Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Creativity

Part of the things that keep my mind healthy these days has been to put my hands to work in a creative media oriented way.. so I have begun to design "Elementals" .. these are pencil and pen creations.. I have now completed ~ Earth top right
Fire bottom left

and Water bottom right...  they are 8 X 8 inch frames.. there is a lot of detail in them that I am sad you cannot see.. but they are waiting their sister AIR who is currently on my desk waiting to be completed!
Ok, this is closer, here is the first .. WATER, being a water sign I think that is how she came to me first.. then there was FIRE, probably because so many of the people I love are fire signs!

While singing in chorus, instead of talking and getting into trouble I began to bring sketch paper with me and while our director was talking to the other sections I would draw.. then there was
EARTH
She is particularly sad, she is holding the last egg on earth... this is before framing. There is a lot of glitter on these, too bad you can't see it...

while working on these ~ one morning, this adorable 'savior' came to my hand, I don't know much about her, she is wearing blue cloth, green skirt, and grey socks with sandals!.. in her hands I am not sure, a weapon or a curved cross... it's all in the eye of the beholder, you think!  Her frame has yet to come to my hands ~ not sure what will happen with her!  There are mermaids tooo.. you will have to wait to see those!!
But do watch for AIR.. when she is finished I'll post her!
I hope to sell them.. as a set or individually.....   

I changed my computer space, and cleaned my work desk most of Saturday, and yesterday I spent the entire day to paperwork! 

May the long time sun shine upon you all the days of your life!

Estarovia

Monday, August 16, 2010

How Bout some Body Powder!

I began gathering the necessary ingredients
Rose Petals
Calendula Flower Petals
Lavender Flowers
Arrowroot
Baking Soda
essential oil of Lavender
 
In go the petals!


  Then the powder!

Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr and wha-lah!

Then of course..      I have to clean up the mess

I really love this mess tho!  
After the clean up, I bottle it up!   
So what do you think, not so hard huh?
Of course you can do this too, and I am sure a normal blender would work just fine!

Adios!..  Have a Blessed Day and Remember to keep Peace in your Thought, Word and Deed.. for it's Peace that can pull us through all the difficulties of this world.

Oh.. New Book Resource

Have you ever heard of "Silent Power" by Stuart Wilde

No
Yes

Let's find out .. lend us your thoughts if you have
Estarovia The Gypsy Polak!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Making Salve

St. Johns Wort
In June while walking the dog I noticed a new patch of St. John's wort growing!
How excited was I !  
VERY EXCITED!!
I use my 'doggy' bags for collection while out walking ~ I always carry extra in case I see something interesting to collect.
After bringing home the flowers I brought them home, cleaned them up and put them in jars in Olive Oil in the sunny window

This is the end product after sitting in the window for three months, it's a gorgeous color isn't it!
I spent last Friday morning grating beeswax, heating the oil and adding the beeswax!
Here are three of the six pots one jar of oil made!
Beautiful healing ointment
chemical free!

Enjoy.... 

Friday, August 13, 2010

What are you reading, doing and eating?

While searching through all those magazines at Barnes and Noble I found this... 
 There were some really great articles in here, I highly suggest looking for this magazine.. it's great!
Now.. where was I.. 
Oh.. yes I have been busy with dehydrating.. and creating, So I'll let you in on that.
The bananas as you can see were getting a little soft, I sliced them fairly thin and put them into the dehydrator over night. 

Here you can see the process. First they are sliced, then they are dried.. I put them into a clean jar to keep! They don't last long, they are better than candy!


While all this is going on, you know I can't keep still so I am also in my 'craft' room creating.. Ever tried one of these accordion books?  They are fairly simple and make great gifts.  Above shows them open, on the right here they are closed!  

That's all for today..  I have got some great surprises coming.
      St. Johns Wort salve...   Body Powder.... and more!!
Watch the Magickal mug for more fun!   

Thursday, August 12, 2010

The Sprouts and Chia!

Those seeds sure made a lot of sprouts.. this container and another full plus one more cupful which I added yesterday morning to my 'breakfast drink'... I don't know that I like wheatgrass sprouts, they are kinda sweet, first taste then they have this little evil aftertaste that is kind of bitter! ... 
  One of my other favorite additions to my morning Breakfast drink is chia seed.. you soak them in water.. and add them to anything..they are chockful of nutritional yumminess! 
Here they are all soaked, I keep them in the fridge, but put them on the window sill to take this photograph!
 Here is some information from Raw Food World a site I highly suggest... it's all about Chia

The Chia Seed is an amazing food. For centuries many have used the seeds for a host of different reasons. Native Americans would take a pouch of seeds and a gourd of water on their trips. The seeds were their food source and taken with the water they would hydrate their bodies for endurance. When you hydrate the seeds in water the seeds shell opens up and absorbs up to nine times its volume in water. This then forms a gel, which is called Chia Seed Gel. The gel helps keep your body hydrated. The gel is also 90% soluble fiber, which is beneficial for your digestive track. People use the seeds when they are involved in sports or physical activities for endurance.

The seeds have twice the protein of any other seed or grain, five times the calcium of milk, boron which is trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones, omega 3 and omega 6 which are essential oils for the body. They also have a very long list of valuable nutrients in them naturally. The soluble fiber in the gel forms a wall between carbohydrates and the body, releasing them slowly into the body. This has been found to be very helpful for people who have trouble controlling their sugar levels like Diabetics. Dieters love the seeds because it can be added to any food or drink in a ratio of 75% to the volume of food or drink and will not change the taste. Because the carbohydrates are released slowly you will get the feeling of being full. Many use the seeds as a way to control their appetites. The gel has no taste.

The best way to use the seeds is to take the seeds already hydrated so they will not absorb your own body fluids to hydrate. The seeds may be added to anything from water to juice and any food. Any age bracket could benefit from adding the seeds to their diet. Whether it is for physical activity, added nutrition, controlling weight or sugar levels, the seeds have been known to help all of these The most unique part is that it is only a seed, nothing artificial and the cost is minimal. I have many satisfied customers who swear by the Chia seeds. The seeds speak for themselves. When you receive the seeds, first hydrate them and store them in the refrigerator. They will last for three weeks, just use as needed and add to any food or liquid. They may be taken plain as well. Some of my customers will take the dry seeds to work with them and then add them to their drinks or food if they aren’t able to store the gel. If you take the seeds dry make sure you use some kind of liquid so that you wont use the liquids from your own body. I can’t say enough about the seeds and just how beneficial they can really be. I have seen my customer’s response to the seeds and it has been very overwhelming. Finally, there seems to be a way to help your body stay hydrated, control sugar levels, maintain or lose weight and supply your body with the much-needed nutrients all naturally and at a low cost.

I personally take the seeds to help with hydration and my digestive tract. I also feel better now that I am getting the nutrients my body needs without all the additives it doesn’t need. I hope you will try the seeds for yourself. Once you try them you will be able to judge for yourself the benefits. You do not need too much protein or omega 3 and 6 so the maximum of the gel you will need is three tablespoonfuls three times a day of the gel. Once a day you may substitute one tablespoon of dry seeds in place of the three tablespoons of gel. Along with the seeds you will receive directions on how to make the gel and their nutritional values. Directions for using Chia Seeds

Put 1/3 cup dry seeds into two cups of warm water whisk, wait fifteen mins then whisk again then store gel in refridgerator .Use three tablespoons three times a day of the gel (seeds hydrated). You can mix them into any drink or food and may even just take the gel. Once a day you can take up to one tablespoon of the dry seeds and add them to fluid or sprinkle them on food and drink fluid at the same time so the seeds hydrate from the fluid. Depending on the reason you are taking the seeds you may choose the time to take the one-tablespoon of dry seeds. Either before a workout or meal or in the morning. If you are taking the one-tablespoon daily in fluid you can do what I do with mine. So not to have to mix it every day and wait for the seeds to hydrate I take seven bottles (20oz.Size) of purified water, and seven tablespoons of dry seeds and mix in a bowl. Whisk and then fifteen mins. whisk again. Pour back into bottles and refrigerate. If you want to have juice added to your bottle just add two cans of juice concentrate into the water and seed gel and mix before you place back into bottles. (You will need two empty bottles for the extra due to the juice concentrate) Every day I just take out the bottle already prepared and drink it. The rest of the day I take three tablespoons of gel at lunchtime and at dinnertime. You will know your body and what is right for you. The most you need to take is three tablespoons three times a day of the gel with one serving being replaced with one tablespoon of dry seeds with liquid if wanted.

Uses For Chia Seeds

You can mix the chia gel with: Fruit juices, smoothies, milk, shakes, jams, jellies, preserves, syrups, lemonade, yogurt, nut butters, hot cereal, cold cereal, polenta, grits, pancake and waffle mix (use 1 tablespoon per pancake), mustard, bbq sauce, tarter sauce, dips, soups, mayonnaise, salad dressings, or used instead of oil or shortening in baking. Up to 75%, by weight, of the gel may be added to anything without loss of flavor while enhancing texture and cutting fat calories 30 to 50 percent. Add to anything you wish for reducing calories, saturated fat and sugar amounts without compromising sensory appeal. It is a dieters dream food and its use is limitless.

Digestive aid; Use of 2-3 tablespoons chia gel with each meal for better assimilation of food, increases nutrient absorption and encourages better elimination. It also prevents indigestion and heartburn without risk of harmful side effects. An exceptional food for Diabetics as it slows the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar which stabilizes blood sugar and regulates the body’s absorption of fluids, i.e. electrolyte balance, more efficiently.

Incorporating chia seeds into your daily diet will enhance the nutrient absorption of all foods, including nutritional supplements. As an Aid in GERD, Ulcers, Gastritis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

I myself have Gerd (Gastro Esophagus Reflux Disease), acute gastritis, a gastric ulcer and IBS. I have dealt with these conditions for almost 20 years. I have taken all the medications from Tagament to Prevacid. In using the Chia Seeds myself, I always told my customers not to use the Chia Seeds without a fluid because it would hydrate from the fluid in your stomach.

One day my stomach was hurting real bad because of the acid. I took one tablespoon of dried seeds with just enough water to get them down. I waited for five minutes and then I drank more water to finish hydrating the seeds. It worked! The seeds hydrated from the acid in my stomach. The pain stopped. :)

The part that impressed me the most was that I was relieving the pain as well as getting all the benefits the seeds have to offer. Now I do recommend taking the Chia Seeds dry only if you have a lot of acid in your stomach. At 10 cents a serving it is a natural alternative to high price prescription drugs. A lot of my customers have used the seeds this way. I also recommend them to my customers who have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) because of the high soluble fiber in the Chia Seed gel. Only if you have a lot of acid in your stomach, should you take them dry with no water till five minutes later.

Chia Milk (makes full blender jar — 5 cups)

4 Tbsp. Chia seeds 2 Tbsp. Walnuts 2 Tbsp. Raw sesame tahini 2 Tbsp. Unheated, unfiltered honey, dash of vanilla (optional) 5 cups water. In a jar or glass, soak seeds and walnuts overnight in 3 cups of water. Pour into blender jar, add 1 cup of water, and turn on blender, running it at medium speed. With blender running, add tahini, honey, and vanilla, and then add 1 more cup of water. Blend only until smooth.

Chia milk is rich in EFAs and protein. Because of the soaking, it is also particularly rich in enzymes. Because of chia seeds' antioxidants, it will keep well in your refrigerator. Use it within a week as a substitute for other forms of milk. (Maybe you'll decide that chia milk isn't a substitute for anything; rather, other forms of milk are a substitute for chia milk.)

Chia Seeds for pets: I have had many customers also give their pets the Chia seeds and have been approached by companies who sell animal food and snacks with Chia Seeds added. They will do the same for your animals as they do for you. You can take the information to your vet and he will advise you. 

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Being and Keeping Healthy

First and foremost my passion to be healthy came about when I heard I would be a grandmother!
   That was 12 years ago, and ever since that moment I have made many changes in my life to lose weight and become healthier!
    Initially at that time I wore a size 26 dress!  (That's me in the middle, it was Halloween)
Yep it's true... now I am a 12/14 depending on where you shop!  There are a great many supplements on my counter that I consume during the course of the day.. here they are..
Ashwaganda, Shatavari, Triphala, (Banyon Botanicals) Swedish Bitters (Nature Works), MacaForce, Earth, and Green and Lake Algae (Healthforce Nutritional foods), and my tea blends!
When I get up my coffee is first...I can't go without a cup of coffee and if you knew me it's no tea cup I drink my coffee from, but a mug that holds 3 cups of coffee !

Later.. I mix into the blender, a banana, water, and fruit could be berries, plum, peach, pineapple, dates whatever is about, sometimes 1/2 cup almond milk, and then the powdered supplements, of course it's not very pretty and usually dark green, or brown but it tastes great.. and the energy it supplies me with is wonderful.  That is BREAKFAST! 

If you don't have a Vita-mix and you want a great blender!  Go to ebay and see if you can conjure one up! I wouldn't be without it.  My Mom has had hers over 30years now and it's still works great!


Here I am recently sporting my size Medium top... !   Do remember you get out of Life what YOU put into it!

            I make it a point to walk every day.. (unless it's horribly humid)  I began with short walks, and a bit of alternative exercise (Leslie Sansone Walking DVD's) and now my walks are up to 3.5-4 miles once a day, sometimes twice depending on weather and mundane activity. I love walking and it really helps calm the body and the nerves!  There's so many wonderful miracles that Mother Nature has provided us with, when you walk you become a part of that picture.......... take your first steps and try Walking!  It's affordable and fun!!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Almond Milk

Today we are adventuring into the world of nut milk, got a good high powered blender? Than you too can make it

  First you soak those raw almonds over night..  next you drain and rinse!  Now you can add them (1 1/2 cups) to 4 cups of pure clean water, and ... whir them... for about 2 minutes, you don't want to go longer than that in a Vita mix or you'll have warm milk!

There are 'milk-bags' available for purchase if you google them, you can use cheesecloth, but after a few big messes I decided it best to invest in a nut milk bag.. they are not that expensive and worth it.
I use my pampered chef bowl, the smaller one, line it with the nut milk bag, strain and 'milk' it like i imagine you would a Cow.. MOOOOOOOO then you can add agave or maple syrup if you want it sweet, personally I add no sweeeteners to mine

Once you have milked it add it to your container, YOU are all set.. Chill and Enjoy... just think once you have done this a few times it's so easy, there are no stabilizers, or scary ingredients that you have to wonder why they are in your food product.. and no Cows are involved!

You see on the right.. is the discarded almond pulp
You can save this in the fridge for a week or so.. I use it to make raw cookies and crackers.. WATCH for that recipe coming to a Magickal Mug blog near YOU!