Healing Honey

Honey is the perfect food.  It will never deteriorate or go bad.  If it starts to thicken and become granulated you can warm it and it liquefies.

My daughter, Hilary, had a sore scratchy throat and took honey.  The next day the sore throat was gone.  There have been may studies that show honey can fight bacteria.  Used alone or in combination with herbs or spices honey can be as potent as an antibotic.  It can also be used both internally and externally. 

For centuries honey has been used to cure bed sores, wounds, and burns.   Apply honey directly to the wound and cover it with a sterile bandage.  The dressing should be changed twice daily. 

Natural honey is better then grocery store honey which can be made or combined with high fructose corn syrup.  Honey from wildflowers is more potent then honey from single plant source.  My next blog will list the combinations of herbs and honey and their uses. 

 

Having a Restful Evening

When it has been a long week.  Even the weekend has been filled with chores I can.t seem to get done any other time.  It never seems to end.  So tonight I am going to play catch up.  Instead of catch up on work it will be catch up on rest. 

After dinner it will be peace and quiet.  I have already lit some scented candles and dimmed the lights.except the one near my chair.   I am playing some soft flute music and am going to curl up with a good book.  The temperature has been dropping down so I may turn the fireplace on for a while while I make some hot chocolate.

I can hear my wind chimes.  The wind is blowing pretty heavy tonight.  Although it is not anything like what the east coast is getting from Hurricane Sandy.  Still the sound of the wind is soothing.  I am thankful for a warm home and the sound of Peace. 

Night!

 

Rosemary Chicken Recipe

I wrote a the benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil and mentioned that the herb itself can be used in cooking to give health benefits that aid digestion.  Here is the recipe I use.

Makes 6 servings.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes

INGREDIENTS

 

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon  paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons   rosemary leaves finely crushed
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon  black pepper

6 boneless chicken breasts, skin removed
6 small red potatoes, halved

DIRECTIONS

 Preheat oven to 425°F. Mix oil, paprika, rosemary, sea salt, pepper and and dash of garlic powder in large bowl. Add chicken and potatoes. coat well.  Arrange potatoes in single layer on foil-lined baking pan.  Bake 15 minutes. Push potatoes to one side of pan. Place chicken on pan.  Bake 30 to 35 minutes longer or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender, turning potatoes occasionally.

 

The Miracle of Magnesium

This past summer my sister shared with me an article from  First for Women magazine.  It was the July 9th issue.  I read it and said sound good but I have read so many things in magazines that really didn't work.  So when I read that it helps muscle aches and pain, insomnia, moodiness, melt away stress and triple weight loss.  PLEASE!

Well, my sister knows what a skeptic I am so she brought out her stash of powdered magnesium and shared her experience with me.  She had packed on a few pounds and felt bloated.  When she found the article she decided to try it.  After locating the powdered magnesium at a health food store she tried it and within a week could tell a big difference.  No more bloat and her clothes were fitting better. 

She gave me her stash and I promised to try it.  I have to confess it made a big difference for me as well.  I also felt more energetic yet felt calm and peaceful at the same time.  I no longer feel bloated and have lost a few pounds even though I have not tried to diet. 

The brand I get is called Calm but there are many others.  I wouldn't be without it.  I went on a short trip and forgot to pack it.  I will not do that again, but within a few days after resuming my daily dose which I mix with orange juice I was back to my new normal.  Since then I have also shared this with one of my daughters to see if it helped her.  It did. 

When my sister went to Colorado for a few months she did not take the powdered magnesium and she could only get the capsules where she was.  She got the capsules but she said it was not the same.  The article goes into much more depth so if you get a chance to read it I recommend it highly.  Also get the powdered magnesium and not the capsules or tablets.  It can be found at most health food stores or natural food stores that sell organic foods. 

Let me know your experiences.

Rosemary Essential Oil

Although rosemary has been used since ancient times scientists still are just beginning to figure out how the body utilizes it.  The scent can boost brain power but also produces calm.  Kathleen Blanchard, RN recently wrote on EMAX HEALTH   “According to results of a new study published in the journal of Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, compounds in rosemary called terpenes can enter the bloodstream through the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs. Researchers found the herb contains a specific compound that when inhaled enters the blood stream and improves cognitive performance.

Over the centuries it has had multiple uses:

Aids in digestion Rosemary as an herb is often used in cooking and helps aid in digestion, and reduce flatulence.  It can be added to any meat, poultry, or fish dish as well as vegetables or breads. My favorites are Rosemary Chicken, Rosemary Bread and Baked Rosemary Potatoes. Only use the herb for cooking and not the oil as the oil is for external use only and can cause vomiting and seizures if ingested in that form.

Hair Care Rosemary can be used to treat dandruff.  It stimulates the hair follicles and reduces gray.  It is an ingredient in many hair care products.  Rosemary is often mixed with tea Tree Oil and Basil Oil for a scalp treatment. 

Skin Care Rosemary can be used as a toner or to reduce dryness.

Pain and congestion If you have arthritis pain or respiratory congestion try a Rosemary vapor bath to sooth aching muscles or relieve congestion.

Aromatherapy   Rosemary essential oil is used extensively in aromatherapy. The oil blends well with frankincense, lavender, sage, cedarwood, basil, thyme, citronella, lemongrass, chamomile, and peppermint.  It used in lotions, candles, bath oil, beauty products and room fresheners.

On the agenda for tonight are my Rosemary Chicken and Herbed Rosemary Potatoes.  Yum!  Maybe later I will soak my feet in some Rosemary Oil and some Lavender.  A little goes a long way.  Just a few drops needed. 

 

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Boost your immune system using eucalyptus essential oil. The Eucalyptus is a huge tree that grows mostly in Australia.  I can grow as high as 300 feet.  The leaves give off a powerful fragrance when they are pressed and bruised.  Eucalyptus not only boosts the immune system but it will ease sore muscles and symptoms of congestion. 

Uses:

Unblock sinuses
Ease head congestion
Soothe a cough
Bath soak
Foot soak
Fragrance can lift your spirits

To relieve congestion add 4 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil to 10 cups of boiling water in a heat proof bowl.  Use a towel over your head and breath in the vapors deeply.  This will clear head congestion and clear the mind as well as relax you. 

For on the go relief you can add 2 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil to facial tissue or handkercheif that you can carry with you. 

 

Causes of Stress

We all have stress.  So what causes stress?  There are many causes.  Here are a few.

Planning a wedding
Death of a spouse or partner
Divorce
Menopause
Seperation
Loss of job
Relationship difficulities
Retirement
Change in health of close family member
Change in your health
Working more than one job
Working more than a 40 hour work week
Pregnancy

If one or more of these happens within a twelve month period you are probably suffering from stress.  Even with a welcome event such as a wedding or pregnancy there is stress because the event is life changing. 

There have been times in my life when more thean one life changing event has happened and I had to find ways to cope.  I will discusse these in later blogs.  If any of my readers want to share their stories and how they cope feel free to email me at pkalman7@bellsouth.net with the subject line the essence of peace.
 

Relaxation Station

Stress affects our minds and bodies.  Everyday we are bombarded with stress at home, at work, in our personal relationships.  All of this stress can take a toll on our health and our peace of mind. 

We can learn to de-stress and relax to help our bodies to reset itself.  As we learn to relax,  our mind is renewed and our spirit regenerated.  This helps us to cope and improves our overall health. 

This past year I wanted to create a place in my home where I can totally de-stress.  A place that radiates peace, calm, serenity.  I wanted a place where my senses were hightened yet my body and mind could relax and unwind.  I am almost finished with it and am starting to see the benefits. 

I call it my relaxation station.  We all need one.  Someplace that suits our personality and needs.  Myself I am a book person.  I love to read.  My area includes a bookcase with lots of books, a picture window overlooking a pastuer with some horses and a beautiful pecan tree.  I have a recliner that belonged to my Dad that has heat and massage which is wonderful.  A small fireplace and sented candles. A quilt my sister made me covers me on cold days when I just want to curl up with a book. 

Wow.  I am getting in may peaceful relaxed state just thinking about it.  If you don't have one you need one.  It doesn't have to be big just cozy.  Put there only what you really love.  Make it your own. I will start my next blog post while you are creating your special place.