Carob Pods as a Teething Alternative!

I recently found this article on the Raw Mom Blog, soon after I posted the article about our new love of fresh carob pods. In the article, Ruth Hofer states that local aboriginal women living near her in Australia used the whole dried pod of the carob tree for their babies to suck on as teething rusks. I thought this was amazing! I had actually thought about giving the pods to Noa because they seemed to be hard enough and wouldn't break off in pieces as she chewed it. I was a little concerned about the seeds, but she doesn't seem to chew off enough to reach them inside.

I am loving this fresh alternative for teething! The pods even contain a mildly analgesic effect to help numb sore gums. I have them with me now all of the time. I snack on them in the car and usually give one to Noa for the car ride as well. She loves playing with them and holds them in her hands while I shop and run errands.

I was so thankful that Paul decided to order more! We went through 10 lbs. in almost 1 month! He didn't want to overdo it, but I am still craving them and love how satiating they are. He gave in, ordered 10 more pounds and he is loving them just as much!

Noa's teething does not seem to be too uncomfortable for her now, but when and if it does become painful, I will probably try a little clove oil. A friend also suggested trying chamomile too for teething. But these carob pods are keeping us both busy for now!

Garden Collard Wrap Recipe and Update!

I know it has been a while since my last post, and I am ready to get this ball rolling again. We had a busy holiday season, and Paul's mom Elaine came and visited us for 3 weeks. It was really nice having a helping hand and I was a little nervous when it came time for her to leave. I loved that Noa could spend time with her Grandma. But now we are back to normal, and keeping busy. Paul is in Dallas, Texas this weekend. He has a packed travel schedule for the next 6 months and he's excited to spread the message about health and healing naturally. Noa and I will be joining him on a few trips, but we'll be home most of the time.

Our garden is flourishing and we love being able to pick fresh greens and herbs daily. I use the collards to juice and make wraps for lunch.

Here is a simple recipe for any wrap:

First, I spread a walnut pate on the collard leaf.
Walnut pate:
3 cups walnuts
2 TBSP nama shoyu
2 carrots
1 handful cilantro
2 celery stalks
cumin and sea salt to taste

Then I topped it with the following:
avocado
tomato
sprouts
chopped lettuce
dulse
sprinkle chia seeds

I then topped it with a cashew ranch dressing:

1 cup raw cashew pieces
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 TBSP honey
2 TBSP fresh lemon juice
2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup of water (or desired consistency)
2 tsp parsley flakes
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp dill
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp basil

These wraps were so simple and delicious! You can use any greens like romaine, or even nori sheets to make these wraps.

I have been making the herbal infusions daily and loving them! It looks like I am no longer craving kombucha because these infusions quench my thirst and are so refreshing. Right now, I am only making the oat straw and stinging nettle infusions, but I'll keep you all updated as I continue.

Interview with Rhio from Hooked on Raw

Rhio and her partner Leigh recently visited Paul and me in West Palm Beach and set up our kitchen for their radio show Hooked on Raw with Rhio. We had lots of fun and touched on some interesting subjects!

Check out my interview running this week or download the podcast here!

Herbal Infusions

Herbal Infusions

Recently, I began to make my own herbal infusions after being inspired by Susun Weed and her interview on The Raw Mom Summit. I purchased the herbs stinging nettle and oat straw to experiment. I followed the instructions from www.susunweed.com and soon discovered how simple and easy it was to make these delicious and nourishing infusions. An infusion is different than steeping the average tea bag. Keeping the jar covered and steeping it for more than 4 hours allows for the nutrients and minerals to transfer to the drinking water, which makes these infusions so medicinal.

They are so many nutritional benefits to these infusions!

Stinging nettle is used for the following :

* diuretic
* breaking down arthritis crystals and gout
* heavy menstrual bleeding
* anti-allergy and hay fever
* shrinking enlarged prostate
* hemorrhoids
* detoxifier
* increased breast milk production
* asthma
* skin complaints including eczema

Oat Straw benefits:

* fighting osteoporosis
* building bones
* pain relief
* calming hyperactive children
* soothing elderly people
* fighting anxiety
* panic attacks
* boosting immune system
* depression and nervous exhaustion
* antidepressant

It’s so easy:

1 ounce of dried herb (approx. 1 cup)
Fill 1 quart glass container with boiling water. Seal tightly, and let it sit overnight.

The next morning, strain out the herb, and refrigerate the tea. It will stay fresh for about 3 days. We return the used herb to the earth by putting it back in our compost.

I find these teas refreshing and light and sip on them all day. You can drink them warm or iced, and adding a little mint leaf or lemon will make them even more refreshing.

Herbal Infusions are a simple and economical way to boost your immune system and keep you healthy!