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Garden Health Household

Cinnamon

Who doesn’t love the smell of cinnamon? Did you know it’s good for more things than just on your French toast?

Cinnamon was a rare and prized possession back in ancient Egypt, only fit for the wealthy! So, it makes sense that cinnamon is great for more than just breakfast, and now you don’t have to be rich to enjoy the benefits!

I buy cinnamon in bulk and add it to my daily teas, smoothies and I even make cinnamon water.

I have a recipe for cinnamon water AND cinnamon oil at the end of this article.

Diabetes

If you struggle with high blood sugar, or lack the ability to control your blood sugar, cinnamon can help. 

If you take about 0.5 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon a day it will act on your cells mimicking insulin by decreasing the amount of glucose in your body after you eat. 

Not only can it mimic insulin but also will improve your sensitivity to insulin. If you are prone to insulin resistance add some cinnamon to your diet!

Nausea 

Cinnamon is shown to stimulate the cells lining the stomach improving your digestion and soothing your stomach.  That will help prevent vomiting and make that nausea feeling go away!

As soon as you feel any nauseas, grab a cinnamon stick, or ground cinnamon, put it in a cup with boiling water and drink away.  Try it, I’ve felt instant relief.

Antibacterial

Cinnamon can help you fight off bacterial infections and may help treat respiratory infections caused by fungi. But you’ll want to use cinnamon oil for these benefits.

You can buy it or make your own.  There’s a recipe at the end of this article.

Heart Disease

Cinnamon is able to reduce the risk of heart disease due to the benefits of making low blood sugar. Cinnamon is able to get rid of the LDL cholesterol while leaving the HDL cholesterol alone. 

Not only this but cinnamon has shown to be helpful when forming blood clots. This also increases circulation and helps with tissue repair, hopefully in helping repair heart tissue to fight heart disease, strokes, and even heart attacks.

Neurodegenerative Diseases

Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants which can help improve brain function. This can aid in preventing Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons. The cinnamon is supposed to help with the neurons in your brain that may help stop cognitive decline.  Scientists are still doing further research on these benefits.

Mood / anxiety

If you’re using cinnamon to help keep your home smelling nice you’re most likely improving your mood without knowing it. This will also help relieve your anxiety even before it can happen. While the use of cinnamon can raise dopamine and serotonin levels in any form, I love the smell of cinnamon and recommend making it smell nice in your house so that you are always in a good mood! How can you be stressed if it smells like cinnamon?!

HERE ARE A FEW RECIPES TO GET DAILY BENEFITS FROM CINNAMON

DIY CINNAMON WATER

Cinnamon water- All you need is one glass of water, 2 medium cinnamon sticks or 1 tsp cinnamon powder per cup, and if you like it sweet, a teaspoon of honey.  If you want it right away, add your glass of water to a saucepan along with your cinnamon sticks or powder and bring the water to a boil.  Once it starts boiling, turn off the stove and let the cinnamon water simmer for about 10 minutes.  The water should turn a deep brown.  Add honey and you’re done.

You can also put a cinnamon stick in water overnight, and by morning, you’re ready to start your day!


DIY CINNAMON OIL

Here’s how you can make cinnamon oil using cinnamon sticks, olive oil and a jar (I use quart-sized).  I pack as many cinnamon sticks, vertically inside the jar.  Next I pour in the olive oil, covering the cinnamon sticks by at least a half inch.  Next I seal up the jars and store them in a windowsill for about 3 weeks.  You can store it anywhere warm and dry.  The longer you let them steep, the stronger the oil will taste.  When you’re ready to use it, you’re gonna want to first strain it.  I use cheesecloth and then I store my oil in the pantry, although keeping it in the fridge can give you more than 3 years of storage.  But mine doesn’t last that long.  You can add it to your baking recipes, topically, even in diffusers.

A faster way of making the oil is by ground cinnamon.  You’ll cook about a quarter cup with a cup of olive oil.  Just mix the 2 together over medium heat and let it simmer up to 5 minutes.  Let it cool for about 10 minutes before putting it in your sterilized jar.  This oil can be used immediately, although I’d let it sit for about a week to get a stronger flavor.  Make sure to shake the jar daily and don’t forget to strain the oil before using it.

We have an entire page of natural remedies. If you have natural remedies you choose, please share them — it takes a community!

Garden Health Household

Witchhazel

Chances are you’ve heard of witch hazel because it’s so well known for its ability to soothe sensitive skin and ease inflammation.  I was blown away when I learned how many more benefits the plant offers.

For centuries, the entire plant – leaves, bark and twigs – have been used to make medicine. 

Below are some reasons why it’s still popular today:

 

Inflammation- Eczema, Psoriasis

Witch hazel is perfect for inflammation, eczema and psoriasis because it’s rich

in a compound called tannins, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your

skin against damage.  In fact, researchers say the natural antioxidants give your skin a boost and protect against free-radicals.

That’s why you often find “tannin acid” in the ingredients of your favorite skin care products.

Simply rubbing the witch hazel on your skin should offer immediate relief.

 

 Bug Bites, Sunburns, Diaper Rash, After Giving Birth, Acne, Scars

* Going camping or enjoying a day at the beach? Make sure to put witch hazel on once you see redness. This can relieve itchiness from bug bites and from sunburns. 

* After giving birth you can add witch hazel on your pad or use a witch hazel pad for the affected area to help reduce swelling and pain. 

* If your baby gets a diaper rash, use a little witch hazel to the area to help relieve your baby’s pain.

* Do you have a big pimple that will not go away? Witch hazel may help reduce the redness and help that pimple disappear faster.

Hemorrhoids

Witch hazel is common for hemorrhoid relief.  Just add witch hazel to a cloth or cotton ball and rub it on the area where you need pain relief.  You’ll even find witch hazel pads specifically for this condition. And it doesn’t simply help the pain. Witch hazel has hemostatic qualities showing that it may even help stop bleeding from your hemorrhoids or any other wound.

 

Scalp relief

Do you have an itchy or sensitive scalp? Well, rub some witch hazel up there as well! This may even be better than your dandruff shampoo as it is often used for dryness and dandruff.

Common Ways to use

You can buy witch hazel in pads, gels, ointment, and liquids to apply externally. Most of these

have alcohol in them so use cautiously to not dry out your skin, as well as alcohol-free ones.

I’ve also seen witch hazel sold as teas.  Ingesting it was a common way to get its medicinal benefits back in the day,  but some researchers today say this isn’t an herb that the more you drink, the better because taking it in large doses (more than 4 teaspoons daily) can cause vomiting, upset stomachs and even liver damage.

The FDA has only approved it for topical use on the skin.

Fun Fact

Witch hazel is a plant that most of us aren’t growing, primarily because it grows very slowly.  It can take up to 2 years before the seeds germinate, 6 years to get mature flowers.

We have an entire page of natural remedies. If you have natural remedies you choose, please share them — it takes a community!

         

 

 

Garden Health Household

Mullein

HOW TO USE AND GROW MULLEIN

The mullein plant has more than 200 species and has been around for centuries.  But recently it’s become more widely used.  So what’s the hype all about?

Mullein grows all over the country; it’s commonly known as Verbascum Thapsus. Many people consider it a invasive weed until they are introduced to all of its medicinal benefits.

Herbalists use it for a variety of issues including respiratory problems, skin conditions, to help fight viral infections, aid with ear aches, sleep, pain and so much more.  It’s also known to have anti-inflammatory properties; it’s an expectorant… so mullein is beneficial to the lungs and filled with antioxidants.

Studies show mullein has potent therapeutic properties that come from the nectar and stamens of the plant and if you get close enough, you may smell a honey-like fragrance coming from the pretty flowers of the plant.

The leaves are harvested near the bottom of the plant and used either fresh or dried to make various products.  The flowers are linked to several health benefits too.

One of the more popular ways to reap its benefits is by making mullein tea.  In fact some lab studies show adding mullein to your tea helps fight against influenza A, herpes, soothing a sore throat and cough… it’s even supposed to relieve asthma symptoms.  And the anti-bacterial properties are believed to help you get over infections faster by strengthening your immune system.  It’s also known to cleanse the bloodstream of free radicals due to its polyphenol antioxidants.

So how do you make mullein tea?

Mullein leaves and flowers are great for naturally caffeine-free tea and it’s so easy to make:

  • Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
  • Pour hot water over 2 teaspoons of dried mullein leaves and/or flowers. Keep in mind the flowers make a sweeter tea.
  • Let the tea steep for about 10 minutes
  • Filter the tea. Some people use cheesecloth, tea balls or other types of strainers.  Whatever you use, DO NOT skip this step because mullein is covered in tiny, soft hairs and if you don’t filter them, it can irritate your throat.
  • Add your desired sweetener. I tend to use honey.
  • Once you’re done, toss the leaves into your compost… waste nothingJ
  • And you don’t necessarily have to drink the tea… let the tea cool down and gargle it for sore throats and cough.

Not much of a tea fan?  There are other ways to enjoy the medicinal benefits;

  • Ironically mullein can be smoked in order to treat lung conditions.  I had never heard of smoking anything to benefit your lungs, but research shows it actually helps.
  • Another option is to prepare an inhalant. Just boil the leaves for about five minutes and inhale the steam to help with dryness in the respiratory tissue.  It’s supposed to relieve coughs, asthma and congestion.
  • The fresh leaves and flowers are also a tasty addition to salads.
  • The flowers can be used to create bright yellow or green dyes too!

Regardless of how you use the herbs, remember dried herbs are stronger than fresh herbs. Fresh herbs have a lot of water and moisture.  I try to use fresh herbs from my garden whenever possible, but again you’re still getting the medicinal benefits from dried herbs…. Just double the amount if you’re going to use it fresh.

How to grow mullein

If you’re gonna indulge in this yummy, medicinal herb, you may as well grow it.  No, it isn’t a common herb that you’ll find in backyard gardens like mint and basil, but it grows just as easy.  In fact, you’ve probably seen the flowers on the side of the road or growing in fields and didn’t know it.  That shows you how feasible it is to have in your yard.  It’s not picky about the quality of soil but it prefers well-draining, dry or sandy soil.

It also likes lots of space.  Mullein plants can grow as tall as 10 feet high and the leaves can spread 2 feet across.

Mullein is biennial, and it’s also frost resistant.  But the plants prefer full sunlight in a dry, warm location.

It’s best to start mullein seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost in spring. Sprinkle seeds on the top of the potting soil before watering well.  Be patient, mullein seeds take about two weeks to germinate.

Keep in mind, mullein develops a deep taproot, so If you are going to move the mullein, the sooner the better.

If you have a longer growing season, you can also sow the seeds directly in the garden in late spring.

Try not to keep the soil consistently moist, otherwise. You’ll reduce growth.

Between June and October is the best time to harvest the flowers and leaves.  It’s best to use tender, young leaves.

Check out our Etsy shop for all sorts of GMO FREE seeds and teas

And no matter what the ailment, I believe there is a natural remedy to help.

We have an entire page of natural remedies. If you have natural remedies you’ve used, please share them — it takes a community!

Garden Health Household

Chaparral

Any plant that is over 10,000 years old and thrives in the sunniest places on earth has bound to have medicinal capabilities.  Introducing Larrea tridentata often called  Chaparral, Creosote bush, or Greasewood. The plant exhibits a smell of rain from the oil in its leaves.  This amazing bush thrives in desert regions including, the southwest, South America and northern Mexico.

The antioxidant properties of the bush help reduce free radical damage in the body aiding in diseases prevention. The Creosote bush contains nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), which is an antioxidant.  It has been known to block certain enzymes for tumor growth.  

According to cancer.gov, research has shown that NDGA treats several types of cancer including breast, esophageal, prostate, lung, and skin cancer. NDGA has also been recommended for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy and Stroke.  The high antioxidant properties of NDGA helps boost the immune system lowering inflammation and suppressing viruses such as Herpes simplex, HPV, HIV-1, and Influenza.  The bush also helps with circulation by causing the blood vessels to expand.

Another benefit… it’s one of the strongest antioxidants in nature, making it a direct killer of yeast cells when its administered in high doses. The yeast-combative properties of chaparral are what makes it ideal for managing skin conditions caused by fungi.

How do you use it?

You’ll often see it sold as a tea, essential oil or a homeopathic remedy.

We live in Phoenix, Arizona … where the creosote bush thrives.  We see it often everywhere… especially on hikes, and in many yards.  So I like to clip a few branches or leaves and add it to my tea… but only occasionally.

If I have a skin issue, I use it as a balm.  Salves and balms can be made to treat skin aliments such as dandruff and psoriasis. 

Other aliments Cresote bush helps with:

  • Arthritis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Chicken pox
  • Common colds
  • Fungal infections
  • Stomach Cramps
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Cleanse the liver

If you’re considering using the medicinal properties, don’t go overboard.  NDGA may be toxic to the liver in high dosages, so this is not a daily tea.

Chaparral is not recommended for use in patients with poor kidney function due to a risk of toxicity.

Dosage ranges so it’s best to consult your doctor.

This plant is just too powerful to not use in the fight of disease, a must have in the medicine cabinet.

DIY Garden Health Household sustainability Sustainable

Start a garden

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN STARTING AN URBAN GARDEN

 

It’s planting season in Phoenix!  Do you know what to plant?  Where to plant?  How to plant?

There are so many questions when it comes to starting your urban garden – or as I like to call it – your medicine cabinet and grocery store.  And you will read all sorts of articles telling you dozens of things you need to do to be successful.  But it really doesn’t have to be that hard or expensive… especially if you know the basics.

So we came up with our top things you need to know when starting your urban garden:

  1. RESEARCH – This includes looking at a planting calendar to know what to plant in your area. And once you figure out what grows when, choose things you really will use.  Research images of what the plant will look like in your garden, how much space the plant needs, best temperatures for germination, etc.  Seed packets will give you the basics.  Don’t limit your research only to online searches.  Social media gardening groups are awesome and local nurseries can be extremely helpful.
  2. START SMALL – Doing too much gets discouraging and causes many of us to quit. Gardening doesn’t have to be hard.  4×4 is a perfect starting point for a garden and so easy to build a garden bed yourself.  Home improvement stores will cut your wood to your specified size and you can use blocks to simply place the wood slabs inside.  It’s a simple process, especially if you want to avoid cutting and drilling, etc.
  3. PREPARE YOUR BED – Grass and weeds can be one of your biggest enemies. We put cardboard at the bottom of our beds to help stop the grass.  We also have a lot of gophers in the area so we also put chicken wire at the bottom.  Fill your bed with soil… add compost…. Soil and water are the basics that will help your garden thrive or die.
  4. SAVE MONEY ON SEEDS—1st garden will be most expensive but should be the only time you have to spend money buying all of your seeds because you can save them each season.

There are lots of seed banks at libraries and other local places that may offer free seeds. 

All seeds are NOT created equal, so look for GMO Free, heirloom, open-pollinated seeds so that you can continue to save the seeds each season. 

  1. GROW WHAT YOU’LL USE – Whether it’s food or medicine, if you’re watering it, you want to use it. If you won’t eat brussel sprouts, don’t plant brussel sprouts.  Can’t sleep?  Plant chamomile for tea.  Got a cut?  Plant aloe. You’d be surprised at how many natural remedies you’ll find in your garden (ADD NATURAL REMEDIES  LINK)
  2. CREATE MICROCLIMATES AND KEEP IT ORGANIC – Planting all of the same families in the same bed means they’re all competing for the same nutrients and attracting all of the same bugs. So mix things up.  That will also create a cooler environment and help keep your garden naturally organic , especially if you consider companion planting.  
  3. PUT WATER ON A TIMER—one of biggest things to kill gardens is water so you don’t want to have to constantly think about if you’re over or under watering. Set a timer for your water —- regardless of the type of sprinkling system you choose.

OLLAS are another option for watering… my favorite because it takes guesswork out of watering. 

  1. FEED YOUR GARDEN—we fertilize about every 2 weeks with homemade worm tea, compost mix, etc. Again, don’t freak out if you’re not composting, you can buy fertilizers when you’re first starting – ONE THING AT A TIME.  Again garden groups are great for where to buy what, where to find sales, tricks of the trade, etc.
  2. BE PATIENT, STAY POSTIVE AND ENJOY THE RIDE—Everything will NOT grow and some things will look great one day and be falling over the next. It’s about trial and error, learning your soil, your garden.  Trust me, the rewards make it all worth it.  The flavor of the food is richer, you know exactly what you’re getting, you’re saving money, lowering your carbon footprint, growing your own meds… the benefits just keep coming.
  3. TREAT YOUR GARDEN LIKE YOUR FAMILY – If you’re thirsty, you need water. So do your plants.

If you’re cold, you may need a blanket.  If you’re hot, you may want shade. Same with your plants. I talk to my plants, sing to them… not sure if that makes them happy.  The peace of being in the garden in priceless, so spend time in nature, learn your garden (family) and mother nature will do the rest.

 

We have all sorts of DIY videos helping you throughout your journey.   Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions because we are all in this together.  It’s a lifestyle that keeps on giving.

Garden Health

Jiaogulan

How Jiaogulan can extend your life

I truly believe there is a natural remedy that can help almost any ailment… 

And it can be as simple as a free cup of tea.

Some of my daily ingredients are known for their miracle like abilities including moringa and hibiscus.

Another favorite is Jiaogulan… also known as the Immortality Herb… and for good reason.

When used regularly, tea from the immortality herb is believed to promote a long, healthy, disease-free life – it’s a supreme antioxidant, helps maintain blood pressure, boost energy levels, reduces bad cholesterol and enhances blood circulation… among other things.

Knowing all of that… doesn’t it make sense to add it to your daily routine?

I add Jiaogulan to my tea every day.

So for herbs this good, doesn’t it makes sense to grow them?

 We grow Jiaogulan indoor so that we can have it year round.

And it’s pretty simple to grow.

We started our plant off under a grow light for about 12 hours per day and it just took off.

The care process has been pretty simple because we haven’t had to play the guessing game with water.  Wouldn’t it be nice if your plants could talk… and you could actually understand what they were saying?

We used this Blumat watering system.

And the best part about it is the plants tell you when they’re thirsty, making it hard to over or under water them.

That in itself conserves water, a huge plus here in phoenix.

Did you know on average we get less than eight inches of rain per year? And that number is dropping.

Here’s how it works…

The system is built around clay cones called carrots.  They are stand-alone sensors that monitor the moisture in the soil and roots.

Each carrot regulates when water is released.

When the plant gets thirsty, the drippers slowly release water.  So every plant is individually watered.

What’s nice is we don’t have to use any electricity… it’s a gravity fed system, we simply have to make sure the reservoir stays full.  (We used a 5 gallon bucket for our reservoir.) 

We’ve left the system for more than four days and our five gallon reservoir still had water left when we returned, so this system definitely helped make the process more convenient – it gave us some flexibility.

Besides watering… we fertilize the plant every two weeks and that’s really it.

And since the plant is indoor we can add fresh Jiaogulan to our tea year round… just one way to grow your meds.

Whether you have a stomach ache, a cough or you just can’t sleep… look to natural remedies for some relief.

Garden Health

Dandelion

Are dandelions the new healthy coffee substitute?

 

Dandelions aren’t just pretty to look at, they’re an incredible medicinal plant and play a huge part in our ecosystems. They are also incredibly nutritious… and I don’t mean just nutritious for a flower.  Dandelions are more nutritious than most of the vegetables found in your fridge or garden. They’re packed with vitamins A,C, and it’s a powerhouse of iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Even more, the pretty yellow flowers can practically grow anywhere, which is one reason why it’s known to some as weeds. It’s a weedy perennial that will continue to grow annually and will take over your yard if you let it.

 

Before we get into more benefits, let me give you a little background on how the plant has sunk its roots deep into history.

The official name is Taraxacum officinale but they’re commonly known as dandelions. 

It’s not a coincidence that “lions” is in the name of the flower.  They were actually named after lions because their lion-toothed-leaves are believed to heal so many ailments, big or small, including dandruff, baldness, sores, fevers, stress, depression and the list goes on.

 

Dandelions were highly prized to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, and were also used in Chinese traditional medicine for hundreds of years. The Native Americans used the plant as a source of food and medicine.

 

 

MORE MEDICINAL BENEFITS

One of the biggest benefits is that you can use the entire plant… leaves, stem, flower and root for medicinal purposes.

 

  • The leaves of the plant acts as a diuretic, also known as “water pills”. They work by increasing the volume of urine that you produce and altering your body’s electrolyte or body salt compositions. Bottom-line, they are supposed to help you urinate more because they rid the body of excess fluid volume.  Diuretics are also used to treat blood pressure, liver disease, heart failure, and different types of kidney diseases.

 

  • Dandelions are also high in antioxidants – the roots contain beta-carotene, an antioxidant known to help protect cells from damage. The flowers of the plant is also full of another type of antioxidant called polyphenols.

 

  • Scientists also say dandelions contain bioactive compound, which they believe may help lower your cholesterol.

 

  • Dandelions are also known to be a mild sedative and consequently can have a very calming impact on the mind and body.

 

  • Dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems and today is it’s believed to help detoxify the liver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO USE IT

 

Make tea! You can make tea using the flowers, leaf and root – just make sure if you picked it from someone’s yard, that it hasn’t been treated with chemicals.

If using the flowers and leaves… just wash a handful, boil some water and then let the dandelions steep for about 10 minutes. This version tends to be a little lighter and sweeter than a dandelion root tea.

 

 

Drink it as a coffee substitute! Thanks to its bitter, rich, coffee-like taste, the root of the dandelions makes for the perfect caffeine-free morning drink.  Roast the roots to a dark brown color, steep it, strain it and ENJOY.  Many call this option Dandelion coffee or Dandelion root tea.

 

For the root tea, the process is much longer (up to 3 hours of roasting) but the tea is more potent –you’ll want to chop it into small pieces, after you wash them of course.  Then heat it in the oven for about two hours before steeping 2 teaspoons in hot water for about 10 minutes.

 

You’ll still get benefits if you make a quicker tea using the roots – just chop them, then cover the roots with boiling water for a few minutes.  Next just strain it and voila – instant dandelion tea.

 

Add it to your meals! You can also add the leaves and flowers to your salads and other meals—cooked or raw.

Some people even use the flowers to make wine! (Let me know if you try this oneJ)

 

 

HOW TO GROW

Now that you know how to use it, it makes sense to grow it… considering it’s so easy to grow that it’s considered a weed.  Chances are you see it all the time on the side of the road, not knowing that you’re looking at a nutritional powerhouse.

But growing it yourself ensures there aren’t any harmful chemicals in your “weeds”.

It’s also beneficial to grow near other plants because their pretty flowers attract lots of beneficial insects!

Dandelions can grow almost anywhere.  They can grow with poor soil conditions and can even withstand frost and freezes.

But ideally, the plants like fertile soil and full sun, although they will survive fine in partial shade and some say the leaves taste better with part shade.

Take the Dandelions seeds and press them directly into your soil, ¼ inch deep or just sprinkle them on the soil surface, anytime from early spring to late summer (soil temperature should be at least 50 degrees).  Be sure to cover the seeds lightly because they need a little light to germinate.  Plant them about six inches apart and they should sprout within 10 days.

Be sure to keep the seeds moist until they germinate.

 

They bloom in the spring and fall, so plan to keep them around because they continue to reseed themselves.

 

If you’re more interested in the roots than the flowers, start harvesting the flowers before they produce seeds to get larger roots. Preventing the flowers from going to seed will also give you more control to keep the plant from spreading all over into weeds.

Also keep in mind, although the plant will survive, insufficient moisture and heat will cause the leaves to taste bitter.

 

 

 

FUN FACT

Dandelions aren’t just great for us, they are a good source of food for birds and bees.

 

 

 

We have an entire page of natural remedies. If you have natural remedies you choose, please share them — it takes a community!

DIY Garden Health

Zucchini boats

How to make zucchini boats using ingredients you already have!

Got zucchini? We’re making stuffed zucchini boats and if you have the zucchini, you really shouldn’t have to leave home for ingredients!  You can really use your leftovers to stuff them — hence cleaning out the fridge and bringing you closer to zero waste.  It’s a win-win!

So we will make the recipe according to what I had in the garden and in my fridge….

One ingredient that isn’t flexible is your zucchini… you’ll need large ones to use as your shell.

Trim the ends of the zucchini, cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out your seeds and pulp.  Don’t toss it… you can use the pulp and seeds as one of the ingredients.  I save my seeds for planting and I share them on our Etsy site. 

Back to the ingredients… again use what you have.  I grabbed onions, bell peppers and more zucchini from the garden and chopped it all up before adding it to a skillet.  This is where you would add your zucchini seeds and pulp.  Cook the ingredients for about five minutes.

Next you’ll spoon everything into your zucchini boat.

I started with tomato sauce, then black rice, cooked veggies and topped it all off with vegan cheese.

Let it cook at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Garnish it with fresh veggies and you’re done… Looks and tastes so yummy and you can make it as healthy or decadent as you want.

Let us know if you make it and if so, what ingredients you use! 

RECIPE DETAILS

Ingredients (Flexible)

  • 2 large zucchini
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
  • ½ cups shredded cheese
  • Other ideas – mushroom, rice, beans, spinach

Directions

  • Trim the ends off zucchini. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out seeds and pulp.  Save the pulp/seeds for the meal, or save the seeds for planting.
  • Add ingredients to a skillet…  I used onions, bell peppers, and sliced zucchini.  Cook for about five minutes
  • Spoon everything into your boat, I started with tomato or spaghetti sauce, then added some leftover black rice, then my stir-fried ingredients and topped off with vegan cheese. 
  • Place in a greased 13×9-in. baking dish and bake, uncovered, at 350° until zucchini is tender, about 30 minutes.
  • When finished, add fresh garnish.  I used onion and society garlic chives from the garden.  DELISH!

 

Garden Health Household

PEPPERMINT

How to use peppermint for health

 

Peppermint isn’t just a classic holiday flavor – there are so many benefits to peppermint that I was shocked to find out! Most of us see peppermint flavored snacks and treats everywhere – gum, candy canes, peppermint bark, peppermint mochas, and so many more mint items! But nothing beats fresh, authentic peppermint. Let’s break it down. 

 

Peppermint is in the mint family and is actually the result of a cross between watermint and spearmint. Peppermint is indigenous to the Middle East and Europe, but is now grown all over the world because of its popularity. It has even been used for thousands of years in homeopathic medicine as well as to garnish and flavor food. In fact, peppermint itself contains menthol and limonene, which are natural essential oils. (They are to thank for mint’s cooling and refreshing taste and scent!) Peppermint’s properties are what makes this little green, leafy perennial herb so powerful.

 

If you struggle with gas, bloating, indigestion, or frequent stomach aches, peppermint is for you! Studies conducted with animals have shown that peppermint extract can relax the muscles in the digestive system from contracting, which causes gastric pain and gas. Another study was done on humans with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) who saw symptom relief from taking peppermint oil capsules more so than patients who received a placebo. In both of these cases, enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules were given to the patients because they allow the oil to pass through the stomach so it can later be dissolved in the intestines, where it really gets to work! Try to stay away from non-enteric tablets of peppermint oil, because some people have experienced heartburn and nausea after taking them, likely because the tablets dissolved in the stomach before reaching the intestines. While very little research has been done on tea, scientists say that peppermint tea should have similar effects on the body.

 

But that’s not all!

 

Feeling sick? Well, peppermint can help with that too. Having clogged sinuses and a sore throat are no fun, especially this time of year. Peppermint actually has antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help clear your sinuses and relieve inflammation due to infection. The menthol in warm peppermint tea will soothe your scratchy throat and ease coughing. So, drink some peppermint tea when you have a cold or flu for less throat irritation and clearer nasal passages. Plus, it’s caffeine free so you can get better rest!

 

HOW TO GROW IT

Now that you know the benefits of peppermint, you need to know how to grow it! Peppermint is an adaptable plant, but will grow best in a cool, moist climate. It is best suited with partial or full sunlight, but if it is above 85 degrees where your peppermint is growing, you will need to make sure to shade it for up to 2-3 hours. Peppermint also needs a lot of water to keep itself and the soil moist. Keep in mind, peppermint does have a tendency to spread and take over, which is great for me because I like to dry the leaves so I have it all year long for tea.  But if you want a little more control, it may be best to plant in a small pot or contained area. 

To grow peppermint from the seed, lightly press the seeds into moist soil (spaced 18-24 inches apart if growing multiple bundles). Typically, the seedlings will emerge within 7-20 days. Happy planting!

 

Let us know if you use peppermint & stay healthy!

 

Don’t forget, we have an entire page of natural remedies to treat all sort of ailments.

 

Garden Health

BLACK EYED PEAS

How to Grow Black-Eyed Cowpeas

Black-Eyed Cowpeas, also known as a “Southern Field Pea” or “Crowder Pea are one of my favorite legumes to grow because you get sooooo many and there are multiple ways to eat them.

One way is to let the beans dry and cook them… your traditional black-eyed peas.   For this method it’ll take anywhere between 80 – 100 days til harvesting time… and you have options; You can let the pods stay on the plant until they are brown and dry, or you can pull the plants and hang them to dry.  Either way, I usually leave a few plants in the garden beds to dry so that I have an abundance of seeds for planting and sharing.

If you choose to dry them for cooking that traditional black-eyed peas dish, you will simply remove the beans from the pods (shell them), and you’re ready!  I don’t do anything special with cleaning… but I do soak all of my beans for at least 6 hours before cooking them.

 You can also pick the pods while they are green, like a snap pea,  as soon as they are well-filled out with seeds, about 70 days after planting.  For this method, I chop the pods and add onions, bell peppers and whatever else I have in the garden.  So you can really get creative.

The pods are 6″ to 8″ long  and can have up to 15 peas on each one.  That’s a lot of beans! And the vines are resistant to wilt and nematodes. They are cream or tannish-colored with a small black spot. They love heat and are a great source of fiber and protein.

So how do you plant them?

I plant my seeds directly into my garden beds with lots of compost.  But many experts suggest you first soak the seeds for up to 12 hours.  The idea is that since the seeds like a lot of moisture in order to germinate, this will speed up the process because they will already be soft and moist. Then plant them directly in the soil, after your last chance of frost (ideally above 70 degrees.  You don’t need to plant them deep, about an inch into the soil.  They are heavy yielders, so give them some space.  I plant the seeds about three inches apart and I space the rows about two feet apart.   Also it’s best to give them some support, like trellises.  It helps keep the plants off the ground, which gives them more circulation and it should minimize disease.  It also makes it easier to harvest.

As for when you will see your babies popping out of the soil… My experience has been within a week, but other gardeners say 7-14 days.  So be patient.

20+ seeds for $5

All of our seeds are GMO-FREE, open-pollinated and untreated.

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