If you are shaking in your boots, then it’s time for a nip of courage! 10 points to anyone who knows what Simpsons episodes I am referencing in that last sentence. But seriously, Valor is one of my favorite essential oil blends, and one that I use often. It helps when I am feeling fragile, and it helps when I need to get my work done. I use it in the diffuser when I am working from home, and I use it on my body for a reminder that I am whole and present. Valor is one of those blends that just seems to be solid. [Read more…]
Essential Oils 101: Valor
Posted on July 15, 2014 Written by Leave a Comment
Lemon-Ricotta Cake with Lavender Thyme Icing
Posted on June 26, 2014 Written by 6 Comments
There is a certain je ne sais quoi about crafting cakes made with delicate cheeses and cultured milks. While folding ricotta cheese and rich buttermilk into a batter destined for a floral-scented icing, the flavors of summer and spring come together seamlessly.
The soothing and refreshing lavender essential oil, the fragrant lemon, the sweet thyme, all combined with classic ingredients including fresh eggs, home-ground flour, and bright yellow butter. This cake is a veritable symphony of flavors that all work together in just the right kind of way.
Essential Oils 101: Frankincense
Posted on June 20, 2014 Written by 7 Comments
If you think of frankincense, chances are you’ll think of one thing first: the birth story of Christ. I know, I did it too. But frankincense is more than a small detail in a Bible story. It’s a powerful oil that has tremendous medicinal value, to the point of being more valuable than gold during some stretches of history.
Frankincense is one of the oldest and most powerful essential oils you can find. It’s not wonder it’s one of the oils I suggest to start with when you begin to build your homemade medicine cabinet. I like to call my essential oils, herbs, and other kitchen witch items my “Real Medicine Cabinet”. After all, these oils are made from real plants, barks, peels, seeds, roots, and so forth. These oils are brimming with qualities made to help our bodies.
New and Improved: Real Food 101 is TWICE as long, and now in full color paperback
Posted on June 14, 2014 Written by Leave a Comment
When I picked up a copy of Nourishing Traditions at my library all those years ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was the best kind of crazy whirlwind to learn in one innocent weekend about why saturated fats are good for me, why I needed to eat more seafood, why local produce contained more vitamins, why raw milk wasn’t going to kill me after all, and what my ancestors generally ate. (Hint: it’s not what the paleo people say.)
Fast forward a few years, and after much trial and error in my own kitchen, I have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to real food. I know what my kids like, I know the shortcuts that work, and I know which recipes taste best after trying out several variations on say, lacto-fermented dill pickles. In Real Food 101, I have compiled my experience and done the work for you.
Plus, Real Food 101 is new and improved, with more than twice as many recipes as it’s original printing. And it’s now available exclusively on Amazon, for your convenience and peace of mind when it comes to the quality of the content.
Real Cocktails: The Martini
Posted on June 14, 2014 Written by 1 Comment
When I embarked on my cocktail journey, it was a labor of love. I was intrigued by the rich history behind the Martini, imagining polished fingers gently cradling elegant martini glasses, conversing in suave cocktail parties in the 40s and 50s.
But the Martini not enjoys a posh status, but a legitimate status as a tried and true drink that has pleased palates for decades. Martinis are the rare drink that whets appetite, isn’t too sweet, and could even be considered savory. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the perfect dinner drink. [Read more…]
Essential Oils 101: PanAway for Pain and Inflammation
Posted on June 11, 2014 Written by 3 Comments
I am, yet again, amazed by the power unlocked within a bottle of essential oils. And this time it’s got a little bit of danger, because PanAway is the only one of the Basic Ten Oils that comes with a protective cap. Are you intrigued yet? Let’s find out what this baby can do…
Essential Oils 101: What Are Essential Oils?
Posted on June 7, 2014 Written by 2 Comments
Essential oils are fragrant, volatile liquids that live within shrubs, trees, flowers, roots, bushes, seeds, and peels. They are the essence of a plant, and therefore essential. This essential aspect is where you find the healing properties unique to each tree and flower and root. These natural liquids are aromatic and therapeutic to the body.
Just take a walk through a field of peppermint or lavender and try not to feel something happening to your senses and well-being. Think about the last time you walked through a forest and breathed in the crisp scent of pine. These essential oils are not only the essence of the organism, but are essential for you.
Pure essential oils are clean and absorb easily into the skin. These powerful botanical extracts are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and give support to the immune system. These aromatic compounds are unadulterated, and each have unique properties. Some essential oils are crystal clear and thin, while others are more viscous and take on brilliant green or deep blue hues from their parent plant. As you strive for lifelong wellness, essential oils are a key component to natural living and building what I like to call my “homemade medicine cabinet”. [Read more…]
How to Heal PTSD and Panic Attacks (and why #YesAllWomen is relevant)
Posted on June 6, 2014 Written by 1 Comment
As an abuse survivor, I know firsthand what it’s like to suffer from PTSD. And as an advocate for traditional real foods and natural medicine, I know firsthand what it’s like to look for safe but effective natural remedies. I’ll be frank: in the middle of a panic attack, I cannot afford to rely on nothing. It’s just plain common sense for me to have a prescription that can help me immediately, whether I know it’s “natural” or not. At least, until I can find a replacement that works as well as a prescription.
I still have lingering effects from the abuse that I grew up surrounded by: panic attacks, hypervigilance, a tendency to dislike loud noises, chronic stress, sleep problems, etc. But the good news is that I find relief in real food and in real homemade natural remedies. I am only learning to use essential oils well this year, and I wish I had started earlier. Because I have found that essential oils work, in some cases, just as well as their over the counter counterparts. For example, Deep Relief works just as well as acetaminophen for me. [Read more…]
Essential Oils 101: Peace and Calming Essential Oil For Allergies and Stress
Posted on May 31, 2014 Written by 7 Comments
I wrote this post on my Facebook page several days ago. I was having a new allergic reaction, and armed with my new essential oils, I thought immediately of their healing power and started to brainstorm my options.
A few minutes ago, I was having a slight allergic reaction to some fresh watermelon. I occasionally react to fresh fruit like pineapple and kiwi when I have higher levels of stress in my life.
With the help of my best friend Shannon, I was able to pinpoint that my body was craving certain essential oils. At first I used Stress Away rolled on to my temples, behind my ears, and the inside of my wrists. Then I used Lavender on my lip, where I was feeling puffy and itchy. Then I smelled Peace and Calming and got a very strong reaction and decided to listen.
So I put Peace and Calming into my diffuser, and also put 5 drops in a small amount of water and took it. Down the hatch! About 5 minutes later, the itching and puffiness are subsiding, and I feel a lot better.
I know it’s not rigorous science. But I also know that essential oils have measurable effects. And I also know that our bodies are smart. We crave for a reason. And if we listen to our bodies, those inner voices become stronger. I’m SO glad I had these oils on hand as part of my “medicine cabinet”.
Today ONLY! Get my books for only 99 cents until MIDNIGHT EST
Posted on May 30, 2014 Written by 1 Comment
I only have a minute, but I wanted to let you all know about the great deal on my books for today. But it ends at midnight, so you’ll need to hurry!
My ebooks, Real Cocktails (formerly Natural Cocktails) and Real Food 101 are finally available on Amazon! Woohoo!
Real Food 101
New and improved, and twice as long as it was! I added several new recipes and tutorials, so that your kitchen can be well-informed about nutrition in the comfort of your own home.
Real Cocktails
This one is revamped as well, and can be bought as a hard copy, too! Plus, have I mentioned that you can get a hard copy? People have been begging me for this since I launched the thing! In fact, it’s already ranking at #1 in all it’s catergories. I’m so proud! And it’s only been a few hours!
But here’s the best part: both ebook versions are on sale for 99 cents TODAY ONLY. Buck Books is featuring both my new and improved books in their Health and Nutrition bundle with 11 other books all marked down to 99 cents. It’s a discount book venue called “Book Bucks”.
So you can get both my books for 99 cents each! Sale ends at midnight tonight EST. Click any of the images at the top or CLICK HERE.
The price will be 99 cents literally for just one today before it’s back up to $10. You’ve got until midnight eastern time today to add it to your book collection, along with some of the others. This is the best deal I have had on my books EVER.
I’ve been wishing for a long time that I could get you my books for a more affordable price. This is your chance! I hope you get over to Buck Books in time. Here’s the link again: Buck Books.
Share the word before the timer runs out!
