Essential Oils......A Gift from the Earth

Well, we finally have our home in the burbs listed and we are ready for a new family to enjoy the love that we have put into it. The grape arbors and citrus trees are what I will miss most. But no stress....we happily open our new chapter now.

 In the process of the move to the farm, and as I mentioned in my last post, I had been a little relaxed on my food choices and exercise. So, this began a week of Project Fabulous. Getting my Diva self pulled back together.

The first phase involves getting my healthy foundation back by incorporating some wonderful little jewels of the earth known as Essential Oils. These oils can offer many therapeutic benefits. I have been using Basil, Peppermint and Lemon to bring a balance and restoration internally and Lavendar and Bergamot on my feet to calm and help me to focus. I am awaiting a very special oil to arrive in the mail this week~ Frankincense! It is one of the most precious of the ancient oils and is highly sought after for its many uses and healing properties including: relaxation, immune support, anti depressant, anti tumor, anti inflammatory, anticatarrhal, antiviral, sedative, analgesic, expectorant and energy builder. Tonight was a sea salt and Patchouli bath for mood support and healing soft tissue.

So, from this  strengthened foundation of self care and love, I will be starting my Body Ecology program on Monday. I will share all of the details as I cleanse and rebuild. If you want to join me.....just click on the link at the right hand side of the blog page and grab a copy of the book and a few of the supportive supplements and join in. In the meantime, here is a brief description and history of these amazing oils.

Essential Oils throughout History

Essential oils have been used throughout recorded history for a wide variety of wellness applications. The Egyptians were some of the first people to use aromatic essential oils extensively in medical practice, beauty treatment, food preparation, and in religious ceremony. Frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh and cinnamon were considered very valuable cargo along caravan trade routes and were sometimes exchanged for gold.
Borrowing from the Egyptians, the Greeks used essential oils in their practices of therapeutic massage and aromatherapy. The Romans also used aromatic oils to promote health and personal hygiene. Influenced by the Greeks and Romans, as well as Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic use of aromatic herbs, the Persians began to refine distillation methods for extracting essential oils from aromatic plants. Essential oil extracts were used throughout the dark ages in Europe for their anti-bacterial and fragrant properties.
In modern times, the powerful healing properties of essential oils were rediscovered in 1937 by a French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who healed a badly burnt hand with pure lavender oil. A French contemporary, Dr. Jean Valnet, used therapeutic-grade essential oils to successfully treat injured soldiers during World War II. Dr. Valnet went on to become a world leader in the development of aromatherapy practices. The modern use of essential oils has continued to grow rapidly as health scientists and medical practitioners continue to research and validate the numerous health and wellness benefits of therapeutic-grade essential oil.

Uses of Essential Oils

Essential oils are used for a very wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. They can be used a single oil at a time or in complex blends depending on user experience and desired benefit. Essential oils are usually administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally as dietary supplements.

Aromatic Uses

Our sense of smell influences many physiological pathways including the stimulation of hormones and other metabolic processes. Aromatherapy is founded on the body's predictable response to specific olfactory stimuli. Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy applications. Certain essential oils, when diffused in the air, can be very stimulating while others can be calming and soothing. Beyond emotional benefits, diffusing essential oils can purify air of unwanted odors and some airborne pathogens. Low or no-heat essential oil diffusers are recommended as they do not change the chemical structure of the oil being diffused. Essential oils can also be used as cleansing and purifying additives to laundry and surface cleaners throughout the home.

Topical Uses

Due to their natural molecular composition, essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin and can be safely applied topically. Application of essential oils can have immediate, localized benefit to the target area of application. They have restorative and calming properties and can be used effectively with massage and beauty therapy. They are also natural disinfectants. The chemical structure of essential oils also allows them to be absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin for internal benefit throughout the body.

Internal Uses

Essential oils can also be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions. Some essential oils have powerful antioxidant properties while others help support healthy inflammatory response in cells. Many essential oils are generally regarded as being safe for dietary use, but some oils should not be taken internally. Do not use any essential oil product internally that does not have the appropriate dietary supplement facts on its label.

Using essential oils can be both profoundly simple and life changing at the same time. Working with someone who has used essential oils before will help first-time users have a more beneficial and enjoyable experience. A large amount of information is readily available for those desiring to increase their knowledge of essential oil applications.
(Be sure to use only 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils and follow all label warnings and instructions. Essential oils should not be used in the eyes, inside the ear canal, or in open wounds. If redness or irritation occurs when using essential oils topically, simply apply any vegetable oils such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil to the affected area. Consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor's care.)

Renewal

People,even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, andredeemed

 ~ Audrey Hepburn

That Ms. Hepburnwas such a graceful and wise woman, wasn’t she? A friend shared this quoterecently and it really hit home.  Duringthis move to the farm, I have really lost my routine.  Actually, It seems like I have been on anextended vacation of sorts and we all know what happens on vacation, right?  Yes, lazy days....filled with eating foodsthat are a bit decadent, as you explore the unfamiliar and stay up later.  I have really enjoyedgetting familiar with my new hometown. It’s very quaint, historic and has aslow southern charm. However, I apparently thought I had fallen deep into aBlue Bell Ice cream commercial or at least a few gallons of it.  You fellow southerners know what I am talkingabout.....the serene ads with the "heavenly"cows walking through the texas bluebonnets, on the farm, mom in her apron andeveryone enjoying a bowl of Bluebell at the picnic table, under the big oaktree.  OR maybe it was the purchase of Pioneer Womans new cookbook.....Yes, the Dr.Pepper Pulled Pork was fabulous. And, forget my nature based workouts and barefoot runs.....ummmm, justtaking easy strolls on the land with the goats is not cutting it. I caught aglimpse of myself in the mirror the other day and nearly gasped. Who is that? Andhonestly, I could live with the increase in size my derrier but the fatiguethat has been creeping in....especially after my recent love affair withhomemade sourdough bread. A real yikes,from a girl who is a bit sensitive to the grains.

Well, aswe know out of despair comes motivation. I am revamping my schedule to get mybooty back in top shape. I have a future ahead of me at Three Goats Farm; of farming my goats,growing my food, starting my chickens and leading others to a REAL food lifestyle. That requires someserious energy friends. So, over the next few weeks, I will be sharing somemeal ideas, workout plans and motivation.  Diva’s, I would love some company. Are ya in? Justcomment below IF you want to hop on this ride to Restore, Renew and Reclaim ourhealthy and strong bodies. Off to clean out the pantry of some insidious itemsthat have invaded my healthy world, in the past few months. Sorry, Blue Bell. Ipulled out my five fingers and will hit sole to soil tomorrow.  I will do a mini Reboot over the weekend ofjuicing and the meal plan will be posted on Monday. Have a GREAT weekend Diva’s.

Kickin Kimchi

Its been a rainy week at Three Goats Farm. That means I have been hanging out in the kitchen....making kombucha, kefir, cheese, saur kraut and kimchi (Texas Style). It has become one of my favorite flavors with the extra kick of serrano's added to the blend of cabbages, carrots, ginger and garlic. So, I had a request to share my recipe. Please feel free to share comments and questions below, if you need guidance for your ferments---Just let me know. I would be happy to help.

Three Goats Farm Kickin Kimchi 

For this recipe, I am using a  half gallon size  lidded jar

1 head of Napa Cabbage (roughly chopped)

1 head of Green Cabbage (roughly chopped)

2 cups of  grated Carrot or julienned

4 tbsp chopped Ginger and a 1 inch cube

2 Serrano peppers (sliced)

4 large cloves of Garlic (3 sliced and 1 whole)

6 cups of filtered water

6 tbsp of Sea Salt

2 tbsp of dried Red Chile Peppers

Place the chopped cabbage, julienned carrot's, sliced serrano peppers and chopped ginger into a large glass bowl and toss to blend. In a blender combine salt, water, ginger cube, 1 garlic clove, and dried red chile pepper and blend to create your brine. Now pour the brine over the kimchi, and coat well by tossing and then "pressing" (by hand) the vegetable mixture. Continue to break it down a bit and release water from the plants cell walls (5 minutes at least). Cover loosely and allow vegetables to soak in brine for 1-2 hours. Then transfer to your jar as you pack and press the mixture tightly into the jar. The mixture should be an inch below the threads on the jar neck and completely submerged under brine. Place a whole cabbage leaf over the top of mixture (tucking down onto the inside of jar) and fill to to the rim with any remaining brine. Place jar onto a plate or bowl to catch overflow. Place the lid on loosely and store in a quiet, cool, dark area for 7-10 days (*Longer if you want it to have more KICK)

I will be sharing my favorite sauerkraut recipe next week, with a video of "Dishing with the Diva". Make it a GREAT one ya'll. ~ Off to feed the Goats!