Homemade Hot Cocoa

I remember as a  child, before there were commercially available cocoa mixes in individual packets, my family made the most delicious  hot cocoa from scratch. During the time between Christmas and New Year's, while you are enjoying all your new gifts, perhaps a good cup of old fashioned cocoa is just what you need to hit the spot. Cocoa has health benefits as well as having the ability to bring on a soothing, feel-good mood. I have decided to devote this week's blog to recipes for homemade cocoa.  So here goes.

Regular Homemade Cocoa

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
1 pinch of salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup half and half

Combine cocoa, sugar and salt in a saucepan. Blend in boiling water. Bring to a boil. Simmer and stir for ab out 2 minutes. Stir in 3 1/2 cups milk and heat till hot. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Add half and half to cool cocoa to drinking temperature

Sugar and Milk Free Cocoa

Unsweetened almond milk
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Dairy-free semisweet or dark chocolate
Raw sugar, or sweetener of choice

Mix ingredients in amounts of your choosing and warm up in the microwave or use a saucepan on the stove. Cool and enjoy.

There are many flavorings you can add to your cocoa. Some people add peppermint extract or a peppermint stick. Vanilla is another favorite. Some folks like marshmallows. My favorite is cinnamon.

Sources:
tp://allrecipes.com/recipe/20211/creamy-hot-cocoa/
http://minimalistbaker.com/5-minute-vegan-hot-cocoa/
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/simple-hot-cocoa-for-one-369469

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Check out my website at www.valerielull.com

Valerie Lull
Author/Herbalist
valerielull923@gmail.com

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

People who are familiar with the Christmas story recognize these items as the gifts of the Magi to the Christ Child. They were rare and valuable commodities in ancient times. They are more readily available today. Did you know that all three of these items have health benefits?

Gold has many uses in modern medicine. It is used in surgery  for damaged nerves, bones and blood vessels. It is used for treating several cancers, it is used to clear coronary arteries and it is used for arthritis treatment. Gold is used for regenerating sluggish organs, improving mental and emotional problems. It is reported to promote increased energy and libido.

Boswellia, which is what the ancients called Frankincense is used extensively in modern herbal medicine. It is a tree or shrub that produces a resin. This can be distilled into an essential oil that is antiseptic, disinfectant, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, tonic and a dozen other things. It is used in folk remedies for immune issues, oral health, astringent properties, female problems, digestion, anti-aging, as a tonic, a diuretic, and more.

Myrrh is also a resin that also comes from trees. Myrrh oil has been used for centuries by ancient cultures as well as modern ones. Myrrh resin and oil have been valued historically for its wound healing qualities. It is also valued for use on the skin, especially chapped skin. Myrrh oil is also used in perfumes and is used by  aromatherapists as a massage oil. It can be used as a mouthwash, and in creams and lotions.

As the holidays continue I want to wish everyone who reads my blog a  happy holiday season, and best wishes for the new year. May it be filled with joy, love, peace and happiness.

https://www.purestcolloids.com/history-gold.php
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-frankincense-essential-oil.html
http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/myrrh-oil.aspx


Be sure to check out my website at www.valerielull.com Below are the two books that I have written. They make excellent holiday gifts for friends and family. They are available on my web site.

Valerie Lull
Author
Valerielull923@gmail.com

Cranberry Tea

During the holiday season, holiday teas are popular. One tea in particular that is quite tasty and found in many  homes is cranberry tea. Cranberries grow in bogs in the Northeast part of the United states and are harvested in the fall. They are famous for their tart taste, so tart in fact that some sort of sweetening is almost mandatory. Cranberries are used in pies, cakes, sauces, breads and beverages both hot and cold.

Cranberry tea is thought to be very healthful. Cranberry, according to folklore,  is particularly famous for preventing UTI's. Ongoing research is being conducted to discover the effects of cranberry tea on ulcers, cholesterol levels, breast cancer and stomach cancer. Additional research is also being conducted on the effects of cranberries on heart disease and yeast infections. Cranberry is thought to help combat dental diseases like gingivitis. The theory is that it prevents plaque from sticking to the teeth. Be sure to consult your holistic health practitioner before trying cranberry for medicinal purposes.

Cranberry tea is especially popular during the holiday season. It is a beautiful bright red which fits with holiday decor. All sorts of things can be combined with it like ginger, pomegranate, lemon, grape juice, apple juice or cider, hibiscus, cinnamon and the list goes on. Cranberries have loads of fiber, antioxidants; they are very high in vitamin C. There are also modest amounts of Vitamins E, K, and B6. Minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium.

There are some side effects of cranberry tea that include diarrhea if too much is consumed.  Pregnant and nursing women are warned not to take cranberry supplements. Cranberry has salicylic acid, which is similar to aspirin. People with aspirin allergies should not take large amounts. Cranberry products are sour and often contain sugar, which diabetics should watch for. They also contain  the chemical oxalate which might create kidney stones in folks that are high risk.

One of my favorite ways to make tea over the holidays is to mix cranberry with hibiscus. Here is a suggestion.

Boil 2 cups of water
Use 1 tea bag of cranberry and 1 tea bag of hibiscus.
Put them in a cup and pour water over them.
Let steep 2-3 minutes and enjoy
Sweetener may be added as desired.

There are all kinds of holiday tea products available on the internet that contain cranberry. Try some of them and find out which one is your favorite. How do you like your cranberry tea? Share your comments below.

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-958-cranberry.aspx?activeingredientid=958&activeingredientname=cranberry
http://www.livestrong.com/article/236729-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-cranberry-tea/

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/7678/2

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com  I have two boooks out which could make a teriffic holiday gift for a friend or relative.

Valerie Lull
Aithor
valerielull923@gmail.com

Pine Needles Have Surprising Benefits

 I love the smell of pine and I always associate it with the holidays and the real pine trees we decorated for Christmas. Besides smelling good and making a beautiful display during the holidays, pine has a host of health benefits. There are the needles which produce essential oil and tea. There are pine nuts, that have nutritional value and pine bark that was eaten by indigenous peoples.

 Pine needles have been part of popular folk remedies for centuries. Pine needles were used for mattresses to discourage bugs, and are still used today in the Swiss Alps for rheumatism. In Scandinavia pine branches were used in their saunas Indigenous peoples used pine for all kinds of things. For example, they would make ointments for skin problems. According to folklore, the Native Americans taught the European settlers to consume pine needles to help them get through the winter.
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Pine essential oil is a favorite essential oil and has numerous benefits. It is often used by aromatherapists for respiratory problems that include clearing mucus and phlegm, and soothing congested, inflamed sinuses. It goes well blended with other essential oils like cedarwood, juniper, sage and rosemary. It is considered one of the safer essential oils. Pine essential oil is often used in cough and cold formulas because of its expectorant qualities.

A tea can be brewed from pine needles that contains vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, iron, potassium, calcium, sodium, and numerous carotenoids. The tea is reportedly able to assist circulation, and respiratory health. The tea can be cooled and used as a wash for wounds to prevent infection. There is pine tea and white pine tea. The white pine variety is reportedly especially nutritious.

I do want to add a word of caution. Pine needle tea has been known to cause miscarriage so pregnant women should not consume it. If you do decide to make the tea, research the type of pine needle you are using because some types of pine needles can be toxic. Be sure to consult your healthcare practitioner if you are pregnant, seriously ill, taking prescription medications, or even considering the use of pine as a remedy.

Here is a simple recipe for pine needle tea.

Be absolutely sure you have identified the plant your needles come from as some varieties are toxic.
Bruise a handful of young green pine needles
Remove brown ends and chop into half-inch pieces.
Place needles in glass, ceramic or stainless steel pot.
Pour 2 C of boiling water over the needles and steep a few minutes
The  needles will sink to the bottom
Pour off the tea into a mug.
Lemon juice or another tea can be mixed with the pine tea.

Sources:
http://www.bodyenlightenment.me/blog/2012/03/pine-needle-recipes/
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/pine-essential-oil.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/pine.html
http://www.ediblewildfood.com/blog/2012/12/winter-teas/
http://www.almanac.com/blog/natural-health-home-tips/pine-needle-tea

Be sure to check out my web page at www.valerielull.com  Check out my books. They make excellent holiday gifts.

Valerie Lull
Author
valerielull923@gmail.com

Peppermint

Peppermint, Mentha piperita, is the result of the combining of two mint plants, watermint and spearmint. It likes to grow by water and has a delightful minty taste that many folks associate with Christmas and the holidays. It is well known in the form of mint patties, often covered with chocolate, that are taken after a heavy holiday dinner as a digestive aid. Another popular way of taking peppermint is in the form of a peppermint tea.

Peppermint is a versatile herb that is used in cooking. Perhaps the most well-known dishes that mint is used with are lamb and tabbouleh. Peppermint is an herb that  is used frequently in cooking and flavoring beverages and candies. Peppermint is also used in soaps and cosmetics as well as for healing purposes. It is also used for flavoring gum and toothpaste. It comes in dried leaf form, as well as essential oil. It can be taken in capsules, as an oil, or as a tea.

The use of peppermint goes back for centuries. I remember as a teenager my grandma giving me peppermint tea for menstrual pain. Peppermint is used in folklore for a myriad of things like the common cold, irritable bowel, upset stomach, inflammation, headache, muscle pain, toothache, itching, menstrual cramps, viral infections, repelling mosquitoes, and digestive problems. Be sure to consult your health care practitioner if you plan to use peppermint for medicinal purposes.

The use of peppermint in connection with the holidays can be traced back to a German church where the candy cane is supposed to have originated. The choirmaster of the church bent the sticks into a shepherd's staff and gave it to the children attending the service. The custom became popular. Later the candy canes received their red stripes and became popular as a holiday treat.

Here is a peppermint tea recipe that can be used for the holidays.

1 pint boiling water
1 oz.. loose peppermint tea
1 peppermint stick for each cup of tea

Pour boiling water over tea leaves. Steep 2-3 minutes. Add the peppermint stick. Enjoy!

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-705-peppermint.aspx?activeingredientid=705&activeingredientname=peppermint
https://umm.edu/Health/Medical/AltMed/Herb/Peppermint
http://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/why-does-christmas-taste-like-peppermint-7042149

Check out my blog at www.valerielull.com where my books are available. They make great holiday gifts.

Valerie Lull
Author
valerielull923@gmail.com

Hemp

Hemp, Cannibis sativa, is a controversial plant because it is a close relative to Marijuana. The difference between the two plants is genetics, and the environment in which they are grown. Marijuana plants contain THC which is thought to be the chemical that makes people high. Marijuana contains a lot of this and hemp only contains only a little.

Hemp has many uses; it is one of nature's most versatile plants. 

Hemp and marijuana have different uses. Marijuana is usually smoked and gives a high. It is considered psychoactive and is sometimes used for religious purposes. It is also popular for its medical uses. Hemp is used for plastics, paper, military grade fabric, rope, wax, resin, various foods and oils. It is also used for cleaning up soil pollution.

Hemp has been used for fabric for centuries. The Chinese were using hemp fabric back in 8,000 BC. In Great Britain, hemp was cultivated in 800 AD. Henry VIII encouraged the cultivation of hemp for building battleships, riggings, pendants, sails, paper for maps and even for Bibles. Hemp was grown in in the 1600's in the American colonies of Virginia, Massachusetts and Connecticut. In the 1700's hemp was used for currency and farmers could pay taxes with it.

Hemp seeds are considered a health food. They have a nutty flavor and can be used in salads, desserts, yogurts, bread, cereal and protein powder. I have personally tried the protein powder and I like the taste. Hemp seeds contain Omega-6 and omega-3 oils which are essential fatty acids that are good for the heart and have anti inflammatory properties. They also have amino acids that help with muscle control and mental function.

 In January of 2015 a bill was introduced into congress to legalize the growing of hemp. In February 2015 a new farm bill was passed allowing universities and state agriculture departments to develop programs using hemp. The industrial use of hemp is thought to be something that would help boost the American economy by creating jobs. All in all, there is a resurgence of interest in hemp and the many uses of this beneficial plant.


Sources:
http://www.leafscience.com/2014/09/16/5-differences-hemp-marijuana/
http://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/perfect-plant-7-great-uses-for-industrial-hemp.html
http://www.hemp.com/history-of-hemp/
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-surprising-health-benefits-of-hemp-2.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/22/hemp-legalization_n_6525106.html
https://www.rt.com/usa/feds-step-hemp-legalization-647/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2013/05/29/industrial-hemp-a-win-win-for-the-economy-and-the-environment/2/


















Be sure to check out my website at www.valerielull.com. My books Ten Healthy Teas and Ten Spices for Health and Longevity might just be the right holiday gift for that special friend or relative.  

Valerie Lull
Author
valerielull923@gmail.com

Beat Illness with Beets

I grew up eating beets. My father grew them in his garden and we would eat both the beet roots and the tops. As an adult I tried growing golden beets. To me they tasted the same but did not stain everything as the red beets do. The scientific name for beets is Beta vulgaris. They are in the same family as swiss chard.   Beets are a root vegetable that is also a superfood. The leafy tops are similar to chard.

Beets are probably best known for the nitrates they contain which are changed in the body into nitric oxide. About two cups of beet juice a day appears to benefit stamina so you can exercise longer. Some studies show that beets  support blood flow and lowering of blood pressure, which make beets a way to help prevent coronary artery disease and stroke. Some authorities also feel that beets have anti-aging effects.

Beets are loaded with nutrition which includes folate, potassium, antioxidants, vitamins A, C and B6, lutein, zeaxanthin, manganese,  iron, and copper. The purple color contains carotenoids that work as antioxidants in the body. Beets are a great source of fiber. Beets contain betaine that is known to fight against inflammation.

Historically beets were used by the Romans. They used them for their aphrodisiac benefits. It appears that beets helps in the production of human sex hormones. The Russians make a soup out of beets that they call Borscht. Beets are also good for women who are pregnant.

The beet greens are very nutritious. They have more iron than spinach. Research appears to show that beet greens help bone strength and prevent osteoporosis. They also help with Alzheimer's disease and strengthen the immune system. The greens can be prepared by steaming them, or sauteing lightly.  I like my beet greens steamed with a little butter and onion salt on them.

Here is a recipe for Borscht, a Russian beet soup.

1 Qt broth. This can be almost any kind of broth, I like beef or vegetable broth.
1 T butter
3-4 beets sliced thinly
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 C red cabbage
1/8 C minced parsley
1 T lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
sour cream (optional)

Melt butter. Add onions and beets and cook until soft 7-8 minutes. Add salt and pepper and stir in the broth. Simmer about 20 minutes. Add cabbage, parsley, and nutmeg. Simmer awhile longer. Add additional salt and pepper as desired. A dollop of sour cream can be added if desired.

Sources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=49
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/truth-about-beetroot-juice
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/beets.html
http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/05/10/6-health-benefits-of-eating-beets/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/01/2

Be sure to check out my web site at www.valerielull.com. Check out my latest book called Ten Spices for Health and Longevity. That book and my other book Ten Healthy Teas make great holiday gifts. They are available on Amazon.

Valerie Lull
Author
valerielull923@gmail.com