Ginger Tea Detox for Wellness Wednesday Ginger Root

Ginger Root

I don't know about you, but this year seems to be especially "Buggy"  Every time I turn around the kids are bring home "Someone In Your Childs Classroom has...."  While my children usually have very strong immune systems, they have been bombarded with germs in the classrooms.  We have had a very long two weeks of runny noses, fevers, coughs, and sleepless nights.  As a mom of four, I have to stay strong and healthy for my kids.  Eating healthy comes easy to me, but when you are going on a week of little sleep and no rest during the day, you need a little something more to keep your immune system strong.  I know most parts can agree with me this year has been rough in the cold and flu news.

History

Ginger has long been used as a cold and flu prevention of natural medicine. 
Ginger is Native to the coastal region of India and has been cultivated there since before written history, the first mention was some time around 400BC.  Now this root is cultivated all over the world and used in cooking, medicinally, and modern medicine. 
It was in China about 1280 AD when Marco Polo reported seeing the root.  This became a popular import to Europe in the 11-13 centuries.  This wonderful herb them was introduced to the West Indies from the Spaniards, around 1547.  The herb has then been sent and now grown throughout the world and widely used today. 
While the most popular use for ginger is in cooking, the food industry, we are starting to see more people use it for preventive purposes.  I know in my own house we tend to keep ginger on hand. 

Prevention

Ginger has been used for

Indigestion

Diarrhea

Gas

Loss of appetite

Fever

Coughs

Throats

Motion Sickness

Detox Ginger Tea

2 tbsp. crushed ginger root
juice of one lemon
1 cayenne pepper
hot water

I place all ingredients in my Libre Tea Glass, which is perfect because it keeps all the ingredients in the glass without having to strain anything. 
This Detox drink can be very spicy, so drink with care.  I started to have the symptoms and signs that I was getting the kids colds, and I started this drink right away.  I was able to keep the colds at bay and strengthen my immune system. 
The Cayenne Pepper helps to break up congestion and mucus and get things moving.  The pepper is anti-inflammatory, stimulates circulation, and helps relieve migraines.  So don't skip the pepper, it is important to the process. 

For Body Aches
Tea Bags
3 TBSP crushed ginger root
Hot Water

In a hot tub of water add in tea bag(s), and allow the aches of body pain to gently ease away.  I have done this when I am sore from running, working in the garden, and even the body ache of illness.  You can use powdered ginger as well, although I find fresh ginger to be more powerful.

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How far back can we place Almonds, with Moses!

Number 17:8  When Moses went into the tent of the covenant on the next day, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted.  It put forth buds, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.

This was as far back as I could place this very beneficial food.  In Hebrew, almond means "diligence" and happens to be the first tree of the year to flower in Palestine.  The ancient Israelites valued the nuts for food and the oil when pressed.  Along with olive oil, almond oil was used for burning in lamps and ceremonial oils.  Through out Jews customs you will see the almond branches, flowers, and nuts being used.

Christian and Catholic everywhere use this oil even today and understand its importance. Anointing with oil dates back from the Old Testament times.  Today anointing are used  in baptism, confirmation, ordinations, and anointing of the sick.  Depending on Eastern, Western, Roman, or Latin anointing are used in various ways.  Jesus used anointing throughout his ministry after his own baptism.  I found so many uses here that it would be a posting of it self.  I wanted to briefly touch on how important almond oil is in times past and present.
Oils and their uses 

Almond oil was also used in lamps for ceremonially purposes.  The Old Testament Tabernacle used a Gold Lamp-stand.  Under Gods instructions the almond was used in designing the lamp, Leviticus 24: 3-4.
Read more of this here. 

This oil was also used in ancient body perfumes and treatments.  You can read more on how the Egyptians use oils here. 

Nutritionally the almond is a great source of protein, fat, fiber, Vitamin E and B.  It contains minerals of potassium, manganese, magnesium, iron, calcium, selenium, and zinc.  Benefits are energy, protection and conditioning of the skin and hair, antioxidant, lowers cholesterol, and many more.

Almonds are used in many dishes as a substitute for meat and milk.  Vegans, those with a meatless diet, use almonds as just one of many protein sources.  Almond milk is widely used for those Lactose intolerant along with those who want to have a variety of milk source. 

This is just a glimpse of the many wonderful uses for the amazing little nut.  I am going to be including recipes for dishes, skin care, oils, and breads.


Almond Meal Cleanser
1/2 cup almond meal.  (I grind whole almonds until a coarse powder.)
water, milk, or heavy cream

Mix 2 teaspoons of almond meal with just enough liquid to form a paste.  Spread onto moistened face and throat and gently massage for 1 minute.  Rinse with warm water and follow with Almond oil.  I love Aura Glow.  It has a wonderful sent and I use it as a base oil.

Ancient Skin Softer with Almond Oil- From "Herbs of the Bible" by James A Duke  Ph.D.
1/4 cup of almond oil
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1 tbsp rose hip seed oil
2 tsp vitamin C powder, you can grind this from tablets as well.
5 soft gel s of 400IU vitamin E (squeeze out)
8-10 soft gels of 1,000 milligrams evening primrose (squeeze out)
 8 soft gels of 10,000 IU of vitamin A and D (squeeze out)

Add and store in a air tight container.  Keep refrigerated or cool place. 

Almond Milk
1/2 cup raw almonds
2 cups water

Place almonds in blender and grind to a fine powder.  Add 1 cup of water and blend.  Add additional cup of water and blend until smooth milk.  You could add rice syrup to sweeten if needed.  
For those wanting a whiter and smoother milk, you can blanch the almonds the night before.  Place almonds in 1 cup of boiled water and soak until skins easily slip off.  Then use almonds in above recipe.

Read more about benefits and reasons people drink it here. 

Almond Loaf
2 cups finely ground blanched almonds
2 cups water
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 tsp chicken-like seasoning
1/4 tsp thyme
1 tsp basil
1/2 cup chopped parsley
2 cups bread crumbs
salt to taste

Saute onions and celery until tender.  Blend almonds until very fine.  Combine all ingredients and place in a casserole dish.  Bake for 1 hour at 350.

Project for today.  

Make a offering gift.  We received an already made one from church to send to a local Mission.  You can make your own out of Foam.  Cut a cross out of Purple foam and then make 40 cuts through out the cross to hold a coin for each day.  Easter weekend you can take your offering to a local mission, shelter, or offering plate. 
See Pinterest board for Purple Cross Instructions and picture.

The history of the Pretzel and recipe.

I was really excited about the information I found over the last two days.  I think it is very interesting to see how much our food has changed over the years.  Our Lent practices now are to refrain from meat on fasting days and every Friday during Lent.  At one time the practice was to not eat all animal products, including milk, butter, and eggs.  This dates back to the Roman Christians in the fourth century!  This started the custom and practice of Fat Tuesday also know as Strove Tuesday.  The week before Lent you would find every house using their butter, eggs, meats, and creams making dishes so the items do not go to waste.  Fat Tuesday or Marti-gra started as a celebration to finishing off all the rich and fatty dishes to start a season of self denial and cleansing of the Spirit and body.  During the weeks of Lent this would mean a lot of oat cakes along with wheat, peas, potatoes, and beans which were a staple food.  Countries that were surrounded by water, Ireland and Italy, used plenty of seafood  including salmon, scallops, lobster, mussels, and oysters to make hearty stews and soups.
Going back to Strove Tuesday I found a wonderful article on the Pancake and  it's use on this day.  Also, the history of the cross buns and pretzel.   You can read this wonderful article here.  During Lent they would still make breads, but with water, flour, and salt.  To remind themselves that Lent was a time of prayer they would make the bread to look like arms crossed in prayer, the pretzel!  The early Roman Christian called this bracallae meaning "little arms".  Later, the monks introduced the bread to northern countries.  The Germanic people used the word bretzel from the Roman bracellea, then calling it pretzel. 

Mixing the ingredients and then Kneading dough.

Rolling out the dough to make form the pretzel.

Lay roll out like a smile and then bring up sides to crossover.

Once crossover then bring ends down and pinch to bottom. 

Pretzel Recipe

1 packet of dry yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

4 cups whole wheat flour

In a mixing bowl place dry yeast and add warm water.  Stir until yeast is dissolved.  Add salt and sugar to bowl and stir.  Then add flour and beat egg.   Knead dough until combined and then separate in half.  I separated into balls until no more than 2 inches wide.  Then take each ball and roll out until you form a line.  (See captions and picture above for forming the pretzel.)  Lay roll out like a smile and then bring up sides to crossover.  Once crossover then bring ends down and pinch to bottom. Bake in oven at 425 for 12 minutes. 

If you would like to make a cute card to go with pretzels for friends or family see Catholic Icing for fun Printable!

What is for dinner tonight?
Garden Salad, Talapia,  Acorn squash soup, and our Pretzels

See A Sweet chief for the recipe I am using.  I have made this before and It taste amazing!


Project for today.  See Pinterest Board for ideas, recipes and crafts!

What is Lent?

In short, Lent is the Liturgical year from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday.  This season is observed by many religions such as Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Methodist, Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Baptist, among others.  This is usually a time of preparation of Holy Week.  Ash Wednesday starts the 40 days of preparation through pray, penance, repentance, observation, self denial, and alms-giving.

It is customary for people to give-up something for Lent, a self-denial or sacrifice.  It varies from person to person or some may take on more during this preparation time to bring themselves closer to God. 
I am taking this time during the 40 days to give you  health information, history, and recipes.

Ash Wendesday
This is day one of Lent and it is a day of fasting and prayer.  Usually the person will fast for two of their meals and have a normal meal for the third.  The meals given up are a representation of the sacrifices done for them through Jesus physical sacrifice.  This physical sacrifice in fasting also helps us to better understand and experience the sufferings and hardships of many who are oppressed by hunger, poverty, and/or separation.  It brings an understanding of those in need and the suffering and Passion of Christ Jesus.

One of my favorite quotes come from Father Slavko Barbaric, "Through fasting our hearts become pure.  We find it easier to see what we have, what we need, and what we don't need".

Fasting is not just about self denial.  It is a big part, but it is very helpful to the body as well.   Over time our bodies build up toxins as a result of of chemicals in foods, water, pollutants in the air, and other means.  The body then tries to rid itself of these toxins and releases them from the tissues.  The toxins get released into the bloodstream and we experience effects such as erratic emotions, low energy, and more.  We feel symptoms of diarrhea, headaches, depression, unable to focus, and irritability just to name a few.  One of the fastest and safest ways to clean out these toxins is during a Fast.  Fasting has always been a natural recommendation for illness to allow the body rest and recover.  While fasting can help with illness, it is very beneficial to do on a regualr basis to allow the digestive origins a rest. 

What happens when we fast?

1. The toxins continue to release while the toxins coming into the body are reduced. 
2. Energy usually used for digestion is channeled to the immune function, cellular growth, and elimination   process. Inflammation is reduced throughout the body.  
3. Tissue oxygenation is increased due to fewer fats and white blood cells can be moved around more freely.
4. Fat-stored chemicals that you find in pesticides and herbicides are released as well.
5. As toxins release and are eliminated from the body we experience a clarity of mind and body.  

 In short, Fasting speeds up healing time and allows the liver, kidneys, and colon to rest.
 That sounds like a nice benefit to me. I bet next time you miss a meal you will be think a bit more positive about it. 

My menu for today.  I will be drinking water all day.  This is a great chance to really replenish my body with this much needed resource.  Our bodies are 2/3 water and we tend to deny it this resource in exchange for coffee, soda, juices and such.  I will be spending my morning meal in prayer and reading. (I am curious as to the traditional Lental meals that where practiced hundreds of years ago.) 
For lunch I am having a vegetable salad and side of fruit.  This is my meal for the day.  I will be giving up Breakfast and Dinner for my mind, spirit, and body to cleanse.  I will take the time to allow my body to heal, my spirit to be refreshed, and mind to focus on what I truly need and what I can do without. 

I hope that through this 40 days you will be enlightened to the history and understanding of this wonderful event.  I can not think of a better time in all the year to cleanse our mind, body, and spirit than Lent.  

Mixed bean Greek Salad!

Serves 4
1 cup cooked Garbonzo beans
1 cup cooked red Kidney beans
2 sprigs green onion, chopped
1 vine tomato, chopped
1/2 medium cucumber, chopped
4 tbsp Greek Vinaigrette
Green Leaf Lettuce, Shredded

In mixing bowl add all ingredients together and mix with dressing.  Over a bed of green leaf lettuce add the mixed bean salad.  Absolutely delicious.
Calories 231, Carbohydrates 35, Fat 7, Protein 9.


For Roman Catholics we also have a special Mass of distributing the ashes.  You can read more about it here. Ash Wednesday

Fun Projects
I have a few posted on my Pinterest Board and will be adding more through out 40 days.    Kelley-Lent/Eastern Board
Color Pages for Ash Wednsday
Additional Family fun Projects

A little History, Man

When you think about it, majority of all food starts in the ground. From our fruits, vegetables, grains that are grown for rice, wheat, and legumes. Even the beef and chicken that we eat receive their nourishment from plants that need to be nutritious for consumption.
When we started forming villages , staying in one area our food habits changed. No longer could we just take from the land as we passed it. We started to follow the seasons and to grow things close to us, developing crop rotations. There was still hunting close to home so we could bring it back. They started to breed a new kind of crop as well. When they would go out and collect the wild herbs and grains, they would keep seeds for planting closer to home. When we brought the grains out of the NATURAL form of production, it in turn started to rely on man and man in turn relied on the propagation of the crop. This was the beginning of farming villages.
When herbs and plants are allowed to grow wild, they actually have a greater amount of nourishment and healing properties. Even the animals that we hunted had a stronger life span and less diseases before man started to mass produce them. For they eat off the same wild plants and grains that were available.
In one regard we can see man is now bound to taking care of the land for a fundamental diet, but also he no longer needs to be digging and foraging through the wild. Man, farmer, had to take into account the amount of food to be eaten and stored throughout the seasons for times of no growth. If they were no longer able to produce or the game went away, then they usually migrated to another place to start over. This was just a little history, with a little research you can discover it's entirety.
So, think about TODAY. We hardly have a herb pot, let alone a small vegetable garden. What is closer to our homes usually are the fast food chains or a convenience stores. Typically the places are filled with processed food, stripped of vitamins, nutrients, and sugar filled items. I will agree most of these items taste great or they would not be selling. Unfortunately, those are more of a crop field to most people than a backyard garden. We have come a long way...but in which direction would you say that is...positive or negative?
The consumption in America is on the rise, just think about the statistics. A survey is done every ten years in every state across America, in random homes. In 1955 most families had a fundamental diet. In 1965, using the same guidelines it was down 50% for its nutritional content. This is when we saw the start of our era with convenient foods. Make it easier, make it faster. We have continued to decrease with more health problems through the years. Today's most popular American foods are the hamburger, french fries, small salad, coffee, and soft drinks. Since World War II the consumption of soft drinks have increased 80%, pastries are up 70%, and potato chips are up 85%. Things that have decreased are fruits and vegetables by average of 25%. The American Cancer Institute had posted that 24- 25% of children did not eat a single fruit or vegetable the previous day. With fruits and vegetables being the basis of most of our nutritional needs, we need to ensure that we get these into our daily diet.
I know we have farmers still today. I think its a great time to mention supporting your local farmers markets. It is the small farmers that still use old methods of farming, with less chemicals in food, giving a better product. These small farmers are going to become extinct in time, with the larger mass produced ones living on. So let's try to start a small garden in the backyard or on the window seal, and find were the local Farmer Market is near you. You will actually taste a difference in the food, it will have more flavor and nourishment.
Here is a book if you want to think about gardening. He puts things back to the beginning using "Four Season Harvest". You can have a small area and garden all year long. That is the idea also, to get produce according to the seasons, its when we eat out of season that we spend the most on food.

Something Sweet.... Lemon Mousse found in " Nourishing Traditions"

6 egg yolks, room temperature
1/2 raw honey
grated rind of 2 lemons
6 egg whites, room temperature
pinch of sea salt
1/2 cup heavy cream

Place eggs, honey, and lemon rind in mixing bowl and whisk on med low for 10 minutes, until mixer thickens. I freeze my bowl to keep the mixer from warming up the mousse. Chill in fridge about 1/2 hour. Beat cream until stiff. In separate bowl beat egg whites with sea salt until stiff. Fold in lemon mixture into cream mixture and then egg whites into cream mixture. Spoon into individual glasses and chill before serving.
Great for a summer day.

Something Fresh

Summer Salad
Head of Green Leaf Lettuce, chopped
Crown of broccoli, chopped just under little crowns
Cucumber, sliced thin
I red apple, sliced thin
10 baby carrots, Juliane
1 green apple, sliced thin
Slivered raw almonds 1/2 cup
2 stalks of celery, chopped small

Mixed all together and serve with favorite dressing. I love the combination of the crisp veggies with sweet apples and the almonds give a great crunch. This is enough for a family of 6 for dinner and then some left over for lunch the next day. If you are a smaller group, make enough as you go, the apples will not brown until late the next day. Just add those as you eat the salad. But you will absolutely love the combination.


Have a Blessed and Healthy day.