“Laws pertaining to witchcraft came out of the Bible…Do not allow a sorceress to live. Then it was later changed to “Do not allow a witch to live”. And that’s where the Connecticut law for witches came from” Tony Griego
This is a different kind of show; it's about getting justice for a group of people who were murdered 300 years ago.
It is surprising to learn that even today, many people don't know about a horrific period when Connecticut was a fledgling colony and innocent people, mostly women who were accused of being a witch.
Witchcraft isn't what you think of it today. It wasn't a religion or belief. The definition of a witch in colonial New England was open-ended. It could be a person targeted by any of her neighbors for any reason or no reason or none for that matter. There was a lot of corruption by church and state, extortion, jealously, assaults, and murders.
The pilgrims who traveled to the new colonies were Puritan Christians. These people agreed to live under a rigorous religious government that didn't allow for a lot of forgiveness. If someone was perceived to violate church law, the punishment was swift and harsh—death, often the penalty. There was no place to escape other than the wilderness or to the colony of Rhode Island.
So how did all this start? It all began in the 1400s Medieval Europe when 2 Catholic priests wrote a treatise called the Malleus Maleficarum. The purpose of the document was to control the masses who the priests felt to have deviant behavior against the church and its authority. They concluded the people must be bewitched!
It became a how-to manual giving the church and courts the legal authority to investigate, prosecute, and execute anyone of witchcraft and the book was widely distributed.
Sadly, millions of women, men, and children over the centuries were executed. According to one historical reference, 85% who were viciously tortured and executed were women.
This manual was in use for over 500 years, and the Catholic church finally discontinued using it in 1939 and during its publication, it had 16 revisions, most during the 1500 and 1600s.
Even though the church discontinued its use, the damage was done. As you'll hear in the interview, many protestant ministers made similar versions to suit their own needs.
I want to share an excerpt that I found by Fia Forsström, a Swedish author who posted a comment on Facebook about the witch trials in Europe and beyond.
I thought it sums up the injustice, pain, and suffering that the church and state inflicted on its citizens.
It was not witches who burned. It was women. Women who were seen as; Too beautiful, Too outspoken, Had too much water in the well (yes, seriously), Who had a birthmark, Women who were too skilled with herbal medicine, Too loud, Too quiet, Too much red in their hair, Women who had a strong nature connection, Women who danced, Women who sang, or anything else, really.
Any woman was at risk of burning in the 1600s.
Sisters testified and turned on each other when their babies were held under ice.
Children were tortured to confess their experiences with “witches” by being fake executed in ovens.
Women were held underwater, and if they could float, they were guilty and executed. If they sank and drowned, they were innocent.
Women were thrown off cliffs.
Women were put in deep holes in the ground.
Why do I write this?
Because knowing our history is important when we are building a new world.
When we are doing the healing work of our lineages and as women.
To give the women who were slaughtered a voice, to give them redress and a chance of peace.
It was not witches who burned.
It was women.
XXX
This is Connecticut's story – it's a 30-year reign of terror, pain, and suffering, and injustice.
During those 30 years, 11 people were falsely accused of the crime of witchcraft and executed. In some cases, the reason for how the court came to its conclusion is crazy, and it boggles the mind.
One can only conclude the accusers, the church, and the court was corrupt. It was nothing more than men dressed in clergy cloaks and robes acting as an organized crime syndicate.
Approximately 35 more victims – that we know of – were accused of witchcraft. In one case, a woman was accused several times.
In that day and age, this was a serious business. Any accusation destroyed a person's life and family. Many were forced to flee into the wilderness, often leaving children behind to deal with the fallout.
And for what? Someone owning a prime piece of land? An outspoken spouse? A farmer's crop grew better than his neighbors? A woman had freckles or a mole on her body or, sadly, had a child with a disability – therefore, she must be a witch?
Tony Griego and Beth Caruso, founders of the Connecticut Witch Memorial, present a compelling argument as to why they believe acknowledgment from the State of Connecticut and an official memorial is long overdue. These victims and their descendants deserve to be recognized. They deserve peace, justice, and an official place to mourn their ancestors.
Books
Thank you Tony Griego and Beth Caruso for coming on the show and sharing this incredible story.
Farm to Bath| Our philosophy is to live a locally focused naturally beautiful life, a lifestyle choice that is infused into the products we make. The ingredients are locally grown and/or acquired and are as basic and pure as nature itself. Each bar is full of fragrant aromatics that provide a rich moisturizing lather with no artificial colors or preservatives added – naturally beautiful!
My Garden Journal: A How To Garden Book For Kids| Gardening is a learned skill – everyone has to start somewhere, and a journal provides the best way to improve your gardening skills to ensure more successes and fewer failures.
The intent of this journal is to simultaneously teach basic gardening techniques while providing a place to record your journey with important information about the “how, when, and where” to grow food and flowers.
There are suggestions on themed gardens such as “A Harry Potter Garden”, “A Young Chef's Garden”, or a “Monarch Butterfly Superhero Garden” for budding Naturalists and places to either sketch or photograph your plants to remember their appearance for the next growing season.
You'll be amazed at how much you will learn by journaling about your garden!
Music
A special thank you to Gene Tullio for writing and producing this music. He has given me special permission to use this song for the show.
Gene's music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify.
Bettylou Sandy from Bettylou's Garden is back with us to talk about fall cleanup and putting our gardens and winter gardening. We covered a lot of information so I've divided the interview into two parts. This is Part 2 fall cleanup, starting a winter garden, growing food indoors, lawn care, shrubs, tree care how to start a community garden.
Bettylou is a treasure trove of information – so make sure you grab a notebook and take notes, or better yet – hop over to our website and download her handouts and follow along.
At the end of the interview, I’ll also have the list of her upcoming videos she is scheduled to do on the Spruce Street Community Garden Facebook Page.
She also answered the question about fertilizing your plants during the winter. What do you think she said?
Make sure you check out the show notes and download her documents. Also, go over to all her Facebook links and say hello to her! Send her some Love!
If you’re want to catch her gardening videos she will be posting them on the Spruce Street Community Garden Facebook page. Links will be in the show notes.
Personal Update
Katie and I have been busy painting pictures for our next activity book Counting Fall Leaves. We have 3 other books completed and are being reviewed by our Editor. They should be available by the end of the month or early November.
The Interview
Bettylou's Free Gardening Handouts
Where you can find Bettylou Sandy
If you’re want to catch her gardening videos she will be posting them on the Spruce Street Community Garden Facebook page. Links will be in the show notes. Please follow her on all the social media platforms and send her some love by saying hello to her!
Garden Themes
November: Putting Your Garden To Bed For the Winter
December: Stocking Up For The Winter: Everything you need to know so you will be sustainable for a year or two.
January: Growing Food Indoors
February: Starting Plants From Seed
Don’t forget to sign up for my 5 Herb Friday newsletter – its the best way to stay in touch with me and participate on my journey through the world of herbs!
Also, if you are enjoying these podcasts – please give a thumbs up on whatever service you are hearing this show on.
Have a great week and thanks for listening! See you next time!
Farm to Bath| Our philosophy is to live a locally focused naturally beautiful life, a lifestyle choice that is infused into the products we make. The ingredients are locally grown and/or acquired and are as basic and pure as nature itself. Each bar is full of fragrant aromatics that provide a rich moisturizing lather with no artificial colors or preservatives added – naturally beautiful!
My Garden Journal: A How To Garden Book For Kids| Gardening is a learned skill – everyone has to start somewhere, and a journal provides the best way to improve your gardening skills to ensure more successes and fewer failures.
The intent of this journal is to simultaneously teach basic gardening techniques while providing a place to record your journey with important information about the “how, when, and where” to grow food and flowers.
There are suggestions on themed gardens such as “A Harry Potter Garden”, “A Young Chef's Garden”, or a “Monarch Butterfly Superhero Garden” for budding Naturalists and places to either sketch or photograph your plants to remember their appearance for the next growing season.
You'll be amazed at how much you will learn by journaling about your garden!
Music
A special thank you to Gene Tullio for writing and producing this music. He has given me special permission to use this song for the show.
Gene's music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information please contact him at dreamshipmusic@gmail.com
Album: The Dreamship| The Forge Of Life| Copyright 2018
Social Media Links
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We would love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We’d love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Bettylou Sandy from Bettylou's Garden is back with us to talk about fall cleanup and putting our gardens and winter gardening. We covered a lot of information so I've divided the interview into two parts. Part 1 we cover vegetable gardening and what to do to prep our gardens for winter.
Bettylou is a treasure trove of information – so make sure you grab a notebook and take notes, or better yet – hop over to our website and download her handouts and follow along.
In addition, Bettylou has graciously given you her notes from her gardening classes and they’ll be available for free download in the LLH show-notes. Links to the website will be in the show notes.
At the end of the interview, I’ll also have the list of her upcoming videos she is scheduled to do on the Spruce Street Community Garden Facebook Page.
I’ll post the second half of the show next week. We cover indoor gardening, winter gardening, prepping your lawn, shrubs, trees, including conifers and perennials.
We touch on community gardens, tools and she recommends a book about community gardening for those interested in starting one.
She also answered the question about fertilizing your plants during the winter. What do you think she said?
Make sure you check out the show notes and download her documents. Also go over to all her facebook links and say hello to her!
If you’re want to catch her gardening videos she will be posting them on the Spruce Street Community Garden Facebook page. Links will be in the show notes.
Personal Update
Healthwise we are healthy. We continue to be semi quarantined. If we go out we wear our masks and practice social distancing.
The Interview
Bettylou's Free Gardening Handouts
Where you can find Bettylou Sandy
I’ll post the second half of the show next week. We cover indoor gardening, winter gardening, prepping your lawn, shrubs, trees, including conifers and perennials.
We touch on community gardens, tools and she recommends a book about community gardening for those interested in starting one.
She also answered the question about fertilizing your plants during the winter. What do you think she said?
If you’re want to catch her gardening videos she will be posting them on the Spruce Street Community Garden Facebook page. Links will be in the show notes.
Her themes will be:
November: Putting Your Garden To Bed For the Winter
December: Stocking Up For The Winter: Everything you need to know so you will be sustainable for a year or two.
January: Growing Food Indoors
February: Starting Plants From Seed
Don’t forget to sign up for my 5 Herb Friday newsletter – its the best way to stay in touch with me and participate on my journey through the world of herbs!
Also, if you are enjoying these podcasts – please give a thumbs up on whatever service you are hearing this show on.
Have a great week and thanks for listening! See you next time!
Farm to Bath| Our philosophy is to live a locally focused naturally beautiful life, a lifestyle choice that is infused into the products we make. The ingredients are locally grown and/or acquired and are as basic and pure as nature itself. Each bar is full of fragrant aromatics that provide a rich moisturizing lather with no artificial colors or preservatives added – naturally beautiful!
My Garden Journal: A How To Garden Book For Kids| Gardening is a learned skill – everyone has to start somewhere, and a journal provides the best way to improve your gardening skills to ensure more successes and fewer failures.
The intent of this journal is to simultaneously teach basic gardening techniques while providing a place to record your journey with important information about the “how, when, and where” to grow food and flowers.
There are suggestions on themed gardens such as “A Harry Potter Garden”, “A Young Chef's Garden”, or a “Monarch Butterfly Superhero Garden” for budding Naturalists and places to either sketch or photograph your plants to remember their appearance for the next growing season.
You'll be amazed at how much you will learn by journaling about your garden!
Music
A special thank you to Gene Tullio for writing and producing this music. He has given me special permission to use this song for the show.
Gene's music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information please contact him at dreamshipmusic@gmail.com
Album: The Dreamship| The Forge Of Life| Copyright 2018
Social Media Links
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We would love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We’d love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
“Seeds matter because they are the basis for civilization. The planet can’t support 7 billion people without a well-developed agriculture. The seed supply is critical.” Randel Agrella
Today, we’re talking gardening for newbies, seeds, and why seeds matter to us in general. My guest is a friend of mine, Randel Agrella from Parsnippty Farm in Fort Fairfield Maine. He’s a horticulturist and works for Baker Creek Heirloom and Rare Seeds.
I first met Randel and his wife Pam many years ago, when they were transferred to Connecticut from Baker Creek's main headquarters in Mansfield, Missouri to reopen and manage a centuries old colonial seed and nursery company called Comstock Ferre in Wethersfield, Connecticut. (It's now renamed, Heirloom Market – to learn more about the history of Comstock Seed Company starting in 1845 Click Here)
Thanks to Randel and Pam, they welcomed local farmers and crafters to sell their products in the store.
Comstock just so happened to be my first wholesale account for my herbal soaps and herbal products.
Then in the spring, they had a large agricultural fair and invited speakers from all over the country to give talks about gardening and related specialties.
And for several years, I was one of many speakers invited to talk about SPIN Farming which is a educational program which teaches new growers how to turn small plots of land such as front and backyards, empty lots into commercial growing spaces.
Then Randel and Pam found their dream farm in Fort Fairfield Maine and moved north to begin Homesteading.
Randel's Recommendations:
Plant what you like to eat – don’t grow vegetables if you know you dont like to eat.
Pick plants that are easy to grow in your area – And if you dont know ask anyone who gardens. They will be happy to help you.
Pick plants that dont need a lot of babying or fussing over.
If just starting out – start small with just a few plants. Dont go crazy and plant everything.
Arugula, a small leafy green with a peppery taste, makes a perfect addition to salads and pasta recipes. Many recipes available from an online search will give you ideas on how to prepare this green.
Arugula can be directly seeded into the ground. It prefers to grow in cooler temperatures and is best grown in early spring and late summer into fall skipping the hottest part of the growing season.
Basil
Basil is an excellent herb to grow, but it does not do well if seeds are directly planted into the soil, also known as “direct seed.” Start seeds indoors in small containers and then transplant outside when it’s warm enough.
When the plant gets big enough, pick the leaves off to add to a fresh tomato salad. Dry the leaves and save them for your family’s herb and spice cupboard. There is nothing better tasting than homegrown basil in spaghetti sauce!
Basil prefers hot weather and full sun and best-grown late spring through the hottest part of the summer. Make sure the flowers are pinched off frequently for a bushier plant, which will produce more leaves.
If you are growing this plant in a container, water frequently. Plants grown in containers dry out quicker than plants grown in the ground or in raised beds.
Carrots
Carrots are root vegetables that taste sweet when freshly harvested from the garden. Some say carrots taste like candy. Did you know carrot tops can be eaten too? Cut the tops off and chop into little pieces and add them to a salad or bowl of soup for a lovely carrot taste.
Carrots can be started in early spring and direct seed into the ground once it’s warm enough for the soil to be worked. Remember to water well during the hottest time of the season. Carrots can stay in the ground into late fall and early winter right up until the first hard frost.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a gardener’s summer favorite. Make sure you have plenty of room to grow these plants; they like to spread their vines everywhere. Do an online search to learn how to save space by growing up. There are many ideas on how to build simple trellis using materials such as long sticks and twine. You may need to ask an adult for help.
Cucumber seeds can be direct seed into the ground in late spring. For those who want to get an early start on gardening, they can also be started indoors 6 weeks before planting in the garden when it’s warm enough in your area.
Green Beans
These are one of the easiest plants to grow, and you get a lot of beans in return for your work. They can be direct seed in the ground in late spring. Beans like to grow in direct sun and love hot temperatures.
When researching seeds, make sure you know which kind of beans you’re buying. There are bush beans and pole beans. Bush beans don’t need any trellising. Just plant and watch them grow and harvest the beans when big enough.
Pole beans need a trellis to climb on. Ask an adult to help you build a sturdy trellis if you are growing pole beans.
Green Onions
Green onions are tall and green with white stalks, and they are fun to grow. Patience will be essential because they may take most of the growing season before they can be harvested.
Green onions grow well in containers but need frequent watering during hot weather. They are a perfect vegetable to grow if you have a spot that has partial shade. Direct seed in early spring and keep watering. Onions take many weeks (sometimes 30 days) before they sprout. So be patient.
Onions also do well if left in the garden over winter. Once the garden bed is established, they will self-seed (the seeds drop into the garden bed after they flower), and new plants will grow the next season.
Kale
There are many kinds of kale to grow, so do your research on which varieties will grow well in your area. Kale likes cooler temperatures but will tolerate some heat if the plants are well established.
Kale is another plant that can be started in early spring and late fall and will tolerate colder temperatures until a hard freeze or even snow. These can be direct seed into the ground.
Dinosaur Kale is a good recommendation if you are looking for tender leaves, which are perfect for salads or stir-fry. If you want to grow big leaf varieties like Red Russian Kale, their leaves are perfect for making crispy kale chips – which are like potato chips. Yum!
Peas
Peas are another early spring and fall plant to grow and can be direct seed into the ground. My peas never make it to the kitchen because I eat them right off the vine while working in the garden. They make a great snack!
These plants require something to climb on, or else they will grow in a heap of strings on the ground. Ask an adult to help you build a trellis.
Tomatoes
There is nothing more satisfying than a freshly picked homegrown tomato! They are any gardener’s pride and joy! Do your research on what kind or color you want to grow. There are hundreds of varieties to pick from, but you need to know the difference between an Indeterminate and Determinate tomato variety.
For beginner gardeners, I recommend not growing tomatoes in the heirloom (or determinate category) until you are an experienced gardener. Heirloom tomatoes taste great but can be very temperamental if the plants don’t get an even amount of water and sustaining hot temperatures. They are also prone to disease and fungal problems.
When determinate plants get stressed, this results in what is called end rot or blossom rot. The tomato is not ripe enough to pick but instead starts rotting on the bottom of the fruit and the falls off the plant. Once a plant begins producing rotten fruit, the problem cannot be fixed. The plant must be pulled out of the ground and thrown away.
I recommend varieties like “Big Beef” or “New Girl,” which are nice, evenly round healthy tomato and are perfect for sandwiches or salads. These varieties are what are called “Indeterminate” hybrids and are not prone to disease or fungal problems.
There are smaller tomato varieties you can grow too. Grape and cherry tomatoes produce a lot of fruit and are fun to grow. Make sure to share with friends and family if you have too many.
Tomato Definitions:
Indeterminate Tomato: Tall plants that require staking for trellis and will keep producing fruit up until the first frost. They produce evenly round tomatoes and are not prone to end rot or disease.
Determinate Tomato: A bush variety that is low and compact and doesn’t require staking. These plants grow a certain number of fruit all at once, and then the plant stops growing and dies. Unlike the indeterminate tomatoes where the plant continues to produce fruit until it’s too cold out. Heirloom tomato varieties are determinate plants and are prone to disease.
I recommend you start your seeds indoors in small containers and then transplant into the garden in late spring. Do not direct seed into the ground; the seeds will have difficulty sprouting. Tomatoes need full sun, plenty of hot temperatures, and consistent watering.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are beautiful and can be a showy centerpiece to any garden. The good news is sunflowers now come in many different sizes. These are a perfect plant to direct seed into the garden.
There are shorter, more compact, varieties that produce multiple flower heads that are smaller. These smaller flower heads are perfect for making flower bouquets.
The tall varieties like Royal Hybrid produce one big flower and need lots of sun. Make sure your seeds are organic if growing these flowers for bird food and don’t spray your plants.
At the end of the season, cut the flower heads and dry them. The birds will appreciate a nice snack when there is little food to forage on during the cold winter months.
Plants That Grow Well In Containers
Note: These plants need the right size container for the optimal results.
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Summer squash
How To Shop For Seeds:
“Seeds matter because they are the basis for civilization. The planet can't support 7 billion people without a well-developed agriculture. The seed supply is critical.”
Try and buy open-pollinated seeds – that way you can save the seeds and use them next year. Learning how to save your own seeds is important for food security.
Baker Creek only sells open pollinated seeds.
Check for quality of seeds at stores and online.
What To Look For:
Where are they storing them? Look at how the seeds are being handled in the store.
If they are in a hot room, atrium or greenhouse – don’t buy them. Seeds stored in hot rooms diminish their ability to germinate.
Learn which brand names you can trust – That will require you to do some research on their websites.
Check dates on seed packets – you want packets with this years date. That means these are seeds from last years harvest and they are fresh.
Although home gardeners who properly store their seeds can have them last least 5 years when they are kept in a cool dry place. Seed kept in the freezer can last forever!
Seed packets that say F1 and F2 after the seed name indicates it’s a hybrid and not open-pollinated. You can’t save the seeds to reuse. Very rarely do they say “Hybrid” on the package.
Randel’s Rule of Thumb For Starting Seeds Indoors and Out:
Start plants that take longer to grow in your current climate:
For example in the northern colder climates these plants should be started indoors.
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplants
Plants that can be direct seeded outdoors in the ground:
Plants that have large seeds –
Squashes
Melons
Cucumbers
Beans
Root Crops
Stay away from growing plants that are not good for your climate – for example: trying to grow plants from warmer or tropical climates in colder northern zones – bananas and rosemary.
Most Common Misconceptions Garden Gimmicks And Be A Garden Detective!
Companion Planting is often over rated – there isn’t any real data showing that it really works.
Planting by certain Holiday dates:
For example: Easter – the date moves from year to year there can be a 30 day difference. Instead – learn the last and first frost dates for your area.
Garden Gimmicks:
Maintain Nursery Beds – keep a small bed near the house and plant seedlings with the intention of transplanting them to the larger garden when big enough or when the original plants die.
Keep doing this throughout the growing season pulling out old plants and replacing them with newer seedlings from your nursery beds. You can double your yield in a season!
Root crops dont transplant well. Those are better started in their dedicated spot.
Be A Garden Detective!
New gardeners need to learn how to look for the subtle details of what the plants in the garden are telling them. A good gardener develops keen observation skills.
Example: How to identify problems with tomatoes:
Lower leaves yellow…what does that mean?
If its early in the season – the plant probably need nitrogen.
If its later in the season – It might be a blight problem – but usually the signs for blight is the leaves dry and shrivel up from the bottom up.
Note: In my latest book “My Garden Journal: A How To Garden Book For Kids” – there is sections in the journal pages asking you questions so you know what to look for in your garden.
Farm to Bath| Our philosophy is to live a locally focused naturally beautiful life, a lifestyle choice that is infused into the products we make. The ingredients are locally grown and/or acquired and are as basic and pure as nature itself. Each bar is full of fragrant aromatics that provide a rich moisturizing lather with no artificial colors or preservatives added – naturally beautiful!
Gardening is a learned skill and everyone has somewhere. This journal provides the best way to improve your gardening skills to ensure more successes and fewer failures.
The intent of this journal is to simultaneously teach basic gardening techniques while providing a place to record your journey with important information about the “how, when and where” to grow food and flowers.
There are suggestion on themed gardens such a “A Harry Potter Garden, “ A Young Chef’s Garden”, or a “Monarch Butterfly Superhero Garden” for budding Naturalists and places to either sketch or photograph your plants to remember their appearance for the next growing season.
You’ll be amazed at how much you will learn by journaling about your garden!
This book is available in paperback and ebook formats. You can find it in most retail and online stores. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Draft2Digital, Kobo, Google iBooks and libraries. If you don’t find the book, please ask them to order it for you.
If you don’t want to wait for the paperback book to arrive – you can download a printable version directly from me at my author website – brendajsullivanbooks.com that’s brendajsullivanbooks.com
Click on the picture and scroll down to the bottom for the papal link and follow the prompts from there.
Also check out our other books too!
Music:
Special Thank You To Gene Tullio!
The music used in this show is used with permission and is created and produced by Gene Tullio.
Gene's music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information about his music, please contact him at dreamshipmusic@gmail.com
Album: The Dreamship| The Forge Of Life| Copyright 2018
Social Media Links:
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We would love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We’d love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Today I’m talking about the COVID-19 and some precautions you can do to hopefully prevent getting sick.
Just remember, I’m not a doctor and if you have specific health questions please consult a licensed medical professional. The information I share is for informational and educational purposes only and not meant to treat anyone.
I do have some professional medical experience. I am a
former EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). I hold a CT State license as a
Nursing Assistant and have worked in a healthcare facility for several years
and did homecare for a home health agency.
For the last 23 years, I’ve been home, caring for my daughter who suffered a stroke before she was born and has a long list of serious chronic medical conditions.
My home is sort of a mini-clinic and I’ve been trained to provide some skilled nursing care for my daughter if homecare nursing is not available. My daughter’s care requires 24/7 nursing just to keep her stable. We mainly focus on preventing infections and any kind of viral illness, by boosting her immune system in a variety of different ways one of which is social distancing.
I realize life may seem impossible at the moment, especially when you go to the grocery store. But its spring and the growing season in the northeast hasn’t really begun yet. Food supplies will be replenished soon.
During the show, I’ll mention some easy recipes you can have on hand just in case. – And, in the coming week, I’ll publish a free ebook with all this information including recipes mentioned in this show.
As we learn about what herbs work better in minimizing mild symptoms of COVID-19 the ebook updated with primary references. So make sure you check back to the website for the latest version.
Disasters I've Lived Through:
Major floods…it seemed like every season we lived through some devastating natural disaster. Watching my parents manage every challenging disaster in our area was my training ground for adulthood. From major floods…
Fires and earthquakes…I can't count how many brush fires we had to deal with.
During one particular flood, it was so bad, I remember my mother holding her large canning pot under the end of the rain gutter collecting the runoff from the roof because the water supply had been cut off.
But my parents took it in stride. They were prepared for anything. We had shelves full of my mother’s canned peaches, pears, and pickles. They had a huge freezer full of meat and frozen milk. It was camping inside our house.
The disasters I lived through were tangible – you could see the damage and understand the problems. You knew what needed to be fixed.
But this?
This virus – it's invisible. We can’t see it, smell it, or touch it? You don’t know what direction it's coming from or how to stop it other than literally isolating yourself from others.
All I’ve been able to do is watch is the daily numbers and which towns are the hotspots. How close are they to me? It’s just crazy.
The one thing I learned living through several natural disasters is to always have little extra supplies just in case of the unexpected – because you just never know. Things can change in a split second.
Since living here in Connecticut for the last 35 years, I’ve experienced a few more disasters. Things like blizzards with high accumulation rates, ice storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. These kinds of disasters I can deal with. I can see them coming long before they get here. I can plan for whatever comes.
Plan A Garden Now:
So now that we're in this pandemic and no one knows when it will be over with. Its the perfect time to plan for a now and for the next few months out.
Its early spring, time to get those seedlings started for the garden. This year, growing most of our own food will be a priority this year and thankfully, I had already ordered my seeds for the season.
I suggest if you can garden, start planning right now.
You can still grow things even if you live in an apartment.
On March 10th, I just published my latest book, My Garden Journal and it has many gardening ideas on how to create a garden. Big or small. I even have instructions to build a worm farm to make your own nutrient-rich compost.
It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment or house. You can build a worm farm for your garden, or for someone else's garden.
So in the event, this international crisis lasts longer than a month – what are you going to do?
Do you have a plan?
It's important as the virus works its way through your community, we continue to practice prevention continue to build our immune system.
Number 1 Goal – Prevention:
Protection:
For those needing masks because you're sick or you’re taking care of someone who is sick. – I’m putting some links in the show notes on some websites offering some instructions on how to make medical masks.
The World Health Organization and CDC have instructions on the types of materials they think are acceptable in the event you can’t get proper masks.
What I found interesting is researchers around the world have been testing different common household materials that would block viruses like H1N1.
Their conclusion was the top household item was a vacuum cleaner bag – it blocked 86% compared to a surgical mask – which only blocks 89% of the virus’. Tea towels came in at 73%.
Whether any of these items will protect you against Covid-19 – don't know – so keep that in mind. If you're sick, something is better than nothing.
The CDC offers free downloadable posters on how to wash your hands for various age groups properly. They have superheroes and princesses for children – which are pretty cute.
Here is a great video from Lab Muffin who happens to have a PhD in Chemistry. She reviews many online homemade sanitizer recipes and explains why they are ineffective. She then reviews the World Health Organization's Handrub cleaner as a good alternative.
She created a free alcohol content calculator for those wanted to test the effectiveness of their recipe.
I’m not a certified aromatherapist – but I do have some
training in using essential oils for my bath and body business and in my herbal
studies.
I’m seeing a lot of misinformation out there about how
to use essential oils and their effectiveness.
Just because it's natural doesn’t mean its safe.
Essential oils should never be used directly on the skin and should always be
diluted in a carrier oil such as almond oil, olive oil, etc.
Essential oils should never be ingested unless they are prescribed by a licensed professional who has specific training in ingesting oils as a treatment.
There are countless cases reported of 2nd and
3rd-degree burns and toxic shock, sometimes resulting in death reported to the
FDA.
Some oils – but not all, can be used in diffusers. Adding oils to water for inhalation treatments can be safe – but do your research on sites such as the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy for information on aromatherapists and classes on proper usage of essential oils.
And finally, any company that claims their essential oils
cure anything, especially Covid-19 are committing fraud and will be cited by
the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and FTC (Federal Trade Commission).
Please remember there are no cures to most viral infections – and especially Covid – 19. The only thing we can do is manage the symptoms, allow the virus to run its course at the same time, boost our body's immune system in a variety of different ways.
Eat A Healthy Diet:
Drink plenty of water and or warm fluids such as nutrient-filled soups, and herbal teas during an illness. Staying hydrated helps your body fight off infection and keeps all systems running smoothly.
Eat Plenty Of Fermented Foods:
Eating fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, pickles, kombucha, kimchi, and kefir is good for optimal health.
Lifestyle Considerations:
Yes, this is a stressful time. But getting outside and breathing fresh air and getting some Vitamin D is good for your mind. Check out Episode 04| Managing Your Stress. I have a section on ideas on walking even if you cant get outside.
Understanding How Herbs Work:
Part of a preparedness plan is to have supplies on hand, so in the event, your family gets hit by any illness, there is no delay in starting supportive homecare.
Understand that there is no cure for this virus. The goal should be to minimize the symptoms at the same time boost your immune system using readily available foods and herbs. Food is medicine.
Thankfully, some well-known herbalists such as Mathew Wood from the Institute of Herbalism published information on some conclusions from practitioners in China about what they learned treating Covid-19 patients.
Steven Buhner author of Herbal Antivirals: Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections – has also weighed in on the controversy /discussion about Elderberry and if you should be taking it if you become sick.
Bottom line is to do your research and make the best decision you can. Nobody knows for certain if a class of herbs will minimize the symptoms of Covid – 19 or not. We know they work for general colds and flu. But Covid 19 is different.
There are so many unknowns – we are all going to have to make the best-educated guess on how to treat ourselves as we can.
Be aware, some of these herbs have safety precautions
if used in a concentrated form such as a tincture, teas, or syrups.
Check for safety issues such as allergies, or medication interactions, and proper dosages before you start taking something. Just because it's natural doesn’t mean it can’t be dangerous in concentrated forms.
The general consensus I’m hearing from clinical herbalists, if you are sick or have minor symptoms, focus on taking herbs that are considered warming.
What I mean by this is herbs that have energetics that produce certain actions within the body. Herbs can be dry, warming, moist, cooling or a combination of several.
For example, dry and warming.
These energetics are also matched to a person underlying constitution or body type. And there are a lot of body types.
For example: if a person’s underlying constitution is
“deficient” they may be pale with cold hands and feet, feel tired or weak, and
prone to certain conditions.
An herbalist might suggest herbs that are warming and
maybe drying to get the circulation moving.
Yes, this is an extreme oversimplification of how herbal
energetics work in our bodies – And I don’t want to confuse you.
My point is, well respected clinical herbalists are suggesting to work with more warming herbs than cooling herbs for COVID-19.
Although using a combination of cooling and warming may
be acceptable. You want herbs that will
focus on opening up the chest – so you can breathe deep.
Herbs that can thin mucus so it can pass out of the body and not clog the airways. From what I’m reading and hearing from doctors on the front lines, this virus seems to clog up the bronchioles in the lungs. That's why the news is filled with requests for ventilators. The lungs are full of fluid and mucus.
So what herbs are considered warming and what herbs are considered cooling?
Fresh Garlic – Warming
Local Honey – Helps fight infections and perfect to mix with bitter-tasting herbs.
Fresh Ginger – Warming and drying
Thyme – Warming and drying
Echinacea – Cooling
Peppermint – Cooling and drying
Elderberries and or Flowers – Cooling
Fermented Foods – Probiotics are important to boost the immune system
Organic Fresh fruits and vegetables – Natural vitamins and minerals to boost the immune system.
Organic Apple Cider vinegar with Mother – Mixed with other vegetables and honey helps keep your electrolytes up.
Combine all ingredients except sweetener in a large
saucepan and slowly bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for
an additional 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, sweeten to taste and serve hot.
According to Steven Buhner’s book. Ginger is an antiviral herb to take when sick. I recommend you juice your ginger and freeze it in ice cube trays to extend its shelf life. Save those fibers and freeze them for tea later.
If you don’t have a juicer – then grate it the ginger and add it to just-off-boil water.
This recipe calls for an herb called astragalus – I’ve never found it at my local grocery store. If there is a health food store near you, then call them and ask. Otherwise, you’ll have to order it online if it’s still available.
Dr. Weil’s recipe calls for fresh – but adding it dried
is just fine.
Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 large onions, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, mashed
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and thinly
sliced
Also, making old Fashioned chicken soup is also
great.
As a last resort, if making a pot of soup is to overwhelming – order wonton soup from your local Chinese Restaurant. I’ve discovered the broth has enough vitamins minerals and salts to help boost your electrolytes.
Several sprigs of fresh organic rosemary or 2 tbsp of dried rosemary leaves
1 tbsp organic turmeric powder or 2 fresh roots chopped
1/4 tsp organic cayenne powder
1 – 3 – 32 oz bottles of organic apple cider vinegar – the amount needed will depend on the volume of material stacked in jar. (Re Brand: I use “Braggs” but there are other unfiltered organic apple cider brands out there.)
¼ cup Raw local honey to taste (add after the 6 weeks of fermenting is done)
* See the list of herbal variations that I’ve added to my recipe. These are not necessary, but the * indicates the ingredients that I’ve used in the past.
Directions
Chop and slice all of your roots, fruits, and herbs and place them in a large jar. (I use a gallon jar with a lid – bought on Amazon.) Fill jar with the apple cider vinegar until everything is covered. You may have squish material down to cover with vinegar.
Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid will work. Shake well. Store in a dark, cool place for 6 weeks and remember to shake daily.
After 6 weeks, use cheesecloth to strain out the raw fermented ingredients. Discard the vegetables and pour the fermented vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquidy goodness as you can from the vegetables while straining.
Next…comes the honey. Add 1/4 cup of honey (or more if still too strong) and stir until incorporated. Store at room temperature in a dark cupboard or refrigerator.
Herbal Ingredient Variations
These organic herbs and spices would make a wonderful addition to your Fire Cider creations. You can find them all and more in our shop!
Thyme
Horseradish Root Powder
Rose Hips*
Star Anise
Schisandra Berries
Astragalus
Parsley
Burdock root*
Oregano, Peppercorns*
Beet Root Powder
Habanero Powder
Echinacea root (fresh or dried) *
Echinacea flowers (can use contents of 3 tea bags) *
1 package of Cutting Edge Cultures or 1/2 cup kefir whey
– less culture if you’re making less.
1 cup of filtered water –
1/2 small cabbage, shredded into very small pieces
1 medium sweet apple – such as Honey Crisp
1/4 cup dried Cranberries
1 medium orange, juiced with all the pulp
1/2 tablespoon coarse sea salt
Enough filtered water to cover vegetables
Step 1: If using a starter culture, dissolve culture
packet in 1 cup water. If using kefir whey – set aside until the end.
Step 2: Shred all your vegetables except cranberries and put in a large bowl.
Step 3: Add salt and mix well.
Step 4: Add the juice of the orange with pulp. Mix well.
Step 5: Fill 1/2 gallon mason jar with vegetables. Squish down to compact vegetables. If too much start another jar.
Step 6: Add dissolved culture or kefir whey. If you have
more than one jar divide up the culture among your jars.
Step 7: Fill jar(s) up with filtered water to cover vegetables leaving. Slide a long knife along edges and down the center to get any bubbles out. Drop in weight and fill the remaining jar to 1/2 inch from the top with filtered water.
Step 8: Place airlock lid on jar and follow the instructions from Easy Fermenter Kit on maintaining your jars during the fermenting process. I like to ferment this recipe for about 10 days. But if you like a real tang to your sauerkraut let it ferment longer.
The Herbal Academy’s Quick and Simple Elderberry Cold Syrup:
The Herbal Academy has another recipe called Decongesting Herbal Steam. I have some jars for sale on Farm to Bath website starting April 1st.
However, if you want to make a simple stream using a
variety of herbs or combinations, here is a list of herbs that may help.
Thyme
Thyme and Rosemary
Mint
Mint and lavender.
Bring 4-6 cups of water to a boil. To a large bowl, add
1 Tbsp. of herbs.
Pour boiling water over the herbs and cover the bowl.
Let steep for 5-10 minutes.
Cover your head with a towel, then position your face
over the bowl, using the towel as a tent to hold the steam in.
With your eyes closed and face 5-10 inches away from the hot water, breathe in the herbal goodness for no more than 10 minutes at a time.
Until Next Time…
In the next episode, we will be talking about starting a garden.
My Garden Journal would be the perfect workbook to get things started. It has cool garden themes like growing a Popsicle Garden, a Pollinator Garden, or a Garden For Kitty.
It has a section on books and themes, such as The Secret Garden or a Harry Potter Garden.
Instructions on how to build a worm farm to make your own compost. A season's worth of journal pages for tracking how your garden did through the growing season. Plus so much more!
Remember, we are all in this together and we will get through it!
The music used in this show is used with permission and is created and produced by Gene Tullio.
Gene’s music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information about his music, please contact him at dreamshipmusic@gmail.com
Album: The Dreamship| The Forge Of Life| Copyright 2018
Shows Sponsors:
Farm to Bath
Our philosophy is to live a locally focused naturally beautiful life, a lifestyle choice that is infused into the products we make. The ingredients are locally grown and/or acquired and are as basic and pure as nature itself. Each bar is full of fragrant aromatics that provide a rich moisturizing lather with no artificial colors or preservatives added – naturally beautiful!
Gardening is a learned skill – everyone has to start somewhere, and a journal provides the best way to improve your gardening skills to ensure more successes and fewer failures.
The intent of this journal is to simultaneously teach basic gardening techniques while providing a place to record your journey with important information about the “how, when, and where” to grow food and flowers.
There are suggestions on themed gardens such as “A Harry Potter Garden”, “A Young Chef's Garden”, or a “Monarch Butterfly Superhero Garden” for budding Naturalists and places to either sketch or photograph your plants to remember their appearance for the next growing season.
You'll be amazed at how much you will learn by journaling about your garden!
Books available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, libraries and other retail stores. Just ask them to order the book.
Social Media Links:
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We would love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We’d love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Today is my Thanksgiving show, and I wanted to do something a little different.
I realize everyone is busy and I thought it would be fun to read to you a delightful short story by Louisa May Alcott – Its called “An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving” published as part of her collection of stories titled “Aunt Jo’s Scrap Bag” in 1882.
This is a story is about a family living on a New Hampshire farm and the day before Thanksgiving their parents are called away for an emergency.
The children are left alone to manage the farm and they decide to make the “Big Dinner.” As you expect – things don’t go as planned.
This story does have an herbal theme to it and as I read it, pay attention to the ingredients collected for the meal. I’ll explain why later –
In the second half of the show, I’ll share my favorite gluten-free stuffing that I’ve been making for years. It's full of aromatic herbs, vegetables, mushrooms that are from my garden – well almost all of them. Some ingredients I get from local vendors.
So go get your cup of tea and settle in and I hope you enjoy Louisa May Alcott’s 1882 story “An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving.”
1 tablespoon nondairy butter spread. ( I use Earthbalance)
½ teaspoon salt
2 medium onions chopped
2 – 3 celery stalk
1 – 2 carrot chopped
3 garlic cloves
2 – 3 Granny Smith Apples (or local tart apples) diced
1 lb of fresh chopped mushrooms (shiitake, oyster,
chanterelle all work) if using dried mushrooms reconstitute in a half cup of
hot water and dash (or more) of Sherry).
A good size bunch of fresh sage – chopped – if using dried
sage – use 2 tablespoons
A good size bunch of thyme – stemmed – if using dried thyme
– use 2 tablespoons.
2 loaves of sliced Gluten Free Bread – (I try and buy them
from a local Gluten Free bakery. If they’re out of stock, I use Udis Gluten
Free Millet-Chia bread – cut into cubes and toast in a low heated oven (approx.
250 degrees).)
8 oz of stock – can be Turkey stock from simmering the
giblets, or vegetable stock. Don’t forget to use the mushroom / Sherry broth if
reconstituted dried mushrooms.
¼ cup Sherry
½ teaspoon salt and pepper
Directions:
Melt nondairy butter in a large skillet. Add onions, celery,
carrot and garlic and sauté until vegetables are just about soft but not quite.
Stir in apples and cook for approx. 2 minutes. Don’t over
cook them.
Add the mushrooms – if fresh, cook until they are giving off
liquid. If using reconstituted dried mushrooms cook until warmed.
Add Sherry, sage, thyme, salt and pepper and cook until
liquid is almost evaporated. Then remove from heat.
Combine vegetable mixture with toasted bread cubes into
large bowl. Add enough broth to moisten bread. If there isn’t enough add
additional sherry. But don’t soak the bread cubes.
Stuff turkey with the stuffing and roast as directed.
If not stuffing a turkey: Transfer stuffing to a well greased baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Take off foil and bake for another 15 – 20 minutes or until stuffing is lightly crisp on top.
From my family to your's Happy Thanksgiving! Please let me know if you tried my recipe by posting on any of our social media outlets.
Show Sponsors
Farm to Bath
Our philosophy is to live a locally focused naturally beautiful life, a lifestyle choice that is infused into the products we make. The ingredients are locally grown and/or acquired and are as basic and pure as nature itself. Each bar is full of fragrant aromatics that provide a rich moisturizing lather with no artificial colors or preservatives added – naturally beautiful!
Counting Starfish| A Thompson Street Farm Learn and Play Series Volume 1
Children learn by experience and are stimulated by imagination. Counting Starfish is designed to build both basic concepts and what better way to learn than from the natural world? Counting Starfish was inspired by starfish (or sea stars) living in a tidal pool off the coast of Alaska. This interactive book teaches children the fundamental concepts of counting to ten with coloring pages providing the opportunity for each child to create their own imaginative version of a colorful Counting Starfish Book.
Music
a Special Thank You To Gene Tullio!
The music used in this show has special permission to use the music created and produced by Gene Tullio.
Gene's music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information about his music, please contact him at dreamshipmusic@gmail.com
Album: The Dreamship| The Forge Of Life| Copyright 2018
Social Media Links
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We would love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We’d love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Welcome to my first podcast of the year. This has been a very long process trying to learn many different software programs and so, ready or not, here we are! I'm excited to finally launch!
The show is not perfect, and I'm aware of my mistakes. Please know that I'm a one-woman show and there are many moving parts to produce a show like this, and things got missed. I will continue to edit the blog as I get comfortable with the software programs. We are a work in progress!
About The Show
The goal of the show is to share my love of herbs combined with my love of the outdoors. I'll be introducing an herb(s) and/or traditions related to them and share ways you can incorporate them into your life.
Whether it's using it for health/culinary purposes, growing medicinal plants in your garden, using them in bath and body products or creating a chemical-free home. These are topics for future shows.
I'll do some storytelling about the history or tradition that's related to herbs because who doesn't love a good story! In addition, I'll recommend books and resources that might be helpful to you so you can do more in-depth research on your own.
My goal is to demystify herbs, their uses and make it easy for you to incorporate them into your daily life.
Today's Show:
Today's show is a solo show and since Halloween is almost here I'll be doing a deep dive into an ancient tradition called “Souling” and what the druids, the church and the dearly departed have in common.
I'll also share a recipe (link below) for a traditional cake that is made for this occasion called “Soul Cakes”. These cakes are filled with herbs, nuts and/or dried fruits. However, my recipe has been updated and is gluten-free and dairy-free.
I'll discuss the meaning of the tradition and how it evolved over the centuries.
So click on the show bar below and settle in with a nice cup of spiced herbal tea. And scroll through the pictures following the story of this ancient tradition called “Souling”.
A Song For Your Soul
“Soul! Soul! For an apple or two! If you have no apples, pears will do. If you have no pears, money will do. If you have no money, God bless you! ”
1/2 cup non-diary milk (I used Almond milk – also note I did not mention this in the podcast. After I recorded it I make the cakes again and adjusted the recipe.)
4 tablespoons vegan butter substitute melted ( I use earth balance)
Dry
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups gluten-free flour (I used gluten cake flour in this recipe – but not necessary)
3 tsp baking
powder
Directions:
Make tea and let steep for 5 minutes – then strain into 1 cup and pour into a mixing bowl.
Add cranberries, walnuts grated orange peel, brown sugar, nut, and salt to a bowl and let soap for 25 – 30 minutes.
Add egg and melted butter substitute – mix well in the tea mixture.
Add gluten-free flour and baking powder and mix together.
Fill greased muffin tins ¾ full with dough and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20 – 22 minutes.
The music used in this show is used with permission and is created and produced by Gene Tullio.
Gene's music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information about his music, please contact him at dreamshipmusic@gmail.com
Album: The Dreamship| The Forge Of Life| Copyright 2018
Social Media Links
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We would love to hear if you tried the recipe or if you celebrate/honor the CatholicDay of Remembrance,“All Souls Day”, how do you honor your loved ones?