HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
How great is February? An entire month dedicated to love. I have decided to make a newsletter promoting our most powerful emotion. When we feel good and take care of ourselves we are able to share the love with our friends, family, co-workers and lovers.
“Love All. Serve All”
– Sai Baba
Enjoy the articles on:
- Health Guide for Feeling the Love
- Chemistry of Love 101
- Health Benefits of Chocolate Featuring Wei Love Chocolate
- Infinite Love Flower Essences
- Aphrodisiacs
- On Love by Kahlil Gibran
May you enjoy great health and happiness this month and always be grateful for the opportunity to love the wonderful people in your world. This opens us to the abundance of the universe and the greater love of spirit.
When you love you should not say,
“God is in my heart,” but rather,
“I am in the heart of God.”
– Kahlil Gibran
Happy Valentine’s Day! Keep it simple and real.
“Love is all you need.”
– The Beatles
Dr. Gabrielle Francis
The Herban Alchemist
Valentine’s Day Remedies…Love is the Drug
Introduction By Dr. Gabrielle Francis
FEELING THE LOVE: Health Factors that Support Your Love System
Chemistry of Love 101
Health Benefits of Chocolate
INFINITE LOVE: Flower Essence by Lotus Wei
Aphrodisiacs: Herbs, Foods and Essential Oils
Kahlil Gibran on Love
1. Circulation and Heart Health
The heart pumps the blood throughout the body and the blood nourishes all of our cells with Oxygen. Having a strong heart and good circulation is essential for feeling the love.
Things that support circulation and heart health:
- Exercise, dance and movement
- Massage
- Steam, Sauna and whirlpools
- Herbs such as hawthorn berry and passion flower
2. Healthy Neurotransmitters
The neurotransmitters are the communicating links between our body and our mind. If these chemicals are out of balance we may feel fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia. Examples of neurotransmitters are adrenaline, serotonin, gaba and dopamine. Each one makes us receptive in love and sex in different ways. If you feel you may be out of balance you may consider having your neurotransmitters tested and getting some targeted amino acid therapy for repair.
3. Hormone Balance
Our hormones are the chemicals that are secreted by our endocrine organs such as the ovaries, testes, adrenal glands, thyroid and pituitary. The sex steroids such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone must be at healthy levels for a particular age. This helps to enhance interest in love and intimacy and promotes optimal performance too. Hormone testing can be done if you feel you not in optimal balance. There are many ways to balance hormones naturally with herbs, diet and nutrition.
4. Adrenal Health
The adrenal glands are like our batteries. They regulate our stress hormones, blood sugar, sex hormones, inflammation, and immunity. The busy American lifestyle may cause adrenal fatigue and exhaustion. If your batteries are running low there will be no extra energy to think about love and relationships. Adrenal testing can be done to see what your reserves are like and natural therapies can support regenerating them.
5. Relaxation
It is essential to have space in your life to relax and regenerate in order to feel loving. Sleeping 8-10 hours per night is an important part of regeneration. Time for reading, baths, meditation, and movies may be a way for you to relax and regenerate.
6. Cultivate Joy
Having fun and celebrating is one of the most important ways to increase your endorphins. Doing something fun every day! Make time to cultivate joy by doing things you love and spending time with people that make you happy.
7. Healthy Food and Lots of Water
Support your body with healthy food and plenty of water to maintain health energy and balance in body, mind and spirit.
The chemistry of love and attraction is very complex. It is a symphony of hormones, neurotransmitters and more that make us feel that loving feeling. Lets take a look at some of the major players that affect our ability to love our partners, friends, family and even ourselves.
Pheromones
These are chemicals in the body that send signals to others through a subliminal passageway of scent. Scientists widely accept that animals communicate and mate through the pheromones.
Human pheromones are substances we don’t necessarily recognize on any conscious level (and no one seems to know how the body or nose detects them). Yet scientists are studying their affect on attraction, hormone balance, sex drive and moods. It is believed that these elusive chemicals may cause us to be attracted to a mate that will optimize our genetic patterns in offspring.
Phenylalanine
PEA is a neurotransmitter that is a natural amphetamine and stimulant. It floods the regions of the brain involved in sexual excitement. It is the chemical we associate with the feeling of “falling in love” with someone. Phenylalanine helps to produce endorphins, which are our natural painkillers. Dark chocolate is high in PEA and that is why it is so often given to lovers to get them in the mood of love.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
These are the 2 neurotransmitters that are produced by our adrenal glands. They help us to be engaged and interactive in life. They also help us to deal with stress. Interest in other people and relationships comes from healthy levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine. It makes us want to “play” and engage. Low levels will make us feel more introverted and withdrawn.
Dopamine
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that gives us the sense of pleasure and satisfaction in life. In romantic love, high levels of dopamine make us feel giddy and high. It is the motivator that makes us walk over and talk to someone we like and take action. Dopamine can be artificially stimulated with alcohol and drugs. Exercise can also raise your dopamine levels.
Serotonin
Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that gives us a sense of well-being and positivity. Low levels of serotonin may cause depression and anxiety. Healthy serotonin levels may make us receptive to love. Serotonin is also important for relaxation and optimal sexual performance.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a brain peptide that is secreted by the pituitary gland. It is released when we hug, snuggle, and touch another person. It also floods the system during orgasm and breastfeeding. Oxytocin is the bonding hormone that connects us with the people we love the most whether a lover, child, family member or friend.
Testosterone
Testosterone is known to be important in regulating sexual desire in both men and women. It’s the hormone that helps create the desire to get out there and get that exciting neurotransmitter symphony going.
We all love chocolate for its delicious flavor and taste. But did you know that it is has many health benefits too? Most of the health benefits are attributed to dark chocolate. Next time you enjoy some organic dark chocolate you can say no to the guilt!
- Chocolate is high in antioxidants called polyphenols. These are the antioxidants that are in green tea and red wine. They are protective against heart disease and may also lower cholesterol.
- Chocolate is high in magnesium. This helps aids relaxation and well-being.
- Chocolate is a rich source of theobromine, a close relative of caffeine. Theobromine may add to the mood elevating affects of chocolate.
- Chocolate is high in phenylalanine which is the neurotransmitter that produces endorphins. Endorphins are our natural painkillers and promote a sense of well-being.
- The fat in chocolate comes from cocoa butter and is rich in oleic acid and stearic acid similar to olive oil. These may benefit healthy cholesterol levels.
- Chocolate is high in a chemical called anandanine. This chemical my give the feeling of elation and bliss associated with chocolate.
- Chocolate can raise the levels of serotonin, which helps with feeling of anxiety and depression.
Find yourself some organic fair trade chocolate and enjoy the benefits of food as medicine.
We are please to introduce to you the Wei of Chocolate. Wonderful organic dark chocolate infused with essential oils and flower essences. Each flavor has special benefits. The chocolates are meant to melt in your mouth while your meditate and savor the flavor. What a delicious way to incorporate mindfulness into your life.
“Wei Love” is especially good for a Valentines treat for your lover, friend, or even yourself.
Try some Wei Love or any Wei of Chocolate this Valentines Day.
EXPERIENCE: Love potion-like. Fall in love with yourself, attract love and affection, magnetism, charisma
SHIFTS: Being hard on yourself, irritability, feeling a lack of love.
FEEL A DIFFERENCE Most people feel a dramatic difference in their everyday state of mind within 2-3 days, with a cumulative effect over time. If used regularly, bottle lasts 6-8 weeks, enough time to experience a significant shift in mood and everyday life. Safe (& excellent) for children.
USE: Apply to face and pulse points; massage your ears and the back of your neck.
GET CREATIVE: In the bath or after a hot shower, before bed, give or receive massage.
WHAT’S IN SERUM: Organic regenerative serum made from calendula-infused safflower oil, vitamin E, and five hand-collected flower essences, a gemstone essence, and organic essential oils.
AROMA: Exquisite Rose, Red Mandarin, & Honey
FLOWERS:
*Hong Kong Orchid – Self-love & appreciation, feeling attractive, being yourself
*Wild Fireweed – Dissolves old bad memories, heals wounds of the heart, forgiveness
*Pink Magnolia – Feeling whole, complete; taking time to care for yourself
*Orange Hawkweed – Self-sufficiency, clarity in relationships, unconditional love
*Pink Lotus – Wisdom, insight, spiritual understanding.
Gemstone – Pink Tourmaline – Kindness & gentleness toward oneself
INGREDIENTS: *Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower Oil), vitamin E (from GMO-free Soybeans), essential oils of *Citrus deliciosa (Red Mandarin), *Pelargonium roseum (Rose Geranium), Monarda fistulosa (Monarda), Cymbopogon citrates (Lemongrass), Rosa damascena (Rose absolute), Rosa damascena (Rose Wax), and Apies millifera (Beeswax Absolute), and hand-collected flower essences of Bauhinia blakeana (Hong Kong Orchid), Epilobium augustifolium (Fireweed), Magnolia liliflora (Pink Magnolia), Hieracium aurantiacum (Hawkweed), Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus) and gem essence of Pink Tourmaline. *Certified Organic
Aphrodisiacs are substances that are believed to increase sexual desire and fertility. The name originates from the Greek Goddess of love and sexuality, Aphrodite. The aphrodisiacs may be food, herbs or other substances that have affects on the hormones or neurotransmitters therefore enhancing feelings of love and attraction.
Aphrodisiacs may help to dissipate some of the emotional, psychological or physical ailments that inhibit sexual desire and intimacy. For example they may have one of the following effects:
- Reduce Stress
- Enhance Mood
- Calm Anxiety
- Relieve Depression
- Increase Circulation
- Energize Mind and Body
- Appeal to the Senses
Remember that physical stress and exhaustion may affect your desire to feel love and intimacy. The following herbs, foods and essential oils are a few of the aphrodisiacs that can help to balance your body and promote feelings of wellbeing.
HERBAL APHRODISIACS
Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the bestselling herbs in the United States. In much of Asia, ginseng is prized as a revitalizer for the whole body, partly due to the human-like shape of the root.
Horny Goat Weed
According to folklore, horny goat weed’s reputed aphrodisiac qualities were discovered when a Chinese goat herder noticed increased sexual activity in his flock[ after they ingested the weed.
Fo-Ti
Fo-ti is also called he shou wu, which means “black-haired Mr. He” in Chinese. This name refers to a legend of an older villager named Mr. He who took fo-ti and restored his black hair, youthful appearance and sexual vitality.
L-Arginine
L-arginine is not an herb but an amino acid that has numerous functions in the body. It has been used for erectile dysfunction and is often promoted as a Viagra alternative
Damiana
Damiana is a plant native to Mexico and the southern United States. It has been widely used as an aphrodisiac in Mexico for men and women.
Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus terrestris is an herb that has been used in the traditional medicine of China and India for centuries. It was only in the mid-90s when Eastern European Olympic athletes claimed that tribulus contributed to their success that tribulus became known in the North America.
Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali is a tree native to Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It was dubbed the “Asian Viagra” in a May 1999 report in the New Sunday Times.
Maca
According to folklore, ancient Incan warriors took maca before going off to battle to make them physically strong. However, they were later prohibited from taking it, in order to protect conquered women from their heightened libidos.
Muira Puama
Muira puama, also called “potency wood” is a small Brazilian tree that grows across the Amazon River basin. It has a long history of use in Brazilian folk medicine as an aphrodisiac
Yohimbe
Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in western Africa in Nigeria, Cameroon, the Congo and Gabon. Yohimbe bark extracts are widely promoted online and in health food stores as a natural aphrodisiac to increase libido and treat erectile dysfunction.
APHRODISIAC FOODS
Almond
A symbol of fertility throughout the ages. The aroma is thought to induce passion in a female.
Aniseed
A very popular aphrodisiac with many culinary uses. It has been used as an aphrodisiac since the Greeks and the Romans, who believed aniseed, had special powers. Sucking on the seeds is said to increases your desire.
Arugula
Arugula or “rocket” seed has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. This ingredient was added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios. Arugula greens are frequently used in salads and pasta.
Asparagus
Given its phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. .
Avocado
The Aztecs called the Avocado tree, Ahuacuatl, which translated means “testicle tree”. The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male’s testicles. This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture.
Bananas
The banana flower has a marvelous phallic shape and is partially responsible for popularity of the banana as an aphrodisiac food. An Islamic myth tells the tale that after Adam and Eve succumbed to the “Apple” they started covering their “nudity” with banana leaves rather than fig. From a more practical standpoint bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production.
Basil (sweet basil)
Is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.
Broccoli Rabe (And Other Mustard Greens)
The ground seeds of various plants in the brassica family were believed to increase virility. In the case of broccoli rabe its more likely a myth created to get people to eat this bitter vegetable.
Chocolate
The Aztecs referred to chocolate “nourishment of the Gods”. Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two. .
Carrots
Another good reason to eat carrots–believed to be a stimulant to the male. The phallus shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction. High vitamins and beta-carotene.
Coffee
Caffeine is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes a depressant.
Coriander (Cilantro seed)
The book of The Arabian nights tells a tale of a merchant who had been childless for 40 years and but was cured by a concoction that included coriander. That book is over 1000 years old so the history of coriander as an aphrodisiac dates back far into history. Cilantro was also known to be used as an “appetite” stimulant.
Fennel
In the 1930′s fennel was found to be a source of natural plant estrogens. Use of fennel as an aphrodisiac dates back to the Egyptian times where it was used as “libido enhancement”.
Figs
An open fig is thought to emulate the female sex organs and traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant.
Garlic
The ‘heat’ in garlic is said to stir sexual desires. Make sure you and your partner share it together. Garlic has been used for centuries to cure everything from the common cold to heart ailments.
Ginger
Ginger root raw, cooked or crystallized is a stimulant to the circulatory system.
Honey
Many medicines in Egyptian times were based on honey including cures for sterility and impotence. Medieval seducers plied their partners with Mead, a fermented drink made from honey. Lovers on their “Honeymoon” drank mead and it was thought to “sweeten” the marriage.
Licorice
The Chinese have used licorice for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The essence of the Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) plan, glycrrhizin, is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Chewing on bits of licorice root is said to enhance love and lust. It is particularly stimulating to woman.
Mustard
Believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. In quantity nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect.
Oysters
The Romans documented oysters as an aphrodisiac food in the second century A.D as mentioned in a satire by Juvenal. He described the wanton ways of women after ingesting wine and eating “giant oysters”. An additional hypothesis is that the oyster resembles the “female” genitals. In reality oysters are a very nutritious and high in protein.
Pine Nuts
Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as medieval times.
Raspberries and Strawberries
Perfect foods for hand feeding your lover. “Both invite love and are described in erotic literature as fruit nipples” Both are high in vitamin C and make a sweet light dessert.
Truffles
The Greeks and the Romans considered the rare Truffle to be an aphrodisiac. The musky scent is said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch.
Vanilla
The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust. According to the Australian Orchid Society, “Old Totonac lore has it that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican Fertility goddess, loved a Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed herself into a plant that would provide pleasure and happiness.”
Wine
A glass or two of wine can greatly enhance a romantic interlude. Wine relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses.
ESSENTIAL OILS AS APRHODISIACS
Essential oils are very concentrated oils that are extracted from plants, herbs, flowers and trees. They are only used in minute amounts and can be added to lotions, massage oils, baths, and diffusers. Choose the essential oils that have an aroma that you like or love!
Basil
Frankincense
Ylang Ylang
Geranium
Sandalwood
Vetiver
Rose
Jasmine
Cinnamon
Myrrh
Vanilla
Lavender
Lemon
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire,
that you may become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart,
and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life’s heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh,
but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,”
but rather, “I am in the heart of God.”
And think not you can direct the course of love,
for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart
and a song of praise upon your lips.
Greetings and Happy Holidays!
I would love to wish you all joy and happiness during this month of celebration with friends and family.
This holiday newsletter has some great ideas for giving Gifts of Health and Healing. What could be more meaningful for the people we love?
Some of our wonderful Health and Healing gift ideas include:
- Apothe-Carry Natural Remedy Kits
- Lotus Wei Flower Essences
- The Wei of Chocolate
We also have a wonderful array of Organic and Natural Beauty Products that make wonderful gifts and stocking stuffers such as:
- Moroccan Elixir- Pure Argan Oils
- Khushi Spa
- Ilike Organic Skin Care
- Metamour Organic Skin Care
- Way Out Wax
Eat well and healthy this holiday with these wonderful Recipes and Substitution Guides from Whole Foods:
Don’t let all the celebrating and partying take a toll on your health. Remember to keep your immune system strong with Dr. G’s Immune Protocol.
Remember that the most important gift we can give this holiday is the gift of our love, attention, and time. And we must first give this gift to ourselves!
I have included this beautiful essay by my favorite writer, Khalil Gibran, “On Giving” from the Prophet. I hope you find it meaningful as you consider all that you will give and receive this month.
Much love and many Blessings!
Dr. Gabrielle Francis
Healthy Holiday Gifts and Recipes
Introduction By Dr. Gabrielle Francis
Holiday Gifts
Health and Healing Gifts
Organic and Natural Beauty Product Gifts
DR. G’s IMMUNE PROTECTION PROTOCOL
Healthy Baking and Recipes
Guide to Natural Sugar Substitutions
Healthy Substitutions for Cooking & Baking
Holiday Spice Guide
Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes
This innovative product line was designed and formulated by Dr. Gabrielle Francis.
Apothe-Carry Natural Remedy Kits are a line of natural remedy kits used for life’s common conditions. They were combined using the principles of Naturopathic Medicine in mind.
Each Kit has a combination of:
- Supplements
- Herbal Remedies
Homeopathic Remedies- Essential Oils
- Flower Essences
- Topical Remedies
We have 8 kits for you and your family to choose from.
HOME ESSENTIALS, CHILDRENS ESSENTIALS, BON VOYAGE: Travel Essentials, BON VOYAGE: International Travel & Adventure Essentials, STRESS ESSENTIALS, GRIEF ESSENTIALS, SPORT & ATHLETIC ESSENTIALS, SURGERY ESSENTIALS
Wei of Chocolate
ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE, VEGAN DAIRY, GLUTEN & SOY-FREE
DARK CHOCOLATE FOR THE BODY & FLOWER ESSENCES FOR THE MIND
The New Reality of Chocolate is:
• 2 grams of carbs, 30 calories per piece
• Guilt-free!
• Good for the heart, pregnancy & more
• Actually good for your skin!
• As delicious as it is healthy
• Flower essences work through the acupuncture meridians to re-tune mind and body
ELEVATE YOUR CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE
Everyone loves chocolate. Finally there is a chocolate that is good for your body, good for your mind, and great for the environment, too!
Wei of Chocolate gives chocolate lovers a healthy way to indulge.“Wei” – meaning transformative action – is exactly what happens when inspired blends of exotic ingredients combined with flower essences are added to pure, organic dark chocolate. The result: an exceptionally satisfying, nourishing chocolate that becomes a powerful tool to help us care for ourselves on both a physical and emotional level.
Wei Lotus Flower Essences
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
• Dissolve stress naturally
• More peace, clarity, & happiness
• Feel better and look radiant
• Beauty from the inside out
• Accelerate personal growth
NOT JUST AROMATHERAPY
• Taken internally or applied externally
• Works through the acupuncture meridians
• Immediate positive effects on state of mind
• Hand-collected flower essences
Moroccan Elixir Pure Argan Oil
Our products are all natural and pure.
Moroccan Elixir works with the Marjana Co-Operative Project in Essaouira, Morocco. This Women’s Co-Operative employs local women to produce the argan oil by the traditional methods. The co-operative employs the woman at a fair wage and gives them housing, education, medical and childcare benefits. The women then support their communities and families.
Cosmetic Benefits of Argan Oil
• Rich in Essential Fatty Acids and Vitamin E
• Moisturizes the skin
• Slows the appearance of wrinkles
• Improves skin elasticity
• Rejuvenates aging skin
• Restores the life and shine to hair
• Promotes scalp health
• Restores hair growth and vitality
• Prevents split ends
• Relieves skin damaged by sun and smoking
• Prevents stretch marks
| Slenderize Anti-Cellulite Oil 4 oz Ingredients: pure argan oil imported from Morocco; essential oils of sage, white grapefruit, lemon, and basil. |
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| Revitalize Hair and Scalp Tonic 4 oz Ingredients: pure argan oil imported from Morocco; essential oils of rosemary, cypress, sage, and lavender. |
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| Him Men’s Body Oil 4oz Ingredients: pure argan oil imported from Morocco; essential oils of sandalwood, bergamot, frankincense, and basil. |
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| Rejuvenate Energizing Body Oil 4oz Ingredients: pure argan oil imported from Morocco; essential oils of ginger, bergamot, pink grapefruit, and tangerine. |
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| Serenity Relaxing Body Oil 4oz Ingredients: pure argan oil imported from Morocco; essential oils of sandalwood, marjoram, ylang ylang, jasmine, and lavender. |
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| Revitalize Hair and Scalp Tonic 2 oz Ingredients: pure argan oil imported from Morocco; essential oils of rosemary, cypress, sage, and lavender. |
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| Original 100& Pure Argan Oil 4 oz Ingredients: pure argan oil imported from Morocco; that’s it. |
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| Ageless Face Renewal Oil 1 oz Ingredients: pure argan oil imported from Morocco; organic essential oils of moroccan rose, palmarosa, and sandalwood. |
This company has wonderful bath and body products that are all organic and full of delicious aromatherapy ingredients. It is great for stocking stuffers and gift bags. You can find bath gels, body butters, scrubs, face serums, hand sanitizers and more. I am especially in love with it since it is owned my sister Nicki.
Ilike Organic Skin Care
Hungary – a land blessed with fruits, vegetables and herbs that draw their succulence from the soil and thermal hot springs of the Carpathian basin long known for being rich in minerals and trace elements found nowhere else on earth. A country in Eastern Europe with a long history of using locally available ingredients in their healing treatments. Due to the soil, the somewhat dry climate and abundance of sunshine, Hungarian herbs and fruits are uniquely rich in active ingredients and aromatic agents. From these ingredients Ilike Molnar, lovingly known as “Aunt Ilcsi”, has been creating organic skin care products since the late 50′s.
Aunt Ilcsi combined the family knowledge of herbal remedies with schooling at Vienna’s highly renowned Aesthetics School. Upon graduation with extensive study in biochemistry she began researching and developing all natural and organic skin care products. She believes, as her grandmother the village herbalist taught her, that what we need to maintain health and beauty can be drawn from nature around us.
From this heritage come the products of ilike organic skin care from szép élet, made in small batches from organically grown and handpicked herbs, fruits and vegetables -no mass production-, and containing the highest possible levels of natural active ingredients.
Metamour Skin Care
Metamour skin care prides itself on sourcing ingredients that are Pure, Potent and Certified Organic. All formulations are Cruelty Free and contain NO PARABENS, POLYMERS, SULPHATES, ARTIFICIAL COLORS OR ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCES. Our ingredients are plant derived, vegan and formulated with Botanicals that have been harvested in the U.S., through the Aromatic Plant Project, and in Europe, where Organic gardening and sustainability leads the Industry.
Way Out Wax and Green Moon Candles
For 17 years we’ve been hand-crafting high quality candles in the Green Mountains of Northern Vermont and have set ourselves apart not only through our love affair with essential oils, but also by our aversion to all the chemical additives, fragrances and dyes that are so prevalent in the candle industry. “Clean. Pure. Natural.” is not just a slogan. It’s a way of life.
Protect your self from the cold and flu this year by enhancing immune function and supporting the response against pathogens.
ADULT IMMUNE SMOOTHIE
Ultra Pure Whey Protein (Biogenesis) 2 Scoops
– builds antibodies and cells
Intestinal Repair Powder (Biogenesis) 2 Teaspoons
– builds gut associated lymphatic tissue
DL Ultradophilus Powder (Douglas) ½ Teaspoon
– protective bacteria that prevents virus and bacterial infection
Arctic Cod Liver Oil (Nordic naturals) 1 Tablespoon
– omega 3’s with Vit. A and D
Progreens Powder (Allergy Research) 1 Scoop
– green food with adrenal and immune support
Mix all the ingredients in 12-16 oz of water with ¼ to ½ cup of frozen berries or dark skin fruits. Blend well and drink in the morning for breakfast.
OTHER NUTRIENT SUPPORT
Emergenc C (Alacer) 1-2 packets per day. May drink cold or hot in winter.
Immune Balancing Formula (Biogenesis) 1 cap in am and pm
– formula to strengthen the immune organs
Phyto Immune (Biogenesis) 1-2 caps per day if exposed to someone sick
– antiviral/antibacterial formula 2 caps 3x per day until better, If starting to get sick
IMMUNE SMOOTHIE — CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF ONE
Ultra Pure Whey Protein (Biogenesis) 1-2 Scoops depending on age
– builds antibodies and cells
Intestinal Repair Powder (Biogenesis) 1 Teaspoon
Children’s Probiotic Powder (Integrative Therapeutic) 1 Scoop
Arctic Cod Liver Oil (Nordic Naturals) 1 Teaspoon
Mix all ingredients in 8-12 oz of water with frozen fruit and or juice to your child’s taste
OTHER NUTRIENT SUPPORT
Emergenc C (Alacer) 1-2 Children’s Emergenc C per day or 1 Adult Emergenc C per day
Children’s Echinacea/C (IT) 1-2 droppers per day for prevention, if exposed to someone sick
– Immune stimulant
Children’s Echinacea/Goldenseal (Gaia) 1 dropper 3x per day until better, if starting to get sick
– Natural antiviral/antibiotic
INFANTS AND CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF ONE
MOTHER should breast feed and follow the above immune protocol for herself.
Primadophilus for Children (Integrative Therapeutics) ¼ tsp per day in bottle of pumped milk
Contact your physician if the child is sick and follow recommendations of your pediatrician.
20% off the Immune Smoothie Bundle and Children’s Immune Smoothie Bundle
- The Immune Smoothie and Children’s Immune smoothie make and excellent meal replacement for breakfast or a snack.
- It has all the functional food support for a healthy immune system in a delicious smoothie combination.
- Download recipe Adult Immune Smoothie, Children’s Immune Smoothie.
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Integral to cooking year round, spices are supremely important during the holidays. It’s impossible to imagine pumpkin pie, mulled wine or any number of favorite holiday recipes without spices. Whether bold or subtle, spices flavor our holiday memories as much as the actual food. Here’s a roundup of those spices that help make the holiday season memorable.
Allspice
Although most of us think allspice is a blend of lots of different spices, it’s actually a berry from trees that grow in the forests of Jamaica. It’s an easy mistake: smell an allspice berry and you’ll think you’re smelling cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. It is used in both whole and ground forms; the latter bakes into pies, puddings, and breads beautifully, adding a distinct holiday flavor. Whole allspice can be used as part of a marinade for baked meats or added to mulled wines and ciders as they simmer.
Star Anise
Although not related to anise at all, star anise is a star-shaped seed with a fennel and anise-like flavor that comes from a small evergreen tree of the magnolia family native to Southeast Asia. It’s a star ingredient in Chinese Five-Spice Powder and goes well with such holiday fare as chicken, fish and seafood, pumpkin, root vegetables and tropical fruits.
Cardamom
The straw colored pods that are cardamom grow in the humid warmth of southern India. They ripen throughout the year and are snipped off the plant with sharp scissors when about three-quarters ripe. A favorite in countless curries and traditional Indian after-dinner treats, cardamom is also used frequently in baked goods. Try replacing cinnamon with cardamom the next time you make cinnamon sugar—it’s delicious on challah toast.
Cinnamon
There are actually two types of cinnamon, Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia is the familiar one, probably because it is much sweeter than the milder, lighter Ceylon. Cinnamon grows as bark on evergreen trees and is harvested during the rainy season, as the moisture makes it easier to handle. After being stripped, the bark is rolled into cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon, whole or ground, has many uses in dishes both sweet and savory. It’s especially good in desserts and spiced baked goods and with apples, bananas and pears. Try it sprinkled on fresh tomato slices with a little sugar for a new experience.
Cloves
Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree, syzyium aromaticum. Grown primarily in Madagascar and other coastal African areas, buds are picked in clusters from a main stem of about 10 to 15 heads. Cloves are among the most pungent of spices, essential to five-spice powder and curries and highly complementary to such holiday foods as ham, sweet potatoes, squashes (including pumpkin), apples and onions.
Ginger
Ginger is native to China and India and available year round both fresh and dried. The flavoring effects of the two types are notably different.
Fresh ginger is a highly adaptable flavoring in savory dishes and can neutralize gamey and fishy odors, making it an excellent addition to meat, poultry, fish and seafood dishes. It’s remarkably friendly to all kinds of vegetables, from artichokes to zucchini, including tomatoes, cabbage, garlic and onions. And it pairs well with other seasonings such as basil, cilantro, turmeric and soy sauce. It can be sliced, chopped, shredded or grated into soups, stews, sauces, marinades and glazes.
The extra pungency of dried ginger makes it a good companion for winter squashes, carrots and sweet potatoes. More interesting still is the Arab custom of adding it to couscous, hearty stews and simmered meat dishes in combination with fruit. It is a common ingredient in five-spice seasoning, curry and pickling blends, and pairs well with honey, nuts and dried fruits. It combines well with other holiday spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg.
Mace and Nutmeg
Both of these spices come from an apricot-like fruit cultivated in southeast Asia and the West Indies. Mace comes from the lacy covering of the stone-like seed, while nutmeg is made from the seed itself. Their aroma and taste is similar with mace being more subtle with lemon undertones and nutmeg exhibiting hints of clove. Both are available in dried powder form, combine well with other holiday spices, and complement egg and cheese dishes, seafood chowders, chicken, lamb and such vegetables as potatoes, cabbage and carrots, onions as well as that holiday favorite, pumpkin pie.
Black and White Peppercorns
Although both berries are from the same vine, the Piper nigrum, there is a marked difference between black and white pepper. The berries used for black pepper are picked just before they’re fully ripe, while white peppercorns are allowed to ripen completely. In the United States, we use 12 times more black pepper than white. Both sorts have countless uses, but try sneaking a little pepper into sweet foods to create a mysterious undercurrent of spicy flavor.
Vanilla Bean
This long, thin pod is the world’s second-most valuable spice (behind saffron) due to its labor-intensive and time-consuming harvest. The three most common vanilla beans used today are the creamy-flavored Bourbon-Madagascar, the complexly subtle Mexican and the fruity Tahitian. Vanilla extract is the most common form, but give yourself and your holiday guests a treat by using whole beans to enhance dishes that feature eggs, milk, seafood, and fruits such as apples, pears, strawberries and rhubarb. Store the beans away from light and heat in an airtight container. When using vanilla extract, use only the genuine variety with 35% alcohol content. Synthetic extracts exhibit a bitter aftertaste.
Looking for alternatives to refined sugars? You’ve come to the right place. There’s a whole host of sweet delights on our shelves, waiting to liven up your cup of coffee, baked goods, marinades and dressings. Think refined sugars are your only choice? Think again.
Natural sweeteners like unrefined brown sugar, maple syrup, molasses, barley malt and rice syrups, honey and agave nectar are common these days and for good reason. Each has a unique flavor and set of uses that’ll satisfy any craving for sweetness in everything from your salad dressings to your roasted pork loin. Want to know which natural sweeteners are the best choice for you? Keep reading.
Sugar on Top
These days, the main sources of commercial sugar are sugar cane and sugar beets, from which a variety of sugar products are made:
- Granulated white sugar is common, highly refined all-purpose sugar. Look for organic, unbleached varieties for a tastier, more natural choice.
- Confectioners’ sugar (a.k.a. powdered sugar) is granulated white sugar that’s been crushed to a fine powder. That may sound painful, but it’s perfect for icings and decorations.
- Unrefined brown sugar (a.k.a. raw sugar) is slightly purified, crystallized evaporated cane juice. This distinctive, caramel-flavored sugar comes in a variety of flavors including demerara, dark muscovado and turbinado.
- Unrefined dehydrated cane juice is generally made by extracting and then dehydrating cane juice, with minimal loss of original flavor, color, or nutrients.
The Buzz on Honey
It’s no small feat to be the world’s oldest-known unrefined sweetener. Because honey’s flavor and color are derived from the flower nectar collected by bees, honey has lots of pride of place. This accounts for the wide range of honeys available around the world. Note that dark honeys generally have a stronger flavor than lighter ones.
Since bees can forage up to a mile from their hive and are indiscriminate in their nectar choices, when a particular flower is named on the label of a honey container, it simply means that flower was the predominant one in bloom in the harvest area.
Here are a few of the most buzz-worthy varieties:
- Clover: mild flavored and readily available in colors ranging from water white to light amber
- Wildflower: generally dark with a range of flavors and aromas depending on the flowers that provided the nectar
- Alfalfa: light in color with a delicate flavor
- Orange Blossom: a distinctive citrus flavor and aroma and light in color
- Blueberry: slightly dark with a robust, full flavor
- Tupelo: fragrant, light and mild
- Chestnut: dark, tangy and slightly bitter with a high mineral content
Storage tip: Keep honey in an airtight container and, if used infrequently, at temperatures below 50°F. Liquid honey will eventually crystallize but can be returned easily to a liquid state by placing the container in warm water for a few minutes.
Health note: Honey should not be fed to children less than one year old because it can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism.
Tapping into Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is simply the boiled down tree sap of the sugar maple tree. As for maple sugar, it’s twice as sweet as white sugar and has a delicious, caramel flavor.
Until the arrival of the honeybee (introduced from Italy in 1630) maple sugar was the only form of concentrated sweetener in North America. Both maple syrup and maple sugar are among the least refined sweeteners.
With its strong, fragrant dark caramel flavor, expect great things from molasses. It’s about 65% as sweet as sugar, and is in fact produced during the refining of sugar. (The syrup remains after the available sucrose has been crystallized from sugar cane juice.)
Light molasses is from the first boiling of the cane, dark molasses is from the second, and blackstrap, the third. Though molasses can be sulfured or unsulfured, we prefer unsulfured molasses, meaning that the fumes used in manufacturing sugar aren’t retained as sulfur in the molasses.
Baking tip: If you’ve ever had gingerbread or spice cookies you know that without molasses, the world just wouldn’t be the same.
Sweet Alternatives
- Barley Malt and Rice Syrup: Made from soaked and sprouted barley, which is dried and cooked down to make a thick syrup, barley malt is a sweetener that’s slowly digested and gentler on blood sugar levels than other sweeteners.
- Rice syrup is made in almost the same way, and is usually a combination of rice and barley. Some of the best Chai teas are sweetened with rice syrup, with deep and earthy results.
Agave: Nectar of the Gods
Agave nectar is a multipurpose sweetener obtained from the core of the Mexican Agave cactus, the same plant whose sap is a source of tequila. Agave nectar may resemble honey — its color ranges from pale to dark amber — but it’s slightly less viscous and dissolves easier in liquids.Keep in mind that agave nectar is about 25% sweeter than sugar and that darker agave nectar has a more robust flavor with a pleasant hint of molasses, too.
To try your hand at substituting natural sweeteners for refined sugar in recipes, keep this guide close by. Click to download.
Article is courtesy of Whole Foods.
