Petal Ice Tea
Makes 4 -6 servings
Ingredients
3 large roses (petals only, white bases removed)
3 cups water
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 cups water
2 teaspoons rose water
1 drop pink food coloring (just a TINY DROP)
3 green tea bags
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Directions
1. Bring the 3 cups water to a boil. Add the rose petals and lemon juice then turn off the heat and allow it to sit for 8-10 hours.
2. Strain the 'rose water' into large jug. Remove petals & discard.
3. Bring the 2 cups of water to a boil, remove from heat and place in the tea bags. Brew for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags, and add the granulated sugar to the tea. Stir.
4. Allow the tea to cool then add the 2 tsp rose water, the food coloring and stir.

Rose Petal Sugar
1. Cup White Sugar
2. Cups fresh, fragrant Rose Petals, shredded or minced
Directions
1. Pound sugar and rose petals with a mortar and pestle.
2. Place in a covered jar for one week.
3. Sift out petal bits if desired and store in an airtight container.

Rose Petal Butter
1 Cup fresh Rose Petals, chopped
3/4 Cup softened unsalted Butter
Directions
1. Mix, let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours.
2. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours to let the rose flavor meld into the butter.
3. Keep refrigerated up to 2 weeks or frozen for several months.

Rose Petal Jelly
1 cup edible rose petals
1 1/2 cups water
juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 package Sure-Jell pectin
Directions
1. Combine the rose petals, 3/4 cup water and lemon juice in a blender. Blend until smooth. 2. Slowly add the sugar and blend well.
3. Bring the remaining 3/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in the pectin and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
4. Pour the hot mixture into the blender with the other ingredients and blend 1 minute. Pour into sterilized jars and seal.

Rose Petal Infused Champagne Vinegar
Makes 4 cups
4 cup champagne vinegar
3 cup dried rose petals
1/2 cup dried rose petals
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees F.
2. Combine vinegar and 3 cups petals in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover pan and put in oven for 2 hours. Remove from oven and cool.
3. Strain vinegar into a bottle.Add the 1/2 cup rose petals.
4. Cap bottle and refrigerate. Use within 5 days.

Rose Petal Ice Cubes
These are so pretty when floating in a punch bowl or pitcher of iced tea or lemonade.
Directions
1. Collect pesticide-free rose petals. Rinse under warm water and blot dry.
2. Fill ice cube tray half full with water and freeze. Place a rose petal on each cube, cover with a teaspoon of water and freeze again.
3. Fill cubes completely with water and freeze. Remove from trays.

Couscous with rose petals
Makes 4 Servings
Vegetable stock
1 tbsp dried mint
1 can of chickpeas, drained and heated as per the tin
½ cucumber (3-4 inches) halved, deseeded and diced
4 medium tomatoes, deseeded and diced
6 dried apricots, diced
Rose petals, to taste
Rose bulbs, to decorate (optional)
Directions
1.Cook the couscous as per the instructions of the packaging, replacing water with the vegetable stock and adding the dried mint.
2.Once the couscous is cooked, fluff it up with a fork. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir it all up well.
3.Serve in individual bowls or on a large communal plate. If you want to, decorate with some rose bulbs.

Rose Petal Sandwiches
1 half sized baguette
large leaf of curly romaine
10 rose petals (well washed)
goat cheese
walnuts or pine nuts
red onion slices
roseberry dressing (1/2 cup raspberry yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon rose water)
Directions
1. Cut baguette in half and toast lightly.
2. Rinse romaine and rose petals well and pat dry.
3. Place one romaine leaf on 1/2 toasted baguette. Layer rose petals, goat cheese and walnuts. 4.Top with roseberry dressing.
5. Place the second romaine leaf on the other flute, add onion slices, serve open faced.

Chocolate Rose-Petal Soup
Makes 2 servings
4 oz "dark" milk chocolate
4 oz dark chocolate
1 cup light cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 organic, pesticide-free, edible roses or the equivalent amount in rose-petals
1/2 cup fresh strawberries
4-6 fresh mint leaves
Directions
1. Chop up chocolate into small slivers, set aside.
2. In a pan, stirring occasionally, bring light cream to a simmer. Remove pan from burner and add chocolate. Let the chocolate sit about 5 minutes while the hot cream dissolves it. After 5 minutes, stir in what hasn't dissolved.
3. Add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Stir. Taste. Remember it should be smooth and a little on the thicker side. If the chocolate soup is too rich or too thick for your taste, feel free to add a little more cream or water until it reaches the taste/consistency you prefer.
4. Ladle about 1/2 cup of the soup preferably into small, flat bowls.
5. Remove rose petals from stems. Arrange the individual petals into the shape of a flower on top of the chocolate soup. Do 1-2 overlapping layers to give dimension.
6. Slice strawberries into small wedges. Top the center of the rose petals with a cluster of strawberries. Garnish with a sprinkling of mint leaves. Feel free accent with hazelnuts or pound cake croutons if you have them. Serve!

Rose Petal Pound Cake.
1 cup butter, softened
1 2/3 cups white sugar
5 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 ounces finely chopped almonds
1 teaspoon rosewater
2 drops red food coloring
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9 inch tube pan.
2. Cream butter well. In a separate bowl beat sugar and eggs together until doubled in volume. Add sifted flour and salt gradually. Fold in creamed butter thoroughly.
3. Divide batter into two equal parts. Into one part add the almond extract and the ground almonds. To the other part add the rosewater and the red food coloring. Spoon batters alternately into the prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 to 60 minutes. Let cake cool then remove from pan and dust with confectioner's sugar. Garnish by placing rose petals around base of cake. Serve with Rose Petal Syrup.

Rose Petal Syrup
4 cups rose petals
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
red food coloring (optional)
Directions
1. Simmer rose petals with water and sugar for one hour.
2. Add drops of red food coloring to get desired color.
3. Strain through a fine sieve.
4. Bring back to the boil and put in hot sterilized bottles.

Rose Petal Ice Cream
Makes approx. 3 cups
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1 cup sugar
5 large egg yolks
1 ½ cups loosely packed, very fragrant old rose petals, washed and spun dry
Directions
1. Prepare an ice bath by placing ice cubes in a large, flat-bottomed container that will hold the bowl where the ice cream will be chilled.
2. Place the sugar and the rose petals in a food processor fitted with the metal blade and make paste.
3. Place the heavy cream, milk and sugar paste in a medium sized saucepan and place on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer and turn off heat.
4. Place the egg yolks in a medium sized bowl. Whisk yolks until light; add the hot liquid slowly, while whisking until the mixture is homogenized. Return liquid to saucepan and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it reaches a temperature of 180 degrees F. on a candy thermometer or it coats the back of the spoon. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a clean container and place in the ice bath. Once completely chilled, freeze in ice cream machine, following the manufacturer instructions

ELDERBERRY

Folklore:

The Elder Tree was supposed to ward off evil influence and give protection from witches, a popular belief held in some cultures. If an elder tree was cut down, a spirit known as the Elder Mother would be released and take her revenge. The tree could only safely be cut while chanting a rhyme to the Elder Mother.

General Information

Latin Name:
Sambucus nigra
Common Names:
Elderberry, Black Elderberry, North American Elderberry
Properties:
antioxidant, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory
Uses:
Immune system boost, coughs, colds, flu, bacterial infections, viral infections, tonsillitis, lower cholesterol, improved vision and heart health.
Indicated for:
Cancer, HIV, asthma and bronchitis, reduce inflammation of the urinary tract and bladder.

Parts used: White flowers of the elderberry bush have been used in many things; pressed into tonics, brewed into wines and champagne, lightly battered and fried into fritters, or stirred into muffin or sponge cake mix for a light, sweet flavor.

Ripe berries cleaned and cooked, can be made into many things: extracts, syrups, pies, jams, or used as garnish, dye or flavoring. The leaves, twigs, stems, roots and unripe berries of all elderberry plants are not edible, and contain toxins that can make a person quite sick. Ripe berries and flowers only!

Harvest: elderberry fruit: in late August through early September, depending on the cultivar. When ripe, the entire cluster should be -removed and the berries stripped from the cluster for use. Uncooked berries have a dark purple juice and are astringent and inedible. Use the fruit as soon as possible or keep it at a cool temperature for later use. It is difficult to transport elderberries because the fruits fall off the cluster during transit.

elderberry flower:Elderberries bloom from mid-to-late June through August. The individual white flowers are about 1/4" in width and they are quite fragrant. The flowers grow in large round, almost umbrella-like clusters, which are from 4 to 10 inches across.

My thoughts

Elderberries are popular for their unusual taste in pies, jellies, and jams. They are occasionally used in wine making. The plants are very hardy (usually to Zone 4 but some kinds to Zone 3), and because they flower in late June, the crop is seldom damaged by late spring frost.

They are attractive and easy to grow, and are great in landscape plantings. Elderberries contain more phosphorus and potassium than any other temperate fruit crop. The fruit is also rich in vitamin C.

Used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. Elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995. This event led to a study that showed that the elderberry extract reduced both the severity of flu symptoms and also the duration of flu from 2-3 days in the treated group versus 6 days in the placebo group. This is because elderberry inhibits neuraminidase, the enzyme used by the virus to spread infection to host cells. That's very impressive,

Elderberry works PRIMARILY in a very similar fashion to Tamiflu (both suppress/prevent viral replication, although by different mechanisms), I believe it's as effective as anything we have available. Elderberry stimulates the NON-inflammatory cytokines, so even if you took it after you'd developed a high viral load (not something I suggest- this is one of the main reasons it's important to take it EARLY and OFTEN... as soon as you suspect you might be developing influenza) it's unlikely to *cause* a cytokine storm.

You can use dried Elderberries in place of fresh during the winter months . When would use half as much when substituting them for fresh in a recipe.Below is Rosemary Gladstar's recipe with a few tweaks from me.

Elderberry Syrup:

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried elderberries

1 3inch piece of fresh ginger

2 limes

1tsp cinnamom

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

3 cups of water

1 cup honey

Method:

1. Put the berries,ginger,limes(juice and then place the juice and peel in the pot), cinnamon,cloves. in a medium sized nonreactive sauce pan and cover them with the water. Bring the water and berries to a boil and then turn the heat down to low and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.

2. Smash the berries and then strain them out. (I use butter muslin over a strainer and then squeeze the muslin to get all the juices I can out of the berries.)

3. Add the honey and stir well.

4. When the syrup has cooled put it into bottles (or jars- but bottles will make for easier pouring), label, and store in the refrigerator. The syrup will keep for 2 to 3 months.

You can freeze any extra elderberries to make additional batches of the syrup as you need it.

The Palm Oil Controversy

I have been creating my soap with organic palm oil. I have just found out about the "The Palm Oil" controversy and my thoughts... Over the past few years, "bio-diesel" has created a huge demand for oil... palm oil. Palm oil is only harvested significantly in tropical (rain forest) regions and thus... the problem. More demand for "crude palm oil" means more deforestation. When I became aware of this issue, I switched to "organic palm oil" which is a renewable resource. Organic palm will not contribute to the "palm thirsty" industry which ultimately demands more deforestation. So, rest assured, with the use of organic palm you will not be a contributor to deforestation of tropical regions.

The power of Intention and how to use it.

A working definition for intention is: “to have in mind a purpose or plan, to direct the mind, to aim.” Lacking intention, we sometimes stray without meaning or direction. But with it, all the forces of the universe can align to make even the most impossible, possible.

If you want to achieve a goal you’ve set, the most crucial part is to DECIDE to manifest it. It’s time to change the way we think and speak about our dreams. Transforming a conversation, just like manifesting a dream, begins by setting an intention. Your intentions will enable you in taking greater control of your life.

Given the unknowns and sometimes craziness of life, there’s never been a more important time to dream and setting your intention is the first step. You could set an intention every day. It can be specific and about something in particular or more like a quality, such as to be more relaxed or involved with life.

People set intentions on all kinds of dreams; to get married or have children, to get a job or make a career change, to write a book, lose weight, or move to a foreign country. When you set an intention and then act on it to demonstrate your commitment, amazing things occur. Intention can also give us fortitude for dealing with tough times.

Many people sabotage their own goals because they do not understand the power of intention.

EVERY thought is truly an intention. Every thought. So most people manifest a cluttered collection of conflict in their lives because their thoughts are in conflict. They simultaneously set a goal and then unset it. For example If you go on a diet and exercise like crazy, while all the while thinking, “I’m fat. This is hopeless. This is taking too long,” then your higher level intentions will override your actions, and negative or contrasting results will follow. You should clear out all the “hopefully” and “maybe” and “can’t” nonsense from your consciousness. You cannot allow yourself the luxury of a negative thought, and that is an intention to manifest what you don’t want. Not believing in yourself simply means you’re using your own power against yourself.

It blows my mind that people think that something else has to come before the decision. People waste months trying to figure out, “Is this goal possible?” And this makes a lot of sense to do so if you’re at a certain level of consciousness. But all you’re really doing is creating delay, and you’ll simply manifest evidence to suggest that the goal is both possible and not possible. You think doubt in your head, you find doubt in the world.

First Steps:

1. Get clear about something you want and write it down. Do not ruminate, ponder or ask around and see whether or not you can do it. Then decide to make it so. Allow your intention to manifest in such a manner that is for the greatest good of all. This is very important, as intentions that are created out of fear or a sense of lack will backfire. You may get what you want, but it will yield a bitter aftertaste. Or you may get the exact opposite of what you want. But intentions that are genuinely made for your own good and the greatest good of all will tend to manifest in a positive way.

2. Share your intention with someone in a way that will support you and hold you accountable to taking action. People are far more likely to support and help a committed person because they can tell that you are eventually going to succeed, and they want to be part of that success.

3. Demonstrate your commitment to your intention. Take a step that would led you to fulfilling your intention. If you loosen up a bit on the “how” and just learn to allow the manifestation to occur in its own perfect way, achievement is much easier.

4. Acknowledge that you did what you said you would.


It takes practice to develop your consciousness to the level where you can apply it and especially to learn to trust it.

Thanks!

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude. I am grateful for so many things. I am sure as many of us are. Were do I begin... Lets see I am grateful for my life with my husband, children, family and friends. I am grateful for my health and my ability to help others. I also feel blessed for all that I learned and will continue to be grateful for all that I will learn.

So many of us forget to say thank you. I myself at times neglect this little step.. Ah but is it such a little step? It has been a hard year. The year is almost complete and that I was able to be graceful and loving through it although at times I felt like I was going to blow! For this alone I am so grateful.

I have put all the gardens to sleep for the winter. My clients were pleased this year. Yeah!!! I have planted the tulips and daffodils for next spring. I hope they rest well and bloom well in the spring. My clients so love them. Their smiling faces in the cold days of spring. Bring that much needed boost of energy!

I have been getting back to making soap. So any of you that want to order your own custom soap. Which I am offering this year at a great price. I am selling them in whole forms(10-11 bars) for $30.00. Just tell me what you want need or desire from your bathing experience. Be it for your health or your spirit! Just putting it out there. You can also buy my Intentional Soap. Makes a great gift for you or your loved ones. Attract the intention you desire to your life! Yeah!!! Check out my web site at www.withseedsofintention.com and click on the natural soap page!

Fall is here ready or not !

I have been making some wild cherry cough syrup this week. I am making it for a swap I am included in. It is a wonderful idea. I love seeing other peoples products. Especially these woman. Such amazing talent. I am honored to be included. Did I mention I can hardly wait to see the products! It gives me inspiration!
I have been very busy this month putting things in order for the winter. Yeah right! The truth is that I went to Sage mountain to study with Rosemary and Amy and have not gotten back into the groove. You can understand that right?
I had a wonderful time as usual and I was blessed once again to meet some of the most amazing woman in the United States. Rosemary Gladstar provides a loving and supportive atmosphere to learn in. I am hoping that I will stay in touch with them all.
I am thinking of doing a work study to help me pay for the Woman's Herbal Conference next year. So I am keeping my fingers crossed. I so want to see my friends Gale and Melissa give their classes. Yeah ladies for being asked to represent! You will do us all justice!
I learned a new craft when I was there. It is called needle felting. What a nice idea. I am thinking of making little wool fairies that sit in there own flower blossom for my grandbabies. I am waiting for the Wool and Sheep festival held in Rhinebeck sometime mid month. I am so impatient and can hardly wait to start felting!! My hubby just sighs with a beautiful radiant smile as I gather more craft supplies. He is so sweet and I do love him so.
It has been a weird year for my gardening business and am feeling like it is time to slow it down. The economy has been an indicator of this for me. I have not taken on any more clients in the last 2 years. I look forward to this part of my life closing. It has been a wondrous ride and I have learned so much. I am grateful and honor all that I have learned. I do really look forward to new adventures.

A dear friend of mine in undergoing treatment and I am asking everyone to send positive thoughts and healing energy to her. She is a beautiful strong woman and I have known her for a while now. She is a fighter and a profound artist. Hopefully I will be able to help her as she walks this path. I so love her, she has been such a good friend to me. I am going to make some minestrone soup for her today. Hopefully she will like it.