A Great Home Remedy

I posted this in my other blog, and think it is worth of a repost here (i have suffered through many a splinter, including some i had to dance through before their extraction, yuck!)

This comes courtesy of Master Herbalist, Andrea Candee.

She says, "Simply cut a piece of the ripened peel, tape it on, pulp side to the splinter, leaving it in place overnight. In the morning, the enzymes in the ripe banana will have pulled the splinter to the surface. Deeply embedded splinters may require another night or two of fresh peel."

Use this knowledge wisely, Grasshopper, it could change the world...

(ninja banana courtesy of people with lots of creativity and lots of time on their hands)

Powerful Salads i have known

Last week as my offspring and i were scurrying to get to our Music Together class (something i highly recommend to everyone with younger children - they have tons of branches all over the US) an incredible salad manifest itself.

Here what was in it:

1 Avocado

1 Granny Smith Apple in bite sized chunks

1 cucumber

Alfalfa Sprouts (read more about my sprouting resolution this week)

1 handful Goji Berries (love their sweet tangy-ness)

1 handful dried unsweetened coconut chips

1 handful almond flour (finely ground almonds)

juice of 1/2 lemon

2 tsp spirulina (actually, i would have ordinarily used this, but i was fresh out)

This glorious concoction ended up being eaten in the car (not great for digestion). But, wow! it was a treat and quite beautiful. Unfortunately, in the morning's rush there was no time for photos.

The next day we improvised on the theme (and by theme i mean that its a salad with spirulina):

3 small heads of broccoli in bite size chunks (stems and crowns)

2 roma tomatoes chopped

2 stalks celery chopped

1 small zucchini cubed

1 golden beet shredded

4-5 handfuls Romaine lettuce

1 avocado cubed

1.5 handfuls of crunchy sprouts

1 handful pumpkin seeds

1/2 handful goji berries

2 tsp. spirulina
pinch of Celtic Sea Salt

Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Let sit for 15-20 minutes so they can get to know each other. While they are talking, make the dressing:

1/3 Cup olive oil

1 TBSP Nama Shoyu Soy Sauce (its raw and great!)

Juice of 1/2 Lemon

2 TBSP Raw Cashew Butter

Mix all ingredients (i do this in a small mason jar with lid, but a blender works too, or elbow grease)

Add the dressing to the salad. Express Gratitude to the Universe for such lovely goodies. Enjoy! We did...

Anticipating Flakes

We here in the Gardening State are expecting snow.

So looking forward, here is a look back to an inspired afternoon shared last week.

Yes, those are llamas, thanks to a local kids consignment shop.

And yes, that is a big hole in his sweater pants (there are babylegs underneath).

Courtesy of Yogi Tea's Nursing Mother's brew.

Perspective

My two-year old thinks i am a comic genius (even if all i am doing is talking to the refrigerator in a funny voice). My day has been brightened.

A Cry in the Night

Tuesday night, following the excitement of inaguration day, my little one was snoozing peacefully. i was lying beside him, reading and recalling the day's details. Suddenly, my dreamer exclaimed:

"Bama, Bama!"

And then traveled back to Queen Mab's abode.

my favorite obama portrait

This was done by visionary artist, Alex Grey.

i had the chance to meet him (and his good wife) at their gallery, Cosm, in November.

His humility and kindness are astonishing.

Bacteria Beware - Copper Power!

Yesterday it was Science Friday on National Public Radio (NPR). Its a weekly feature on the afternoon show Talk of the Nation (2-4pm EST).

We were en route while the program was on. Ira Flatow and guests discussed the anti-microbial properties of copper. Yes, copper...that humble and beautifully hued metal.

In March 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency, "approved the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys, with public health claims. These public health claims acknowledge that copper, brass and bronze are capable of killing harmful, potentially deadly bacteria."

Studies have shown that when copper (or its alloy) is cleaned properly it will, "kill more than 99.9% of several bacteria known to be human pathogens within two hours." These includee:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Enterobacter aerogenes
• Escherichia coli O157:H7
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Several hospitals (including Sloane-Kettering in NYC) are replacing surfaces that are often touched with ones made of copper. Hopefully, this will make for less people getting more sick from infections acquired at hospitals.

Copper's superpower is very exciting! i am a little over the moon...

Chim Chim-in-ey...

And how is it that i clear my mind?

Best to ask the question of myself first before trying to pick the brains of others...

let me count some of the ways...

1. dance practice - gets me out of my head

2. a good walk

3. a cup of herbal tea (you in the mood for a relaxing chai pilgrimage?)

4. some aromatherapy

5. crochet - the rhythm of it is so peaceful

6. breathing exercises (pranayama)

7. meditation

8. singing and running with my boy

9. writing

this is an ongoing list...to be updated from time to time.