Health and Gardening

I have been gardening for some time and I asked my self why? And I thought its not the savings, by the time you put in the time and cost, there is a big chance that it will end up costing more than if you just bought from the store. Then I had some pasta salsa that I made from last summers tomatoes and it hit me the flavor is so much more than store bought. I was all of a sudden taking a trip back to last summer how the breeze felt on that hot summer day as I was out there weeding the ground so the tomatoes could grow big and strong. The chill in the air as I scrambled to get the last off the vine and in side. I have canned summer squash and peaches I bought from Palisade Colorado, Corn I bought from Brighton, Colorado and I started to think could I use the herbs and vegetables from my garden for the health of my family and my self? As it turns out the answer is yes and why have I waited so long. From some of the herbalist web sights and from some survivalist web sights this is the thing to have on hand. I have used it for about a year now and it does work. It is known as the Master Tonic, Garlic Immune, Anti Plague. I have seen it for sale on some survival web pages and it wasn't cheep. Here are two recipes for this formula. I have some on hand all the time. Most of the ingredients I get from my garden.

Formula 1 is from Heal Thyself web site.
1 part fresh chopped garlic cloves ( antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, anti parasitical)
1 part fresh chopped white onions, or the hottest onion available (similar properties to garlic)
1 part fresh grated ginger root (increases circulation to the extremities)
1 part fresh grated horseradish root ( increases blood flow to the head)
1 part fresh chopped Cayenne peppers, Jalapenos, Serrano’s, Habeneros, African bird peppers … any combination of the hottest peppers available.
Preparation:
Fill a glass jar ¾ of the way full with equal parts of the above fresh chopped and grated herbs. Then fill to the top with raw unfiltered , unbleached, non distilled apple cider vinegar.

Close and shake vigorously and then top off with the vinegar if necessary. Begin this formula on the NEW moon and strain and bottle on the FULL moon, (approximately 14 days). Filter the mixture through a clean piece of cotton, bottle and label.
Make sure that when you are making this tonic that you shake it every time you walk by it, a minimum of once per day. Remember that all the herbs and vegetables should be fresh (and organic if possible), and to use dried herbs only in an emergency.
Dosage:
1/2 to 1 ounce, two or more times daily, gargle and swallow.
I would go SLOW this is spicy Test FIRST than use.

You can use the solids as flavoring for cooking

Formula 2 is the one I use and I like to add some agave (or honey) and some flavoring I use anise, or you could use cherry.
From Dr Christopher Herbal Home Health Care:
Equal parts of each:
Garlic, Aloe Vera gel powder, Plantain, Wormwood, Lobelia, Marshmallow, Oak Bark, Black Walnut, Mullein, Skullcap, Uva Ursi. In an apple cider vinegar, glycerin, honey base.
This all purpose anti-biotic formula is used to treat colds, flues, congestion, infection, and all communicable diseases. It may be used in small amounts (one tablespoon three times a day) as a tonic during cold and flu season, or in large amounts (one tablespoon every hour) to fight off infection. This formula was designed by Dr. Christopher to treat bacterial and viral plagues.
Put herbs in container and fill with your base. The honey and glycerin make it more palatable.
I use these to treat my self when I feel run down or like something is starting to take hold. Please I recommend that if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve that you seek out a health care professional
Food Has Power ~ the power to harm and the power to heal.

Till Next Time

Stay Healthy

The 2009 season is winding down

The 2009 growing season is coming to an end here, we have been getting rain and cold temperatures at night. I decided to get the tomatoes in even though a lot of them are still green. All the beans are harvested, still waiting for the dent corn to dry. We have snow peas that need harvesting I'll keep picking till they die out. Brussels sprouts will be another month or so, but it looks like I can get the pumpkins soon. I planted a late crop of turnips, carrots, and Swiss chard and believe it or not I finely got carrots to come up not a lot but some I'll take the victory. Now that all most all the tomato plants are up I'll be burning them so I can get the ashes in the the ground for next year. Here is a good place to add, do not compost any tomato or potato plants. The plants can carry a soil born pathogen that will contaminate your soil. Some scientist estimate that the pathogen lives in the soil for up to 100 years. This pathogen will spread disease to your other plants and make the ground unusable. So with that in mind I just burn the plants to be safe. I have enough trouble in my garden I don't need to add more.
I made some green tomato relish for the first time this year and canned it, it is so good. I have been thinking of all kinds of dishes that it will go good with. Keep an eye out for new recipes, I will share with you how I use the relish.
I've dried the beans, and the beats are caned and frozen. Now I am just waiting for the last few vegetables to finish up and I'll be prepping for next season. For me this is an exciting time of year and a sad one, I get to see all that God has given this summer and the hope of next year, but I also see the garden emptying out after I pull or turn the plants under. But winter is coming and to me that is the start of new hope for next year. So lets hope for a good winter, a nice white blanket over the ground as the soil sleeps and gets ready for work next summer.

Till next time

Happy Gardening

The 15 Minute Storm.

We got rain 1” in fifteen minutes with high winds (I would guess 25 to 30 mph) and pea size hail. Most of the rain washed the soil down the road. The corn got shredded I am going to let it go, however, I'm not expecting a lot form it. I hope that it still reaches 12 to 13 feet like it should with this variety
should. Here are some photos of the garden after the storm. Like I said the corn was trashed and one Brussels sprout plant got hit but every thing looks good. If any thing I shouldn't have to water for a day or two and if we get some rain tonight I won't need to water tell Wednesday or Thursday for sure. I still need to finish the weed burning project, when it drys out it looks like I have some work cut out for me.
So Till next time

enjoy the water

Happy gardening

Click on Photos to enlarge