Solstice Salutations

Another turn of the wheel has brought us to light overcoming the dark. The rain did not permit us to celebrate outside with a fire, but we did stay cozy inside with music and laughter. Earlier in the week I made Solstice crafts Yule love.....pardon the pun. I know that everyone celebrates different wintertime holidays and I wish you all many blessings of love and light in your sacred ceremonies. I appreciate each and everyone of you in our blogging community and may this New Year bring about our wildest dreams. May it be a "Sweet 16 "indeed.

So onto those earthy goodies to celebrate the Solstice.

~ Pine Smudge Sticks ~

~ Citrus Pomander ~

And the countdown to Christmas continues 3-2-1 it's almost here!

Spicing Up Christmas

I love drying out remnant's of my teas in the kitchen's mini bay window. Cuttings and petals from the outdoors are often added to dry out. It looks like an open apothecary and smells lovely when I wash the dishes. Having a Christmas tree and access to pine put my ingredients to a holiday use. I combined an equal ratio of all dried goods in mason jars. there is no secret quantity or formula to potpourri, use what you have and scents that please you. Just boil low on the stove in a pot of water and enjoy the smell of a Christmas home.

Working With Wood

The many illnesses that are going around have struck Casa Sol y Luna.  All six of us have something or other and a combo of  yuckyness. Iv'e been in the kitchen making soups and herbal remedies, my tools of healing are of the wood element. Wood represents the liver and gall bladder and helps to raise energy .

We still have plenty of mandarins left so I've been juicing away for fresh citrus juice. I put the rinds in the window sill to dry out for potpourri.

Constant coughing and body aches has lead to teeth pain. Ground up cloves wrapped in cheese cloth left to soak in olive oil is a great way to extract the oil from the cloves and create an analgesic clove oil for mouth pain.

 The weather here lately has me feeling that we had a Summer and then Winter with no Autumn in between. Maybe that's why our immunities are out of whack, no adjustment period. Well I'm off to get a little rest. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

My Coffee Alternate

There's just something about that hot cup of java first thing in the morning, a habit I've been partaking in for about 14 years. I didn't even like coffee until I became pregnant with my first child. So the morning usual is a cup consisting of instant Nescafe Clasico with a stevia packet and dollop of flavored creamer. In my journey to healthier living I was searching for an alternate. Thus came an Ayurvedic alternate that I love just as much as coffee that has healing properties. I proudly introduce to you Turmeric Almond Milk.

Ingredients:       .  1 cup almond milk

                        .  1/2 tsp turmeric

                        .  1/2 inch ginger chopped (you will strain this out later)

                        .  pinch of cinnamon

                        .  pinch of cardamom

                        .  dash of cayenne pepper

                        .  1/2 -1 tsp honey

Method:         1.  pour the cup of almond milk into a small pot and put on low heat

                     2.  add the rest of  the ingredients to the pot

                     3.  continue to simmer on low and stir to integrate spices

                     4.  take off stove once you see bubbles

                     5.  strain into your favorite mug and enjoy

Some health benefits of ingredients

ALMOND MILK  . no cholesterol or saturated fat  . 50%  daily amount of vitamin E

TURMERIC         . natural antiseptic . liver detoxify . anti-inflammatory . speeds up wound healing

GINGER              . gastrointestinal reliever . immune booster  . nausea reliever

CINNAMON        . regulates blood sugar  . reduces arthritis pain  . contains fiber, calcium, iron

CARDAMOM      . treats mouth ulcers . relieves bloating and heartburn  . freshens breath

CAYENNE          . cleansing & detoxifying . anti fungal . migraine headache prevent

HONEY               . reduces throat irritation,  probiotic . blood sugar regulator