Kombucha Tea

Yields: 8 cups

You need:

1 large glass/metal jar or bowl that has a wide opening. You want to avoid using a plastic jar or bowl because the chemicals in the plastic can leach into the kombucha during the fermentation period. It’s also possible that ceramic pots might cause lead to leach into the kombucha once the acid comes into contact with the ceramic glaze. Look for a big Stainless Steel or glass jug/jar/bowl online or in large kitchen stores, and make sure the opening is wide enough to allow a lot of oxygen to reach the kombucha while it ferments. I personally use a half gallon canning jar.

1 large piece of cloth or dish towel to secure around the opening of the jar with a rubber band. It’s not recommended to use a cheese cloth since this allows particles to pass through. You can even try using an old thin cotton t-shirt or some simple cotton fabric from any textile store.

1 SCOBY disk. You will need to purchase a “SCOBY” disk and can find one either in health food stores or online at very inexpensive prices. A SCOBY disk can be vacuumed-sealed in a small pouch and shipped directly to your house for only a few dollars, while still preserving all of the active yeast ingredients. Or, get one from a friend.

8 cups of water (preferably filtered, but people who use tap water feel this works fine too). Some prefer using distilled water which will contain less contaminants or metals than tap water will. Distilled water is inexpensive (only like 88 cents a gallon) and can be found at most large drug or convenience stores. I use purified reverse osmosis water.

1/2 cup organic cane sugar or honey. When it comes to sugar substitutions, some feel that it’s not a good idea to substitute cane sugar for another kind of sugar, honey, stevia or anything else. On the other hand some people have reported making kombucha successfully with raw honey. The quality of the sugar is important in order to avoid contaminants, so look for organic sugar. Yes, this is one of the few times we’ll tell you to use real sugar! Most of it is actually “eaten” by the yeast during the fermentation process, so there is very little sugar actually left in the recipe by the time you consume it.

4 black tea bags (preferably organic which some people have reported works better). Some people also like to use green tea, although black tea is the kind used traditionally in most cases.

1 cup of pre-made kombucha, which you can either buy or use from a previous kombucha batch that you or a friend made.

 

Directions:

1. Bring your water to boil in a big pot on the stovetop. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add your teabags and sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

2. Allow the pot to sit and the tea to steep for about 15 minutes, then remove and discard tea bags.

3. Let the mixture cool down to room temperature (which usually takes about one hour). Once it’s cooled, add your tea mixture to your big jar/bowl. Drop in your SCOBY disk and 1 cup of pre-made kombucha.

4. Cover your jar/bowl with your cloth or thin kitchen towel, and try to keep the cloth in place by using a rubber hand or some sort of tie. You want the cloth to cover the wide opening of the jar and stay in place, but be thin enough to allow air to pass through.

5. Allow the kombucha to sit for 7–10 days depending on the flavor you’re looking for. Less time produces a weaker kombucha that tastes less sour, while a longer sitting time makes the kombucha ferment even longer and develop more taste. Some people have reported fermenting kombucha for up to a month with great results, so taste test the batch every couple of days to see if its reached the right taste and level of carbonation you’re looking for.

After the tea is made you can add 1/4 cup to a mug of other herbal teas or just drink straight. You can find all of the benefits by Googling Kumbucha benefits. Your tummy will be much happier by treating it to Kombucha on a daily basis.

HOW TO SOAK NUTS, SEEDS, GRAINS, AND BEANS

Nuts, seeds, grains, and beans are nutritional powerhouses. However, the natural agents that protect them from early germination can wreak havoc in our digestive system. Soaking and sprouting replicates germination, which activates and multiplies nutrients (particularly Vitamins A, B, and C), neutralizes enzyme inhibitors, and promotes the growth of vital digestive enzymes.

Please note: Many “raw” nuts and seeds have been pasteurized and irradiated. Truly raw almonds and peanuts will sprout, but those that have been pasteurized and irradiated will “activate” with soaking, but will not physically “sprout.” However, soaking still removes anti-nutrients (compounds that can interfere with the absorption of nutrients), increases nutrient density, and makes the nuts more digestible.

PLACE  organic raw nuts in a large glass bowl or mason jar, and cover with warm, filtered water (about a 2:1 ratio) and about ½ tsp. NSP sea salt. Cover with a light cloth for desired time. (Usually a minimum of over-night and no longer than 30 hours) Nuts do not need a lengthy tail. You only need to soak off the protective coating that interferes with digestion. If not consumed right away make sure you refrigerate.

RINSE food thoroughly and drain.

USE You can blend these with pure water and make a nut butter (more water will make a nut milk). You can also:

DEHYDRATE in a food dehydrator at no higher than 115º F for 12 to 24 hours, and store in sealed glass containers in the fridge. Beware: If nuts are not completely dry, they will develop mold.

 You can also toast them just before eating but remember when you cook them you do lose some enzymes.

HOW TO SPROUT SEEDS, GRAINS, AND BEANS

GET a quart-sized (or larger) mason jar. Remove the solid middle insert of the lid, and cut a piece of cheesecloth or breathable mesh to fit over the rim and then put the ring on. The mesh should form a skirt around the edge enough to be caught up in the ring. Take this off and then add the seeds or nuts.

Usually a teaspoon of very small seeds works well as they will at least triple in size.

FILL  the jar with warm, filtered water . Screw the lid on with cheesecloth or breathable mesh screen in place. Let soak overnight and rinse in the morning adding fresh water and rinse again. Shake to make sure as much of the moisture is out of the jar. Place slanted in a bowl to continue the draining process. This allows the air to circulate and the water to drain. You can allow it to sit in the light but not needed to put in direct sunlight (this sometimes makes the tail tough)

REPEAT this process twice daily.

WAIT  In 1 to 4 days, the sprouts will be ready. Sprouts vary from 1/8-inch to 2-inches long. When ready, rinse sprouts well, drain, and store in a jar (with the solid part of the lid replaced) in the fridge.

ENJOY within  2 to 3 days. Sprouts are a fabulous nutrient-rich addition to raw salads, sandwiches, and wraps, and are also tasty in smoothies, soups, and stews. After the sprouting process you do need to keep in the fridge so mold does not form.

Keep a rotation going where there are sprouts sprouting and some in the fridge for eating.

 

 

 

 

Spring Cleanse and Tonic
Spring cleanses should be individually recommended. Some to choose from would be Clean Start, Tiao He or something for the irritated intestines like Everybody's Fiber and Aloe Vera Whole Leaf. They should not cause pain or discomfort. If they cause too many trips to the bathroom, you've chosen the wrong one or you must go slower. In general, I have found that a good spring cleanse can be as easy as drinking 16-20 ounces of pure water with the juice of half a lemon squeezed into it.

 

Minerals make a good tonic and Ionic Minerals is quite tasty. You can even add this to the "lemon juice" above.. Sugar should not be included. Remember you are doing this for the health benefits and sugar has no benefits, If you need something sweet add a powder stick of Solstic Immune with the lemon and minerals. This will help get your immune system geared up and if you add some Milk Thistle you might not have any allergy symptoms to deal with this spring.

 

It is always safe to take Probiotics before bed and upon rising to support your immune health. This can be done daily.

Toasting with Green!

1 teaspoon Liquid Chlorophyll

16 ounces of purified water

Mix and drink!

This easy to do drink will help your blood get more oxygen. It will help give you energy and improve circulation. It normalizes digestive fluids and stimulates peristaltic action in the colon (but only if this is necessary). It helps to improve liver function and encourages regeneration of damaged liver cells. Easy to absorb and good tasting! You may want to add this to your health regimen just because it is easy to do. This drink is safe enough for children and good for pets as well.

Open for New Possibilities

1 ounce of water

10 drops of Be Courageous Flower Essence

1-2 drops of Lemon BIO Essential Oil

Emotionally and spiritually, lemon essential oil promotes focus and clarity. It's uplifting affects awaken the senses, clear the mind of distractions, and help a person tune in to the task at hand. It helps a person to overcome confusion or doubt, fatigue, overwhelm, and lack of enthusiasm, as well as helps to clear self-doubt, limiting beliefs, stagnant energy, and rigidness in the mind, heart, or body.

Be Courageous helps to strengthen one’s reserve when one is anxious about something new. It supports the energy of a person who is doubtful and fearful of new situations.

AnxiousLess is a product that can be taken that nutritionally supports a person who is facing situations or experiences that creates doubt or concern. Just one capsule has been known to help one feel more in control.

This recipe uses Everybody's Fiber

 

 

 

 

 

Yogurt Treat

Putting sugar in yogurt defeats the purpose of eating something healthy. Why not bump it up a notch with a sweetener that is actually healthy for you and includes some very good nutrients? I love adding Solstic to my yogurt and then some raw nuts and seeds. This treat is something that will help keep your engines revved!

Solstic Immune—tastes like a pink lemonade smoothie!

I only add a half of the packet to a cup of yogurt and then save the other half for 10-12 ounces of water that can be sipped on throughout the day. The immune will give you the vitamin D3 plus Elderberry, zinc and some wonderful herbs to support your immune system during the cold and flu season. You can also make the water hot and have a wonderful tea! Try some today. It’s yummy without guilt! Sweetened with Stevia and only 7 calories (not including yogurt and nuts)

Charcoal Poultice 

Traditional medicine used poultices to draw out toxins. Bacterial infections are toxins that the body wants to get rid of. Strep infections are becoming more common after a surgical procedure and medical doctors use stronger and stronger antibiotics to defend against them. Sepsis is serious…it means death.  You can fight this condition by using Silver Shield liquid in high doses for a short period of time and using a topical drawing poultice.

 

Open 3 capsules of Activated  Charcoal (I prefer NSP brand)

Melt one tablespoon of coconut oil (organic)

Add these together and drop in 2-3 drops of Lavender oil

 When this is well mixed spread onto a sterilized gauze pad and apply to the infected area. Leave this on for a minimum of one hour or up to 8 hours. Wash with purified water. Spreading Silver gel on the infected area will assist in the healing. Poultice may be done once every 24 hours to draw out toxins. You can cover with plastic wrap or another gauze pad and adher with adhesive tape.

 

The Activated Charcoal is well-known for its ability to absorb poisons and toxins. Coconut oil is a good base for this poultice as it has healing benefits and Lavender is a tissue healer.

Always seek help from a professional health consultant or medical doctor for serious health challenges. The above is not to replace any treatment recommended by a medical doctor and in no way is meant to prescribe or treat. Resources available for the above can be found in traditional medical journals.

 

 

Solstic Energy drink—safe, non-habit forming!

Benefits:

• Helps reduce physical fatigue.
• Increases mental clarity and focus.
• Helps mobilize fat stores to be used as fuel.
• Increases exercise endurance and stamina.
• Provides energy for daily tasks.

Stock#6521-2

http://hartonweb.com/nsp-herbs/bornforhealth.com/?sn=6521-2

 

Homemade Lentil Soup

This recipe starts with a base of ham stock but you can use any base you like. I usually buy Hormone Free; Pesticide and chemical free ham and bake it. To make the broth: I use the bone and add about a gallon of purified water to a large pot; one large onion; 5 stalks of celery; 1 chopped scraped carrot; 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic. I let this come to a boil and then simmer for at least 8 hours (it can be put in a crock pot during this stage). I then strain off the liquid and either freeze it or use it for soup.

Take a half cup of the above stock (or a little butter) and sauté half a large onion chopped fine; 3 stalks of celery (cut up in small pieces); 1 teaspoon minced garlic on medium heat until onion is translucent. Add a quart of stock; (I added 1 cup of blended cooked pumpkin to add more nutrition) and one cup of rinsed brown lentils—(make sure you’ve checked for stones etc.).

Bring to a boil and then simmer until the lentils are cooked and mushy but still have some texture. I stir about every 15 minutes to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan. You can add carrots or other vegetables to this. I just add NSP’s Sea Salt for flavoring as I’m not fond of spicy food. Other people may like to add curry.

This is a delicious meal on a cold day. You can freeze some for another day and make a quick meal that is really healthful.

Traditional cough syrup

Open the 4 capsules of HCP-X into a large bowl or glass measuring cup. Pour the 1 cup of boiling (purified) water over the contents and let steep for about 8-10 minutes. Add the honey or glycerin and stir well. Pour into a dark bottle and refrigerate. This can last a couple of weeks in refrigerator or you can pour some of it into a small canning jar and hot water bath for 15 minutes. This will preserve contents for months. Some people like to strain the herbs before bottling. You can take a tablespoon of the mixture and add to hot water to make a tea or use by the teaspoon every 15-20 minutes when you have a cough or sore throat. More information about HCP-X can be found: http://hartonweb.com/nsp-herbs/bornforhealth.com/?sn=1216-5

Homemade chicken soup has some wonderful healing properties. The best is made from organic, free range chicken parts (including neck and feet bones if possible); a gallon of purified water; one large organic onion; 3-5 garlic cloves smashed; 4-5 cut up stalks of celery and 1 scraped cut up organic carrot.

Put these all in a pot and bring it to a boil. Turn down the heat to simmer and cover. Let this simmer for about 8-10 hours (24 is best) so if you have a crock pot now is the time to switch it over to the crock pot and put on lowest setting. The longer this mixture simmers the better.

When it is strained and refrigerated it should gel. This will tell you that you have gotten the goodness out of the bone. If you are only going to simmer for 8 hours put a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in it to help get the minerals out of the bone. If you are using breast portions, take them out after the hour is up and refrigerate to use in another recipe.

Lift Your Spirits

Cool them Doggies!

Tired feet can really drag you down. Here’s a recipe I love that is simple to do. You will need to have:

1)     A pan or dish washing tub (you can do this in the bathtub but you will need to at least triple the recipe). Something your feet can fit in comfortably side by side.

2)     Enough warm water in the container so that it goes just above your ankles when your feet are in the tub.

3)     To each gallon of warm water add:

1. One cup of Epsom Salt
2. 1 teaspoon of powdered Ginger (found in any grocery store)
3. 3-4 drops of pure essential oil of Peppermint (be sure to mix it well into the other ingredients)

Soak for about ½ hour. The tension will ease; you will feel refreshed and the room will smell delightful!

Balancing Blood Sugar

Put all ingredients into a 2 ounce spray bottle (may mix the Distress Remedy with the aloe gel to get it into the bottle easier). Fill bottle to the flared top leaving some air space. Replace sprayer and shake well. Spray on wrists and/or ankles. This along with a sensible diet will help you maintain proper blood sugar levels. Use often throughout the day. Can be sprayed on bed pillow; pour 1 tablespoon into a bath and add NSP Concentrate for a relaxing bath.

Healing Heart

Fill an empty roll-on bottle to ¾ full of non-scented massage oil (NSP’s is great)

Add ½ dropper of Open Heart flower essence

5 drops of Bergamot

1-2 drops Rose essential oil

(All above can be purchased at Nature’s sunshine for the best quality ingredients)

 

Don’t just stimulate the body—cool it down and nourish it while hydrating cells!

1 tablespoon Thai Go

1 teaspoon Liquid Chlorophyll

½ juiced lemon (optional)