Guess who went belly dancing! Me! Shocking isn’t it? Last Friday night a belly dancing studio (Alexia’s Belly Dance & Beyond) right in my neighborhood held a fund raising class for the local Breast Cancer Resource Center. The class was so much fun and the teacher was great.  One of the women who came along with me signed up for classes that night.  I love belly dancing and have always wanted to learn.  I plan on being a drop-in for a class now and then.  My schedule is just to hectic right now to commit to taking classes every week.  For now my time, energy and funds are going towards qi gong classes.

It’s that time of year for planting and I was remembering how much fun we all had when we took Mama Kelly to Well-Sweep Herb Farm for her 40th birthday.  They have their events schedule up for the year (and a few events for the beginning of 2011 also).   The free Open House event is June 5th.   There is a lot to chose from and I am hoping to attend a couple this year (i.e. Herbal Treats; Herb Vinegars, Oils, and Pesto; Holiday Centerpiece).  There are other workshops I’m interested in too but my schedule is so busy these days that I have something else booked on those dates. 

Speaking of busy weekends, Womon Gathering is coming up soon and I’m so excited.  They have a list of workshops and vendors for this year up on the website.  As usual there is going to be a lot to chose from.  There is still time to register.  It is an awesome four days of spiritual renewal and all around fun.  My mom will be coming with me this year and she is very excited too.

This past weekend, we all went up to the new Giants Stadium – it was an open house event for season ticket holders to come see their seats.  Hubby was in heaven with a huge grin the entire day.  It was very cool to be able to go inside and actually sit in the 2 seats he will have.  It was a huge expense to get season tickets, but well worth it.  He never dreamed that in his lifetime he would ever get the opportunity to purchase them (he had been on the waiting list for decades).  When the new stadium was being built and he got the offer, there was no way I could say no.  With some careful budget planning and a new 0% credit card, he was able to have a lifetime dream come true.

I am having a few life time dreams unfold as well.  I am enjoying the weekly qi gong classes a lot and looking forward to learning and continuing to take as many available classes as I can.  I have been practicing every day and it feels really good to be both  improving my health as well as my ability to work with energy.

At my last weighin this past weekend, I am now only 34.5 lbs away from my goal, with a total of 133.5 lbs lost so far.  My extra large size clothes are now getting a bit too big on me and I’ve had to pass along a most of those too and started wearing large size.  Luckily a couple of women at work have passed on some clothes and a few months ago I had picked up some inexpensive pieces that were on sale from about $3 to $7 each so I able to transition into the larges without having to spend a lot.

This weekend coming up Mama Kelly and I have an overnight visit planned – finally!  It has been way too long since we have been able to get together for our overnight visit which usually are about once a month.  Our last quick visit was over the Christmas holiday when we got together for a couple of hours to exchange gifts.  Our last overnight get together was before that some time last year.  I’m hoping we can try out the webcam on my new laptop this weekend.

Bright blessings one and all, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:belly dancing, family outings, herbs, qi gong

For those interested in getting involved in medicinal herbalism, chamomile makes a good first foray into the art.  It is readily available in any supermarket, has a long history of use, and has application for a wide range of conditions.  Additionally, it has an unoffensive apple aroma and a pleasant flavor and as a result makes a wonderful herb to use as a base when making an infusion that includes more potent herbs.

Chamomile can be used:

• to help alleviate nausea, including motion sickness
• to aid in relaxation before bed
• to help relieve cramps (stomach or menstrual)
• to ease the discomfort of arthritis
• to lessen the severity of a tension headache
• to soothe certain skin irritations  (as a paste)
• to add golden highlights to the hair (as a hair rinse)
• to ease discomfort related to colic or teething
• to lessen the severity of seasonal allergy symptoms

Additionally, chamomile can be used magically for purposes related to:

• healing magic
• love spells
• luck spells
• rites that invoke a Solar deity

Precautions:

• persons with allergies to ragweed may have a reaction to chamomile
• chamomile contains natural blood thinners and may be inappropriate for those with certain conditions or those taking certain medications

This was written as a compliment to a great new feature over at Clan of the Cats called Witchy Wednesday.  This new weekly feature includes sketches of one of my own favorite fictional witches, Chelsea (though after reading about her for like 9 years I feel like I know her), with a bit of comedic commentary about living a Pagan life.

Check it out!!!

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Sources:

http://www.gardensablaze.com/HerbChamomileMed.htm

http://www.altnature.com/gallery/chamomile.htm

http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail13.php

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-951-GERMAN+CHAMOMILE.aspx?activeIngredientId=951&activeIngredientName=GERMAN+CHAMOMILE&source=2

Note:  This article is for informative uses only and is not meant to be taken as specific medical advice.  As always, do not try to diagnose yourself, consult your physician or pharmacist before adding any supplement to your regimen, and be aware that any product is capable of producing an allergic reaction in some segment of the population.

Written by Mama KellyTags:healing, herbalism, herbs, magic

As promised here are my notes from the herb class  at Well Sweep Herb Farm.  Mama Kelly and I both took a lot of notes and enjoyed the class.  Along with lots of information and tips we also got to smell lots of fresh and dried herbs that were passed around.  The classes were free and part of the whole day of events at the Well Sweep Herb Farm Open House.   Mama Kelly can fill in more information from her notes if I missed anything.

To read about our adventure at the herb farm to celebrate Mama Kelly’s Birthday, see post A Witch Walks in the Wild.

Growing & Preserving Culinary Herbs And Easy Herbal Cooking

Suggested book: Complete Book of Herbs (from England), currently out of print.

Growing Tips:
Most herbs like a lot of sunlight. There are only a few who do well in partial shade.
Soil – clay is not good. Need to supplement or replace it if your soil is clay. Good drainage is a must (especially for lavender). Can use gravel or crushed sand mixed with good soil so it drain and also helps winter over. Compost is a must – leaves, weeds, kitchen scraps (NOT fats and meats), animal manure and wood chips).

Tips for Garden:
Start out small, and add a few more plants each year. Best to map out your area and edge the space (i.e. bricks, field stone, etc.). Rototill the area a couple of times. Plant in the early evening and water. Don’t water again unless it really needs it, best to wait a few days. Mulch is important – it keeps moisture in and prevents weeds.

Compost manure is best, but don’t use fresh because it can have seeds it that would then sprout in the garden. Miracle grow and fish emulsion are not needed and burns the soil and hurts the worms.

Most herbs are not easily grown from seeds, best to start with plants from a reputable grower. Dill, parsley, chives and fennel do ok if grown seeds.

Picking Herbs:
Pick herbs in the morning, if they need to be washed let herbs dry on the counter before chopping or using.

Optional Tip – Use a weed barrier cloth over mulch or instead of mulch. It keeps rain from splashing up on the herbs and keeps plants clean so they don’t need to be washed.

Tips for Preserving Herbs:
Dried herbs have a stronger flavor. Herbs must be completely dried or they will become moldy.

Hanging – Cut, tie in bunches and hang up to dry in a darkened well ventilated place (i.e. attic, garage, barn). If you don’t have a dark area you can cover the bunches with a brown bag. Basil, lovage and parsley do not dry well by hanging.

Oven drying – cover a cooking sheet with brown paper or newspaper; arrange leaves in single layer, put in over 150 degrees for two to three hours.

Freezing – chop up leaves and put on wax paper and put them in the freezer. When frozen put herbs in a container without packing down the leaves (i.e. can use small zip lock baggies for individual portions). Do not thaw before using – add directly to soups, stews, or sauces.

Optional methods:
Add chopped herb to ice cube tray, cover with water and freeze.
Chop herbs in a blender or food processor until finely minced; with a small scooper add scoops to a cookie sheet (covered with parchment paper) and put in the freezer. When frozen can store in container.

Oils and Vinegars
Harvest herbs in July and August – some are used for flavor and others for color.
Fill about one-third of the bottle with herb stems and leaves.
Books all say to heat the oil and then strain out herbs, and then add fresh to bottle. But if you are patient there is no need to heat, simply wait two or three weeks for the oil or vinegar to be ready. No need to replace herbs because they were not damaged by heating. After 2 to 3 weeks oils need to be refrigerated.
Do not use garlic in oils (not safe) – but it can be added to vinegars.
Don’t use wet herbs for vinegars or oils

Culinary Herbs
Edible Flowers – Some edible flowers it is only the petals that are edible, but others, such as the Johnny Jump Ups and Borage the whole head is edible.
Can be used in salads and beverages.  The whole flower from herb plants is edible.

Some suggested herbs to start with
Summer Savory
Sorrel – good in soups and stews
Mint
Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena – cookies, cake, and can be added at the end of cooking time to rice and pasta
Lovage – potato salad, soups, stew
Sweet Cicely – coffee cake, cookies, salads
Chervil
Good King Henry – steam or raw, can be used like spinach
Lavender (only one variety is good for cooking)
Coriander – good in sauce for sandwiches (made with mayo and a touch of mustard)
Salad Vernette – like cucumber
Oregano – lots of varieties
Sweet Marjoram – good in meat and salad dishes
Rosemary – very good in marinades (i.e. mix with garlic and Italian dressing)
Tarragon – very good in chicken salad
Fennel
Red Aura
Basil – sweet or purple basil are very good.
Dill

Written by Lady RoseTags:gardening, herbs

An interesting and informative video from a woman who is apparently quite the prolific Youtube videographer. She has over 130 videos in her collection and I look forward to perusing more of them when I have the time (free time? what’s free time?).

In it she gives a brief overview of 4 Thieves vinegar a concoction whose oral history dates back to the plague. She also shares a collection of recipes for both the vinegar and four thieves oil for your own use. As with any herbal remedy it is your responsibility to research the herbs that you are putting into your body. Be aware that herbal remedies need to be treated with the same care and respect that you would give to any prescribed or over-the-counter medication. Side effects, allergies, and contraindications are always possible.

Be well!
Be blessed

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:herbal remedies, herbalism, herbs

During the Victorian period, flowers were used as a sort of code allowing people to express their feelings

something to think about before you send your next bouquet

or to consider before planning your garden plantings

1. Bluebells stand for constancy
2. Camellias stand for gratitude
3. Carnations represent “pure and deep love”
4. Daffodills represent “unrequited love”
5. Honeysuckle represents fidelity
6. Lily of the Valley represents the “return of happiness”
7. Magnolia means “love of Nature”
8. Morning Glories mean affection
9. Periwinkle means “sweet memories”
10. Phlox means “our hearts are united”
11. Red Tulips are a “declaration of love”
12. Snowballs represent goodness and “thoughts of heaven”
13. Zinnias represent mourning someone’s absence

links forward you to wikipedia where you can see pics of the aforementioned flowers

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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More info:

The Language of Flowers @ Pioneer Thinking

Written by Mama KellyTags:herbs

1. Anise Seeds – make a small pillow filled with these seeds and place under (or inside) of your sleeping pillow to keep away nightmares.
2. Basil – fill a muslin bag with the herb and toss in the water of any purification bath, alternately make “basil tea” and add this to your bathwater
3. Chamomile – fill a small pouch with the blossoms and keep in your wallet or change purse to attract money, add to the money drawer of your business, keep a dish of chamomile where you write your monthly bills
4. Cinnamon – used to “excite the passions of the male”, add to recipes and serve to your romantic partner … cinnamon can find its way into cookies, pies, even chili
5. Cloves – string them on a red thread and hang them out of reach in a new baby’s room as a protection charm
6. Garlic – hang a rope of garlic in the kitchen to protect the hearth of the modern home
7. Marjoram – place a small pouch filled with marjoram in every room in the home as a protection charm, be sure to replace the pouches monthly, alternately add a small amount of “marjoram tea” to your washing water or household cleansers
8. Nutmeg – carry a whole “nut” as a charm to increase psychic ability, spurge divination tools such as crystal balls, tarot cards, etc. with water that a whole nutmeg has been steeped in
9. Peppermint – burn as incense during the Winter to purify the home, fill sachets or potpourri dishes with peppermint leaves
10. Rose Water – add to any beverage to attract clairvoyant dreams, use as a hand wash before doing any “love magic”
11. Rosemary – hang up spring of rosemary at your home entrances to deter theives
12. Saffron – brew as tea and use as a hand wash prior to any healing magic
13. Sunflower Seeds – eat as a fertility charm during the waxing moon

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

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Written by Mama KellyTags:herbs

I took the plunge and actually planted some plants this weekend.  When I first got the urge I had big plans, but the actual trip to the garden center was a bit overwhelming, so I only purcheased 7 herb plants (lots of plants, plant food, and soil). I think I might try some strawberry plants in a strawberry jar too, but I’ll wait and see how next weekend goes (this strawberry kit looked nice Complete Strawberry Growing Kit: Garden Stacker Planter.

I also repotted the plants from a gift basket I got from the office (for support staff appreciation day). There were 8 plants all together in the basket – so the window in front of my living room now looks like a mini jungle. It’s so cool.

I have only had one plant live in my whole life. It got a brand new huge pot of its own this weekend. This plant is some kind of tropical plant (that’s all the little stick says) and has been with me for years (at least 12 or more).

The herbs I got are: rosemary, lavender, sage, (these three are in a window sill planter) and thyme, chives, peppermint, peppermint (in there own individual pots since they need room to expand.
I decided to not get the basil, dill, and oregano because they required a bit more care and only lasted a year. If the one’s from this year survive, then I’ll add the other three next year.

All the information on the herb care was a bit overwhelming, but the woman at the garden center was very nice and recommended The Rutgers University Master Gardeners site for information so I wouldn’t have to write everything down right there at the store.

My daughter enjoyed helping with everything and we are looking forward to enjoying our fresh herbs in the kitchen. It was a great feeling to be outside and actually planting and also having the lovely houseplants nicely arranged in the living room. I ended up sore and tired, but it was worth it. Now I just need to remember to water them and hopefully they will live.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Recommended reading:
Herbal Remedies in Pots.
The Potted Herb.
Crops in Pots.
Pots in the Garden: Expert Design and Planting.

Written by Lady RoseTags:gardening, herbs