Spending the weekend with lilac’s!

Lilacs

Lilac Wine Vinegar

Lilac Jelly

Observing the finished lilac jelly this weekend I knew I had to share this picture after mentioning lilacs in our last newsletter! The colour and taste is surprising and beautiful. This is a product I will continue to fill my pantry with in years to come! Due to the benefits of lilacs which assist our bodies to cleanse itself of intestinal parasites, this is a plant product I would continue to encourage others to begin integrating into their diets. (I also created lilac wine vinegar and lilac infused honey!)

Researching edible plants and integrating them into my diet brings recognition of how the cycle of plants in nature grow is designed for our greatest benefit. A fine example are plants that first emerge in spring that are used for cleansing with natural laxative qualities, bursts of minerals and vitamins, and that have anti-inflammatory qualities to shed our winter diets! One such plant now considered a super food is one we have grown to dislike – the tenacious dandelion! There is a reason these came with our ancestors to North America.

What’s laughable is the amount of money spent on costly man-made products that have negative side effects. Natures array of healthy edibles encompasses a broader spectrum of whole wellness with only an investment of time and learning. In comparison pharma care products are a large investment for individuals while corporations are realizing huge financial gains. Corporations are founded on trying to copyright and duplicate the effects of nature while viewing us (man, woman and child) as a commodity.

How do I know the benefits? I have been a consumer and major spender myself seeking diet, makeup, health and food supplement products to feel better and look great for years. So imagine my surprise to experience changes I had been unsuccessfully seeking when spending a year exploring the plants outside my door without focusing on any changes in me specifically. My attention had/is on integrating the edible plants in my area as a food source, creating medicinal remedies and body and hair products.

I can tell you the outcome of this past year has had many benefits:

naturally loosing up to 10 inches around my waist
stop cooking and eating meat at home including chicken however still enjoy when going out
loss of cravings
eating less (smaller portions and longer breaks between eating)
baby fog as I have called it since having babies cleared up and higher functioning brain
more energy
sleep more soundly
savings on my grocery bill
slowing down spread of & diminishing existing age spots
stronger immune system & no illness this past year
calmer, happier and growing sense of well-being that continues to expand
more engaged & connected with the environment
daily compliments on my skin
hair is regaining body, luster and thickness while some of the plants slow down graying and turn some grey back into my natural hair colour

I urge everyone to pick one plant close by to focus their attention on and invest some time getting to know it more intimately. Learn if it is edible and if it is, start trying to eat it raw or in recipes being curious about changes in flavour and in self. I am thankful I have been trained to never stop learning and to remain open and curious by exploring. These are the characteristics that will change habits and provide a better life.

Look for new images on Instagram or visit pages currently being developed to share plant edibles and recipe ideas from the Greater Victoria and area Communities. With the recent rains I have just discovered some sources of Horsetail! Will be getting some pictures soon!

For ways you can learn to go beyond your closed circuit thinking that is generated by labels and opinions try one of my Monterey Workshops in movement or relationship behavior. There are upcoming Breathing &, Jaw Release Workshops fast approaching, Saturday May 20, ’17. There is a relationship workshop series with a focus on primary partners starting Wednesday, May 17, ’17. This week two movement workshops began, one on Balance and one for Walking as did a Communication Workshop Series, Think, Speak, Act. Still time to register! Call Monterey today @ 250-370-7300!

Take time to find out how you are stimulated by your environment and what this may mean in your reactions, movement and interactions! I am excited to be sharing this in the Greater Victoria Communities. Call me at 250-361-7508 and find out how to learn more about this.