The Call

Music

Remnants Painting by: Katherine Ace

I don’t know what to write. I had an epiphany today but it doesn’t make me feel any better. That was that my existence or rather my incarnation as Sindy is not necessarily about my happiness. Many years ago I made a very serious vow, a vow to my Being, or Higher Self, (whatever you wish to call it.) The vow I made was to make the purpose of my Being’s incarnation as Sindy my top priority. I stand by this but in my journey since my friends death three years ago, when I lost my balance, left my home and friends, started a new life, moved again and started another….I forgot. Yes, I completely forgot that I made this very serious vow. So in that, I have to realize that my life is not necessarily about my happiness, or lack thereof.

Now we all know that I am in fact blue and a bit depressed, but that perspective is on me. I can choose to feel otherwise. The menopause probably isn’t assisting me at all. Lol So, get thee to the (Chaste Tree extract,) herb store Sindy. Anyway my point is this; my life has a purpose according to my Beings divine blueprint, now I am pretty sure my having a positive attitude will be required to attain it.

What is my Life Purpose you ask? Or maybe you didn’t, but I will answer the question for the sake of continuity. Here is the answer: I don’t know. I really wish I did. I think it has to do with all that the tools I have gathered thus far and possibly write or teach. I don’t know, so I continue my education and just go forward seeking the guidance of my Higher Self.

If one thing we say or do influences someone that achieves world peace or becomes a great leader….well then, that would be good for me. I think that would be good for my Being but I will have to give them a call, we have lost touch with one another lately.

So Namaste, really, I mean it.

.•¤**¤•^.,.•¤**¤•.,.•¤**¤•^.***~*~~
Sindy

Lemongrass

Most fresh herbs have you at hello with the beguiling shape of their leaves, their singular texture, their tempting fragrance. But lemongrass (also called citronella root) is different. It’s tough, but hidden within each fibrous, foot-long stalk of this Southeast Asian grass lurks incomparable character: It’s floral without being cloying, lemony without being tart—those lemony notes come from the same compound in lemon zest. Lop off the spiky tops (use them to infuse a pot of rice or as grilling skewers) and peel away the tough outer layers of white bottom stalk. Crush, slice, or mince those four inches of pale bottom, and lemongrass will reveal itself. It plays especially well with garlic, onion, and ginger, the flavors that often partner it in Southeast Asian recipes. Lemongrass is like no other herb in the world, and in cooking, here’s just no substitute.

Health Matters:

Practitioners of natural medicine prize lemongrass for its ability to relieve fever, muscle spasms, and muscle cramps. It’s also reputed to help cure an upset stomach and headaches. Lemongrass is used as an antiseptic, as well. It’s thought to help relieve oily skin and to promote healthy-looking hair.

How to Buy and Store:

Choose whole, firm stalks that are as unblemished as possible, with a good four inches of thick white bottom stalk. Avoid dried or pre-packaged (some stores mistakenly wrap and sell the green part, tossing the white bit). Wrapped in plastic and kept dry, lemongrass will last for at least ten days in the fridge.

3 Quick Ways to Use Lemongrass:

Salad: Toss minced lemongrass with lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, minced shallot, hot sauce, and sliced Napa cabbage.
Soup: Simmer sliced lemongrass in chicken broth with garlic and ginger. Strain; add shredded chicken, rice noodles, lime juice, and cilantro. (My Favorite when I have a head cold) Thai Tom Lun Soup
Shellfish: Combine white wine, chopped lemongrass, chopped shallots, and crushed red pepper. Add two pounds of mussels; cover and steam until all shells have opened.

Full Article:

http://www.bonappetit.com/tipstools/ingredients/2008/04/lemongrass

(See Disclaimer)

Mugwort

• The Herb Mugwort
  (Artemisia vulgaris )
  Kohler’s Medicinal Plants – 1887

• Mugwort is most commonly used to treat disorders of the digestive tract and aid in all digestive functions and has been said to have properties which are antifungal, antibacterial, expectorant, and antiasthmatic. It is considered to be good herb for gastric disorder, stomach pain and bowel complains. It has been used for poor appetite, indigestion, travel sickness and stomach acidity.
• Mugwort is thought to be effective in treating a wide range of parasitic infections, such as tapeworm, roundworm, and threadworm. It is also considered effective against parasites that infect the skin like ringworm.
• Traditionally mugwort has been use to stimulate irregular or suppressed menstruation. It is believed that it stimulates the uterus and that it is useful for menstrual pain and cramps. Furthermore it has been used to induce miscarriage probably due to the herbs ability to interfere with menstruation.
• Additionally mugwort has been used as a folk and herbal remedy for various ailments includingcolds, epilepsy, colic, fevers, asthma, bronchitis, sciatica, kidney problems and there is some scientific indication that it can lower blood sugar levels.
• Mugwort has also been used as an herbal remedy for nervousness, exhaustion, gout, bruises, chilblain and depression especially when it is associated with loss of appetite . This herb is said have mild narcotic and sedative properties which explain its uses to promote sleep in cases of insomnia. Because of its diuretic properties it is thought to have medicinal benefits for the liver, spleen, and kidney. It is also considered an excellent insect repellant.
• This herb has mild purgative abilities and might therefore be helpful for constipation.
• In folklore it is mostly famous for being considered a “dream” herb, enhancing remembrance of dreams, both during sleep and in trances, and precognitive dreaming or dreaming of future events.

Full Article:

http://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/mugwort-herb.html

Mint

FRESH MINT….how to Juice it and what is it good for? Here’s a tonic for the summertime and also after or before a good workout: (it also helps relieve water retention!)

Mint Juice:

2 cups Fresh Mint

8 ribs Celery

1 large unwaxed Cucumber

1 Large Green Lime

1 Apple, red, green or yellow

What’s so great about Mint? Relaxes the intestines, helps with calming the nervous system, and helps eliminate indigestion, gas, and parasites. It combats bad breath as well. FRESH MINT is a fantastic herb, please use it daily if you can throughout Spring and Summer. It combines beautiful with all greens, apples and limes and lemons. AND IT’S SUPER ALKALINE!

(See Disclaimer)

Green Tea

Green tea has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, originating in China but widely used throughout Asia this beverage has a multitude of uses from lowering blood pressure to preventing cancer. The reason that green tea has more health benefits attached to it than black tea is (apparently) due to the processing. Black tea is processed in a way that allows for fermentation whereas green tea’s processing avoids the fermentation process. As a result, green tea retains maximum amount of antioxidants and poly-phenols the substances that give green tea its many benefits.

Here’s a list of some of its amazing benefits — benefits that you may not have been aware of. Some of these benefits are still being debated, so please do your own research if you want to use green tea for medicinal purposes.

1. Weight Loss. Green tea increases the metabolism. The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories.
2. Diabetes. Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage.
3. Heart Disease. Scientists think, green tea works on the lining of blood vessels, helping keep them stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against the formation of clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks.
4. Esophageal Cancer. It can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, but it is also widely thought to kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them.
5. Cholesterol. Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
6. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is said to delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies carried out on mice showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells.
7. Tooth Decay. Studies suggests that the chemical antioxidant “catechin” in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions
8. Blood Pressure. Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
9. Depression. Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves. It is this substance that is thought to provide a relaxing and tranquilizing effect and be a great benefit to tea drinkers.
10. Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial. Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. In some studies green tea has been shown to inhibit the spread of many diseases.
11. Skincare. Green tea can apparently also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging, This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can reduce sun damage.

(Full article link)

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html

(Fresh from today)

Study Reveal Green Tea Drinkers Show Less Disability with Age

http://www.naturalnews.com/036363_green_tea_disabilities

_aging.html

I like it iced

(See Disclaimer)

Celery Juice

Celery Juice is rich in both potassium and sodium, and the following recipes make lovely sweet salty drinks which hit the spot if you’re feeling thirsty.

Celery Juice Recipe with Apples, Broccoli, and Lemon

Delicious mixed with raw apple juice.

Ingredients

• 3 stalks of celery
• 3 apples
• 1 stem broccoli (optional)
• 1/2 lemon (optional)

Directions

1. Wash the fruit and vegetables using water and a stiff vegetable brush. Keep the leaves on the celery.
2. Core the apples.
3. Cut the peel off the lemon – some people like to leave this on but I find this makes the juice too bitter.
4. Slice the fruit and vegetables to fit your juicer.
5. Juice and enjoy.

Article link

http://www.rawfoods-livingfoods.com/celery-juice.html

 

(See Disclaimer)

Still Feel Lavender

You can make a candle decorated with fresh lavender. Or you can make a lavender scented candle, which this blogger explains.

http://lavendergardening.blogspot.com/2008/02/making-easy-lavender-candle.html

Growing your own is always a thought. I want to plant some.

http://www.herbcompanion.com/in-the-herb-garden/how-to-grow-lavender-plants.aspx

http://gardening.about.com/od/perennials/a/Lavender.htm

 

Rosemary

Rosemary has shown a lot of cancer-protective potential.” Frying, broiling, or grilling meats at high temperatures creates HCAs (heterocyclic amines), potent carcinogens implicated in several cancers. Rosemary contains carnosol and rosemarinic acid, two powerful antioxidants that destroy the HCAs.

Rosemary Potatoes

Easy, easy…

Potatoes How many up to you

Fresh or dried rosemary

Paprika

Garlic Salt

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Cut the potatoes into small edible pieces. In a large bowl add potatoes, season with the rosemary, paprika, garlic salt (or fresh garlic), salt and pepper. Splash in some olive oil, toss real well. Put on a cookie sheet or shallow baking pan at 350 until done. About 30 to 40 minutes baking time. I do not cook with recipes, so forgive this one.