5 Natural Sore Throat Soothers

5 Natural SORE THROAT SOOTHERS

Sore throats are a PAIN!

I've found these remedies to be helpful in my household.

         1. Sage Tea

Sage tea is made from the leaves of the sage plant.  Boil some water; pour hot water over a few tea leaves (a little goes a long way), steep for 3-5 minutes.

Drink this tea as needed to soothe the throat.  You can also gargle with the tea after it cools.

Sage is valued as an antimicrobial herb, helpful in fighting infections and congestion, headaches, relieving anxiety, and improving memory. 

Sage is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because of its drying effects

         2. Honey and Lemon

Use your favorite local honey and mix with a bit of lemon juice, eat slowly with a spoon to soothe that achy throat or mix with warm water to drink.  This powerful combination is antibacterial, antiseptic, and immune boosting.
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Julienne Mixed Veggie and Fruit Salad

Julienne mixed veggie and fruit salad

  It is most efficient to use a mandolin or other slicer compared to cutting by hand, but absolutely worth it.

1 Bell Pepper, thinly sliced

1 large carrot, sliced into matchstick pieces

1 zucchini, sliced into matchstick pieces

......read more

Quick Basic Hummus

Quick Basic Hummus

1 can or 1 1/2 dried, soaked and cooked chickpeas

3 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 c olive oil

2 cloves of garlic (peeled)

1/3 c tahini

Salt as needed

Garnish with parsley and paprika
Read more....

Super Simple Cucumber Sauce

Super simple cucumber  (Tzatziki) recipe

1c plain Greek yogurt

2 garlic cloves minced 

2 cucumber peeled, de-seeded

1tbsp lemon juice
Read more...

Tahini Salad Dressing

Simple tahini salad dressing

Blend together in a blender the following:

1/2 c raw tahini paste (found in the "ethnic" section in most grocery stores)

1/2 c water

1 tsp salt

2 cloves of garlic, peeled

1/2 c lemon juice

Couple dashes of pepper

Pinch of cayenne

Simple oil and vinegar dressing

A simple oil and vinegar dressing

To a blender add the following :

4 TBSP balsamic vinegar

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp honey

Blend a few seconds and slowly drizzle 1/2 c of olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Tinker around with the amounts to your taste. 

Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

 

 

Making your own detergent not only saves you money, it also leaves you and the planet less toxic!

 

 

Ingredients and Supplies

 

1/2 c Borax

1/2 c Washing Soda

1/2 c Castile Soap

 Hot Water

Where Do You Get Your Protein From If You Don't Eat Meat?

Where Do You Get Your Protein From If You Don't Eat Meat?

  It's a common question posed to vegetarians, so where is the protein?

Here is a list of common protein-fuled foods

Beans and Peas!
Lentils, Split Peas, Lima Beans, Chickpeas, Butter Beans, Black Beans, Mung Beans

Grains!
Buckwheat, Quinoa, Oats, Brown Rice

Seeds and Nuts!
Flax Seeds, Peanuts, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Pecans, Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts

Vegetables!
Broccoli, Cabbage, Spinach, Kale, Cauliflower, Green Pepper, Artichokes, Potatoes, Mushrooms

Soil Testing

Garden Soil Test 

  We have noticed in our yard that we have what appears to be very good, fertile soil. We don't have any issues with things growing in our yard, we have tons of worms, but our plants will flower, and never produce any fruit, or veggies!  We know that means something is off in the soil.

 So, we decided to run a few tests on the soil, in order to determine what could be missing in the equation.  We purchased a tester from Lowe's that will analyze the conditions of the soil. The kit was around $10. Here are the results.

Heart garden soil test 

Soil ph... 7

Nitrogen... low

Potassium... medium

Phosphorus... medium

Now that we know our soils nitrogen is low we can increase it in one or more of the following ways.

Ways to raise nitrogen

Nitrogen fixing plants

Organic fertilizers, fish emulsion

Compost

Composted manure

Green mulch

Tomato garden soil test

Soil ph... 7

Nitrogen... Low/med

Potassium... High

Phosphorus... Low

Now that we have this handy information we can increase the phosphorus by adding rock phosphate.

Yummy fruits and veggies soon to come!

Raw Cabbage Salad

Raw Cabbage Salad

This is a simple recipe for a quick side, I haven't met anyone that doesn't love it!

Ingredients
Cabbage cut into thin strips or small chunks
Lemon
Salt
Olive oil


Cut Cabbage and place into large bowl
Salt the cabbage (this helps to break it down a bit)

If making other dishes, set this aside until ready to eat

Just before eating:
Coat with olive oil and lemon juice (usually about 1/2 a lemon will be enough for a standard salad bowl)

Serve cold, add more lemon juice, olive oil, and salt to taste

Yum!

Our Backyard Diary

February 2014
  The seeds are growing strong so far.

  We started seeds for the Spring Garden! 

  The kitchen is coming along beautifully.

January 2014!  Happy New Year!

We began creating what will eventually be the outdoor kitchen!  So exciting!

 

 

  This pond was discovered buried in our yard, filled with rocks, and mud!  We found a solar pump online but not sure if that one will work, but the pond sure is pretty.

December 2013
  Got our first eggs!!  Thanks chickens!

 

October 2013
  Started a new Food Forest Garden that will be centered around banana trees

September 2013
  Attended Intro to Food Forest Workshop with the amazing Terry Meer @ The Green Education Center

  Began our first Forest Garden: Ornamental Peanut, Mint, Oregano, Avocado, Cranberry Hibiscus, Sweet Potato, Fig, and Blackberry.  Our yard just so happens to have a ton of elephant ears so we decided to use them as our organic matter or green mulch...aka chop and drop

July 2013
  Brought home baby chicks!

  A short time later we put our "new" chicken coop, created from
 trash scavenged from our neighborhood, to the test.

  The chicks dig it!  ;)

April 2013
  Made our first garden, The Heart Garden, which contained mostly Mexican oregano, mint, and basil.

March 2013
  We were married at Rainbow Springs State Park. 

  We decided that we would love to fill our backyard with as much food as possible and as naturally and efficient as possible.  We plan to eventually hold events and classes in our yard.
 

Red Lentil Sambar

Red Lentil Sambar

This is one incredible, flavorful, complex dish. Full of intense spices and goodness, it will linger in your mind for days!  A very hearty meal, that goes great with Basmati rice and a naan. Enjoy!!

1 c red lentils
3 1/2 c water
2 TBSP  oil
1 tsp  mustard seeds
1 yellow onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves
2 hot green chilies, seeded and minced
1 tsp grated ginger
1 (14.5 OZ) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp asafetida
Few curry leaves or ground curry
1/2 tsp  ground coriander
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 TBSP of fresh lemon juice
1/4 c chopped cilantro
***1 c chopped carrots
***1 c chopped cauliflower
***1 c chopped eggplant


*** These are the suggested vegetables to use. However, you can use just about any veggies you like! We used mushrooms, green peppers, and red peppers then on another night used potatoes, green pepper and zucchinis.

Combine the water and lentils in a pot and boil.  Reduce the heat to Medium, Cover and Simmer until soft.  Approx 30 mins.  Set aside, do not drain.

Prepare onion, garlic, chilies, and ginger.
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add the mustard seeds.  When they begin to pop, Add the onion, garlic, chilies, and ginger and cook until softened, 5 mins.

Stir in the tomatoes, then add the coriander, cayenne, cumin, and salt.  Add the carrots, cauliflower, green beans, and eggplant (or other veggies).  Cover and cook for 5 mins to soften. 

Add the vegetable mixture to the reserved lentils, cover, and simmer until the vegetables are soft, 20 minutes.  If the mixture becomes too thick, add more water.  Stir in the lemon juice and cilantro and cook 5 minutes longer.  Taste and adjust the seasonings.  Serves about 6.

WILD AND RAW EDIBLE WEEDS

 5 Edible Weeds You Can Eat Raw

  It's very exciting to learn of all the edible plants that grow wild all around us.  Get yourself a field guide and go on some local herb walks with someone that can identify and soon you will see everything around you as nutritious food and necessary medicine.

 Here are 5 weeds that are edible in their raw state.  Be absolutely sure that you have identified them with certainty before eating.

 

Chickweed-leaves and stems

 

Yummy Raw Vegetarian Salad Dressing

This is a VERY tasty salad dressing that we all love!  Good on just about any type of salad.  Enjoy!


Makes 4 Cups

2 cups of fresh lemon juice
3 whole cloves of garlic
3 tablespoons of minced ginger
3 tablespoons of Nama Shoyu Soy Sauce
3 tablespoons of raw honey (or more)
1 1/2 cups of cold pressed olive oil

 Blend all of the ingredients in a blender except the oil. Once they have blended for a few seconds, slowly add the olive oil.

Ways to Prepare Herbs for Your Family

There are many ways to prepare medicinal herbs for your family.  I would like to share the simple basics with you.

First, you always wants to use stainless steel, cast iron, or glass containers for preparation.  

INFUSION- an infusion (commonly called tea) is used for the aerial parts of an herbs, this means all of the parts of the plant that are above the ground.  Boil water, remove from heat, add herbs, cover tightly.  Most herbs will steep for 10-20 mins.  

DECOCTION- this method is used for barks and root herbs.  Place herbs into boiling water, cover, simmer for 10-30 mins

POWDER/CAPSULE- use powdered herbs in a capsule, to powder an herbs use a motor and pestle, herb grinder, or purchase prepared powder.  This works well for medicinal herbs with an unpleasant taste.

TINCTURE- this method works well to super-power the herb and extracts different constituents than water, so it is necessary to use this method in order to use for a specific need.  Use a good reference to be sure that the herb is a good candidate for a tincture.  Usually an 80 proof liquor will do the trick.  Fill a glass jar half way with the herb of choice.  Pour in alcohol, wait for it to sink in, add more alcohol until all herb is covered.  Place a small piece of plastic wrap on top, put on lid, shake, shake, shake!

Shake twice a day for 2 weeks or longer.  Keep in a dark location.  Strain and use recommended dose for that herb.

TOPICAL- These methods include chest rubs, poultices, and liniments.  There are many recipes that are helpful for colds, flus, muscles aches, and more.

VINEGARS-This is a type of tincture, but uses vinegar instead of alcohol.  This is a great way to give herbs to your family through foods.  

STEAM INHALATION/AROMATHERAPY- essential oils are used for almost anything you can think of!

SMOKING- Many herbs can be smoked medicinally, mullein for example is a decongestant and lobelia acts as a nicotine replacement.  

GARGLES- This is a diluted infusion or decoction used to treat sore throats or other mouth and throat ailments.

FOOD- culinary herbs are natures magic

SYRUPS- A syrup is an herbal infusion, decoction, or tincture that you heat at a low temperature then add honey, sugar, or glycerine to sweeten.  

DOUCHES/ENEMAS- usually a diluted infusion or decoction used internally

So there you have it, I'm sure there are probably more but those are the basics.  Always research your herb before preparation and test for sensitivity.  Have fun!

Food Forest Layers

Food Forest Layers


We recently took a wonderful workshop with The Green Education Center in Orlando, to learn forest gardening, so we want to share some of the basics hoping to inspire you to build your own and share your journey doing so!

We have begun three of these gardens in our small yard.

The system of forest gardening is based on the observations of how the forest naturally grows, using this system gives you a sustainable food garden that does not need a lot of maintenance.

Make Your Own All Purpose Spray

Make Your Own All Purpose Spray

Making this at home takes a few seconds, only costs a few cents, and doesn't contain toxic ingredients like most of the store bought sprays.


Thoroughly clean your spray bottle.
Warm 2 cups of water, add 2 tsps. of borax and 1 tsp of baking soda.
Use funnel to add ingredients to spray bottle.

A Shout for Sprouts

A Shout for Sprouts

Sprouting has been lots of fun!  These tiny powerhouses contain necessary nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron and even protein! 

If you've never tried sprouting before, you will find it easy, inexpensive, and delightful!!
  

 I personally love mung beans for their light and crisp flavor and amaranth sprouts for their corn taste, my husband loves the alfalfa for their peppery-ness.  They all have their own lovely flavors.  

How does our PERMIEFAMILY use them?

We eat them on salads, alone with olive oil and salt, and we are beginning the art of sprouting breads!

                                 !!!You can sprout just about any bean or seed!!!

Get yourself a sprout bag and start with one of these

Lentils 

Mung

Green pea

Alfalfa

Just pour a cup or so (depending on the size of your grain,seeds or beans) into a large mouthed quart sized glass mason jar.  Fill with pure water.

Soak for 12 hours or overnight. 

Pour them into your sprout bag.

Rinsing: Immerse bag in sink or pot filled with water for 30 seconds.

Give it a gentle massage.

Do this twice a day.  3 times is even better, especially if it's hot outside!

Draining: Hang your bag to drain, lay on a dish rack, dishwasher, or oven rack

You can also use the jar method which is a bit more complicated than the sprout bag.  

There are different sized openings for the lids to use for different sized beans.  I've found the plastic lids works well.  

Pour in a few tablespoons of seeds or beans.  

Soak them overnight

Rinse for a minute or so 

Drain all of the water out

Place jar at an angle so any remaining water drains

Do this 2-3 times a day

In 3-6 days they will be ready to enjoy!

Keep in sprout bag or glass jar in the fridge for 7-14 days.

  Happy sprouting!

Intro to Adventures in Permaculture

Intro to Adventures in Permaculture

This intention of this blog is to share in the adventures of beginners living in sustainable ways.  Ways that are close to nature and do the least amount of harm. 

     My husband and I have a dream to create a forest of food in our small backyard.  We believe in simple living