Montana Elderberries

Elderberry Plant

Elderberries

It's berry season. Here's a elderberry syrup recipe.
I found these lovely plants growing along a creek of a Cedar Forest in Montana.

Day Dreaming

Our first camping trip of the season worked out great with rainbows, calypso orchids and loons. The cabin was well equiped although really challenging with a toddler. We assumed it would be simplier to have a shelter but found staying outside exclusively was a better idea for sanity sake.

Our Sherpani Backpack is helpful for most trips into the woods but, sometimes better places to sleep are found.

Parks and Rivers

This is the Riverbend Park in Bigfork. They have a great toddler play set that smaller ones can easily navigate independently. The Swan River pours right out at the edge of the park and is home to the annual Wild Mile Kayak Race.
Support BareFoot Parks by Joining the Cause and Signing the Petition. This protects waterways from run-off too. All voices will be heard as our economy is intitmately tied to tourism.
Call your local Parks and Rec and find out if your favorite parks are "Spray Free".

The Leprechaun Hunt

Some Chocolate Mint, Gingersnaps and Banana disguised as a leprechaun hat

Easy to make and all ages tend to gravitate toward this delightful token for St. Patty's Day.
Just dip sliced banana's in melted chocolate, place on a gingersnap cookie and dress with mint.

This was adapted from twigglebox's leprechaun's hat. Marshmallows and green licorice contain some questionable ingredients so we modified the recipe and used all natural foods. What more can wish for?

Boys are Bakers Too!

The other day we were making Hemp-ola with all sorts of goodness including hemp butter, oats and ground sunflowers. My little helper, in the kitchen, needed some proper baking attire so I whipped up this irresistable Bakers Hat.

I followed and then modified this tutorial by Curlypops. I customized the hat to our taste with an addition of a tree applique and a triple row of buttons for adjusting the size as he grows.

Careful these sweet hats can become addictive. You may even want to make an entertaining one for yourself. Stay tuned for his apron next week!

Preserve Your Health

The latest news in BPA exposure sites placental death following exposure to typical levels of the plasticizer found in the blood stream of pregnant women and babies. The placenta is your babies life force-it should be offering nutrients at optimal levels.

BPA is found in a a whole range of products from the most obvious, hard plastic #7, #3 and canned goods including soda and beer to lesser known dental fillings. The stink of BPA originally arose from hard plastic baby bottles leaching the plasticizer into precious fluids. Recent studies have cited cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer to the list of damaging health effects from BPA. Overall, the best way to curb exposure to this estrogen hormone mimiker is to start using glass to store leftovers, brush those teeth and stop eating and drinking from cans.

Proper oral hygiene at an early age will likely reduce dental work needed in the future. As soon as the first tooth emerges in children you should be gently brushing. Daily brushing has become fun and expected for our little guy-he even likes to floss his teeth. This routine was started very early on so we experience little resistance to the practice. We like Preserves tooth brushes as they are BPA Free and come from recycled Stonyfield Yogurt Cups. They have adult and toddler brushes, are at an excellent angle and include a free mailer to send back for recycling. Some target stores are now carrying them.

Fortuneatley, BPA can flush out of your system. The bioaccumulation from repetitive exposure day after day is what causes health problems. Eliminating exposure to BPA while pregnant is truly vital for your childs health. As consumers your buying power is voice enough for companies to stop poisoning us.

Flying Diaper Free in Montana

On the One Year anniversary of beginning Elimination Communication with my son-we were up and flying. We had kicked the diaper crutch when he was 9 months and had 4 months of round the clock diaper free practice leading up to our flight. We launched into the diaper free mode after several weeks of "no misses". Feeling confident in our rhythm together we headed cross country with two connections, 3 flights to board and a 10 hour airport day ahead of us. Sounds like a dreaded day-you say? I admit I was nervous but reminded myself we'd started this journey at 7 weeks and ready.

I used timing and cues as indicators. With the possibility of the two restrooms being occupied I emphasized timing so not to get into an uncomfortable situation. We did not resort to wearing a diaper as psycologically for us both we had not used this route for four months.
The timing routine I established was offering the potty before boarding the plan, once the airplane took off, intermintly throughout the flight and once we departed the plane. With the hope he'd actually go at his opportune times and the expectation he wouldn't.
It is more important to respect the "no" than force a pee. This is fundamental in learning to communicate with your child as this is not potty training. If you want to look at it from the standpoint of "training" then really it is the parent or caregiver learning what to look for.

I stayed tuned in to the length of time that had passed since his last relief and based the frequency of offering the potty on how much fluids he had consumed. We had also established a relaxed routine of going potty somewhere within 5 minutes of waking from a deep sleep.
So, off to the airport we went to check in and get ready for what layed ahead. We unloaded at the airport, checked in and made a trip to the restroom before going through security. It was an ideal to time as there could be innumberable delays and I wouldn't be able to break midstride to help relieve my babies urge.

This was our first momentous pee. Believe me you will understand how exciting and relieving it is when you "catch a pee". This set the stage and I felt the rush of excitement as though it was my very first time tuning into his rhythm.

We went through security and caught another pee before boarding. After all the stimulus the little guy took a deep nap for our first leg. I sat craddling him relaxing in the joy of being off the hook for the first leg. He woke up before we started our descent so we took a quick trip to the restroom, peed and resumed our seat. One down two flights to go.

The layover was only an hour, so I back wrapped Talus in the breezeway in Salt Lake-made my way to the next gate-keeping an eye out for the closest restroom. After making it to the furthest gate in another terminal- we cruised around to give all four of our legs a workout. Twenty minutes before boarding we took a trip to the potty.
Now I have to say if there is a handicap stall available, by all means use it. Keep in mind your carrying a bag, will have to manuever his pants off or open(buttons down the legs or a crotch flap are handy) and position your little one, aim if he's a boy and get his pants back on while holding him. A little extra room helps. The removing and reclothing is really not all that complicated if you have been working this routine for awhile. I pride myself on changing my child in mid air and thankful to keep him away from overused surfaces.

So back to the gate, board the plane and hop into our seat. We picked all aisle seats for the entire day so we could freely get up and down without disturbing other passengers. This was our longest leg and lots of offerings with no peeing comenced. About every 45 minutes I offered the potty up and if no urge transpired I cut the time down to 20 minute intervals till he peed. This leg was 4 hours in flight so we took at least 4 trips to the potty.

Next stop Atlanta. Off the plane- hussle (so many people with so little time was the energy coursing through) to the tram and in 1 minute 7 seconds flat back wrap my baby ( the clock was counting down till the next train arrived)-hop on the tram-walk to the entire other end of the furthest terminal we arrived in? What's up with these extra challenges. Find the gate, make our way back to the restroom, hop in the handicap stall, relieve ourselves. Relax and cruise around for the next 2 hours.

I kept my child awake-napping is so much better on the plane when you're confined and during the layover I offered the potty every 45 mintutes with only one taken advantage of. I offered the potty up before boarding-another relief. Board plane-relax-it's the last leg-Woo-Hoo. Baby boy naps entire last leg..the stars have aligned!

Now the return flight was the same scenario with a couple twists. A longer layover up front in Atlanta-where we caught a pooh! by cueing into signs(stalled out activity and internal pensive gaze with slight grunting at this age). Oh yeah and running through the Salt Lake Airport since the flight was changed last minute giving me only 15 minutes to get from one end to the other. Talus found this portion of the journey particularly hilarious-as I couldn't help but laugh as we high tailed past what seemed stationary travelers. I mean really, give the solo mom with toddler a run for her money!Practically empty flight to Glacier, able to spread out and lounge and no worries about the potty being occupied by another confined soul.

The whole experience couldn't of gone smoother. A few months have passed and Talus's cues are even more evident. When asked if he has to pee (as occassionally I have this inkling emerge) he shakes his head "no". A blank response means yes. If there is obvious groin grabbing we make the trip to the potty. Listening to my own internal feelings and respecting his "No's" has really paid off. We now communicate verbally and with signs. He even signs "done" when he's through with either relief. This makes car trips quite easy as well as winter outings when lots of layers are involved. I typically always ask if he has the urge to go if it coincides with timing and he has the free will to let me know.

ECing continues to evolve and at this age play is the utmost priority. Stopping to relieve himself can sometimes be a challenge. If I know he has to go I suggest we bring whatever he's playing with along and tell him we'll come right back to play. There may be some initial opposistion on picking him up but he is relaxed sitting on the pot and signs and says when he's done.

Things We Packed for AirTravel

3 pairs of pants for misses

Ziplock with premade wipes

1 prefold diaper easily available for misses

hankerchief sprayed with aromotherapy mix

mini etch a sketch

soft ball

book

plastic bag for soiled clothes

Ways We Made the Trip Smoother

Flights with some layovers

Reserved isle seats

Brought only one bag

The next Diaper Free Journey in Montana includes how to keep the seat warm this winter and the potties we've grown to love. Check out this hilarious video of another ECing Mother.

Straining Rosehip Honey

In Early October of this past Fall I collected Rose Hips along the Flathead River and here is the final honey product!You can start your own Rose hip honey by following my previous notes. I allowed the pulpy mixture of hips and seeds to infuse in some local honey till yesterday. The honey was then slowly drained from the pulp for 24 hours using a metal strainer and glass bowl.

The aroma was so potent it permeated the atmosphere of the kitchen and is simply intoxicating.

The leftover pulp and seeds will be spread out over my native bed in hopes some seeds sprout this spring. The seeds are quite hard and unlikely to break down in my digestive system so, to spare my diverticuli I'll spread the spent pulp outside instead.

  

The honey, not surprisingly, took on the rich color of the rose hips. Enough water from the hips changed the thick honey consistancy to more of a syrup. Due to the water- although negligible from the rose hips-I plan to refrigerate it to keep it longer. Loaded with Vitamin C this will be a wonderful addition to a winter cup of tea.  

I simply boil some water add fresh lemon and a tsp of honey and slip into bliss.

12 Days of Tea and Cookies

In honor of the changing season. We started a 12 days of tea and cookies tradition. We've been eating a few, freezing a few and mailing a few. Here's our first batch from December 13th.

Rambling Raspberry Rose Tea

1 tblsp razz leaves

3 rose hips

dash of cinnamon

slice of lemon

Combine razz leaves and rose hips in tea ball or bag. Cover with hot water in a large mason jar-sprinkle with cinnamon, cover and allow to steep for 45 minutes or while cookies are baking. Pour over sliced lemon and sweeten with local honey.

Oatmeal Banana Spice Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 tblsp molasses

2 eggs

1 cup plain yogurt

1 banana

2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups spelt flour

1tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cloves

4 cups dry oats

1 cup raisins

Blend wet ingredients. Sift dry ingredients. Combine and stir in raisins.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Cool and devour!

Lover of Montana Winters

Chimaphila umbellata is a Winter Lover and no doubt in Montana this is the case. Temperatures are frigid here at times and this little wonder stands strong while peaking out of the snow in late fall. A wonderful plant for colds, flu, kidney stones and skin ailments the aerial parts of Chimaphila sp. can be made into a tea, strong infusion, tincture or honey extract.

Commonly known as, Pipsissewa meaning "it breaks into little pieces" it is often prescribed for kidney stones as a dissolver and post therapy associated with urethritis . It is mildly astringent, much less than Uva ursi and the constituents include but are not limited to iron, pectin, chlorophyll tannic acid and chimpaphilin. The herb is an overall lymphatic stimulant-strengthening the blood and cleansing the urinary tract.

I have found this plant coast to coast from the Mountains of North Carolina to the North Woods of Montana. Although rhizomatic it is dependent on host plants and does not transplant well. Collect leaves and flowers in the field before winters deep snow in the Rocky Mountains or throughout the winter months in the Appalachian Mountains. I like to gather from the heart of several separate stands so the growth on the periphery continues to spread without disturbance. I also pinch off only the first few sets of whorled leaves so growth develops branched and laterally with some leaves left to photosynthesize.

Wild harvesting herbs should always be practiced with respect and sustainability in mind. Never harvest the entire or even more than 25% of any stand. Any roots that are disturbed should be gently buried and recovered with material. Pipsissiwea is one of the "at risk" medicinal plants due to overharvest. Choose wisely and carefully.

Infusion Directions

Steep 1 part plant to 32 parts water for at least 24 hours. Strain. Drink up to 12 fluid ounces daily while symptoms persist.

Syrup

Combine 8 oz of infusion with 1/2 cup honey in pot over stovetop. Heat till honey is fluid. Allow to cool and bottle. Take by the spoonful or add to other herbal teas like Raspberry for a potent lymphatic boost.

Tincture

Weigh and then fill mason jar with fresh material. Add twice as much in volume of 95 percent alcohol and allow to extract for at least 3 weeks. Longer for a stronger medicine. I normally plan on at least a 6 month extract. Keeps indefinitely. Take 25 drops 3X per day till better.

Omega O'Mama

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are crucial for healthy skin, organ function and immunity. Omega 3 & 6 in a 1:1 ratio is the optimal balance. This happens in diets rich in leafy greens, grass fed chicken, bison, beef and fatty cold water fish. Studies show a ratio of 1:3 Omega 3 to Omega 6, is considered effective in preventing many types of cancer and inflammatory disease and promoting cardiovascular health. There is some quite technical information on how Omega 3 interacts with Omega 6 but I'll spare you the details. Basically one balances the other and you want the ratio to be better than 1:15 which is primarily where Western diets are at.

Quite simply, Omega 3 is found in cold water fatty fish, flax and hemp seed oil, grass fed chicken and cattle and a small amount of soy. Omega 6 can be found in all of the aforementioned food sources plus evening primrose(GLA source), walnut and safflower oils. Most people have adequate but more likely too much Omega 6 in their diets. This is primarily due to soy supplementation in a number of processed foods. Read labels and you may be surprised on all the soy derivatives.

Too much Omega 6 causes inflammation in your system and can manifests itself through the skin and organs leading to several imbalances and disease. Soy is notorious for being rich in Omega 6 and imbalanced in Omega 3. Soy's ratio is about 1:6 in Omega 3 & 6, respectively. If you eat alot of soy really look at the Omega 6 mg values and supplement with Cold Water Fish Oils to somewhat balance it out. I like Nordic Naturals Omega 3D. It has no detectable amounts of heavy metals and rich in Omega 3's of DHA, EPA and has Vitamin D. Omega 3's of DHA and EPA are readily assimilated without the liver having to convert it.

The winters in Montana can be dark with short days and lots of snow. Inversions are a wonderful remedy for winter blues and spectacular to view. Inversions are what lead to the naming of my business. Anyway, the best way to get Vitamin D is through sun exposure directly on the most skin surface area possible. With numerous cloudy days this far north we supplement with fish oils and vitamin d during the winter. Vitamin D supports a healthy immune system and Omega 3's of DHA and EPA are especially important for developing brains of young children and support brain, eye and nerve function for adults. Children that are still breastfeeding will receive adequate amounts through mother's milk that is supplemented with Cold Water Fish Oils.

Swan Range Inversion

Omega 3's found in plants are known as ALA. Our livers convert ALA into usable DHA and EPA. Food sources include two of my favorites Kale and Hemp Seed Oil. Kale is in a near perfect 1:1 ratio. Hemp a 1:3 ratio also provides additional fat and protein into diets. It is quite palatable for children and easily consumed in milk or powder form. I like Living Harvest for Hemp Milk and Hemp Powder and Nutiva for Hemp Seed Oil. All Sun Loving Baby Herbal Salves are made with Organic Hemp Seed Oil because your skin is your largest organ. In addition, Organic Hemp Milk can be used in place of recipes that call for cow's milk. Those chocolate chip cookies are now REALLY good for you.

You heard this all before, but healthy diets in children and adults(although most of us have our processed food addictions) should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains like spelt(ancestor to wheat with minimal gluten content), brown rice and quinoa. Plenty of fluids like herbal tea of raspberry, anise hyssop, nettles or lemon balm, Alaskan salmon or Arctic Cod and grass fed cattle or chicken products and some type of probiotic. Meats, in my opinion, should not be introduced till the canines come in. This is a similar philosophy to not introducing food till they can sit upright on their own. It simply aligns with body and molar development as indicators for food introduction. Children's food beginnings will have a lasting impact on their overall health today and in the future.

Our family has limited our processed foods to organic tortilla chips and wheat free figs. Corn in the form of tortilla chips does not leach out vital niacin in your body like whole corn because it is slacked with lime. Figs are a healthy sweet treat but do create heat in your body. We no longer ingest wheat or soy. Wheat allergies can manifest itself through skin rashes, redness and indigestion(gluten intolerance). These food choices may sound so bland to most but really after committing to this a few years ago I no longer crave the usual processed salts and sugars. Well, maybe some homemade cookies, chocolate ginger cake with maple frosting (1800mg Omega 3-Believe It!)and there's hope that the occassional consumption of organic ice cream is from grass fed cattle and boosting my Omega 3's too.

Trying to limit if not eliminate soy consumption all together can prove challenging from the standpoint of a meat free diet but many other beans may provide an adequate source of protein. Soy has been linked to hormonal imbalances in young girls and boys, kidney stones and inflammatory bowel syndrome. Studies have concluded that too much soy consumption leads to earlier onset of puberty in young girls and later on in life longer periods, infertility and thyroid dysfunction. So, if your a heavy Soy consumer especially, your young children consider switching to Hemp and pick maybe one Soy item to eat daily.

Painting Snow Fairies

We had a wonderful day exploring the snow, feeding our local winter birds and a little painting. The Blue and Stellar Jay, Red Breasted Nuthatches and Mountain and Black Capped Chickadees are feasting.

For painting I use Stockmar paints as they are non toxic-no lead, safe for children and all that good stuff. They come in Red, Yellow and Blue. We can make quite a beautiful palette. Today's color wheel consisted of Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, Green and Purple.

I like to use Q-tips for a number of reasons. They are easy for grabbing just the right amount of paint from the Stockmar Jars and with a little water running over them in paper cups we make Watercolors. The Q-tip can still be used as a more saturated color stick for drawing or applying the water color to paper. Q-tips also promote fine motor skill development as Talus has to use his pincher grip to hold it.

The adults had fun too! We both created some artwork and Talus really got into it. He progressed from stirring the cups, painting with different brushes, combining all colors into one tray and submersing both hands into the myriad of colored water. This was then followed by some dump and pouring and soaking wet pants. Lots of fun! It's always so interesting how the experience evolves.

Free Organic Hemp Lip Balm

Random Magical Place in Glacier Country

Sun Loving Baby is now on Facebook. All fans are entered to win an Organic Hemp Lip Balm everytime 25 New Fans Join.

For those of you bloggers looking for a "random drawing generator" I found a website that is super easy to use. It can formulate any number of lucky winners for you. You simply place the number of winners you want in the "random generator" box. The "integer value between" is the number of contestants for example 1 to 25. Check it out as it makes more sense in person.

This Thanks-give-a-way is my Organic Hemp Lip Balm in Tangerine. I'll annouce the winner on Sun Loving Baby's Facebook Page.

Corridor Ecology

Recent word from the Itinerant Warbler working in the Wyoming Red Desert is it is threatened yet again by energy development. Maybe you've been to this enchanting place or perhaps driven through on I-80. It is a mix of High Desert and Surreal Energy Development. Approaching from Wyoming's Snowy Range the scene is striking and impressionable. Well worth a trip, this is a place to take a moment to contemplate how the flora and fauna have come to survive.

There another charismatic species, the Pronghorn Antelope, is facing impending disruption and at odds with capitalist energy desecraters. The Wyoming Red Desert harbors one of the oldest migratory herds we have in the lower 48. There are 50,000 head and one of their paths approaches the Y2Y corridor. This specific route has been used for thousands of years by many species.

The upside is Pronghorn Antelope are quite predictable in their annual routes and use of land. Their migratory path can be narrowed down with such precision that it is possible to conserve this area in particular.

Let's give these creatures and other species in this unique ecosystem a chance. Go here to tell Wyoming's Senators you value wild places and don't want this kind of energy development.


How does this relate to Montana? Montana too is a state on the precipice of alternative energy development. We have Pronghorn Antelope and species intimately connected to the Y2Y corridor. The issues in Wyoming are stepping stones to decisions that can be made in Montana.

Population ecology can have many hidden connections. One such connection involves Grey Wolves and Pronghorn Antelope. Healthy Wolf populations benefit Pronghorn Antelope offspring. This is by Wolves keeping Coyote numbers in check. Coyotes are the greatest danger to Pronghorn Antelope fawn surviving. When Coyotes are up in numbers the Pronghorn Antelope loose more offspring, thereby decreasing the size of the herd.

Montana allows trophy hunting of both Pronghorn Antelope and Grey Wolves.


Since May of 2009 Grey Wolves have been delisted and this past fall has proven significant mis-management and limited foresight by the ruling governance of fish and wildlife . One of the major problems among, a whole gamut of other issues, is poached wolves are not included in the removal quota. Additionally, there is limited punishment for poachers and so no incentive to discourage their negligence.

A local hunter here that poached two of the individuals from the 2 North Fork packs was fined a meager $1135 and his hunting license was not even revoked. This is disturbing as the Grey Wolf, not a few months ago, was riding as an Endangered Species. The Columbia Falls hunter and and an unknown other poached a total of 3 wolves in the North Fork Area. In combination of quota and poached wolves the two packs were physically reduced by about 17%. This doesn't factor in wolf mortality that occurs by human negligence, human locomotion and age, pack dynamics or injury related natural causes throughout the year. There is a potential loss of nearly 30-40% total pack reduction this year alone when all is said and done.

FWP is patting themselves on the back saying this " couldn't of been a more scripted" wolf harvest. What?

There seems to be no respect or reverence within the managing authority for predator populations that now have limited ranges due to habitat loss, human conflict and what appears to be unrestricted hunting. These wolves had stabilized and balanced their population size long before humans thought they could do a better job. Still, we continue to disturb natural cycles of ecosystems.

A common sentiment of wolves by wolf hunters is they interfere with their elk hunting and cattle ranching. This view does not persist in the hunting of pronghorn antelope. Pronghorn are not looked on as a threat, whereas, wolves "threaten" elk populations and cattle ranchers.

Did we not learn anything from wolves keeping Yellowstone elk in check? What else would we lose if the Aspen Groves were lost? Values are poorly placed at times. Additionally, wolves are hunted within wilderness areas such as the Bob Marshall, the North Fork (should have wilderness designation) and at the edge of National Parks like Yellowstone and Glacier-not near ranches. They are indiscriminately being killed.

Corridor ecology can have dramatic implications in preserving genetic diversity within species and balancing interactions between all predators, plants and other fauna.

Apple Cider Press and Crab Apple Recipes

Ever cut an apple crosswise? What a wonderful discovery. Apples have numerous medicinal properties including relieving indigestion, a vitality booster, stomach acid neutralizer and potent quercetin source. A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve provides an extensive historical, medicinal and culinary account of Apples and many other Plants. I think the most delicious apples are those happened upon outside. You may even have a few neighbors who leave their apples and are happy to share the crop with you the eager picker.


I recommend tasting your apples prior to picking so not to end up with alot of crab apples. Discovering this the hard way I still found a use for a 5 gallon bucket full of crab apples including: crab apple jelly and crab apple liqueur.














Even though, we are past apple harvest season in NW Montana if you were a diligent forager and picked your apples before the early October Arctic Blast and have them in cold storage-you're ready for some homemade apple cider. I, on the other hand, delayed my 2nd round of apple picking and am now gathering them for my compost-boohah (The first round transformed into copious amounts of frozen applesauce). No less my motivation for hard cider will not be deterred next year. Below are a few plans to smash your apples with. We're building the "easy jack" frame this year for next year's stash.

Beautiful but Welding is Involved

Here's Mother Earth News cider press

Easy Jack Press with No Instructions
I found another farm that has a modified cider press with jack that looks easier to build-see pic

Jack Press with A Little More Instruction

These cats also built a cider press with some wood and a jack. You get the idea on materials needed now







On to Recipes


Crab Apple Jelly

Large Stainless Steel Pot

4 lbs Crab Apples

4 Cups Organic Sugar

5 cups Water

Cheesecloth

Strainer

Bowl

• Wash and De-Stem Crab Apples (slice tops off-to speed this up)


• Dump into Large Stainless Steel Pot


• Cover with 5 cups Water


• Bring to a Gentle Boil for 10 minutes stirring frequently


• Smash Apples


• Gently Boil 1 more minute


• Pour into Cheesecloth lined Strainer and Drain Over a Bowl Overnight


• Reserve syrupy juice in the morning and compost apple mush


• Pour Equal Amounts of juice and sugar into large stainless steel pot


• Rapidly Boil 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves


• Transfer to Sterilized Mason Jar and process following your pressure canner's instructions

Apple Liqueur

Wide Mouth Mason Jar

Crab Apples

Dried Anise Hyssop or Lemon Balm

Vodka

• Fill wide mouth mason jar with crab apples leaving room for herbs


• Top with Anise Hyssop or Lemon Balm


• Cover with Vodka and Seal


• Store for 3-6months


• Strain and Reserve Vodka

Sip and Enjoy during a Snow Shower

Garlic Lemonade

For all you raw garlic fans-here's a delicous mellowed down version. Boosts the immune system is antiviral and decongests. We partake in a family glass once a week. Cheers!

Supplies

Mason Jar

Half an Oranic Lemon Juiced

2 Locally Grown Garlic Cloves Minced (more for a stronger bite)

Directions

Combine all in Mason Jar and Pour Boiling water over the top. Steep till Cool.

Want to Grow Your Own Garlic?

Read "Planting a Year's Worth of Garlic" at our Squash Blossom Farm Blog. We were blessed with amazing fall weather this past weekend and got 544 cloves of garlic in the ground!

Toddler Winter Boots Rated -25

These kickers rate down to -25. I found these toddler boots a few weeks ago for $9 brand new at a local store! They were listed at and eye popping $45. I got a size larger to accommodate socks for my 15month old. These Winter Boots feature a rubber toe and surround, wool insert and pull string adjustment below the knee. They have great traction as well. I was looking for something he could walk around through snow in until it's too deep and we break out the snowshoes.

He wore them around the house here and there and have tried them in fresh snow and frozen ground since. We had our first arctic blast of the fall in early October. Normally, the Arctic Cold Air doesn't drift down till January or later. So we tried out these little boots, with no socks, a little earlier than normal. After running around outside for more than an hour his feet were toasty warm. He can now move up and down the hill in the backyard as he's adjusted to the new soles.

Children who are just beginning to walk and even for years after should really wear soft soled shoes. This is so they can feel the earth shaping under their arches, heels and toes. I have started a line of toddler soft shoes on my etsy page. Check out the funky soles!

With the cold and snow like it is here in NW Montana-we had to compromise with a boot more rigid and less permeable to the elements.

I like them so much I bought the ladies version. The price keeps dropping for those too! This is my fourth winter in Glacier Country and I know they'll get plenty of use. Regardless, I probably should read No Logo by Naomi Klein as I've been branded.

Rosehip Honey

Well it's herbal making season in our kitchen amidst other fall harvest culinary adventures. My latest explorations are with Honey Extracts. Besides the herbal constituents that it pulls from herbs, local honey offers you allergy resistance.
This happens by bees visiting all your favorite nasal instigators (pollen). When you ingest the honey from local apiarist you are getting a small sample of exposure to your areas flowers and subsequently the pollen. This is similar to how Homeopathy works. Bees are critical to the survival of many fruits, vegetables and flowers. This is why NOT using insecticides is so important.

A Rose's fruiting body is known as the hip. Rosehips have up to 100X more Vitamin C than traditional food sources. They also contain Phosphorus, Vitamin A and Calcium. Vitamin C needs Calcium for adequate uptake in your system-Rosehips naturally carry this synergy.

The best time to collect is after a continuous frost for several days. So throughout fall and winter are ideal times to forage. There is something so tantalizing about hunting for red plump hips hanging low under the weight of fluffy white snow. Rose not only allures by smell but by sight.

Rosehip Honey Recipe

Wild Rosehips
Local Honey
2 Mason Jars
Chopstick

Fork

Forage in your favorite Fall or Winter Rosehips Retreat
Return Home and Fill One Mason Jar then proceed to Smash Berries with Fork
Pour Warmed Honey from other Mason Jar Over the Top

Cap and Store in a Warm Spot
Allow to Sit from 4wks-6wks
Strain
Enjoy

Helpful Extract Tips
*After pouring warm honey over mason jar of hips-stir with chopstick to release any air bubbles then add more honey

*I warm the honey by filling one mason jar with honey them placing in a warm water bath
*I also pluck the terminal end of the berry although this is not necessary

Add spoonfuls to your daily tea, take an exclusive spoonful or top waffles or toast with this scrumptious-immune boosting treat. If struck with illness take up to 8 spoonfuls a day to boost your immune system.

Rosehip honey rolled with slippery elm powder is not only soothing to a sour throat but irresistible candy for toddlers able to suck on candy.

Rosehip honey can also be stirred into warm tea for children over 15 months.

How to Make Elderberry Syrup to Prevent the Flu

Sambucus nigra and allied spp. are powerful plants. Studies have proven that extracts from the berries provide resistance to 10 different strands of Influenza A and B including H1N1. This happens by antivirin coating the receptors of flu viruses in your system thereby disabling them from replicating in your cells. No other plant can tout such effectiveness.



Taken throughout flu season and during illness, children and adults alike will show resistance or recover rapidly. Found throughout the United States, Sambucus melanocarpa and caerulea. (black and blue only) can be harvested during the month of September. Red Elderberry is potentially toxic and should not be harvested or used. Blue and Black berries should still be cooked down to release the cyanide in the berries. Syrups, tinctures and even jam or pies can be made in a short time.


Rich in antioxidants, bioflavonoids, anthocyanins and Vitamins A, B and C this is a vital herbal ally for our home.

How to Make Elderberry Syrup
3 cups Fresh Black Elderberries or 1 cup dried
3 cups water
1 cup local honey

Bring water and berries to a boil then cover and simmer for 30 minutes
Mash berries and boil and additional 5 minutes

Strain through a fine mesh strainer or jelly bag overnight or for at least 8 hours for Juice to develop
Add Honey to the Juice

Add Juice of One Lemon to Preserve
Bottle and Refrigerate

Adults
Take 1 teaspoon for daily maintenance
Take 2 teaspoons 4x a day when under the weather

Children 15months and older

Use a Medicine Dropper
Provide 1 drop for every 5lbs with mild cases of illness
During intense bouts offer half teaspoon for every 10lbs 2x daily (illness peaks day 3 and 4 typically)

Children under 6 months

Elderberry passes through breastmilk

Children 6-15 months

Offer Extract of Elderberry Juice without the Honey(follow recipe above including juice of 1 lemon and bottle after Juice has strained-skip the honey)

Quantity is same a Medicine dropper above

So why does the CDC and other Health Venues push Vaccines?

**I offer this information for those still riding the fence with allopathic drug use, for others making a move to more conscious ways of health and healing and for most who have little time to research. All below information and links were gleaned from the CDC, FDA and other recognized government agencies and open to the public eye. Take a look for yourself. **

Good Question-Most Likely Capitalist Economics. That's right drug companies make a lot of money from vaccines and provide monetary promotion to senators and representatives that push their products and even pass legislation (ie. Frist of Tennessee pushed (PREPA)-received over $250,000 from the pharmaceutical world prior to the ACT going through in 2006).

There is mounting evidence of the dangers and complications of vaccines for children. The September 2009 release of H1N1 vaccine is targeting-infants, children and nursing and pregnant women. The four drug companies involved state clearly on the safety sheets that they have not tested nor can validate the safety of vaccines for the above stated population. This really leaves one to wonder the full intention of vaccinating when the risk is unknown.

Furthermore, drug companies, health care providers and other associated with the development, processing and administering of all flu vaccines are released of all liability involving complications thanks to the 2006 Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act . Interesting how the "Swine Flu" with mild cases in the US winter is now a "pandemic" (June 25th, 2009 amendment to PREPA) and untested vaccines including adjuvants are being administered with no recourse or accountability. Seriously, this is a real act with amendments being made continuously to protect big business from lawsuits. Read over all these government provided links on "countermeasures" during pandemics above. Those into allopathic medicine have lost all litigation rights.

The health boards recommendation and the drug companies findings are conflicting. Why are they vaccinating pregnant/nursing women and children if they do not know the long term effects. This is suspect and should Raise Much Concern Not Short of Alarm with Vaccines for H1N1 and other Influenza A and B Vaccines.

Information below is provided by the FDA. This information should be fully digested as you have no rights if you experience negative side effects thanks to the PREP ACT. Informed decisions verse blind faith is critical to you and yours health.

Novartis

CSL Limited

Sanofi Pasteur

MedImmune

Not only do they all contain thimerosol(mercury) allowable for "countermeasures" regardless of state and federal recommendations to ban mercury in vaccines.

Other issues include

1. No Guarantee of Immunity-routes of infection are through mucous membranes not dermal injection. Dermal injection typically leads to autoimmune diseases as your immune system attacks the foreign bodies at the site of injection.

2. Triggers- allergic reactions in those sensitive to eggs(the H1N1 flu virus is grown on embryo's of hens)

3. The arsenal of side effects to be expected: Guillian-Barre Syndrome, encephalopathy, partial facial paralysis, brachial plexus neuropathy, anaphylaxis, lymphodenopathy and the list goes on to include headaches, pain, rashes, inflammation, flu symptoms etc. This is all listed under the four drug companies safety sheets above.

4. Contains Squalene-an adjuvunt added to stretch the virus to make 4x more of the vaccine-associated with debilitating neurological diseases like Gulf War Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Squalene was banned in US drugs as late as 2006 but now can be used in "countermeasure" for pandemics

Fortunately, the majority of the population has the sense to not be swayed by propaganda and only roughly 100 million people buy into a flu shot of one kind. However, the hype involved with "children not showing immunity" as this is a strain from the 70's and "children are congregating and sharing public space"etc..etc.etc-let's make sure we inject millions of young healthy children with a vaccine-untested and with materials known to cause a gamut of illness's? Seriously? 144 children have died this year from bacterial infections post flu illness. If your child contracts the flu and you are worried about post bacterial infections-follow up with antibiotics. Once the antibiotic round is through offer yogurt and probiotics to rebuild healthy bacteria.

Typically noxious bacterial levels can be kept at bay by simply offering probiotics on a regular schedule(create a competitive environment with the good and bad bacteria), eating yogurt and simply not taking antibiotics for every little illness.

Other immune boosting and treatment options include Homeopathy as well as, Herbal Tinctures and Teas. Anas barbariae also known as occillococcinium is a homeopathic nosode and (quote below taken from Dana Ullman-Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants)

"proven remedy effective in treating the flu. It is particularly effective if it is taken during the first 48 hours of the onset of the flu"

Echinacea tincture can also be offered to improve immunity and eliminate infection-Dosage is 1 drop per 5lbs of body weight in mild cases and 1 drop per 2lbs during intense periods. Look for a glycerine extract.

Teas of chamomile, lavender and lemon balm are quite soothing and can consumed on a daily basis and especially during illness. Even added to a bath can be relieving for children and adults. Lemon Balm is antiviral with mild sedative properties with no side effects other than peace and relaxation.

Overall, forget about siphoning through the media out there-if you are considering flu vaccines for your little one-ask your physician for the safety sheets that are linked above. Request titer test to validate antibodies were developed.

Or better yet-be confident in you and yours immune system, eat well, allow for full recovery and down some elderberry.

Further Reading

Naturally Healthy Babies and Children-A Commmonsense guide to Herbal Remedies, Nutrition and Health-Aviva Jill Romm

Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West-Michael Moore

Return Old Sigg Bottles for BPA-Free Sigg Bottles

The Woes and Worries of BPA continues. Word is Sigg Bottles produced before 2008 have a epoxy lining laden with BPA. The Good News is you can mail the bottles in(you cover the postage) to recieve a BPA-FREE Sigg Bottle for FREE of Comparable Size and Design.

You must return bottles by October 31st 2009. Follow this link for printing proper labels and instructions.

This is the powerful result of collective dissent voicing their concerns via blogging and twittering. Results were seen within one month. Just imagine what else we can accomplish on so many other civil and social spheres.