Part of 4/11/205 Herbs & Things Newsletter...

Dragon & Elephant messengers~Peeling fresh hard boil eggs‏

Hello ! 
From Kellie and Herbs & Things.
 

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.
~John Burroughs!

I'm so excited! About what? 
Fresh hard boiled eggs, and an easy way to do the almost impossible....peeling them.
This cooking technique is so simple, it's got me shaking my head at how many years I struggled, and why didn't I learn of this sooner?
All you have to do is steam those eggs...yes steam them as in steam like steamed veggies and walla, fresh hard boiled eggs now an ez peel.
How I did it was...using my double boiler type veggie steamer pot, using fresh from the coop eggs (wanted to give this method a true test) I added water to the pot, then put the eggs in the basket, got it boiling and steamed for 20 minutes. Ran cool water over them, let them cool  and...wait for it... peeled them with no bits and pieces of shell hanging on or losing any part of the egg.
Try it you'll be glad you did. Not sure if steamed unpeeled eggs will keep as long in the frig as the boiled in water ones, but I can't imagine they wouldn't? We'll see...but in the mean time...peel away...yeaaa:)

Dragon, probably something not thought of often as a animal messenger or helper, seems to be popping up all over for me. Such as while meditating, flipping through magazines, TV adds and over-hearing people talk about them. So though Dragon is supposed to be a mythical creature, but a creature many believe actually existed at one time...I figure there must be a reason their energy is being brought to my attention again and again...
Dragon, indicates movement into a new phase in your life, taking more risks, yet will be well protected. They can also indicate entering a period of prosperity. They indicate too, it is a must to spend regular time in meditation and or contemplation to receive valuable insights and inspirations. Dragon can also help in the study of the ancient mystical arts, and practicing earth based spirituality. 

Elephant is also popping up a lot. This has a double message for me. One, because Elephant, unbeknownst to my sister, was her power totem: She collected anything Elephant for years. So not only, does the presence of Elephant mean she is present but also #2, I am honored Elephant in it's special way has come as a messenger and or helper..
Elephant messages like the Dragon, deal with the ancients or ancestors, as in Ancient power and strength, temperance and patience. The Elephant to India and South East Asia, as Bison is to the Native Americans, are sacred.
Elephant message or medicine indicates, being of service to the young and old and less fortunate as yourself. Do not let anything stand in your way of your goals. Trust your senses. Remain loyal to those closest to you. A good time to renew your connection to the Divine.
Elephant is also associated with the Root Chakra...and like Bison for the Native Americans, it's about being provided for and protection.
These messengers fit in with that 'stock up' feeling I'm getting again...and they are here to help. Ok then, I think I'm liking these messengers:)

So then, I find it interesting that Dragon and Elephant come to me now and they both speak of the ancients, and I find an article on an Ancient Old eye salve remedy that kills the super-bug MRSA? How awesome is that. Talk about getting back to our roots, finding an ancient remedy for a new age illness. Ingredients used are, garlic, onion, wine..and bile, mixed in a copper vessel, and the mixture must sit for 9 days...oh just like 'fermenting' READ MORE about the 1000 year old remedy that kills a superbug of today! 

Some of King Arthur's products have arrived...and are on Herbs & Things shelves.
51b bags of, Organic White Whole Wheat, Organic Whole Wheat, Organic All Purpose, flours, and regular unbleached all purpose flour 5&10lbs.  Also Cranberry Orange Scone Mix, Pretzel mix and Irish Soda Bread Mix. Watch for more KA products and possible Monks Meadow, all natural dip mixes, cheese mixes and more. Also, I'm looking into carrying a different cheese than Yancy's Fancy, it's getting expensive and I have to do a lot of running to get it. So I'm trying to find a great cheese at a better price and easier for me to acquire. 

While in my message cube, the shower, as per out of the blue I heard, "tell people just because it's organic does not  mean it is always Non GMO."
Hmm....really? So, as 'they' knew I would, I searched...and guess what, and I knew in my heart what they said, is...true. Big companies are tricky in their wording....READ MORE HERE about organic foods possibly containing GMO ingredients, so... again it's just about being aware and reading the label.

As always...

Be well

Laugh often

Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way

Kellie
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Herbs & Things  

From Dec 18th 2014 Newsletter

Hello
From Kellie and Herbs & Things.

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. 
~Joseph Campbell~

Book club this month was much fun and the book Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult...was AWESOME. If you are on the waiting list, stay there, it's worth the wait and IS a must read.

Memory Keepers daughter from last month was also a good read.

Spiritual Gab was fun too, we talked of many things, such as, Chiron the wounded healer, great teacher, who represents our deepest wound and the efforts to heal the wound; How Chiron's placement in astrology is affecting many of us.  

Chiron was named after the centaur in Greek mythology who was a healer and teacher who, ironically, could not heal himself. 

Also about, that the 'holding pattern' we've all been feeling is starting to dissipate. We discussed how we wanted to kind of hibernate and just wait for some things to just be over. Maybe I can shed some 'light' on these feelings and why they are there.

If you ever want a reality check of who is control, you or the animals, Especially when your are sure you now have the chickens trained to come when you call them because they always do... just have 4 chickens sneak out of the barn when you are done with chores and ready to go in, through the what you thought was to small of an opening for them, in to the snow free driveway thoroughfare, and then try to get them back in, while keeping the others from coming out, because they aren't ready to go back in their coup where you can lock them in.

Yep the crazy chicken lady, was at it again...that be me...LOL

The Winter Solstice is almost here. We all look forward to it for many different reasons. We start to gain daylight hours, like the energy winter brings, it's almost Christmas and the new year, and more.  

Many will be celebrating with drumming, dancing and big gatherings, which if this is what you feel you should do, you should...but I get the feeling, at least for me, and maybe for many others, more so than last years quiet time, this should be a quiet celebration with much reflection, and thoughts and thanks for what we have. Because change is coming. Thus because this change is coming, we need this quiet time, solitude, and rest to be prepared.

I found even through Christmas decorating this year, a reflection of this 'quiet' with my senses wanting subtle, natural and soft decorations with few lights, leaning towards mostly a old fashion, natural and country kitchen smells, motif.

I feel the holding pattern we've all been feeling for weeks and months, is about to dissipate, shift and energetically increase, bringing spiritual energy closer to the physical and many of us will feel it strongly, hence... prepared through rest.

One reason I think I've gotten this message correct, is confirmation by a dreamTuesday Dec 16th.

Black Panther came to me in my dream. With out going in to great detail of the dream, the gist was, I was afraid when I saw him, and ran from fear, but once I got to safety I accepted this fear, saw his beauty, and was proud that I survived it's presence, all that happened was significant. 

Panther is about reclaiming ones true power. It's cycles of power is New Moon (Dec 22nd, day after the solstice), Dark of Moon (the lunar cycle from dark moon, until the new moon)and winter. Also the fact I dreamt of Panther now, and he was a...pronounced shiny.... black, links it to this Dec 2014 Lunar energy, thus making it's timing, before the solstice, New Moon and during the Dark Moon Phase, perfect!

For whom Panther comes to, it's energy is sometimes a reflection of ones self, in that Panthers often are loners, although they do like to socialize with others, but find comfort in alone time. Panther also suggests being quiet while pursuing goals, and is often a symbol of darkness, death and rebirth, Darkness where most of our fears are. Death meaning old parts of ourselves are dieing...and new is emerging.

Panther helps us to understand the dark, our fears so we can acknowledge them, thus eliminating fears and allowing us to use our 'new' powers as we travel towards the light of the new moon; New Moon representing the beginning or birth of things.

Panther Medicine covers much, and reflects the saying 'of that which does not kill us, makes us stronger', thus it's energy also holds the promise of rebirth and guardianship, and that whatever is lost will be replaced by that which is greater, stronger and more beneficial.

Dark Moon...Stillness is the key word for the Dark Moon Phase. Restful, rich solitude gives you the chance to hear that inner voice. With the lunar face hidden, the intuitive-psychic self takes over. This quiet reflection helps make space for a clearing of the mind and spirit, so that you can be ready to receive when the light of the new moon illuminates.

The holidays for some is stressful, and I've had a lot of people ask about aromatherapy. So here are few ideas for up lifting or calming down scents.

And of course I do have a few essential oils in Herbs & Things...You can use them in a diffuser or in a pan of hot water ( I use EO's in my pan of water on top of fireplace heater in the kitchen). 

Oils such as lavender, chamomile, geranium, yang yang, sandalwood, cedar-wood or patchouli are great for calming and smoothing your energy.

Clary sage, Melissa, orange, lemon verbena, and lemongrass are good to lift your spirits.

Cinnamon, clove, ginger, allspice, citrus and evergreen scents help create positive energetics of "winter holidays."

Remember, Essentials oils are not your only source of aromatherapy.

Herbs & Things wonderful scented home poured 100% soy candles, in a variety of calming, or uplifting scents. (yes a shameless plug:)

With the Snowvember storm, there are plenty of evergreen branches on the ground for you to gather and use in the house, in a vase with other holiday decorations, created a swag or what ever idea you come up with and have fresh pine scent.

Put mulling spices in a pan of hot water and let simmer.

The smell of baking cookies or bread, always creates a calming throughout the house.

Burn a beeswax candle, it will have a subtle aroma of honey.

Take a walk outdoors in the fresh air, breath in and enjoy!

Be well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way

Kellie
+
Herbs & Things