Berry season has begun in Vermont and with the sudden change to hot temperatures, they are ripening as fast as folks can pick 'em.  Of all the fruit choices we have, berries have the most antioxidant punch.   They are lower on the glycemic index and are great choices for superfood snacks, smoothie and salad additions.
It is very important to purchase berries locally from an organic farm.  Strawberries, for instance, are #1 on the World Health Organization's Dirty Dozen list; meaning that if they are not organic, they carry the most toxins of all the fruits and vegetables, absorbing ground toxins as well as fertilizer and insect treatments more than any of the others.  Most important to get local berries in season when they are at prime ripeness and thus, prime nutritional value.  Purchased in grocery stores, they are picked ahead of ripeness for shipping.  The other alternative, especially in colder climates, is to get fresh frozen organic.  These are picked at proper ripeness and then frozen to retain all their antioxidant and health impact.
We love having our strawberries ready for the Fourth of July, but once they've come and gone, no need to wait until next year's crop.  Freezing our own is a great way to have fresh berries into winter and beyond.  They are also available to put into your morning smoothie drinks, continuing to add to the antioxidant content every day.  They help keep free radicals, which are unstable, inflammatory molecules that can damage cells.   Berries help protect your cells and reduce risk of disease.  Berries can improve blood sugar levels or reduce levels in people with insulin resistance.  One reason is because they are full of good water soluble fiber which reduces the calorie content, slows food digestion for fuller feeling and better digestion.
Berries contain a number of highly nutritive vitamins and minerals.  Not only do they help reduce inflammation but may reduce risk of heart disease as well as other health problems.  Berries help to lower cholesterol. According to Pubmed a controlled study of obese people, those eating 50 grams of blueberries for 8 weeks had a 28% reduction in oxidized LDL levels. 
Berries help contribute to healthy skin and reduce some forms of cancer as they reduce tumor growth factor.    They are able to improve and protect blood vessels from clotting and high blood pressure.  They are able to be incorporated into almost all types of specialty diets.  Thus berries are a great addition to our food intake for overall improved health with continued use.
Strawberries are high in Vitamin C & folates, minerals manganese, potassium, iodine, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and copper.  Also contain polyphenols like flavinoids, lignans and tannins that help prevent DNA damage and lower cholesterol.
Blueberries contain a number of bioactive compounds including polyphenols, phenolic acid and stilbene derivatives.   They are a high source of soluble fiber.  They reduce risk of coronary, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative  disease.
Raspberries contain essential minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, potassium, and fatty acids.  Another excellent source of vitamin C they help keep elasticity in our blood vessels and lower cholesterol.  Raspberries in any form - fruit or tea leaf also strengthens and supports the uterus and female hormones, especially during pregnancy.
Blackberries are a source of minerals, Vitamin A & B, calcium.  Cultivated in Europe for thousands of years, they are known for their medicinal properties.  The juice has been used to treat infections of the mouth and eye.  They have been known to play a role in reducing cancer, cardiovascular complications and other related disease.
As you can see, not only do berries fit any meal or dessert menu with beautiful color, but they supply hidden health secrets to keep our quality of life strong.  Find ways to add these power packed foods into your diets.  Fresh, frozen or dried, they should become some of our staples of health.

 Some of the information in this article is a synopsis of the chapters on grains and beans in the book,
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon 
 
 
Complementary Proteins - Grains and Beans
The major benefit of combining beans and grains comes from their amino acid contents. Both
beans and grains are examples of incomplete protein -- they contain some, but not all, of the
essential amino acids. They also represent complementary proteins, which means that when
you consume beans and grains together, their complementary amino acid contents provide
your body with all the essential amino acids. For example, many grains are deficient in the
essential amino acid lysine, a nutrient found in beans. Conversely, many beans contain only
small amounts of methionine, an amino acid found in larger supply in grains.
 
As some of you may know, eating grains, especially for someone with gluten allergies, may not
be such a good choice for food. And eating beans has always come with the picture of
excessive gas emissions at inopportune moments. If we look at the history of ancient
civilizations that use beans and/or grains as staples for survival, you will find that they would
soak them for 24 to 72 hours before cooking them and that the two above problems did not
occur.
 
One of the reasons that grains cause gluten sensitivities, irritated and inflamed bowels is
because they contain phytic acid. Untreated phytic acid combines with calcium, magnesium,
copper, iron and zinc in the intestinal tract and blocks their absorption. A diet high in
unfermented whole grains can cause serious mineral deficiencies and bone loss over time.
Soaking allows enzymes, lactobacilli and other organisms to break down and neutralize phytic
acid. Matter of fact, soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight will improve their
nutritional benefits. Soaking also partially breaks down gluten proteins into simpler, easy to
digest components.
 
Glutenous grains are oats, rye, barley, teff, spelt, and wheat and should definitely be soaked.
Rice and millet do not contain gluten and do not necessarily need soaking, but should be
cooked slowly for 2 hours in a highly gelatinous mineral broth to neutralize phytates. Quinoa,
chia and buckwheat are not technically grains, but seeds and are an easy source of non-
glutenous grain substitute without soaking. The nice thing about these as a grain substitute is
that they take very little liquid to prepare and are a great survival food with amazing nutrient
content, and light enough to carry in a backpack.
 
Now, lets talk about beans. Traditional bean eaters of the world, cook their legumes with
great intent. Different cultures soak in alkaline waters, some in acidic waters. Always soaked
for at least 24 hours, some are rinsed and more water added to soak again. These processes
are done to ensure that the beans will be fully digestible and nutrients can be fully absorbed;
neutralizing phytic acid and breaking down complex sugars. Canned beans, on the other hand,
do not break down the phytate content.
 
According to your own tastes and needs, add any grain to any bean and you have a complete
meal. It wouldn't hurt to have some dried beans and grains set aside in airtight glass jars for
times of power outages and food survival.
 
The number of dishes that can be made from these two staples is unending. Google any
ethnic grain or bean recipes and you will find their unique style and variety to fit any
tastebuds. From French bean casserole to spicey Mexican refried beans and taco fixings; to
Mideastern Persian black-eyed beans or Falafels made with Chickpeas; there is a cornucopia
of dishes that can satisfy and provide a variety of healthy non meat based meals.
 
Run out of power at your house? There is a great bread recipe from the Near East called
Zarathustra Bread. These are examples of the small loaves that were carried in the pockets of
dessert nomads as they traveled great distances in the hot, dry sands. This bread cooks slowly
in an oven, food dryer or the hot sun. See the Recipe below.
 
Sally's cookbook, mentioned above is full of a numerous variety of ethnic dishes with grains
and beans prepared as mentioned above. Another cookbook that you might find interesting is
The Versatile Grain and the Elegant Bean, by Cheryl & Mel London. There is a chapter on each grain or bean, a history of where it originated, its nutritional values, and a few recipes
containing that particular food.
 
Happy Exploring!

Zarathustra Bread
This bread can be made with little or no heat, it can be cooked in hot sun or
dehydrator, made into small loaves or thinned out for crackers. The perfect survival
food. You can find recipes like this one in Nourishing Traditions.
 
Makes 10 small loaves
 
3 C soft wheat berries
1/4 C nonirradiated sesame seeds (optional)

Filtered water
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 C currants or raisins (optional)
 
Place wheat berries and seeds in a bowl covered with water and leave in a warm, dark
place for 24 hours. Pour out water, replenish and leave another 24 hours. Test
berries to see if they are soft. If they are still hard when pinched, replace water and
leave another 24 hours.
 
Pour off water, transfer berries with slotted spoon to food processor and process with
salt until smooth. Add optional raisins and pulse a few more times.
 
Form into balls and flatten slightly. Place on a stainless steel baking sheet brushed
with olive oil or butter and bake about 12 hour in a 150 degree oven, turning after
about 6 hours. If you live in a hot, dry, climate, you can bake these in the sun.
 
Variation: Essene Bread
Flatten the balls into flat rounds, about 1/4 inch thick. Bake on lowest oven heat, in a
dehydrator or, in hot, dry climates in the sun, turning once.
 
Variation: Essene Crackers
Brush two stainless steel cookie sheets with olive oil or butter and use a rolling pin to
flatten dough into thin sheets on the pans. Bake in 150 degree oven or in a
dehydrator until crisp. Break up into crackers.

We all know that we should eat healthier and there's always room for improvement; but there are hindrances to not only finding good food sources, but affording the extra time and money to obtain them.   Given the current environment of threats of food shortages, transportation, and local climate changes affecting growing; we have a daunting task to get and keep our nutritional goals.

If you have local growers, get to know them, who they are and what their practices are.  Locally grown is always best as food is grown in a similar environment to your own and the microbiome affects will be complimentary.  Produce is also picked when ripe with the fullness of nutrients available.  Produce grown and shipped is picked prior to ripening and ripens on the way to you.  Many nutrients are lost this way.  If you can't get locally grown, the next best thing is to purchase frozen organic in the grocery as those fruits and vegetables will have been picked when they are ripe and frozen immediately for preservation before shipping.    Localharvest.org is a great online resource to find organic and grass fed meats in your local area.

Then there's the "ugly food" movement.   It has become a thing of the past that slightly bruised and disfigured food is thrown away as not being presentable to shoppers.  As there has been a bigger need to provide wholesome food to food shelves and greater numbers of people, the idea of putting perfectly good food into peoples' hands has opened up the idea of no longer throwing the imperfect produce away.   As well as there being local organizations that may do this in your area, there are also online sources like Misfits Market (misfitsmarket.com) or Hungry Harvest (hungryharvest.net) that process and mail to your door your orders at up to 40% less depending on time of year and availability.  It might also depend on locations.  There are others, so explore the internet to find the ones best suited to your needs.

Next options are Thrive Market that carries guaranteed organic for every product on their shelves.  They advertise up to 6,000 products including staples, meats, produce and harder to find needs with an entry level fee.  This again, can be shipped right to your door.  With the prices on gas climbing and despite mailing costs, these may not be such bad ways to obtain good quality food without fuel costs.  Butcher Box (butcherbox.com) and Walden Local Meats (waldenlocalmeat.com) are other great sources for mail order meats.

Another new concept in obtaining fresh produce is the "gleaning" movement or food recovery programs, where people go into the fields that have already been harvested, usually by mechanical means, and pick what has been left behind.  It helps the farmers clean up their fields and supplies more viable food for food shelves and those willing to take advantage of the excess for their families.  Organic farms that store produce over winter will sometimes open their facilities for gleaning overripe or marginal produce.

If you are growing your own food you have an advantage in being able to grow the things that your family loves.  For those of you that are beginning this adventure, plan ahead for growing as much as you can and either freezing and/or canning for winter and food shortages in the grocery store.  Much like the Victory Gardens of WWII, we can augment, if not fully stock, our larders with good quality food.  Here in Vermont where winters can be long, it is a blessing to be able to go into my freezer and bring out fresh frozen green beans in January; or make a blueberry pie with fresh frozen blueberries picked in August. 

The following two resource books can help you with practical ways of getting good healthy nutrition, simply as you learn about the pros and cons of food groups and making your own vs purchasing.  There are probably more options out there for you than you think so explore with your laptop, your local areas and the mail order options.  There are other places like Trader Joes and other food suppliers that carry some organics so read labels and glean from these sources also.  Start now to think about sources and plan ahead.  Your quality of life may depend on it.

Resources:  Food What the Heck Should I Eat?  Mark Hyman, MD  This is an excellent and down to earth approach to helping people get started eating for optimal health.  Dr. Hyman not only gives good nutritional information, but gives practical guidelines about myths and misunderstandings about some food groups.  He gives practical information for what to watch for in labeling and nutritional dos and don't as well as good sources similar to the ones above regarding where to get accurate information.  He also includes a chapter of meal plans and recipes using simple and straightforward methods for beginners and intermediates.

                     Nourishing Traditions, The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats    Sally Fallon.   This is more than a cookbook.  It has chapters categorized by product with introductory notes and annecdotal information on every page about where to find the right sources, how to make from scratch, how to substitute with the best foods and myriads of recipes for every lifestyle.  She also includes great information on each food group and what to look for and avoid as well as what gives you the most nutritional bang for your buck.  Great for beginners as well as the more advanced who want to make their own breads, yogurts, fermented dishes, sourdough and the list goes on.  This book has been revised at least 4 times now, but each edition is chock full of great ways of using what is available to you.  Used copies will be just as valuable.
           
Eatwild (eatwild.com) state by state guide or Eat Well Guide (eatwellguide.org)

It Springtime!!!!!   I'm thinking of all the green sprouts raising their heads and the wild things that will be appearing.   There's plenty of medicinals that will be ready to do our spring health cleansing with; but there's more!!   There are some wonderful plants to look forward to that have culinary charm and great artisan potential.   If you don't pour herbicide on your lawn, and you don't begin to mow too early, you are likely to find john-jump-ups and violet leaves showing themselves early.  Both the leaves and the flowers can be added to salads.  Take a look at The Herbfarm Cookbook, by Jerry Traunfeld if you get a chance.  There are other places to find recipes for wildcrafted herbs, but non as fun and served with such flair as these.  The following are some interesting anecdotes and a good spring Nettle soup recipe that will please your eyes as well as your palette.

Scented Geranium leaves 
Geraniums come in so many diverse scents now, from cinnamon to rose.  Choose your favorite and try this recipe with your kids.  They love putting the leaves in the pan.  Its a very simple way to add flavor to yellow or white cakes or cupcakes.

Take any scented geranium leaves, rinsed and dried.  Place in bottom of cake pan that has been oiled for non stick.  Gently pour in basic white or yellow cake recipe or boxed mix over the top of the leaves.  (Or in the case of cupcakes you can put the cake mix into the cups and set one leaf gently on top so that the imprint comes out and the leaf can be removed after baking.  Bake as directed.  When removed from oven and cooled, remove from pan and flip right side up, removing the leaves from the top. The flavor will have infused into the cake and there will be leaf patterns imbedded in the top.   Frost or glaze as desired, or try some creative touches with the leaf patterns with sprinkles, confectioners  sugar, or drizzling different colored glazes.

Flowers in salads
It's always been a favorite thing for chefs to add edible flowers to salads and as garnish.  As spring and summer arrive along with the flowers, or as you contemplate what flowers to grow in your garden, consider some of these for color and unique flavors.

Borage - an intensely blue flower has a mild cucumber flavor
Calendula - orange/yellow flowers for accenting salads or soups
Daylilies - single petals sprinkled, or full buds before opening, stir fried with veggies
Monarda or "Bee Balm" - many colors and interesting petal formation tastes like oregano
Nasturtiums - a favorite of restaurants with a mild radish flavor
Pansies/Violas/Johnny Jump-ups - early season favorites in many colors and sweet flavor

Nettle Soup 

Nettles are an early spring favorite.  Though they have oxalic acid in their leaves which cause a skin rash, collecting them with gloves and scissors works fine.  If you do get 'stung' a little lavender aromatherapy oil does the trick which you can carry in your pocket.  Cooking takes all the sting out of them and they are full of great vitamins, taste like spinach, and break down nicely for soup.  

Gather 2 quarts of gently packed leaves
Use tongs to drop them into a large pot of boiling, salted water for 2 minutes
Drain and plunge them into cold water (they won't sting at this point)
Gather leaves into a ball and squeeze out as much water as you can.

Now to prepare your soup:

2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
4 Cups chicken or vegetable broth
8 oz button mushrooms
2 Tbsp long grain white rice
4 oz nettle leaves
1 cup coarsely snipped chives
Optional Garnish:  Creme fraiche or sour cream

.  Melt butter in medium skillet, add onion and cook until softened
.  Add stock, mushrooms, rice and bring to boil
.  Reduce heat, cover, simmer until rice very soft, about 30 minutes
.  Put half nettles and half chives in blender or food processor, pour half the soup over greens, put lid on and blend on low speed and slowly turn up speed until blended smooth
.  Pour blended soup into 2nd saucepan and blend rest of greens and soup
.  Stir pureed soup over medium heat until almost a simmer
.  Taste and add pepper and salt to taste
.  Garnish:  Whip fraiche or cream until smooth and drizzle onto top of soup in circular or zigzag pattern
.  Serve

                                                             Bon Apetit!

​

Children love gardens!!  If you've ever been around pre-schoolers or young school-aged children, you recognize that they have an innate curiosity for the natural things around them.  Be it bugs, animals, flowers or trees, to name a few, they seem to find great joy in the midst of them.  Even with all the technology issues that can keep kids inside, the good majority can be pleasantly distracted in natural surroundings.  Don't think you can access nature in your small living surroundings?  Consider a garden.
Whether container, raised bed, or full-fledged rows of produce, consider the joy you can cultivate in our potentially restricted lifestyles that can make life lighten a whole lot more by bringing the natural in close.
Here are some thoughts:
.  Find a sunny spot
.  Get some extra dirt, a pail and a shovel and let them stick their hands in it.  Some of the best probiotics come from the soil through the skin.
.  Use some big pots, terraced shelves, or window boxes for containers
.  Make a path
.  Assign one of the plantings to each child as their responsibility, as you teach them how to care for it (for really small ones you may need to add a little assistance when they aren't looking)
.  Pick easily grown, short germinating varieties and be sure to include something edible, so that when the picking is ready, they can be washed and tasted
.  Try some miniature varieties - peppers, carrots, radishes, microgreens…
.  Raised beds, short enough for little legs and narrow enough for short arms to reach to the center
.  Don't forget some flowers (maybe some that attract butterflies, frogs, or birds)
There are any number of kids gardening kits and ideas on the internet.  The point is that we all need a little stress relief.  As a parent you might think that this is just another thing to do to entertain your children, but I guarantee that once you get started, this can be just as much of a stress reliever for you and a distraction from the responsibilities we are all under these days. Remember, the goal is not necessarily to provide a whole lot of food for the neighborhood, but to find fun in the midst of chaos.    I find that gardening with children is an exercise in the five senses; not just theirs, but yours.  It's amazing how watching our children learn about the things around them, can make us smile.  At the same time you are teaching them in so many subtle ways, about responsibility, respect for nature, eating good food, "blooming where we are planted", working together, life lessons and so much more.

It's always fun to then turn that food into something yummy.  So you are an adventurous mom and don't mind little hands helping in the kitchen, here's a couple of recipes to start you off.  

Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf Bites
Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf Bites are perfect for the whole family, but especially for your little one. The best part is they're cooked in mini muffin pans, so they only take 20 minutes to bake. I pack mine with vegetables, and since there's very little salt and no sugary ketchup, I add some cheese which makes every bite taste heavenly. Depending on the age of the child, they may be able to help chop via the processor or at least (with washed hands) help transfer it.  It's good for them to see how food gets from the source to the finished product.  These are a great substitute for chicken fingers!!
Ingredients

• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup baby carrots (about 8), chopped
• 1 large egg
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce or Bragg's Aminos
• 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs (whole wheat preferably)
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Spray a nonstick mini muffin tin with vegetable oil cooking spray or grease with oil.
3. Place the zucchini, onions, bell peppers, carrots, and garlic clove into the food processor and pulse until everything is in tiny pieces.
4. Add the egg, worchestershire sauce, herbs, bread crumbs, cheese, and turkey. Pulse until everything is combined.
5. Place about a tablespoon of the meatloaf mixture in the muffin pans and pack down with a spoon.
6. Bake until the mini turkey loaves are cooked through or an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165 degrees F, about 20 minutes.


Smoothies
There are any number of smoothie recipes that are fun because they blend so quickly and instantly.  At my house it's a great way to get extra nutrition in, make them taste good, and they think they're having a kind of milk shake.  The following is a suggestion, but let the internet and your family's personal favorites steer the choices.

Half an apple and a medium carrot make a good base
You can add half a banana or half an avocado to make it thick
Other veggies that taste good that can be added:  1" cucumber peeled, half a celery stalk, a handfull of kale, spinach or arugala
If you don't use a banana, blueberries or raspberries but only 2 fruits at most because of the sugar
A cup of coconut or almond milk
You can even add some pea protein powder if you're going for nutrition.

Blend away!!  Bon Apetit!
There's always room for a "garden space".  Don't underestimate it's influence to transform.

My favorite time of year - looking at seed catalogs and imagining warm spring days and green plants pushing their way out of the ground.   And this year, it might be even more important to be doing this early, before the ground is even near ready, than other years.  Consider the supply chain woes that are preventing food from being delivered and empty shelves in the grocery stores.  As gardeners, we may want to take the old World War II Victory Garden approach where every family was encouraged to grow some of their own food in their backyards.  It got the population through the depression years.

So what might we consider for our gardens this year, that we haven't grown in years past?  Before we get to that, here are some things to consider:
   .  Buy seed early - there will be lots of other people considering this and early planning and ordering might just get us ahead of a rush on seed that might leave some folks without.
   .  Try to buy heirloom seed.  Besides being non-GMOed, heirlooms have the ability to reproduce after their own kind.  In other words, if you can harvest the seed from your own crop and save them for the following year.  That way, if seeds become scarce, you have your own supply. 
   .  Think preserving over the winter and what might have to be processed, frozen or canned, versus some things like squash that can be kept in a cool, dry closet if you lack a cold cellar, without processing.
   .  Think about what your needs as a family are.  Your preferences might be different from someone else.
   .  And don't forget some medicinals to build up your family first aid needs.
   .  Choose a garden site and know the size you have to grow in, as this will determine how much you can plant.  You will want to figure the soil prep or raised bed costs. 
   .  There is also consideration whether to use a cover or hoop house in locations where weather can be harsh.  This can stretch the growing season or protect from storms or hail or stretches of drought or heavy rain that can wipe out crops.  There is more ability to control to some extent the growing conditions and protect precious food.  Elliot Coleman, in his book Four Season Harvest talks a lot about this very subject.
With long-term in mind, what to buy?  In our house green beans are one of our favorite veggies, and they do grown well in our climate.  So I plant extra rows in our raised beds.  I can plant closer in raised beds because I don't have to leave formal rows and walking spaces as in a traditional garden plot.  Two double rows in an eight foot bed produce 5 to 6 gallons of frozen beans which is enough for the two of us to last through winter.  And I have the advantage with heirloom seeds to leave a few plants to dry their pods and keep the seeds for the following season.  I haven't bought bean seeds in 10 years.   Snap peas work the same way with one eight foot row on a fence at the back of the box which are easily freezable and continue to produce well into summer in New England climates.  Another consideration in the bean family is dried beans like Cranberry, Black, Great Northern, Cannelini, etc.   They are easy to grow in good soil, can be left at the end of the season to dry out and then harvest and shuck.   All you need to preserve them when you are done, is put them in a dry jar with a lid on your larder shelves.
 
Winter squashes are a must in my book.  They store well if picked before fungus and dampness are allowed to set in and if kept in a cool, dry place, will last well into late winter.  They are full of Vitamin A, important for keeping colds and flu at bay.   I planted 2 plants in a raised bed with room to spread outside the box one summer, and the weather was so perfect I had 2 mild crates full of squash for us and our neighbors as well.  If you have the room, often a box with a couple inches of sand at the bottom is ideal for absorbing winter dampness and keeping them fresh.
​
Here in the northeast, root veggies can be kept over winter in a number of ways.  First, they can be left in the ground and covered with a tarp and harvested in middle of winter or early spring.  They can also be saved in sand in a container, like a trash can, layering sand, then root veggies, sand, veggies……

If you're in a warmer climate, you may be able to grow your greens all year round, especially in a double hoop covering that will keep occasional frost from disturbing them.  If not, growing sprouts in a winter box on a sunny window may be your salad fixings. 

Canned tomatoes for making sauces can be a great staple for soups, pasta and other dishes.

If your growing medicinals, dry them at picking time to keep some in dry jars over the winter or start your tincturing process as you go. 

I hope this gives you some things to think about as you put your spring seed lists together.  This may be the year to plan ahead, and think about the needs of family and neighbors.  Some neighborhoods can work together to grow specific things and share with one another. 

Heirloom seeds can be purchased from any number of companies you can find on the web.  We use High Mowing as they are close to us in Vermont, but there are some great companies out there.  Try to support your local growers and suppliers.  Wherever you get them, do it early and you'll be ready for whatever comes our way.

Happy 2022!   The year is new, the potential is great, the needs are before us.  What can you and I do as proponents for good health?
"…this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"  Phil 3:13-14
Every one of us has a gift, something we are good at, that comes naturally and that pulls at the passions of our hearts.  If you're reading this newsletter, it's a sure sign that food, plants, gardening, herbs and taking care of yourselves and your families are some of your passions.  Anyone of us can be an encouragement to help people get and stay healthy.
Circumstances in the world at large are not what they used to be but we all have creative ways of overcoming obstacles and challenges.  As January is traditionally a time to take stock of our lives and how to make them better, let's consider how Healing Leaves can assist you in moving forward and planning ahead.
We're happy to provide zoom or in person classes for groups of people wanting to learn more about good nutrition for our immune systems and for maintaining good weight.  We love to teach people how to make medicinals from plants you raise in your gardens or the wild ones that grow in your neighborhood fields and forests.  We intentionally try to stay informed and provide reliable information for good resources to obtain the best quality and integrity in products; food, supplements, or other life needs.   It's our goal to help people find solutions for small spaces, limited resources, good recipes, and creative ways to improve your lives without breaking the bank.  We are well versed on supplements, where to find good ones, and the difference between good and bad (or unnecessary) ones.   You will discover the sky is the limit when you begin to consider what you can learn in an hour session that will give you improvements in small increments.  Winter is a great time for learning and if the weather is bad, the internet is still available.  
Some of you that have had Covid might be wanting to gain your health back from fatigue.  If you're in an area where food is in short supply, how can you stretch, alter, substitute ingredients to keep you family healthy.  We're here to help.  If you have a group of people in your area or across the country that are interested in learning specific strategies for health, send us an email.  If you're not sure if the topic(s) you're interested in are things we can help with, send us an email.  With a little brainstorming, you will be amazed at how the answers to seemingly large problems, become small when approached in a group effort and the combinations of our own life experiences become a help to someone else. 
Let's put an end to feeling isolated by circumstances created by Covid and begin to create networks of friends solving problems and encouraging those around us.  Got a computer?  Let's get started. 


For more information or to discuss an idea, email Cathy at thrushsong60@gmail.com.  There is no such thing as an inappropriate question.
May Joy Be Yours in This New Year!


 

 You've heard the expression "you have to pick your battles".  The meaning behind it, that sometimes we can win a fight but lose the war.  During this holiday time, I hope the meaning of family and friends will mean more to all of us, than the fear of sickness and winning the discussions of political differences.  I am not insinuating that sickness is not real, but with wisdom, some creativity, and love this Holiday season; we can still reach out and touch one another heart to heart.

This Hanakkah and Christmas I want to make every gift even more special than ever.  In these times when you might hesitate to attend large group gatherings, maybe smaller segments are easier digested.  I find getting together with others over coffee or lunch can be much more meaningful; and it doesn't mean you have to spend money to do it.  Let's use some creativity here.  The world is not the same; and maybe some things will never go back to the way they were; but personal relationships can contribute more to health and worth than a gift in the mail.  Here in the Northeast there are a group of women who walk together.  We started doing this in the midst of lockdowns last winter.  Dressing for the weather, we set times and places every few weeks to walk.  We let the group know and whomever can join in does.  Each week is a little different.  It's a way of getting exercise, catching up, being together and letting down our hair for a couple of hours with those that understand where we are at.  We don't care if anyone is vaxed or not and whomever wants to wear a mask can without questions.     I have been to outdoor sledding parties with refreshments around a bonfire and backyard parties around a chiminea.  There's always the fun of door to door caroling for the singers as well as the recipients.  Or how about building a neighborhood snow sculpture, fort, or tower.  Folks can distance as they need to and we are still together with one another.

Sometimes we make gifts,  knock on a loved ones' door, deliver the gift and even have a short conversation.  You would be amazed how that spontaneous act can lead to an unexpected invitation to come in, to share a struggle, to see a smile, to help bear a burden.

The opinions of the "specialists" are many and conflicting.  The real results are yet to be seen and understood.  In the meantime, do we really want to separate ourselves from those we love and risk losing our heart connections over differences of opinion; or do we want to keep those we love close to us when we need each other most?

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Gifts of Food and Health

This year more than ever, I find that useful gifts come in many forms and they don't have to be expensive.   Finances are being strained for many of us right now.  As much as we want to have the best food and healthcare products, they can strain our budgets.  Gifts that exemplify healthy lifestyles can even come in child sizes. 

Gift certificates for food or introductory offers can help our loved ones stay on the path to health.  A subscription to Thrive Market (an extraordinary company who mail orders totally organic food anywhere in the country right to your door, postage free), Harry & Davids (Fruit connoisseurs), Green Chef (meal in a box), Misfits Market (the imperfect but just as healthy unmarketables), or any of a number of others that you can find on the internet under organic mail order companies.  Homemade preserves and other foods from an overflowing harvest can be beautifully presented in a gift basket, bag or creative container. 

Gifts of immune boosting herbals, supplement formulas, or luxurious spa and preservative free body care products are a special way to say you are thinking of someone.   You can support a worthwhile company while you provide for family and friends.   There are some herbal companies like Mountain Rose Herbs, Sage Woman Herbals, Richters, The Grow Network, and others that have developed kits for making tinctures, and a myriad of other health related products that can supply needed nutrition and health while having fun together as family.

If you have gardeners to buy for, an organic seed collection, or amenities to prepare and maintain the garden beds can be just as important, as we begin to make sure we have enough in our own backyards to sustain us as supplies become questionable.

Let's get ourselves out of our boxes of material focused gifting and give gifts of life, health and love in this giving season.  Gifts that will last longer than a day or two but contribute to longevity, fun and carry us farther into the future. 

Medical Disclaimer:  Research and clinical material shared in this article is for informational purposes only.  Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources and the resources noted.  Consumers should review the information carefully with their professional health care provider.  This information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians or other professional health care providers; nor is it an attempt to diagnose or treat.  We will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special exemplary, or other damages arising from choices made as a result of this information.


One thing health care providers have not informed us of, in the midst of this current flu epidemic, is what to do if you test positive but are not sick enough to have to go to the hospital.  First thing is DON'T PANIC!  There are actually a number of options for what you can do at home to help yourself get better.  Whether you are vaxed or unvaxed, there is no judgement here; should you test positive, the protocol options are the same.

What is flu virus?
An infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host (Webster's dictionary)
 An organism that attacks the body at the cellular level, affecting cell function as it uses the cell as a host.  Once your immune system kicks in, it will generally take care of the virus and wear it out or put it out.  Some people with compromised immune systems will have more difficulty recovering, even from the regular flu, and in a good number of cases each year (even before this pandemc) deaths could be in the thousands due to compromised health.  (see past year CDC & VAERS statistics)
.  Generally evolves and resolves within 1 1/2 to 2 years' time as herd immunity and mutations occur, until it regenerates or reappears again in a mutated state over time.  Thus the idea that we "need" a new flu vaccine each year.
.  Most healthy individuals are better off without a flu vac.

What is a vaccine?  Originally a part of the live virus that is introduced in a very small amount in order that the  person receiving it will have a normal immune response and develop antibodies that reside for a lifetime or portion of a lifetime; so that the body develops it's own immunity to the virus when exposed to it in future.
Vax additives like formaldehyde, heavy metals - lead, polyethylene glycol, mercury & aluminum (have been introduced in last 20 to 30 years) - trigger immune reactions to "jump start" the antibody response but are toxic and more often lead to heavy metal toxicity and inflammatory responses that may or may not resolve.  (i.e. ADHD, autism, fatigue, organ failure and death)
The current injection is NOT a vaccine by definition.  The original viral organism was NEVER isolated in order to produce a vaccine from it.  It is a synthetically produced mRNA (part of your DNA structure) therapy that changes the function, reaction, and ability of what your body can AND cannot do.

Prevention
The best prevention is building up your immune system so that it can function the way it was created to; in order to reject, overcome and eliminate sickness and disease.  The following list of supplements and foods are some of the major building blocks to doing that.  Whether you are vaxed or unvaxed, you would do well to keep your immune system strong in this season.

.  N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC)  Protects and supports the liver to filter toxic substances (including virus out of your blood)  Science has proven that this supplement works well against the current flu strain.  Take once a day
.  Vit C with bioflavinoids (NOT just ascorbic acid) 2500 to 5000 mg per day (over course of the day like 500 or 750 mg caps or time release)
.  Vit D 2,000 to 4,000 IU per day
.  Zinc - losenges and caps (20-50 mg per day) enters cells to protect from virus invasion, breaks up spike proteins.  Losenges used upon symptoms of sore throat can break up spike proteins in the back of the throat before they reach the lungs.
.  Quercetin - drives zinc into the cells where it protects them against the virus, by forming a barrier
.  Eat alkaline; Good eating habits are extremely under realized. Stay away from sugar, too much caffeine, alcohol, food triggers (see prior blog articles on alkalinity).  Good web source www.liveennergized.com  Keep hydrated with good water source.
.  Hydroxychloroquine - preventive(400 mg per week) & when early onset of symptoms (400 mg/day) .    Please note:  herbs that are equivalent to hydroxychloroquine (which is a pharmaceutical grade of quinine usually used for malaria) are cryptolepis (Guanian quinine and Wormwood).     Scientific monographs for these two herbs can be found online (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2956313/  Ghana Medical Journal "Clinical Efficacy of Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta in the Treatment of Malaria").  If you cannot find them, send a 'comment' to this blog site and we will get it to you.     See resource list for Sherri Tenpenny and Thedrardisshow.com below for dosage confirmation.

Treatment upon testing positive

See Dr. Zelenko's Protocol below
.  Unless you feel you need to be hospitalized, don't panic, treat as for any other flu (bedrest, fever, cough, cold and ache with appropriate medicinals) as soon as symptoms appear; and let it run it's course forming your own antibodies.  (science proves this is the best prevention against further problems)  NOTE:  Sweden, Denmark & Norway did not vaccinate and they have basically developed herd immunity and no longer have pandemic nor high numbers of cases.
.  Ivermectin, which is on the NIH guideline site at link below, needs prescription - (0.2 to 0.6 mg/kg body weight/as a single dose or as once-daily dose for up to 5 days) generally well tolerated (per NIH guidelines at www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov  Look for Table 2e. "Characteristics of Antiviral Agents That Are  Approved or Under Evaluation for the Treatment of C" - 2nd drug listed after Remdesivir) Protects organs & transmissions.  Protects the liver and brings down inflammatory response.  DO NOT USE if on blood thinners.  Ivermectin paste, used to treat animals is not recommended and should NOT be used internally as the carrier paste will cause extreme gastric distress.
.  Zythromax & hydrocychloriquine
.  Inhaler & Budesonide with nebulizer (Budesonide.works.com) - Dr. Richard Bartlett - telemedicine


Please Note:  New scientific evidence is coming in daily.  Tests done in Thailand using a parasitic herb called Green Chiretta (Andrographis) in prisoners as their only course of treatment shows 99% positive results using for 5 days (usual improvement within 3 days)  This herb is easy to obtain and is also used effectively for Lyme disease.  https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-how-thailand-is-using-a-cheap-and-effective-traditional-herbal-medicine-to-treat-coronavirus-12428157


Hospital & choice  - you have the RIGHT to say NO to respirator and to ask for Ivermectin (after all, it's listed on the NIH website) or any other treatment of your choice under HIPPA Health Privacy Act.  You also have the RIGHT to call and talk with other doctors (i.e. frontline doctors) in their legal department for advice and legal documentation/paperwork like The Vaccine Bill of Rights


Hospital protocols suggest Remdesivir as the first line treatment.  Please refer to the same NIH treatment guidelines mentioned above and consider the numerous side effects listed there before accepting this as your only course of treatment.

C -19 Treatment Protocol
Dr. Vladimir Zelenko
www.VladimirZelenkoMD.com

Fundamental Principles
Treat patients based on clinical suspicion as soon as possible, preferably within the first 5 days of symptoms. Perform PCR testing, but do not withhold treatment pending results.
Risk Stratify Patients
Low risk patient - Younger than 45, no comorbidities, and clinically stable
High risk patient - Older than 45, younger than 45 with comorbidities, or clinically unstable

Treatment Options Low risk patients
Supportive care with fluids, fever control, and rest Elemental Zinc 50mg 1 time a day for 7 days
Vitamin C 1000mg 1 time a day for 7 days
Vitamin D3 5000iu 1 time a day for 7 days
Optional over the counter options Quercetin 500mg 2 times a day for 7 days or Epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) 400mg 1 time a day for 7 days

Moderate / High risk patients
Elemental Zinc 50-100mg once a day for 7 days
Vitamin C 1000mg 1 time a day for 7 days Vitamin D3 10000iu once a day for 7 days or 50000iu once a day for 1-2 days
Azithromycin 500mg 1 time a day for 5 days or Doxycycline 100mg 2 times a day for 7 days Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) 200mg 2 times a day for 5-7 days and/or Ivermectin 0.4-0.5mg/kg/day for 5-7 days
Either or both HCQ and IVM can be used, and if one only, the second agent may be added after about 2 days of treatment if obvious recovery has not yet been observed etc.

Other treatment options Dexamethasone 6-12mg 1 time a day for 7 days or Prednisone 20mg twice a day for 7 days, taper as needed
Budesonide 1mg/2cc solution via nebulizer twice a day for 7 days
Blood thinners (i.e. Lovenox, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa, Aspirin) Colchicine 0.6mg 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days

Monoclonal antibodies Home IV fluids and oxygen

TRY TO KEEP PATIENTS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL

1.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924857920304258 2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7365891/ 3.https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jf5014633 4.https://vdmeta.com/ 5.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7318306/ 6.https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jf5014633 7.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924857920304258 8.https://ivmmeta.com/ 9.https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2021436 10.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7392554/ 11. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.26.21250494v

Resources:  Dr. Henry Ealy, ND  youtube, facebook, rumble.com
.Dr. Ardis,   https://vokalnow.com/video/4409?utm_source=Engaged%20%283%20Months%29&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Karen%20Kingston%20%28SDaPys%29&_kx=1LtyXmt5A9KFHR6wh5LcxGBAhL2S1zCeutYOYNOTVgM%3D.SwvL6p   
https://www.thedrardisshow.com  and facebook  -  physician, scientific information   Interview by Clay Nash at  https://rumble.com/vlsf6b-dr-ardis-shocking-news.html?fbclid=IwAR0AmkFKXYwb-Tp8jSjQT_Y2TLH8ACGsQQmicvXl1QQOroOv_BfYGIw62wo
.  Dr. Sherry Tenpenny - www.drtenpenny.com  - physician and researcher,  podcasts, science, explaining in laymans terms, accurate statistics, what to do, where to go
.  Dr. Vladimir Zelenko - Jewish physician in NY   - Protocol & Telemedicine
https://www.brighteon.com/92160a49-8df0-441a-9b57-17a37b2eacd0  (testimony before the Israel Council)
. Dr. Richard Bartlett - budesonideworks.com ,   researcher, doctor specializing in asthma and other lung issues found bedesonide with inhaler and nebulizer worked to get Covid out of the lungs, telemedine  facebook and vimeo
.  Robert Kennedy Jr, Childrens Health Defense, Environmental Activist and anti-vaccine advocate for children for over 40 years.  The truth about vaccines and Covid 19  Facebook, childrenshealthdefense.org
. America Frontline Doctors.com - legal advice, medical science, telemedicine, Vaccine Bill of Rights with Dr. Simone Gold
.  KrisAnne Hall - Constitution Atty, Liberty First University


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Four Thieves - Clearing the Air You Breath

The history of this aromatherapy formula is during the Black Plague in London, this was a family who worked with distilling and producing aromatherapy oils.  They developed this formula in order to go into the city and steal from the abandoned businesses and circumstances available for the taking.  Thus the name "Four Thieves".  

The way aromatherapy oils work is, as you inhale them the molecules enter your nasal cavity and come into contact with your olfactory nerve, triggering it to send a message to specific immune functions to set up a defense.  These molecules also kill germs on contact as they travel through the air around your head and face and up into your sinuses.  They are a well-documented and potent way to kill germs on contact to protect us all from inhaling viral and cold organisms.

Be Wise, Stay Well!!

How to Make Four Thieves

You will need a small 1 oz or half oz dropper bottle.
Add olive oil or other oil of choice as a carrier oil to fill the bottle half full
Using the following aromatherapy oils, add them a drop at a time:
            . Clove oil           20 drops
            . Lemon oil         18 drops
            . Cinnamon oil   10 drops 
            . Eucalyptus          8 drops
            . Rosemary            5 drops

Shake before using.  Put a drop or 2 on your skin as often as you like or if you are going out into public places.  You can also put drops on your clothes like collars or on a kleenex or cotton ball in a breast pocket, etc.