Pickled Garlic

Necessity caused me to be unable to go to the DR for an earache (no wheels for me....I only have a car in the evening and on Sunday) and look for an herbal way to heal this issue. I had a terrible outer-ear infection this last week.....what was I going to do? I remembered the pickled garlic that I had in the refrigerator. I created this (the fermented garlic) long, long ago so I wasn't sure it was even okay yet.  I took a bit of the juice and added it to a bit of olive oil.   After dipping a piece of cotton in the resultant oil (until it was sopping in the oil) and sticking the cotton it in my ear the pain was almost gone by morning and completely healed by the next day. 

In addition to the garlic and because I also wasn't feeling just right I drank several cups of my Immune Tea for a couple of days.

I decided that I hadn't made use of the wonders of this jar of garlic so I determined to make a new jar AND USE IT!!

This garlic can be used as I did above, eating a clove of garlic every day would be great, and you can chop it into your recipes.

PICKLED GARLIC (From NOURISHING TRADITIONS)
Makes 1 pint

about 6 heads garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon whey (if you do not have use 1 more teaspoon salt)

Set garlic heads in a 300 degree oven and bake until heads open and cloves can be easily remoed.  Place oregano, salt and whey with 1/2 cup of water.  Pour over garlic, adding more water if necessary to cover the garlic.  The top of the liquid should be at least 1 inch below the top of the jar.  Cover tightly and keep at room temperature for about 3 days before transferring to cold storage.

What Made This Work On My Ear Infection?

I suspect that there are two factors that went into play to make this work on my ear infection.

• the healing properties of garlic
• the healing properties of oregano

Both Garlic and Oregano have antiobotic healing action properties.

Garlic, the "stinking rose" of the herb world, is one of the most ancient healing plants.

According to Growing and Using the Healing Herbs by GAEA and Shandor Weiss, "Garlic tea, made by infusing several chopped cloves of garlic in 1 quart of water, has been used as a gargle, or taken internally for colds and flu.  Placed externally on a cut, on a wound, or simploy on the hands, or the soles of the feet, garlic's antibiotic qualities are said to be quickly absorbed into the blood stream.  A fresh clove of garlic placed on the gums may soothe an abscessed tooth or other inflamatio in the mouth.  A cotton ball soaked in garlic oil is an old-time European remedy for treating ear infections, (never put the colve of garlic in your ear, however).  Chinese herbalists traditionally used garlice to treat certain forms of high blood pressure."

Monday This 'n That

My garden and yard is starting to look good inspite of the handicap and chronic pain that was inflicted on me by a doctor who messed up my last knee surgery.  I'm thankful for my husband who is working tons of extra hours (inspite of his own handicap) so that we can afford to hire help for me in the garden and yard.  What a blessing.  My inside chores and BLOGGING is suffering for lack of time, it is dry and we could really use some rain, so a good three day rain would be helpful right now.


You are going to love tomorrows post about my ear infection that I healed at home and how I did it.




Homemade Lemonade Easy On The Budget

1 cup Organic Lemon or Lime Juice, or some of each
3/4 cup Organic Cane Sugar, ½ cup honey or ¾ tsp liquid Stevia extract

Stir together 6 1/2 cups water, juice and sweetener of choice in a 2-quart pitcher. Serve over ice.

Reading Through the Bible In a Year
We are again attempting to read through the Bible this year. Just joining us or did you get behind? No matter and no need to play catch-up. Start where you are today and go forward.

Monday: Mark 15:1-15, Galatians 4:1-20, Psalms 114, 2 Samuel 16-17
Tuesday: Mark 15:16-32, Galatians 4:21-31, Psalms 115, 2 Samuel 18-19
Wednesday: Mark 15:33-41, Galatians 5:1-12, Psalms 116, 2 Samuel 20-21
Thursday: Mark 15:42-47, Galatians 13-26, Psalms 117, 2 Samuel 22
Friday: Mark 16, Galatians 6, Psalms 118, 2 Samuel 23-24
Saturday:  Luke 1:1-25, Ephesians 1:1-14, Psalms 119:1-8, 1 Kings 1
Sunday: Luke 1:26-38, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalms 119:9-16, 1 Kings 2-3


We also like to read a Proverb a Day corresponding to the day of the month. This month I am memorizing Psalms 32, could you memorize a Psalm?

Myth: Food from the farmers’ market is so clean, you can eat it right there.

Fact: Before you polish off that entire quart of cherry tomatoes on the ride home, think of all the people who may have picked over them before you got there. Dirty hands = dirty produce. And although it may be free of pesticide residues, it could still harbor dirt and other bacteria that aren’t good for you. Get your produce home, then clean it with this cheap and effective produce spray: In a spray bottle, mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar, and 1 cup cold tap water. Shake well to mix it up, spray on your produce, and rinse before eating.

Read this entire article

This Weeks Meal Plan

Monday - Sweet & Sour Chicken Wings, Refried Rice
Tuesday - Easy Gluten-Free Skillet Lasagna, Super Salad
Wednesday -Stuffed Chicken Breast, Carrot Cucumber Salad
Thursday - Fiery Scallops & Bok Choy over Cello Noodles, steamed sugar snap peas
Friday - Sweet and Sticky Spareribs, Crispy Potatoes, Fennel Cabbage Salad
Saturday - Grilled Steak, Baked Potato, Super Salad
Sunday Brunch:Italian Frittata, Salad; Supper: Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Fruit Salad

Our GAME PLAN contains grocery list and a day by day list of to-do's for your meal plan. We'll send this to you for a $1 donation to Grandma Farmer to PAYPAL at gramafarmer@gmail.com

101 Herbs That Heal

Below is the First 10 in my list of the 101 Plants/shrubs/Trees on our property that have healing qualities.

1. Aloe
2. Apple Trees
3. Aronia
4. Basil
5. Blackberry
6. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
7. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
8. Catnip
9. Cayenne
10. Chaomile

I only have 58 more plants/trees/shrubs to propigate. (Chuckle) This also means I get to create more beds to plant all these wonderful and beautiful plants. There's nothing like edible landscape, incorporate all these wonderful plants into your landscape and include them in your 'flower' and garden beds. We will discuss two plants a week.

Aloe

I would never be without an Aloe Vera plant in various sizes.  Here we have to have it as an inside plant.  I use the smaller leaves for minor kitchen burns but have filleted larger leaves and placed on larger burns when necessary.  It is amazing how the burned skin will suck the moisture out of a plank of skinned aloe leaf.  I change often and find the used up portion just a paper thin piece left even though the piece I put on the burn was at least a quarter inch thick originally.  When I've used this the healing is usually quick and without scarring.  For serious burns see your Doctor.



Apple Tree

Medicinal qualities?  I found an interesting article by Jim McDonald which is worth a read.  Very interesting.

Storing Herbs from the Garden

On probably more than one occasion you have not used all of the fresh herbs you received in your box and you hated to see them go to waste. Never fear most herbs can be easily dried or frozen for use at a later time.
Herbs that have low moisture content will dry better than those with high moisture content. For herbs with high moisture content freezing is the best way to keep them for future use. These herbs will retain more of their flavor when frozen: basil, parsley, cilantro, and chives. Herbs that are ideal for drying are: sage, mint, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and dill. The process is easy and is not time consuming.



DRYING FRESH HERBS

The first thing to remember is moisture will cause herbs to mold and rot so if you rinse them be sure to pat them dry and let them sit for a bit before tying them into bunches. Inspect the branches and remove any leaves that look unhealthy. Also take off the leaves on the bottom one inch of the branch. Bundle 4-6 branches together at the stem and tie them with a string or rubber band. The stems will shrink as they dry so be sure you have it tied tightly. Hang the bunch of herbs upside down in a dry, airy room (the laundry room or bathroom would not be a good choice) for about 2 weeks. They are ready when the leaves will crumble easily in your fingers. Always store the entire stem in an airtight container like a jar or zip lock bag because they will retain a lot more flavor if they are not crushed until you are ready to use them. Fresh dried herbs should keep for about a year. When they start to lose their color they are also losing flavor.

FREEZING HERBS

The best way to preserve herbs that have high water content is to freeze them. Moisture in the leaves will often cause the herb to mold before it becomes dry enough to store. While the leaves will become limp when frozen they will retain their flavor. Some of the herbs that are best frozen are basil, chives, cilantro, mint, and tarragon. Herbs that have been frozen will retain their potency for several months.

Wash and pat or spin dry the leaves and lay them on a cookie sheet that has been covered with parchment paper. Freeze over night and then store in an air-tight container in the freezer. If you plan to use the herbs in soup or stew chop the herbs and put them in ice cube trays, cover with water and freeze. Store the cubes in a plastic bag in the freezer.

Monday This 'n That

Thomas Jefferson ordered the landscape at Monticello to create a "ferme ornée," or ornamental farm, combining function and beauty.

What's Available from Grandma Farmers Garden this week:

Greens (4-oz $2): Red Russian Kale, Arugula, Spinach
Herbs (1-oz $2): Sage, Oregano, Chives (Garlic and Onion), Spearmint, Dill Weed, Cilantro, Flat Leaf Parsley, Lemon Balm
Vegetables:  Green Onions 6-8 bunch $2
Fruit:  Rhubarb $3 per pound
Farm Fresh Eggs (fed organic grains) $3 a dozen
Grass-Fed Ground Beef $4.50 per pound
Daylilies 6 fans for just $5

Email Us for pick-up.  We do make daily trips to Omaha and ocassional trips to Lincoln where we can meet.

Reading Through the Bible In a Year
We are again attempting to read through the Bible this year. Just joining us or did you get behind? No matter and no need to play catch-up. Start where you are today and go forward.

Monday: Mark 13:32-37, 12 Cor 12:1-10, Psalms 107, 2 Samuel 1-2
Tuesday: Mark 14:1-11, 2 Cor 12:11-21, Psalms 108, 2 Samuel 3-4
Wednesday: Mark 14:12-31, 2 Cor 13, Psalms 109, 2 Samuel 5-7
Thursday: Mark 14:32-42, Galatians 1, Psalms 110, 2 Samuel 8-10
Friday: Mark 14:43-52, Galatians 2, Psalms 111, 2 Samuel 11-12
Saturday: Mark 14:53-65, Galatians 3:1-14, Psalms 112, 2 Samuel 13
Sunday: Mark 14:66-72, Galatians 3:15-29, Psalms 113, 1 Samuel 14-15

We also like to read a Proverb a Day corresponding to the day of the month. This month I am memorizing Psalms 32, could you memorize a Psalm?

This Weeks Meal Plan

Monday - Szechuan Orange-Ginger Beef with Rice (opt), Coconut Pudding with Fresh Strawberries
Tuesday - Chicken Noodle Casserole, Peas
Wednesday - Salmon with Asparagus, Rice (opt), glazed Carrots
Thursday - Tex-Mex Stir-Fry
Friday - Brocolli, Ham & Cheese Frittata
Saturday -  Pizza, Super Salad
Sunday -  Roast Pork Loin, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans and Fried Apples

I've been cooking out of the WeightWatchers One Pot Cookbook these last couple of weeks.

Mission 101 Herbs That Heal

I have created a list of the plants and herbs in our yard, currently that have healing qualities.

1. Aronia
2. Basil
3. Blackberry
4. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
5. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
6. Catnip
7. Cayenne
8. Chaomile
9. Cilantry
10. Currants
11. Dandelion
12. Dill
13. Echinacea (Purple Cone Flower)
14. Feverfew
15. Gooseberry
16. Hollyhock
17. Horehound
18. Hyssop
19. Juniper
20. Lavender
21. Lemon Balm
22. Linden Tree (European Basswood)
23. Mullein
24. Oregano
25. Oxeye Daisy
26. Parsley
27. Peppermint
28. Plantain
29. Raspberry
30. Red Clover
31. Rosemary
32. Rugosa Rose
33. Sage
34. Spearmint
35. Sunflower
36. Thyme
37. Violet

This means I only have 64 more plants/trees/shrubs to propigate.  (Chuckle) This also means I get to create more beds to plant all these wonderful and beautiful plants.  There's nothing like edible landscape, incorporate all these wonderful plants into your landscape and make them your 'flower' beds.  We will discuss two plants a week.


BASIL - Bet you thought this was just a culinary herb.  Not so!  Basil is an excellent digestive system support herb.  Basil enjoys full sun and well drained soil.  It loves to be next to any kind of peppers and tomatoes and often is said to enhance their flavor when Basil is nearby.



BLACK EYED SUSAN - These beautiful, happy flowers do well in full sun and will grow in just about any soil type.  It is said to repel insect when planted with feverfew, licorice, or hyssop.  Black-eyes Susans attract birds of many kinds into the garden.  Roots may be dug in spring or fall.  Leaves may be gathered by handpicking or with snips any time.  Used mainly as a herbal diuretic so should NOT be used in pregnancy.  It is also used occasionally to support heart health and for women's health concerns.  It is used as an Infusion or a traditional tincture.

BEWARE:  This plant can be toxic to your pets!



Grain Free Brownies

I'm going to send you to a different blog for my new favorite recipe for brownies.  Hubby says they actually taste like brownies.....really chocolatey.  Espresso Fudge Brownies