byhishands

[byhishands]

My plaintain weeds have been infusing in the window sill for a couple of months now, so today was the day, I decided to make salve.

So many plants which are considered weeds have medicinal benefits and this is just one of them. Growing up, we picked it, to feed our rabbits.

Some of the benefits I have found for plantain weed salve include:

promoting the healing of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Soothing and reducing inflammation caused by eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, and rashes. It can help reduce swelling and pain associated with hemorrhoids. It can be applied to minor injuries such as bruises and sprains to reduce pain and swelling.

It has antiseptic properties that has been known to help prevent infection. I have also read where people have used plantain salve for acne and wrinkles and as a moisturizer for dry or irritated skin.

This is an ingredient God has given us. His word promised that He would provide for our every need. With that promise in mind, I am trusting and learning how to use His creations for my health, my sustance, and His glory.

[byhishands]

Teaching the granddaughter to make rhubarb jam. She helped pick and clean the stalks, squeeze the lemon to get the juice and is now stirring the rhubarb to render it down.

These are memories, I will forever cherish and skills she can carry for a lifetime.

[byhishands]

Today I am making my own dark chocolate from scratch. Dark chocolate has so many health benefits including being a good source of magnesium and iron, and a rich source of antioxidants. It also helps protect the heart by lowering blood pressure and increasing blood flow. It can contribute to a healthier gut microbiome and may even improve brain function.

I have not always been a fan of dark chocolate but once learning of how it can help my body, I quickly learned to adjust my palate.

Remember, everything in moderation!!

1/2 c butter, crisco or coconut oil ( your choice)

1/2 cup cocoa powder

3 TBS honey

1/2 tsp vanilla

Melt your butter or oil over low hear stir in cocoa, honey and vanilla until well blended.

Pour into molds or baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour

Makes 8 servings

Calories 157

Net carbs 9g

Fats 15g

Protein 1gr

[byhishands]

Today, I got my wild garlic onions from the dehrydrater, and put them in the blender. I decided to make into a fine cut that I can mix into breads, use for rubs, and mix with other herbs for seasoning.

I had 3 dehrydrater plates and yielded nearly a pint jar: I am pleased.

God is so good to me!!!

[byhishands]

The field across from the house is full of this. I knew I had seen it in a book I recently purchased, so I had to be sure: SCORE!!!

Purple nettle or purple archangel, it is literally everywhere right now. It is a member of the mint family, and has so many amazing benefits.

I found out that it is called dead nettle because unlike its stinging cousin the nettles in it are dead, making it safe to eat the moment you pick it.

This “weed”, as most call it, is high in Vitamin C, iron, and fiber – plus the seeds are packed full of antioxidants.

The purple Dead Nettle is identified by its square stem, spade-shaped leaves, and purple tops.

Depending upon the quality of the soil it is growin in, the lower leaves may be green, or all of the leaves may be purple.

The good thing about this plant is that it has no toxic lookalikes, so there’s zero risk involved in picking the wrong thing.

The entire plant is edible, and it will keep coming back as long as you just pinch pieces off, and you can continue to harvest until mid-summer. You can use it anywhere you would use spinach or leafy green herbs: salads, omlettes, juicing, smoothies.

As a medicinal herb, purple dead nettle has astringent, purgative, diuretic, and diaphoretic properties. It’s also anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial.

Fresh leaves can be applied to wounds as a poultice.

If you are a tea drinker you can also enjoy fresh or dry leaves as a tea, but use caution, as the one and only potential side effect is that large quantities of this tea can act as a laxative.

Again note this information is for in no way to be used as a replacement for your Dr. God promised He would supply our every need and because of that, I am exploring a more natural lifestyle.

[byhishands]

Today's success story!

I went foraging for wild onions or wild garlic onions.

I am wanting to dehrydrate these and mix with the peppers I did earlier and some other herbs to make my own seasoning.

After reading some of the things in preservatives, I no longer want them in our bodies.

Every part of this plant is edible, but please make sure when you go to harvest this plant it has the garlicky onion smell, as there is a similar plant, Death Camas which is poisonous. The Death Camas is a member of the lilly family, has a bulb that may look similar to an onion but lacks the brown mesh covering and distinctive onion smell.

The wild onion, meadow garlic or

Allium canaden, can be used in a number of ways. You can use the leaves like chives or spring onions.The bulbs can be used like regular onions, sliced and added to dishes.

You can ferment the leaves for a unique, savory flavor, then dry them for a powder or use them as a seasoning.

[byhishands]

Some of you may not be fans of sourdough bread, but still want the taste of homemade bread, or bread with no preservatives. If so, this is an easy recipe for you.

Good food does not have to be hard to cook, we just need to know how to cook it.

Have a blessed day!!

[byhishands]

A teacher I had in high school had posted this recipe for sourdough. It was from an Appalachian cookbook, and since those are where my roots lie, I decided to try (other recipes I tried had also failed).

Today, I baked my first loaves, I chose loaf pans instead of the Dutch oven for my 1st run, and they turned out so light, springy, and yummy.

I even infused one with olive oil and Italian herbs.

Sourdough is a healthier choice than store bough breads because there are no preservatives and also the fermentation process involved in making sourdough bread breaks down complex carbohydrates, making them easier for the body to digest. Sourdough bread may have a lower glycemic index than other breads, which can help regulate blood sugar levels. So is a healthier choice for those trying to maintain type 2 diabetes. It also contains prebiotics, which are beneficial for gut health as they feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut. The fermentation process can also reduce the gluten content of sourdough bread, making it potentially more tolerable for people with gluten sensitivities.

*As always please know the reactions your body may have, and know the information on this page is in no way a substitute for medical advice. I am on a journey for more natural healings and healthier eating and firmly believe God gave us what we need to sustain us, and am trying to utilize more of those in my everyday life.

[byhishands]

Yesterday, I picked up a rotisserie chicken for our lunch. We ate about half of it, used some in salads for dinner, but still had half left. Today, I decided to try my hand at chicken salad. I've never made it before, so I winged it ( pun intended). I threw together my own recipe, and it is hubby approved, so that is a win!!

We also made the switch to Avacado Mayo a couple months ago, due to its being a healthier option for us.

I began by deboning my chicken, then chopping my onion, pickle and kale in the blender, adding together, then stirring in Mayo, and lastly salt and pepper to taste.

The entire chicken cost me less than $6 and we have gotten 3+ healthy meals from it.

The chicken salad is great alone, on lettuce leafs or on spinach, tomato or wheat wraps.

Below is my recipe, and pics of my progress.

[byhishands]

Got my seeds, and put them in pots in the greenhouse.

Cannot wait to have my own to cook and season with, and no longer be dependent on the store.

I also have oregano, thyme, and sage. Gotta have sage for fresh sausages!!!

What are some of your favorite herbs?

[byhishands]

I love my coffee. I am not a foo foo coffee drinker, I drink it black. I used to say, I drank it black like my soul, but Praise God, Jesus came into my life and changed that!!

I began sipping on coffee with my Granny when I was 4 or 5, then the Army fueled my addiction for it. Then it became one of the few things which helped relieve some migraine pain.

Coffee "beans" you grind and brew or buy in the store are actually seeds that are found inside a fruit called a coffee cherry, which is a red like fruit on the coffee plant. Once harvested, the seeds are washed, dryed and, roasted giving us the coffee so many of us crave. But the caffeine in black coffee can also have some benefits (when consumed in moderation). It can improve alertness, focus, and memory, may help boost metabolism, reduce fat storage, and suppress appetite. There have even been studies showing that black coffee may be associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. It also has some antioxidants which may protect against heart disease and stroke, and even have protective effects on the liver, reducing the risk of liver damage and cirrhosis.

As with everything too much of anything is never a good thing and large amounts of caffeine can lead to negative effects such as anxiety, insomnia, and heart palpitations, so please drink responsibly.

[byhishands]

The first cup of tea made from mullein harvested, and dried on our property. Hubby is dealing with a bit of a cold, and with already having to cancel his surgery once, we are praying and trusting God to provide and keep him healthy until the 7th.

[byhishands]

Today, hubby and I are feeding our souls and attending church services. Friday evening we kept the 2 younger grand daughters overnight, and had play time, watched Moana 2, and Frozen 2 on repeat, ate salmon and honey oven roasted carrots. At 5 and 2 they keep us on our feet and our hearts smiling!!! I feel very blessed, because by the time my Mom was my age, she was already 6 years into an eight 8 battle with terminal ovarian cancer. It's another reason, I'm searching for healthier, natural alternatives!!! Have a blessed day, and stop to thank Jesus for waking you!!!

[byhishands]

I picked some of my mullein leaves and began drying some out, and infusing some with olive oil to make into a chest rub.

Mullein is one of those weeds most people mow down,which has healing properties.

I will use the dried leaves for tea which supports respiratory health and also loosens mucus. The chest rub will be used as a chest decongestant used in the same fashion as vicks vapor rub.

[byhishands]

This evening I want to show you my failures. Yes, failures. I tried making bread from the sourdough discards I had and they failed epically. The first one, not enough water, so I compensated, or should I say overcompensate and the next too much. Both were too dense, but both did have a decent taste to them despite being able to be used as the next best weapon of choice.

Tomorrow, I try again, and even though I was not successful in obtaining my goal, I did learn, so I consider that a win.

Stay tuned for more bread drama tomorrow!!!

Have a blessed evening!!!

[byhishands]

Trying my hand at home- made spaghetti sauce today. I juiced the tomatoes, used some dried herbs, pressed the garlic, and chopped up some green onions. It's on simmer right now, and I will add some scrambled venison to it and after church eat over some spaghetti squash.

I am really trying to get rid of preservatives in our diet, but shewww it takes some work!!!

[byhishands]

Did you know letting your children get dirty is boosting their immunity and helping their body differentiate between good and bad bacteria? Because of this it could potentially reduce the risk of allergies, asthma, and other immune-related conditions. So let them run barefoot, let them dig, and let them enjoy the Earth God has given us!!