December 31-2008~

Will never pass this way again.

When we awake tomorrow it will be 2009 and our lives will have changed forever in the blinking of one second. Such a powerful movement and so taken for granted.

Pay close attention to self when you awake tomorrow.
Ask a profound question of the face looking back at you from the bathroom mirror.
Wait for the answer-then make that a working part of your New Year.

We are never more honest with our self or more in tune with the real me than when we first awake.

My wish for us all this coming new year is the awareness that we are one and a powerful one.

Blessings for 2009~

Bea Kunz

The Real Twelve Days of Christmas

We've allowed and adjusted to the retail markets setting the date for the beginning of Christmas in the time of now.

Sometime in November the stores are all decorated and the streets are lit-up and the TV is constantly telling us that "The Season" has begun and we must hurry hurry to get it all done before the...25th?

The real Christian celebration of Christmas is exactly the opposite. The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and for nearly a month Christians await the coming of Christ in a spirit of expectation, singing hymns of longing. Then, on December 25, Christmas Day itself ushers in twelve days of celebration, ending only on January 6 with the feast of the Epiphany.

The "real" twelve days of Christmas are important not just as a way of refusing to accept the secular ideas of the "Christmas season." They are important because they give us a way of reflecting on what the Incarnation means in our lives. Christmas commemorates the most momentous event in human history—the entry of God into the world He made, in the form of a baby. One of the prayers for Christmas Day in the Catholic liturgy encapsulates what Christmas means for all believers: "O God, who marvelously created and yet more marvelously restored the dignity of human nature, grant that we may share the divinity of Him who humbled himself to share our humanity." In Christ, our human nature was united to God, and when Christ enters our hearts, he brings us into that union.

I wish you joy and blessings ~

Bea Kunz

Herbs Of The Bible~day 24

Rose (Rosa spp.) The name for a rose is almost the same in every European language. Dried roses have been found in Egyptian tombs.

(Isaiah 35:1) The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the rose.
~
The rose garden at Sage Hill Farms has 10 different varieties.

But a rose is a rose is a rose.
One is always as beautiful as the next,

Rose essential oil is delicious in culinary fare.
And Rose-Hip tea is smashing~

Hope your Christmas day was as beautiful as a rose !

Bea kunz

Herbs Of The Bible~day 23

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a symbol of fidelity and remembrance once used in the holiest of Christian ceremonies, the wedding and the funeral. For centuries people thought that the rosemary plant would never grow higher than 6 feet in 33 years so as not to stand taller than Christ. Another story tells that the flowers were originally white, but changed to blue when the Virgin Mary hung her cloak on the bush while fleeing from Herod’s soldiers with the Christ child.
~

Rosemary is a staple in my kitchen.

There are so many ways to use this herb, from making delicious sauces to grilling on an open pit, it works magic on vegetables, meats, breads and even in drinks and desserts.

Makes a tea that will keep your system flushed and regular.

And, if you just want to enjoy the aroma, cut a few sprigs and either place in a vase of water or simply lay on the counter.
Each time you touch it the aroma will be fresh and heady.


I enjoy it in the kitchen especially during the holidays.

Tie a pretty red ribbon on a bunch and use it like cedar.

Merry Christmas~

Bea Kunz

Herbs Of The Bible~day 22

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and Dill (Anethum graveolens) were carried to prayer meetings in Colonial times in small pouches. The seeds were used to curb the appetite. They were called "meeting seeds."

~
Fennel has an anise flavor and is good in oily fish dishes.Adds a good garnish to soups. The best being carrot, squash and potato.

I like it on baked Sweet potatos.

Fennel is a diuretic, reducing fluid retention.
It increases breast milk in nursing mothers and can ease colic in babies.

A strong infusion of the seed is a good antiseptic gargle for sore throats.

The tallest plant in the right hand corner above is fennel.

Butterflies love it!

Merry Christmas~

Bea Kunz

Herbs Of The Bible~day 21

Costmary (Chrysanthemem balsamita) is also known as Bible leaf because in Colonial times a leaf served as a bookmark in Bibles and prayer books. When drowsiness set in, the sleeper treated himself to the minty leaf to stay awake~
~
The word "cost" derives from costum, the Latin for a spicy oriental herb, so alecost means a spicy herb for ale, and costmary is Mary's ( or women's) spicy herb, as it was used to ease childbirth.

Finely chopped leaves is delicious in carrot soup, salads. game meat, poultry stuffing and fruit cakes.

Try it with melted butter on sweet green peas or new potatoes.

Medicinal: If you lay a leaf on a bee sting it will instantly stop hurting.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours~

Bea Kunz

Herbs Of The Bible~day 20

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is frequently mentioned in Scripture, always for its bitterness. According to legend, wormwood grew up in the trail left by the serpent’s tail as it slithered out of the Garden of Eden.

(Jeremiah 23:15) Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: "Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and give them poisoned water to drink; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone forth into all the land."
~
This herb I can get excited about, simply for the history.

It's from the Aster family...grows all over the world, from the United States to Siberia. It flowers from June to September. It has a strong aromatic odor and is bitter to the taste.

Alcohol or water takes up its active principles.
This yields what is known to druggist as "Absinthine"

It is anthelmintic, tonic, and narcotic.

While it can be and is used medicinally it will irritate the stomach and dangerously increase the action of the heart and arteries. For this reason it should be diluted; 1 teaspoon to a pint of water.

Now...the real interesting part of its history that I am familiar with.

I know and love the city of New Orleans.

There is a very old house there called The Absinth House. Dates back to the early days of the settling of the French Quarter...1500/1600 hundreds.
This was a place that served only shots of Absinth. ( today it is a restaurant, and a very good one.)

Lots of history about people during that era having visions, and being mad...as in out of their mind.

Later as civilized thinking became the standard, the drink was outlawed and is against the law to possess it today....

We've come a long way my friends...I think~

Bea Kunz

Herbs Of The Bible~day 19

Rue (Ruta graveolens) has long been the symbol of sorrow and repentance, and may have been nicknamed the "herb of grace" in Christian times for the grace given by God following repentance for one’s sins. Brushes made from rue were once used to sprinkle holy water at the ceremony preceding High Mass.

(Luke 11:42) "But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."
~
According the 1918 "The Herbalist" Rue is a bitter aromatic stimulant.
Good for gas pains and colic.

I don't grow rue because it is very irritating to the skin and has no culinary value at all.

I have read two different opinions about yes it is...and no it isn't poisonous to ingest.

I don't advise trying it.

Bea Kunz

Herbs Of The Bible~day 18

Mustard (Brassica nigra) is described in Matthew 13:31 as "the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof."

Mustard is a bit confusing to some.
When we spread mustard on a sandwich we seldom stop to think of it as being a garden green that can be cooked like turnip greens or used as salad greens.

The entire plant is useful...the flowers and leaves for cooking and for salads. The seeds for sauces and spreads.

Mustard greens have a peppery flavor and add spice to salads that tend to be bland.

Medicinally it is used for many things...one being inflammation and pain.

Happy Holiday~

Bea Kunz

Herbs Of The Bible~day 17

Hyssop (Sorghum vulgare) is known as the holy herb. Hyssop was used to cleanse the temples and other sacred places of the Egyptians. David mentions hyssop in Psalms 51:7. Hyssop as we know it may or may not be the hyssop mentioned by David. There is some debate since the derivation of the name hyssop is in the Greek word hussopos and the Hebrew esob, meaning simply, "holy herb."

(Psalms 51:7) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
~

Hyssop is not a culinary herb at all.

It grows to 3 feet high and looks much like a lavender plant.

It has many medicinal uses, both old and modern updates.

Some of well known uses are for colds, coughs, and chest infections.

The flowers in your bath water is aromatic and eases the pain of rheumatism.

Hyssop is not recommended for those with epileptic issues or for pregnant women.

Sorry...no recipe~

Happy Holidays~

Bea Kunz

Herbs From The Bible~day 15

Garlic (Allium sativum) is mentioned only once in the Bible. It was held in great esteem by the ancient Egyptians.
~
(Numbers 11:5) "We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic."

Garlic is one of the best preventive options we have at our disposal to build a strong immune system.

Include garlic in all your meals and know that you are doing something wonderful for yours and your family's health.

1 to 5 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped oregano
1/4 cup chopped basil
1/4 cup chopped thyme
sprinkling of pink or kosher salt
sprinkling of fresh ground black pepper
sprinkling of cayenne (optional)

Toss a desired amount into any dish from scrambled eggs to your dinner dish of stews, soups, and casseroles.

This blend is delicious mixed with a small amount of mustard,( or mayo) spread on a french roll and layered with ham or pastrami, wrapped with baking foil and steamed until hot.

Serve with hot unpasteurized Apple Cider...you've just had a heaping dose of immune building goodies for the day.

PS: to eliminate the odor of garlic just swish with water and baking soda...or chew a few sprigs of oregano.

Have a Joy filled holiday season~

Bea Kunz

Herbs From The Bible....

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is an herb native to the upper areas of the Nile, mentioned in the Bible, along with Mint (Mentha sp.), when Jesus reproved the scribes.

(Matthew 23:23) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."~
~
Cumin is a spice well loved in Middle Eastern and Indian dishes.
Lamb, curries and yogurt are among the most popular foods that call for Cumin.

It's also used to flavor liqueurs and for pickling.

The seed is used in perfumery and veterinary medicine.

It's medicinal uses are for flatulence, colic, indigestion and diarrhea.

This is my favorite blend for Indian food or any food that I want to impart a good bite.

Equal amounts of; cardamon, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Just blend well and store in an airtight jar...I make small batches as needed for a few weeks use.

Does wonders for a basic Chili recipe.

And it spices up a cup of plain tea or hot chocolate cup.

Enjoy~

Happy Holidays~

Bea Kunz

Coriander-A Bible Herb~

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is referenced several times in the Old Testament.

(Exodus 16:31) Now the house of Israel called its name manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
~
Coriander/Cilantro is fast becoming one of the most popular fresh herbs in the U.S. The foliage is called Cilantro, while the edible seed is Coriander.
( the plant looks very much like the Italian parsley plant.)But...can easily be identified by the aroma. Very pungent.

Coriander seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, dating back to around 1300 BC.

The plant was brought to Britain by the Romans; in the first century AD.

The Coriander seeds are delicious in soups and breads and is a main ingredient in a good "curry powder."

Mix together:

1oz dried ginger
1oz coriander seed
1oz cardamon seed
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1oz turmeric powder

grind to a fine blend with pestle and mortar/store in an air tight glass jar.

( this blend is wonderful added to sour cream for a spicy dipping bowl.)

Medicinal use:

The seeds are most potent for calming indigestion and helps digest fatty foods.

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy massage for muscular aches and stress related indigestion.

We usually have at least one Mexican meal during the holidays and this blend is a staple.

Enjoy....experiment~

Bea Kunz

Merry Christmas.

Herbs of The Bible

There are at least twelve herbs that are mentioned in the Bible.

I think the Christmas Season is a perfect time to ponder these.
~

Aloe (Aquilari agalloche) is believed to be the only tree descended to man from the Garden of Eden.

(Numbers 24:6) Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters.
~
Aloe today is a major herb in the field of Natural health and medicine.

The most well know uses are the benefits in treating burns, from small mishaps to badly burned cases, sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, and any other skin inflammation.

Mixed with cucumber juice it can be used to help immune function, digestive function and conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and Crohn's disease.

Keeping an Aloe Vera plant in your garden or a small pot in the kitchen can be a fast and helpful remedy for small bites and scrapes from everyday activities, especially if you have small children.

It's also great for a soft and healthy complexion.

The leaves can be broken and the gel applied directly to the skin.

Have a safe and happy December~

Bea Kunz

Some Christmas History~

~
The middle of winter has always been a time of celebrations.

Even Pagan celebrations were a ritual born of beliefs that followed the only spiritual guideline available.

Long before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter.

In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, (the winter solstice,) through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, large logs were set on fire and people would feast until they burned out-sometimes lasting 12 days.

In the early days of Christianity-Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday.

By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced.

By the Middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion.

In the early 17Th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.

The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.

After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

Black Friday~

~
Black Friday is supposedly the biggest shopping day of the year.

I took my cue from Tigger...resident mouser here at Sage Hill Farms...stayed home and lounged around all day doing nothing except what felt comforting.

Shopping isn't my favorite thing to do in the best of circumstances, fighting my way through crazed mobs of people to buy anything is just less than exciting to me.

But...if it feels worth while and you enjoy, then I hope your day was successful.

Are you in need of a cup of good hot tea, it will warm your innards and replace some of the energy you spent elbowing your way around the mall. And... I'll ship it right to your door, I'm even offering a fabulous discount for the holiday season-good through Dec.15Th. ( I'm not a total scrooge!)*smile*

You can find the details and order from the website at:

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

(Under Holiday Specials)

Email me if you have questions.

A Noble November ending to you~

Bea Kunz

Thanksgiving Thoughts~

~

Thanksgiving Day is a time to reflect, be grateful, and to share the most wonderful parts of our lives with our family and friends.

This is my only living aunt...my mothers sister. Aunt Ernie is 90, she was confined to a nursing home last year. While this makes me sad as a fact, I'm also grateful that she is still aware and still happy.

Share your love and your time...

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Bea Kunz

November-25-2008-A timely gift~

~
We tend to think of the holly bush and berry to be a Christmas appearance, but...they actually are in full berry before Thanksgiving at Sage Hill Farms.

I wait every year to discover the beautiful red laden branches that tells me the seasons are in autumn/winter mode.

The birds will feast as well as the family of Sage Hill Farms this beautiful and gracious season.

Speaking of berries....

(Cranberry Delight)

1 pound fresh ( or frozen ) cranberries
4 small red apples ( unpeeled and seeded )
1 large orange ( unpeeled )

Grind together with food grinder or processor.

Slowly add sugar to taste...no substitute for this dish.

Chill...

Add a sprig of mint to the side of the dish for visual and scent.

Blessings~

Bea Kunz

Thanksgiving Gratitude~

~
Thanksgiving is meant to be a time to reflect and show our appreciation for the host of all things we have been blessed with.

Showing that gratitude by making your home a place of comfort and beauty for others to enjoy is a good first step .

Simple, colorful, and homey always works for me.

Have a Noble November~share...

Bea Kunz

Thanksgiving Rituals~

~

Turkey is a staple on many Thanksgiving tables, ours included.

Stuffing made from cornbread, onion, sage, and other goodies according to likes and dislikes. I love apples in my dressing , or oysters, or Cajun sausage. Actually this year I'm doing it with shrimp and baked inside a nice fat pumpkin.

Many of the standard rituals around food have changed a lot over the years.
Mostly because we have become more aware of a healthier eating style, and partly because the choices in foods have changed.

We live in the country and this time of year we have at least one family of wild turkey that keep coming back for bits of leftovers in the garden...bugs, etc.

I wonder if they are aware that their relatives will be the main attraction on many dining tables in just a few days.

Natures balance is awesome.

Today I am thankful for choices~

Bea Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Counting Down The Days.....

One week from today is "Thanksgiving Day."

For those days I will be focusing on things related to this most special day.

My wish is that it will spark in those who do not know and understand the history of why and how "Thanksgiving Day" came to be...the motivation to search and absorb and share.

While we are at a very frightening time in our history, we are also living in a very gracious and abundant time.

I hope you enjoy the week to come. Do share if you are so inclined.

Bea Kunz




~
Following the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress recognized the need to give thanks for delivering the country from war and into independence. Congress issued a proclamation on October 11, 1782:
By the United States in Congress assembled.


PROCLAMATION.

IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interposition's of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.

JOHN HANSON, President.

Charles Thomson, Secretary.

Children-Much to Celebrate~

There are different celebrations in the honor of children all around the world.

These are a few that get my attention.

Our children are our future, we must respect and raise them with kindness and understanding .

Good nutrition, a loving heart, a soft voice, and a good sense of humor will bring a child into adulthood with a good grounding.

Celebrate a child today...yours or any child.


Universal Children's Day- Observed on November 20th each year. In 1954, the UN General Assembly recommended that all countries should establish a Universal Children's Day on an "appropriate" day. We are not sure, but perhaps each country did.....at various different dates during the year. The resolution was adopted on November 20, 1954.

International Children's Day- The second Sunday in December. This is a joint initiative between UNICEF and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It's a day when broadcasters "tune in to kids".

World Children's Day- Always November 20Th. This is a day McDonald's uses as a
fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The first official WCD was held on November 20Th, 2002 and was celebrated around the world as a way to celebrate children and benefit RMHC chapters around the world. This now annual celebration is officially held on November 20Th each year, however fundraising opportunities often extend beyond the day.

Children's Day in Japan- This is a national holiday in Japan celebrated on May 5Th. Started in 1948, Children's Day is a festive day to celebrate your child's life. The holiday is believed to have begun in china where they would hang medicinal herbs to ward off childhood diseases. In Japan it is often celebrated by giving children kites and hanging streamers.

In Japan, the Children's Festival was originally called the "Boy's Festival" while the girls had the "Doll Festival".

Do you know that herbs and essential oils are much better for treating colds and many of the bugs that children tend to pick up this time of year.

Please opt for a more natural remedy that will help build your child's immune system for keeping them healthy.

Bea Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Baking Bread Day-November 17

And so I did. The most beautiful and tasty loaf I've made in some time.

Today is also "hiking day"...and if, you make bread on a regular basis you will need to work the hiking day into your schedule. *smile*

Actually - home baked bread is much healthier and not as fattening as most of the bakery/super market types.

So-give it a try it's a great way to spend a cold autumn day inside.

Sage is an evergreen herb highly aromatic and lends itself to pork lamb, cheese dishes, dishes with apple and of course "bread."

In Italy-an old country health tonic is to eat fresh sage leaves in bread and butter.

I've tried it and can attest to the fact it is delicious and I'm certain just as healthy as promised.

Happy Autumn

Bea Kunz

Holiday Special for my loyal customers....you.

Go to the website and you will find it under "Holiday Special."

Because we appreciate you.
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Celebrate Your Teddy Bear Day~Nov.16

~
What a sweet and comforting idea.

Do you have a Teddy Bear?

I would like for you to meet my family of Teddy Bears, they all have histories and names.

They wait patiently for the grandsons to come for a play day.
Today I surprised them with a day of visiting, going through old memories and photo's.

Snowball, Blackberry( plaid ribbon/feet/ears) Lolly,( green eyes ) Tipper and Baby Bear( red ribbon ) All have been a part of this family for many, many, years.

I enjoyed my special cup of holiday drink while playing in memory land today.

(Recipe)

1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup strong peppermint tea (Sage Hill Farms blend)
1 drop of clove oil (food grade)
The tip of a spoon slightly touched to stevia powder and stirred into the drink.

TIP: Stevia is very sweet and too much will spoil the taste.

CuddleCup...the name was assigned to my sons favorite "Hot Chocolate." drink when they were "wee ones."

TIP: When making your own hot chocolate, add your favorite drop of Essential oil ( food grade )or herb, to the milk...yummy.


Bea Kunz

November 15-Celebrate Sustainability

America Recycles Day encourages us to recycle, and use products made from recycled material. Recycling is not difficult. It sends less material to the waste stream ,and it results in consuming less of our precious and limited natural resources.


The Boy Scouts of America has the right slogan for this topic: "Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle"


Did You Know? According to a presidential proclamation by President George W. Bush, each person in America produces about four pounds of waste every day!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin of America Recycles Day:
President George W. Bush issued a presidential proclamation declaring November 15, 2004 as America Recycles Day.


We believe the roots of this day goes back a few years before this presidential proclamation to around 1997. The National Recycling Coalition appears to have played a role in its creation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also promotes this day.

Sage Hill Farms is dedicated to recycling on many levels.

One major method we use is composting garden and kitchen waste.

When done properly this process takes waste of fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells,
coffee/tea grounds, leaves, grass clippings, and other garden waste and easily turns it into rich and healthy soil for the gardens next crop.

Herbs and vegetables grown in this medium are healthy and free of chemicals and therefore healthier for the body and mind.

(Holiday Tea Blend is now available at the Sage Hill Farms website.)

Take a tour and let your senses lead the way.

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Happy Holiday Season~
Sage Hill Farms
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Indian Pudding and Thanksgiving~

The Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River opened to the public, connecting New York City and New Jersey. (1927)

The minimum draft age was lowered from 21 to 18 (1942)

Today...November 13 is National "Indian Pudding" Day also.

Since Thanksgiving is just a few days away, this is a perfect time to have this dish.

Many people make Indian pudding as a corn based dish.

My grandmother did and she was of Indian heritage.

I only eat white corn since all the yellow corn is now a GM crop.

This is a recipe from 1894...my grandmother made Indian Pudding with corn as a base.

I'm working on a perfected recipe, I'll share when it's done.

2 pints milk
1/2 cup Indian meal
1/2 cup molasses
pinch of salt

Preparation:

Scald one pint of milk; stir into it one-half cup of Indian meal, one-half cup molasses, and a pinch of salt. When this is cold, pour over it, without stirring, one pint of cold milk. Bake in a slow oven about four hours to obtain the color and flavor of the old-fashioned pudding.

MRS. M. B. VOSE.


Happy Autum~

Bea Kunz

Chicken Soup For The Soul Day~

Chicken Soup for the Soul Day is today. It's a celebration about you.


According to the creators of the book series of the same name, Chicken Soup for the Soul Day was created as ".... a celebration of who you are, where you've been, where you're going, and who you will be thankful to when you get there!"


We suggest you take this day as a celebration of the value and healing of chicken soup, especially mom's chicken soup. Chicken soup has long been seen as remedial for colds, flus, and just about anything that ails you. You can't find that healing in a can. You can only find it in mom's homemade chicken soup.

Have a happy Chicken Soup for the Soul Day.

If you have access to farm raised chickens, or even if you must purchase them in standard markets. ( please purchase organic or chicken raised without added hormones, etc.)

The most nutritious part of the chicken is in the bones.

Stew the chicken with the bones, then remove bones and add all the ingredients for your soup. This is the secret ingredients in the healing of mom's chicken soup.

Enjoy~

Bea Kunz

Veteran's Day-A day to be grateful~

A bit of early history about this day.

I am forever grateful to all the men and women who have served and many who have died, to protect and keep our freedom strong.

My son, (Randy Wayne England) is the latest member of our family to retire after a long and successful career in the United States Navy.

Thank you my son, I'm grateful, honored, and so very proud of you.
~

This holiday originally was called Armistice Day and was first celebrated in 1921. In 1954, President Eisenhower changed it to Veteran's Day in honor of those who served and died from all wars.

On November 11 at 11:11, 1921 the U.S. France and England each buried an unknown soldier in honor of those who died in World War I. This began the annual Armistice Day holiday. The time and day was picked because fighting ceased in WWI in 1918 on November 11 at 11:11. In keeping with this tradition, work stops on this day and time each year for a moment of silence.

A Noble November day~

Bea Kunz

Marines and Flowers ?~November 10th.

USMC Day-is always on November 10Th.

USMC Day celebrates the birth of the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps were created during the Revolutionary War.


The Continental Congress of the newly created United States of America, authorized the creation of the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775. It was later renamed the U.S. Marine Corps. It is often abbreviated as USMC.


The Marine Corps has proudly participated in every war that has involved the United States.


If you see a Marine today, thank them for their contributions to protecting our country. Active or retired, they deserve our thanks and appreciation.

* A personal note: My husband's father was an officer in the Marine Corp.
Hubby has a very vivid memory of what it was like growing up under that influence.

He is, as a result of the training....well trained in all areas of life.

He cam make the beds, clean the house, wash the dishes, shop, very good with money, and has a strict idea of right and wrong.
( I thank his father every day! )

Do you know that Chipped Beef on Toast was a standard Marine breakfast...it was called "S.O.S."

This is a scaled down version of the recipe for 300 hundred or more.

(Serves eight or two hungry Marines)

½ pound ground beef (ground chuck for flavor)
1-tablespoon bacon fat (lard/Crisco or butter)
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups whole milk (add more milk if you want it thinner)
1/8-teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
8 slices of dry toast

Using a large skillet (12-14 inches), crumb1e and brown the ground beef with fat and salt. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool slightly. Mix in the flour until all of the meat is covered, using all of the flour. Replace the skillet on the heat and stir in the milk. Keep stirring until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens (boil a minimum of one minute).

Serve over the toast. Salt and pepper to taste

* A personal fact: My hubby's father would not touch this dish regardless how it was transformed to make it healthier. ( I tend to agree )


November 10Th is also "FORGET ME NOT" day.

What a great combination. We certainly don't wish to forget our military men and women.

Find a spot in your garden and plant a bed of Forget-Me-Not flowers.
They are so pretty and so hardy against the weather, insects, and disease.


Forget-Me-Nots make a wonderful carpet or ground cover under taller plants or small deciduous trees, and looks best planted in large "pools" or masses of plants.

Sow seeds after all danger of frost. Cover lightly with 1/8" of garden soil. Space them 4-5 inches apart and thin seedlings to 10" apart.

Perennial Forget-Me-Nots can be propagated by separating clumps of established plants.

I know the perfect spot for mine.

Hope you find one too.

Happy Autumn~

Bea Kunz

Chaos-Do You Know It ?

What exactly is chaos? The name "chaos theory" comes from the fact that the systems that the theory describes are apparently disordered, but chaos theory is really about finding the underlying order in apparently random data.

When was chaos first discovered? The first true experimenter in chaos was a meteorologist, named Edward Lorenz. In 1960, he was working on the problem of weather prediction. He had a computer set up, with a set of twelve equations to model the weather. It didn't predict the weather itself. However this computer program did theoretically predict what the weather might be.


One day in 1961, he wanted to see a particular sequence again. To save time, he started in the middle of the sequence, instead of the beginning. He entered the number off his printout and left to let it run.

When he came back an hour later, the sequence had evolved differently. Instead of the same pattern as before, it diverged from the pattern, ending up wildly different from the original. Eventually he figured out what happened. The computer stored the numbers to six decimal places in its memory. To save paper, he only had it print out three decimal places. In the original sequence, the number was .506127, and he had only typed the first three digits, .506.

By all conventional ideas of the time, it should have worked. He should have gotten a sequence very close to the original sequence. A scientist considers himself lucky if he can get measurements with accuracy to three decimal places. Surely the fourth and fifth, impossible to measure using reasonable methods, can't have a huge effect on the outcome of the experiment. Lorenz proved this idea wrong.

This effect came to be known as the butterfly effect. The amount of difference in the starting points of the two curves is so small that it is comparable to a butterfly flapping its wings.

The flapping of a single butterfly's wing today produces a tiny change in the state of the atmosphere. Over a period of time, what the atmosphere actually does diverges from what it would have done. So, in a month's time, a tornado that would have devastated the Indonesian coast doesn't happen. Or maybe one that wasn't going to happen, does. (Ian Stewart, Does God Play Dice? The Mathematics of Chaos, pg. 141)

This phenomenon, common to chaos theory, is also known as sensitive dependence on initial conditions. Just a small change in the initial conditions can drastically change the long-term behavior of a system.

Now what was I doing ???

Bea Kunz

November 8th~Cook Something Bold Day

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And so... I made "Oregano" cookies. How is that for bold...they are delicious.
Actually I have been making them awhile.

If you would like the recipe just check the website in a few days.

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Bea kunz

America In The Making~

We listen-but do we hear.
We look-but do we see.
We act-but do we think first.
We think-but do we act.
We vote-but do we know what we are voting for.
We pray for guidance-but do wait for the guide to lead us.

The day after, what will go down in history as a turning point in this great nation is more important than the the day of.....

Today is the day the work begins. We all know what we think about , we bring about.
Regardless what our vote was, whether we are satisfied or not......that is history.

We have a new day, with a new President in this place we call "The United States Of America"....let us go forward with good thoughts, malice toward none, patience to allow change, and a contribution to help make that change a reality.

Some historical days in our past on November 5Th.

**In 1603, King James I took the throne in England. An avid Protestant, he began persecuting Catholics in the country. He forbid Catholics from practicing their religion ,and punished Catholics who did not convert to the Protestant church.

The Gunpowder Conspirators were a group of Catholics who sought to take action against the king. They plotted to blow up the British Houses of Parliament. They planned to do so, when the king and his supporters were in the buildings. Their plot was uncovered on November 5, 1605. Thirty six barrels of gunpowder were found in the basement of Parliament. Guy Fawkes, the leader of the conspiracy, was arrested and tortured until he confessed. He was arrested just as he was about to ignite the gunpowder**


1) The United States and Great Britain signed a peace treaty in Paris formally ending the Revolutionary War in 1782.

2) Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States in 1860.

3) Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in 1863.

4) President John F. Kennedy was the youngest man to be elected president of the United States. He was assassinated in Dallas Texas on November 5Th, 1963.

Kennedy was also the first Catholic president of the United States .
349+ years after the Catholics were being persecuting and killed for their religious practices.

So, take note that whatever we think about the now, 50 years ago, 100 years ago, it is all a part of history, the good, the bad, the unthinkable. We can learn from history, only if we invite history into our thoughts, learn from it and chart a path for something better.

Noble November~a fitting title.

Bea Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

November 4th-Then and Now

At the age of 9, over 3,000 years ago, King Tutankhamen became the King of Egypt. He died at the age of 19. He is commonly called "King Tut".
The tomb of Egypt's "child king" was discovered on November 4, 1922. The tomb was discovered nearly intact in Egypt's Valley of Kings.


King Tut's rule lasted a short nine years, from 1333 B.C. to 1324 B.C. The cause of his death is uncertain.

November the 4Th is also election day for the office of President in the United States of America.

Both days are steeped in an abundance of history, well worth the time and effort it takes to research and study.

As a rule the things that make up our daily on the surface lives is far from the whole truth.

This is a wonderful time to do some in depth study,
both of things past and things that we can have a part in creating, which will become history in a short period of time.

Spend a little time with the Egyptian history books. Learn more about King Tut, along with the culture and times of Ancient Egypt.

This study will shed much light on where we are today, as all history is tied together in many different ways.

Two websites to peak your interest~

http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/index.html

http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/index.html

Bea Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

November 3rd ??? and the winner is....

~
Firstly, it my sons birthday. Russell is the younger of two. He is a family attorney and Law Professor in Alabama.

He is a special moment in my daily life. Happy Birthday Russell!
~
Today is also: Housewife Day, this day recognizes the importance of stay at home wives and moms. Also referred to as "Retro" Housewife Day. These wonderful, caring creatures, build and enrich strong family environments. They help to instill family values and good character.


Housewife is an old term. It hails back to the days when one income could support the family in a manner of comfort. It was also a time when women did not have equal rights. While these days are long gone, women views of working or staying at home, fall on both sides of the fence. The decision to be a "housewife", or stay at home mom, is still preferred by many. Unfortunately, income needs often necessitate going to work. Five stars to each and every one!

Today is also: Sandwich Day...

English history reports that John Montagu was the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Among other things, the 4th Earl of Sandwich was a heavy gambler. Montagu often spent many long hours in London's gambling parlors. In 1762, he created the sandwich, by putting meat between two pieces of bread. This allowed him to remain at the gambling table for long periods of time. Obviously, the sandwich was named after him


Celebrate this special day by enjoying your favorite sandwich.

What is your favorite sandwich?

I have only two...Hot pastrami on rye with German mustard...

And....a summertime sandwich with fresh tomato, thinly sliced sweet onion, fresh basil leaves and fresh made mayonnaise on fresh baked Sourdough bread. Yummy!

My hubby's favorite is your basic PBJ on wheat...I can't go there.

Do share.

Bea Kunz
EatWell-BeWell~

November 2nd-So Much To Celebrate~

`
Cool stuff...that describes our month of November offerings.

Today is: Cookie Monster's Birthday...he is one "cool" monster in my book.

Daylight Savings Time ends today......Interesting history here.
http://www.daylightsavingstime/history/

Daniel Boone's Birthday..........Talk about a cool guy!
http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/boone/

And my favorite day of all..."National Deviled Egg Day."

Cookie Monster and Daniel Boone will have their day and we will move on to the next birthday celebration.

Daylight Savings Time will hang around and remind us of the fact that some changes are just to be.

"EGGS" are one of the most healthy foods we have to pick from.

For as long as there has been a love and appreciation of good food, there has been hens laying eggs for human consumption.

Cultures and some religions have long held the egg as a symbol of life.
Early Sanskrit manuscripts tell of a cosmic egg containing a spirit that would be born, die and be reborn.

Today , there is ongoing research as to whether the hen's ability to pass antibodies on to its egg can be useful to humans, such as the treatment of snake bites and the prevention of tooth decay.

Most of us are only concerned with what we can do with the egg in the kitchen.
And the many uses are never-ending.

All the information here is related to "hen eggs" although there are other eggs to pick from.

(Nutritional facts of the egg.)

For a easy source of high quality protein, look to the egg.
The essential amino acids found in the egg are second only to those found in mothers milk.
Eggs contain varying amounts of vitamins A, D, E and each one of the B complex vitamins, including B12.
They are also an excellent source of Iron, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Eggs contain no carbohydrates and about 59 calories each.

Eggs and Cholesterol.....bad rap.

Recent research has shown that the level of saturated fat in the diet, rather than the cholesterol, that has the most impact on blood cholesterol levels.
And while eggs do contain fat, more than half of the fat is the good mono-and polyunsaturated sort.

( Eggs Composition )

Egg Shell...is brittle and porous, the eggs first line of defence. It's mainly calcium carbonate, and the thickness depends on the hens diet.

Shell Membrane...Inner and outer membranes enclose the yolk and the whites, protecting them from bacteria.

Egg White...also called egg albumen. None of the fat and more than half the protein is found here. A very fresh egg will have a cloudy white, in older eggs the carbon dioxide gas has had time to escape through the shell.

Chalaza...These are the ropey strands of white that anchor the yolk in the centre, and are another indication of freshness.

Yolk...The yellow part of the egg makes up about 33% of the eggs liquid weight.
The yolk contains all the fat, slightly less than half the protein, and all the eggs Vitamin A, D, and E.

As in most things, freshness matters.
Pat attention to dates and use accordingly.

(How to boil an egg )

Soft-boiled requires about 4 minutes of boiling. The yolk will be runny and soft.

Medium-boiled needs 5 to 6 minutes of boiling. The yolk is slightly soft and the white is fully set.

Hard-boiled...needs about 8 to 10 minutes of boiling. Both yolk and white will be fully cooked but still soft.

If you over boil hard cooked eggs they will be tough and not very tasty.

Starting the second week of November look for more egg recipes on the Sage Hill Farms website.

Enjoy and share your favorite egg dish with the blog readers here at the Beatitudes.

Bea Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

A recipe to entice you, and hopefully eggs and herbs will be a staple in your menu.

(Scrambled Eggs and Salmon on Brioche.)

4 fresh eggs
4 tablespoons cream
2 tablespoons real butter
4 1/2 oz smoked salmon-sliced
2 teaspoons finely chopped dill-can use dried (1 teaspoon )
2 small brioche or 2 small croissants-warmed.

crack the eggs into a bowl, add the cream with some salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk well.
Melt butter in your favorite frying pan for eggs. ( I use a black iron skillet.)
When butter sizzles, add eggs and turn heat to low.

With a wooden flat spoon push the mixture around until it starts to set.
Add the salmon and dill.

Continue to move the mixture around gently until the egg is mostly cooked.
Remove from heat while there is still a little liquid left, it will continue to cook until the egg is removed from the pan.

Cut the top off the brioche, scoop out some of the filling, then pile the eggs on top,

Serve while hot.

Makes a great brunch or holiday breakfast.

Enjoy!

November- A Month Full of Celebrations~

The Christian holiday of All Saint's Day honors and recognizes all of the saints of the christian church, many of which were martyrs. The church sets this day aside to celebrate over 10,000 recognized saints. Historically, All Saints Day was known as Hallomas.

Did you know? All Saints Day and All Souls Day was originally in May. They were moved to November 1st and 2nd to downplay the Pagan holidays of Halloween (All Hallow's Eve) and Dia De Loss Muertos. Religious leaders felt these holidays were too popular at the time to ban outright.

All Saints' Day is a Christian holy day observed by many Western churches on November 1 and by Eastern churches on the first Sunday after Pentecost. The day now honors all saints of the church, even those not known by name.

The first All Saints' Day occurred on May 13, 609 (C.E.) when Pope Boniface IV accepted the Pantheon as a gift from the Emperor Phocas. Boniface dedicated it as the Church of Santa Maria Rotonda in honor of the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs. During Pope Gregory III's reign (731-741), the festival was expanded to include all saints and a chapel in St. Peter's church was dedicated accordingly. Pope Gregory IV officially designated the day in 837.

Roman Catholics are required to attend Mass and to "refrain from unnecessary servile work" on this day.


November is usually the beginning of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday celebration for many.

Keep in mind there are many other wonderful days to celebrate during November and December.

Let's take a look together and follow some of these special days.

I'll see you here tomorrow!

Have a spiritual November 1st day.

Bea Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com



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Haunted Houses and Other Frightening Things~

Halloween is a fun and much celebrated holiday.

Please go the extra step to protect the children.

According to Amnesty International, almost half of all cocoa beans are grown in West Africa, where over a quarter of a million children labor on farms under terrible conditions for little or no pay. Fair Trade Certified chocolate is grown with no child labor, under ecologically sustainable conditions, and the workers are paid a living wage for their efforts.

Unethical labor practices aren’t the only danger lurking in the candy sack. A recent outbreak of melamine contamination in certain Chinese products, most famously infant formula, caused the Food and Drug Administration to issue warnings against several products sold in the United States. White Rabbit "milk" toffees made the list, along with Blue Cat flavored drinks and Koala’s March Crème filled cookies. You might also want to screen any foil-wrapped "coins" in your child's trove: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled Sherwood "Pirate's Gold" milk chocolate coins due to melamine. The Center for Disease Control says that ingestion of melamine can affect kidney function, leading to kidney stones and kidney failure.

Sometimes the danger doesn’t come from candy. While it’s a green and healthy idea to give out crayons, coloring books, stickers, and other little toys to trick or treaters instead of candy, in 2007 Fisher-Price recalled 1 million lead-contaminated children’s toys manufactured in—wait for it—China. The Center for Disease Control cautions that plastic jewelry, glossy little toys, and various candies from China or Mexico could still be contaminated.

Pumpkin Stuff To Know~

Autumn brings us cool weather, the slowing down of harvest on the farm, fields of pumpkins, and great ideas of all of the many ways to use them.

Pumpkins are one of the fun foods.

Just thinking about all the funny and frightening faces one can produce puts me into a carving state of mind.

Do you know.....

One Billion pounds of pumpkin was produced in the US last year.

Pumpkins are really a squash, they are from the (Cucurbita family) which consist of squash and cucumber.

Pumpkins are 90% water.

The Antarctica is the only continent where pumpkins will not grow.

The Irish brought the tradition of carving to America.
Their tradition was to carve turnips, when they discovered the pumpkin, and how much easier the carving was ....the rest is history as we know it.

Pumpkins contain Potassium and Vit.A.

So far this Autumn I have seen orange, green, grey, white, and a very pretty buff color of this interesting thing we call Pumpkin~

Happy Autumn~

Poverty-?

Webster defines poverty as pauper poor. The state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.

Now, if I choose to tag myself or someone else with the poverty label simply because the $$$$ amount doesn't read properly, then that is one answer as to why many stay at the accepted "poverty level." We are what we believe we are. Our thoughts today become our actions tomorrow and the outcome depends on breaking out of the poverty level way of thinking.

But...is it that simple? No, it is not.

I don't think those of us who are lacking in money and possessions because we are negative, lazy, or unwilling to change our actions qualify for the label.

The "Poverty" label should be reserved for those who are caught in the trap of ignorance. ( destitute of knowledge )

There are people living all across our country that are confined to such a small amount of education, if any, no guidance except from the same empty mentality that produced them. This segment of our society has always been.

Travel the poorest sections of the Appalachian regions of West Virginia and Kentucky, this to me defines poverty. A way of life in 2008 and in a country with so many riches and options-humans live with no lifeline to anything better than "poverty." Real poverty. No money, no possessions, no hope, no reality actually that they are who and what they are.

Bea Kunz

Greening Your Halloween~make history....

My thoughts on the celebration of Halloween is that the holiday is very much in need of an educational overhaul. Many who celebrate in the fashion that has become standard really have no clue to the history behind the celebration.

The one thing that we all can work at is reducing the waste that comes with this celebration.

Costumes that are unsafe and end up in landfills leaching toxic dyes and other chemicals into the ground....(Replace with a simple but interesting costume that can be put together at home with safe and reusable parts.)

Treats.....The biggie, so much junk food that no one needs nor benefits from, especially children.....(Replace with small containers of healthy tidbits, raisins, crackers, fruit chews, small apples, individual packs of hot coco mix, small collection ideas...such as stamps, arrowheads, rocks, etc.
( children love and enjoy what we as adults promote and make interesting for them.)

The best idea I have found is make the celebration about family and friends in your own back yard...a party designed with imagination and healthy, safe fun.
It's a wonderful time to visit the grave sites of relatives and share some family history. ( my parental family name has been traced all the way back to the Druids...it's amazing what you can learn with some dedicated searching.)

Greening is a broad term being used in the environmental arena as of late.
I believe it fits in many areas of application, especially the "waste" factor.

~Real History of Halloween~

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. They celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, often brutal winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To honor the event, Druids built large, sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

During this celebration, the Celts wore costumes, often consisting of animal heads and skins, making predictions for each other and the coming year. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.

The first being Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1st All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is an accepted belief today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2nd All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.

Enjoy, have fun, celebrate the history of you...where you came from and some spooky happenings along the way. Real history can be much more exciting than anything we can concoct.

This information I have put together from several history sources that are regarded as factual to the degree of mans ability to trace and record history.

Bea Kunz~

Hot Topic~

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As we all have seen and heard...many hot topics in our society today.

The economy, the coming election, the show before the election, and our failing health care system...and let's not forget about the groups who are working hard to destroy the only good thing we have going for us. Our food, our farmers, and our many dedicated watchdog groups that work endlessly to supply us with options and information that we would never get through the "controlled" news media.

I could say much about one or all of the above-but, right now I'm more inclined to talk about "peppers;" sweet ones, mild to hot ones, red, green, yellow, and orange ones.

Peppers have been a big part of my life for the full summer.

It started when my hubby ( who by the way isn't even a big fan of peppers) decided he was going to experiment with growing them.

After picking and choosing ones for taste, color and size, he embarked on a pepper patch fit for a queens garden. ( that would be mine )*smile*

So, lets jump ahead to harvest time. We actually had enough peppers to supply a super-market, the neighbors, family, and the compost pile.

My real personal experience with the pepper patch happened on September 22....the beautiful beginning of Autumn was a bit marred by a garden stake meeting way to close to my left eye. Freaky accident ( details are frightening, so we'll skip those )

After a 4 hour stay in emergency, a few trips to the eye surgeon, lots of pain and lots of love and pampering...I'm on the road to a full recovery.

Thanking my God for my eyesight, and actually looking forward to next years pepper patch. No stakes allowed that are not taller than I.
~
Recipe for "Hot Pepper Sauce."

Select the type of bottle you desire...
Wash and sterilize with boiling water...

Select your choice of hot or mild peppers. ( I like Cayenne( very hot ) and Pepperoncini ( mildly hot )

Fill your bottle with the peppers, really pack them in, as many as you can make fit.

In a small saucepan, bring to boiling stage enough white or white wine vinegar to fill the bottle to the top.

Cap and let stand for at least a week...two is better.

Do not refrigerate.

Use sparingly on turnip greens, scrambled eggs and other dishes that you would like to add some bite to.

Have an Outrageous October~ I have started already !

Bea Kunz

Herb Day-September 27-2008

I'm bouncing back from an eye injury and allowed 10 minutes a day on the computer.

Soooo, in honor of all things herbal and natural, I'm promoting my good friend Anne Schrock and her most recent E-book. You can find it hear and meet Anne too.
http://healthierskinnaturally.com/wp

~

Happy Herb Day to all my readers !
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Today is also the 75th year of the Herb Society of America.
We have a very interesting history and I am inviting you to visit the headquarters and join us if you so desire.

http://www.herbsociety.org/

Genetically Modified Food~

Do You Really Know What's On Your Dinner Plate?

Last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released draft "guidance" for producers of genetically engineered animals. The FDA will now begin accepting proposals to sell the animals as food. Just what does "genetically modified" mean? Let's start with plants, and the progression of breeding techniques that paved the way to last week's anouncement.

Creating New Varieties by Cross-Pollination

Humans have worked to produce better plants for hundreds of years, looking to improve traits such as hardiness, taste, adaptability, and beauty. Plant breeding was once as simple as cross-pollination: The pollen of a flower from one plant was transferred to the stigma of a flower from another plant. If pollination was successful, the flowers produced viable seeds, and if the breeders were lucky, one of the plants that grew from those seeds had the traits they were seeking. The plants had to be compatible for pollination to occur; usually, that meant they had to be the same species. Manual cross-pollination is still an important technique and it's the main way amateur plant breeders create new varieties.

Mutations, Natural and Induced

Natural mutations can also create unique plants. Something causes a spontaneous disruption of the normal inheritance process- perhaps a "mistake" in DNA replication and offspring display characteristics different from the parent plants. Observing how mutations can alter offspring, plant breeders began trying to induce mutations using irradiation and chemicals, hoping they'd eventually stumble upon mutations that resulted in beneficial changes. Scientists also developed "test-tube plants" using laboratory techniques to cross-breed plants that are incompatible in nature. But the plants still have to be at least somewhat compatible.

Genetically Modified Plants

Now lets move ahead to genetically engineered plants, in which genes of completely unrelated species are introduced. The unrelated species don't even have to be plants! Perhaps the most well-known genetically modified (GM) crop is Bt corn. Scientists incorporated Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacteria that produces a substance toxic to caterpillars) into the DNA of corn plants. The result? Corn plants that resist corn earworm and corn borers, two major pests, meaning the crops require fewer pesticide applications.

Next up were GM soybeans altered with DNA from a soil bacteria that rendered the soybeans tolerant of Roundup herbicide. Farmers could use the spray to kill weeds without damaging crop plants. And just this year farmers began planting herbicide-tolerant GM sugar beets -- the plant that provides about half the country's refined sugar.

Developers of GM crops figured they were doing a good thing by reducing pesticide use and improving crop yields. But the public outcry against genetic engineering was swift and strong. Something just didn't sit right about mixing the genes of entirely different organisms. Consumers were wary of "Frankenfoods." Organic growers worried that the pests would develop resistance to Bt, an important organic insecticide. Environmentalists and farmers feared the creation of "superweeds" when pollen from herbicide-tolerant crops transferred to wild plants. And farmers who grew non-GM crops under organic certification or for export into countries that ban GM foods worried that genetic drift would evenually contaminate their non-GM plantings. Crazy ramblings borne of hysteria?

There are now more than a dozen weeds showing herbicide resistance and thus requiring stronger or more toxic herbicides. Canada learned the hard way that it's impossible to segregate GM and non-GM crops; no organic canola is now produced in Canada because all stock has been contaminated with GM varieties. And Bt-resistant bollworms were found in cotton fields in Mississippi and Arkansas within seven years of the introduction of Bt cotton.

Yet it appears GM crops are here to stay. According to one estimate, GM corn starch and soybean lecithin are now found in 70 percent of our processed food supply. According to the USDA, in 2006 about 61 percent of the corn, 83 percent of the cotton, and 89 percent of the soybeans planted in the United States were "biotech" varieties. Perhaps most relevant, according to one poll, only 24 percent of Americans polled believe they ever ingested any GM foods.

Next: GM Animals

With GM crops so widespread, could genetically engineered livestock be far behind? Right now, no GM animals are approved for commercial food production. However, last week's new guidelines could soon change that.

Rather than introducing specific new rules for GM food animals, the FDA is regulating GM animals under the "new animal drug" provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). In other words, the agency is treating the snippet of foreign genetic material being inserted into the animal's DNA the same as a medication. The FFDCA defines an animal drug as "an article (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of animals." So, because that snippet of genetic material is intended to do just that, it meets the definition of a new animal drug.

Proponents say the approval of GM animals will open up a world of possibilities to improve our quality of life. Skeptics argue that the new guidelines don't go far enough in protecting the public. They argue that altering the genetic structure of an animal by inserting foreign DNA is much different than giving the animal a new medication, and therefore it warrants new regulations. And they feel that consumers should know if they're eating GM foods; the FDA won't require food from GM animals to be labeled as coming from GM animals, just as it doesn't require that food from GM plants be labeled as such.

Several categories of GM animals are being developed. One category includes food animals that grow faster or resist troublesome diseases, as well as those that contain levels of nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, not normally found in that species. Another type is "biopharm" animals that will produce substances, such as insulin, for pharmaceutical use. A third is GM "xenotransplant" animals that will be factories for producing tissues or organs that can be transplanted into humans.

The first product likely to be evaluated under the new rule is a GM Atlantic salmon. Genetic material from an eel-like fish was inserted into the genes of the salmon, causing them to reach full size in about 18 months, instead of 30. Other evaluations are likely to include goats that produce insulin in their milk, pigs whose meat contains as much omega-3 fatty acids as fish, and cows that produce human antibodies.

FDA Invites Public Comment
What do you think? The FDA is inviting public comment on these new guidelines until November 18, 2008. Speak up at: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/GEAnimals.htm.

Please take a stand, speak out against this unnatural way of tampering with our food supply.

Bea Kunz
Sage Hill Farms

Red Clover -Not Just A Weed.~

Red Clover Blocks Neurological Damage From MSG
by Barbara L. Minton


(NaturalNews) If you are into healthful eating, it can be tough when friends or family want to go out to the local restaurant to eat. You know most of the food there is laced with monosodium glutamate (MSG), and this knowledge can really spoil your fun. Now a new study has found that pre-treating yourself with a supplement of red clover before you go out can nullify the potential for brain damage from MSG.

The study

The June 5, 2008 edition of Phytomedicine reports a study based on an idea generated by the knowledge that estrogen has been shown to affect neuronal growth, differentiation and survival. Genistein, diadzein and other isoflavones have been shown to mimic the pharmacological actions of the steroid estrogen, due to their similarity of structure. So, researchers hypothesized that the natural mixture of phytoestrogenic isoflavones found in red clover could protect the brain from glutamate toxicity. They used a human cortical cell line to test the efficacy of the red clover. Neuronal viability was determined and neuronal membrane damage was quantitatively measured.

The results obtained indicated that exposure of the cell cultures to glutamate resulted in concentration-dependent decreases in neuron viability. Concentrations of glutamate ranging from 0.01 to 5 mm were toxic to the cultures. However, when the cells were pretreated with 0.5, 1 and 2 mug/ml of the isoflavone enriched fraction from red clover, there was a significantly increased cell survival and significantly decreased release of cellular lactate dehydrogenase, an indicator of cell damage. This indicates that the neurons treated with red clover isoflavones were protected from the cell death induced by glutamate exposure. In addition, the pretreatment with the isoflavone enriched fraction prevented the morphological disruption caused by glutamate as shown in microscopic inspection.

About MSG

MSG is a food additive found in almost all commercially prepared food. It supercharges the taste of food, but not in the way you would think. MSG fools your brain into thinking the food you're eating tastes really great. MSG is an excitotoxin to the brain. When we consume food containing MSG, it excites the brain into the mass production of dopamine, creating a drug rush that gives us a brief sensation of well being. And because MSG is highly addictive, we keep coming back for more and end up overeating. In the process, we end up destroying our brain cells.

Food processors love MSG because it makes cheap ingredients taste great. And because it comes from an amino acid, it can be added to foods labeled 'natural' or 'organic'. It's very hard to find any canned or packaged soup, dried soup mixes, prepared meals, fast food, junk food, or Chinese food that does not contain MSG. It's in prepared gravy, salad dressing, seasoning blends and mixes, canned beans, bullion cubes, broths, chili and stews. Stores that cater to the health conscious carry many of these MSG containing items.

Because the food buying public does not want to consume MSG, food processors have gone to extremes to be sure that you don't know it is in their products, and this has been allowed by the FDA. You will seldom see MSG listed on the label, because it is disguised. Here are the names of some of the disguises:

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed yeast extract, autolyzed yeast extract, plant protein extract, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, yeast extract, textured whey protein, natural flavor.

Most processed food for children also contains high levels of MSG, such as canned or packaged spaghetti, alphabet soup and chicken noodle soup, microwavable cups, packaged dinners and much more. A meal of this food can raise the blood level of excitotoxins to a value proven in primates to destroy brain cells. A child's brain is four times more sensitive to damage by excitotoxins than is the brain of an adult.

About Red Clover

Red clover is a wild perennial herb that grows in meadows throughout Europe and Asia, and is now naturalized in North America. It's a close relative of the clover you find in your front yard. The red flowers offer the therapeutic potential and are dried for use. They are sweet to eat.

Red clover is a valuable source of nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. Its isoflavones are the source of the phytoestrogens in the above noted study, water soluble chemicals that act like estrogens in the body because of their ability to fit into estrogen receptors.

Isoflavones are a class of organic compounds and biomolecules with antioxidant properties. They are produced from a branch of the general phenylpropanoid pathway which produces all flavonoid compounds in higher order plants.

According to Phyllis and James Balch in Prescription for Nutritional Healing, the isoflavonoids in red clover fight infection, suppress appetite, and purify the blood. They have expectorant, antispasmodic, and relaxing effects, and are good for bacterial infection and inflamed lungs. They are also beneficial for inflammatory bowel disorders, kidney problems, liver disease, skin disorders, and a weakened immune system.

Red clover has been a traditional herbal treatment for cancer due to its ability to stimulate the immune system. Recent research has found evidence that it prevents the growth of cancer cells and is highly effective in treatment for prostate and liver health. Red clover is frequently prescribed by natural healers as a treatment and preventative for breast cancer because of its ability to fit into estrogen receptors in the breast.

Some studies have also suggested that the red clover isoflavones may slow bone loss and even boost bone mineral density in pre and perimenopausal women. It may protect against heart disease in several ways, and has been associated with an increase in HDL cholesterol in pre and postmenopausal women. One study found that menopausal women who took red clover supplements had more flexible and stronger arteries. Red clover may also have blood thinning properties which help prevent blood clots. It also appears to improve blood flow.

Supplementing with red clover

No serious side effects from red clover have been reported in humans. Infertility has been noted in grazing animals that consume large quantities.

Red clover is available as teas, tinctures, tablets, capsules, liquid extracts, and extracts standardized to specific isoflavone content. It may also be prepared as an ointment for psoriasis, eczema, and rashes. Whole herb supplements are generally considered to be the most conservative way to supplement. Organic red clover supplements are available from the large online supplement stores and are highly affordable.

Article used by permission from:
http://www.naturalnews.com

Two highly charged Tisanes from Sage Hill Farms containing Red Clover are;
(BeWell and Rosey ReCharge.)

Visit our website and put something healthy and good in your teapot.
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

To your Spiritual September~

Bea Kunz

Understanding Organic~

Organic is fast becoming a label and not a process.

The sites listed here will help one to understand the standards by which "organic" labeling is derived .

When purchasing organic foods, ask if it's 100% organic if it isn't labeled as such.
Ask for certification id's.

When foods are labeled or promoted as 100% organic they must meet these standards:

1) No growth hormones of any kind.
2) No chemical pesticides used for 3 years prior to the present years growing season.
3) No human waste or sewage sludge can be used as fertilizer.
4) No genetic modification of any kind.

US Standards http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop
Canadian Standards http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/...
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada http://www.oacc.info
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements http://www.ifoam.org Organic Trade Association: http://www.ota.com

Bea Kunz
EatWell-BeWell~

An Herbal Celebration~

September 27th is National Herb Day.

What are you planning in the way of celebration.

A work day, a party, an educational day perhaps.

Family, friends, your community leaders, neighbors, anyone who is interested in herbs and/or gardening, making the environment a better place to live, work, and play, is a candidate for the days activity.

I'll share our plans a little later.

Hope to hear about yours also.

Be sure and save the day in pictures and share those too.

Happy September weekend~

PS: It's time for hot herbal teas....yummy and so good for the body, mind, and spirit.

I've been enjoying "GingerZing" this week.

Ask me about it or visit our website to learn more.

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Bea Kunz

Colors Of September~

September is the beginning of my favorite seasons, autumn and winter.

I love colors of autumn, the rusty reds, bright oranges, deep and luscious yellows.
They all serve to remind me of comfort.

My old and comfortable quilt that has warmed 3 generations.
My mud boots that boast lady bugs in red and yellow.
My crazy hat that was once bright red and has faded to a really nice hue of orange.

The leaves on the trees that are turning golden shades of many colors.
Cornstalks that are dried to a sandy shade of brown, they will be beautiful mixed with a variety of marigolds, mums and asters.

And the shades of sage are too beautiful to describe.
From deep purple to many shades of green and yellows.

The sunflowers have given way to heavy seed heads and the birds are feasting from morning until night.

Even the birds are autumn colored...the Cardinal with their shades of blazing red and muted browns. The creamy yellow Finch with the little black bands make a striking combination at the feeders.

It was comforting to have so much beautiful color around me today, just thought I would share with my friends.

A website and book to share also....love this guy and all he does.

Visit and say hello from Sage Hill Farms.

http://www.allergyfree-gardening.com/

Be blessed~

Bea Kunz
Sage Hill Farms

Reflecting on 9/11~A Day In History~Our History.

There are many people in our country who do not know the history behind our flag.
There are many who do not know and understand the election process.
They are not willing to give up a few hours of their time to research and learn, just what has happened-the suffering, lives lost, and the many triumphs that have taken place so we can call this "our country."

Why do so many think it is a right to enjoy and participate in all the freedoms and give nothing back.

The time has never been better to claim a cause for our own and make it a full time passion.
Many give their lives every day, can we not give a few hours and some good energy ?

Please visit this link and sigh this petition, it is a very small action on our part to help push for better accountability among power heads who think American lives are so dispensable.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/safer_buildings/?r=1505&id=838-1588553-R2dqRpx

I spent the early morning in my herb gardens, I feel close to God and the truth when I am there.

Have and share a Spiritual September~

Bea Kunz