Herbs for Pre-Menopause/ Menopause

At 48 I realize I have to think about pre-menopause, aghh really? I don't feel like I am 48, but none the less I am and took out my handy book "Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health" by Rosemary Gladstar.

Rosemary has a whole section in this book for woman's health. There are seven herbs just for the female system even if you are not at that point in your life like I am. If you are you would want to go to page 227 for the "Essential Supplements For Menopause.

Dong quai is known as the woman's herb it is great for over all gynecological issues, uterine tonic, hormone regulator, circulatory system, and high in minerals especially iron. DO NOT use this herb if you are menstruating or pregnant. You can take two capsules three times a day, eat 1/8 of the root, or take 1/4 teaspoon of the tincture two to three times a day.

Calcium goes without saying we know how important it is for bone health which will help to prevent osteoporosis, but did you know it also prevents hot flashes. There are many foods that contain calcium such as almonds, kale, spinach, nettle, and of course cultured milk products such as yogurt.

Ginseng is a great tonic herb, builds life force slowly, great for long term deficiencies and imbalances.  A steady flow of grounded well balanced energy, also aids to eliminate mood swings and depression.I eat 1/8 inch of root daily, you can also make a tincture and take 1/4 teaspoon twice a day.

Iron is beneficial for robust health, high energy, and helps keep blood oxygen rich. If you are exhausted, fatigued, or stressed it could be your iron is low. There are large selection of foods listed in the book that are high in iron including alfalfa, cereal grains, eggs, oats, and more. There are also herbal sources such as Herbal Iron Syrup, horsetail, nettle, parsley, spinach, wheat germ and more.

Spirulina by weight, 55 - 70 percent protein, concentrated amounts of B vitamins (helps strengthen the nervous system) and gamma-linolenic acid helps prevent degenerative diseases like osteoporosis and arthritis. Take 1-2 tablespoons of powder or 6 capsules daily.

Vitamin E is a great nutrient for the reproductive system, a specific remedy for hot flashes, muscle cramps, and vaginal dryness. Various foods are mentioned like whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, bee pollen and others. It is often recommended for those going through menopause, 400-600 I.U. a day. CAUTION if you have diabetes, rheumatic heart, or high blood pressure should not exceed 50 I.U. daily, consult with health practitioner first.

To  learn more about natural healthy pre-menopause or menopause herbs I highly recommend this book. There are recipes for various tincture geared toward menopause along with more useful information. Also this book is not just for woman's health there is a section for men, children, elders, stress and anxiety, every day ailments, and beauty. There is also 175 teas, tonics, oils, salves, tinctures and other natural remedies for the whole family.

I purchased mine through The Bulk Herb Store for $16.95. Please consider using the affiliate link on the right if you would like to purchase this book. Note I did not write this as a way of getting others to use my affiliate link. These herbs have been helping me so I thought I would share my source of information.

I am not a doctor, this is strictly for educational purposes only. Always consult with you health care provider before taking natural remedies.


Do you have a go to natural book in your personal library?

Update, I just got The Bulk Herb Store newsletter and was happy to see that this book is one of the specials for June. Get it for $11.87 using code JUNHOM, once again please consider using the affiliate link on the right.

This post shared on Wildcrafting Wednesday and here.

Quinoa, Sausage & Spinach Skillet

Last month I purchased some Italian sausage not knowing it was vegan. I had used it to make a dish and loved it so much I bought it again. I also obtained some organic spinach, and because I don't eat enough vegetables decided to come up with a new dish.

The sausage comes in a casing which you cut open to remove it. It is then like regular sausage last time I just chopped it up as it was cooking. Well I decided to add some tomato sauce to my dish, and found it easier to chop up the sausage while it cooked in the sauce.

Earlier I had placede the spinach in a strainer, and set on top of a bowl. As it thawed I would walk by and use the spoon to squeeze the water out of it. I have been using this method for a while now and it works so good and takes little effort.

At this time the quinoa was cooking along side it, I choose my seasonings, and added them to the sausage, and tomato sauce, then added my spinach. I had one 17.64 oz box of Pomi tomato sauce, along with a half that was enough. You might want more or less I found this perfect. Once the quinoa was finished I put them altogether, and tasted it to see if I needed to add any more seasoning.

This is the first quinoa dish I have made that picky 14 year old actually would not only taste, but liked. Yeah we have a new dish!!

Print Recipe

Quinoa, Sausage & Spinach Skillet

1 pkg of Field Roast Italian Sausage (contains gluten)
1 cup cooked quinoa
Tomato sauce 
Spinach to taste (Sno Pac frozen)
Sea Salt 
Black pepper
Garlic
Cajun Spice

All seasonings were added to taste, the Cajun spice is organic Skillet or Grill it seasoning and rub, and it packs some heat, but adds great flavor.

Tuesday's With A Twist #8 Link Up

I have been so busy lately I have done alot of blogging. I have been busy trying to educate others about the harmful effects of our genetically modified food. Some friends stopped by yesterday and we were showing them are garden and talking about doing things naturally. It is so rewarding to teach people how to do things naturally without hurting the earth, and producing real food.

The march against Monsanto was an awesome experience, more on that at another time, but I am going to share my favorite picture from the march.

The Lab Rat

Okay with that out of the way welcome to the 8th Tuesday's With A Twist Link Up. We have two featured bloggers who have been featured before yeah for you two. We currently use the number of clicks each blog gets to determine our features, but that could change we'll see.

Our two features this week are.......

Black Fox Homestead with Tips for Growing Great Tomatoes

Family Home & Life with Denim Repurposed

So, the rules make it family friendly, link up the old, the new, the good, the bad, and even the ugly if you got that too. Your host is Mary from Back to the Basics, and lil ole' me is the co-host. Oh and by the way Mary is having a seed give away so pop by to get in on that. Now go link up!!!

Tuesdays With a Twist #7 Link Up

                                     Welcome to another Tuesdays With a Twist Link Up!!

Rules are still simple family friendly posts, link up any blog you want, new, old, and everything in between. Due to copy write laws images should be your own, this way if you are featured there are no problems. Featured blogs come from the ones that have had the most clicks.

I'm the co-host and Mary from Back to the Basics is our host. Feel free to follow us through the various ways listed on our blogs.

This week we have three features.

Family Home and Life: Bakers Dozen Cake Recipes

Guest post on Mary's Kitchen by Vegan Mother Hubbard

Home Grown Montessori: Garden Grows and Garden Woes

Don't forget to grab the featured button.

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Now on to the party!!!!

Jalapeno Peppers in The Garden

Photo credit

I am not a fan of the heat that comes with the Jalapeno pepper, but they have a lot of benefits.

First that have a number of health benefits vitamins such as C and A are present. They have been shown to help prevent migraines, congestion, and may help in weight reduction. Some say they may also play a role in preventing certain types of cancer.

 Jalapeno peppers are growing in my garden right now. Because the smell keeps a lot of bad insects away from my tomatoes, and green peppers. The tomatoes,and green peppers will provide shade for the Jalapeno peppers so it will no dry out. They are also great to help prevent root rot, and other Fusarium diseases. Okra is also a good plant to provide shade for the Jalapeno. It also likes to grow with cucumbers, swiss chard, squash,eggplant, and escarole. You can also plant these herbs with the Jalapeno; basil, rosemary, oregano, and parsley.

Never plant with broccoli, beans, brussle sprouts, cauliflower, fennel, or cabbage. You can also make a tea from this pepper and use it as an insect spray.

While I am not a fan of the heat, it works great in the garden, and others here like the heat. I plan on using them to make some home made salsa. I might also add some to the home made spaghetti sauce I plan to make.

 Do you grow Jalapenos? What have used them for?

This blog was shared on Wildcrafting Wednesday and here.

Tuesdays With a Twist #6 Link Up

It's time once again for Tuesdays With a Twist Link Up party. Last week my computer was sick with a virus and I was unable to co-host, but the little guy is all better after a quick visit to the doctor.

Love the rules because there is only one must be family friendly. However you could think about following me through the various ways on the right. Our host Mary from Back to the Basics can be followed via Bloglovin or Google + links on her blog.

Our featured blog this week comes from Yesterfood with Great-Grandmother Tenery's Oatmeal Cookies.

                                    If you have been featured be sure to collect a button.

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Now it is time to link up from 7:00 am Tuesday EST through 11:59 pm. Link up as many posts as you want and let others know about the party, LINK UP!!!!!!

May 17 Food Revolution Day

 May 17 is Food Revolution day, here are some suggestions to incorporate into this day.

Set up a table at a local church, health store, gym or any place else you can think of that has alot of traffic. There are brochures available at Institute for Responsible Technology which you can print out, or order. 

While GMOs are a big issue our food suffers other problems as well. People need to be educated on where their meat products are coming from. We need to get to know our local farmers and support them. Visit some local farms in your area, and download the files of questions to ask of various types of farms here.

Consider doing a showing of the documentary Genetic Roulette either at your home, a local library, church, group such as MOPS, hospital staff, local gym, the possibilities are endless.This is a 1 hour and a half documentary covering various truths about GMO/GE foods and the effects it is having on the animals that we eat, and our health. You can rent the documentary here for seven days at $2.99 or purchase the DVD through Amazon for $14.99.

 If you feel an hour and a half is too long you could use one of the power points available. The material used for the power points comes from the documentary Genetic Roulette. There is one which is only 5 minutes and consists of 37 slides, a 20 minute one containing 53 slides, and the last one has 112 slides. There is also a printable version of the text which is located on the slides making it easy to discuss each slide. Look to the right at the power point library for other topics relating to our food.

Host a GMO free feast, you can get some great ideas here for theme parties. Once you decide on a theme you can let your guests know what it is and ask for each to bring a GMO free food or dish. You can turn it into a cooking party by having each guest bring an ingredient for the dish being made.

Don't forget to talk about other ingredients in our food which are harmful.  Aspartame found in all the sugar free products, and they are trying to get to add to many dairy products and not have it labeled. There are numerous additives in foods which many people are unaware of.  High fructose corn syrup is in a numerous varieties of food including, but not limited to bread, sauces, and soda. Not only does high fructose corn syrup cause obesity, but it also is contaminated with mercury.

Photo credit

How about involving the kiddos on this day by planting some GMO free foods. Studies have shown that even children who do not normally eat vegetables are more likely to eat what they have grown. Even if you do not have any kiddos to plant a garden with this is a great way to celebrate Food Revolution Day. If you have no room for a garden see if you can use some land, at a church, or community center for a community garden. 

Get printable goods from Food Revolution.

Like GMO Free Worldwide and learn more about our food and other world wide events.

How will you celebrate Food Revolution Day?

Chili Casserole Bake

Photo credit

It is the end of the month, money, and food are low, so what to make for two hungry teen boys. I thought about it, taking into mind what food I had left. While the majority of our food is just that there still remains some GMO junk, like noodles.

So, I have two packages of ground turkey, tons of noodles, some GMO junk four cheese Mexican, a jar of Texas chili starter. I wondered if the chili starter would be enough, and then realized I had some tomato sauce. I could easily add that along with some of the chili seasoning mix I have if I need to. So I was off to make a dish I have never made before.

Fortunately for me my 16 year old will eat what I make. He has a great palate for seasonings and is often critical of my homemade dishes. That is okay, he is also my taste tester, and will add what he thinks is missing. On the other hand we have the 14 year old who will not even try some things I make from scratch, like my quinoa dishes. So, it was important I made something the 14 year old would even try.

Many of you know I do not use a lot of measurements. This is because as I have said before, number one when making dishes from scratch I have noticed it takes a lot of seasoning, and two everyone is different.

I made too many egg noodles, but not a problem 16 year old likes them with some Trace Minerals (pink sea salt.) Okay so let me just give the list of ingredients I used.

 
 Printable Version
               
    Chili Casserole Bake

Egg nobles
2 packages of Shelton's ground turkey
1 25 oz jar of Frontera Texas Chili Starter
1 package of Secret Recipes Herb and Spice Blends 7 pepper chili
1  17.64 oz Pomi Tomato Sauce
Four Cheese Mexican
Trace Minerals (pink sea salt)

I cooked both the ground turkey, and noodles. I then retrieved my Pamper Chef baking dish, and filled it with the noodles, and ground turkey. I poured in the chili starter, and tasted it needs some salt and more sauce. I added the tomato sauce until I was happy, I added the chili seasoning a little at a time along with the salt tasting as I went a long until I was happy with the flavor. I then topped it all off with cheese until I could no longer see what was underneath.

I baked at 350 degrees until the cheese was melted, and then put the oven on broil high to get a nice brown crispy topped cheese. You have to really watch once you put it on broil or the cheese will get real hard and not real attractive.

That was it my husband took some for lunch today, both boys had two helpings, and there is still some left for today.