Cone Flower

Cone flower or echinacea is a wonderful plant. If I could convince everyone I knew that this is in fact true and not just an old wives tale, I could die knowing that I had done something good for the human race and planet Earth. Echinacea is great at helping the body fight off illness. It does this by boosting the bodies T-cells. T-cells are responsible for eliminating foreign contaminates, i.e. viruses and bacteria.
The ever ongoing cycle of colds hit my house again the other day. My daughter was sent home from school with a fever. We gave her echinacea tea and she was quickly on the mend. To ensure that the rest of us didn't get the grossness we also consumed copious amounts of tea!! It worked and none of us suffered another grueling cold.
Echinacea is mild enough for my one year old. We give it to the children in tea form mixed with almond milk and honey. I prefer to give them herbal remedies instead of allopathic medicines. Allopathic meds don't work with the body. It takes more effort on the part of our bodies to digest and figure out what to do with synthetic substances than I feel is necessary. I would much rather give my children something safe and gentle than something not so safe and strong.
If one does decide to use echinacea to ward off illness then it is recommended to drink 5 to 6 cups of the tea during the day and taper off as the symptoms lessen. Echinacea can lose its effectiveness if taken over an extended period of time. It is recommended to take it in a cycle of 5 days on and 2 days off.
I have an echinecea plant growing in my garden. I hope to be able to harvest some of it next year so that I can dry it and use it for some of my herbal concoctions.

What Kate Ate 7/22/10

Berries and cherries
Oatmeal
Tofu, tomato and cucumber salad, wheat bread
Granola bar
Chai tea with almond milk
Salt and vinegar chips (I know, this is lame. I didn't feel like cooking dinner for myself)

Downward dog

Yesterday I got the fabulous opportunity to go to a free yoga class. It was great!! The person teaching it is a student teacher and has to teach so many hours of free yoga as part of her program. She wasn't the most limber or fittest of teachers but she was calming and patient. Her voice really helped me to relax. Yoga has a wonderful way of easing the mind and body. You are able to just be without having to analyze everything. I left the class feeling rejuvenated and calm. I am contemplating taking yoga classes again. Seeing as I don't have my studies I need something to learn about. Yoga also has a profound affect on my diet. When I am practicing yoga I am more in tune with myself and become more conscientious of my diet. Meat, alcohol, and junk no longer seem appealing. They interfere with the process and muddy the clarity that is found within yoga.

What Kate Ate 7/21/10

Banana
Oatmeal
Salad with beans, avocado, corn, cucumber and ginger dressing
Kind Bar, the Mango and Macadamia nut variety
Green tea
Portabello burgers on whole wheat buns with lettuce, toms, avocado, garlic aioli mustard, and ketchup

Lost student

Well, it has been awhile since I have written anything, but I have something to share! My school has closed! I am taking the news relatively well I think. I could be a total mess and declaring that I will drag them to court and demand my money back. Instead I am quite calm about the whole situation. I am appreciative of the time and work I have put in. I have learnt a lot and gained knowledge that has broadened my horizons. I am sadden to think that I must start all over again but this is an opportunity to reflect. I am also feeling a sense of relief. Life as a full time worker and the mother of two young children leaves little room for school. I now have the space to be a mother and focus on my family.
The last course I took was learning about medicinal plants. This struck a cord with me and touched me at my very core. Sure, I am interested in nutrition, but herbs and medicinal plants is where it is at! I loved every minute of this course. Instead of going back to school to study nutrition, what if I studied herbalism? Rosemary Gladstar, my personal hero, wrote one of the books that we studied and I want to be like her when I grow up. How do I get there though? My dream would be to grow lots of medicinal plants and know how to use all of them. I would teach others how to use them and help to heal others. I just need to figure out how to get there.
The other thing that keeps coming back into focus is my desire and pull towards yoga. I have been studying yoga since I was in college. It has always provided me a grounding space to think and let go. Now that I have some space and time I am liking the idea of taking classes again and seeing where it takes me.
Time will tell as to what direction my life will take. I can only be patient for the outcome. Plants will always be a source of interest for me and yoga will always be a calming release.

What Kate Ate 7/20/10

Banana
Oatmeal with walnuts and raisins
Salad, steamed veggies, tofu, and noodles
Salad with tuna, black beans, cucumber, corn, avocado and ginger dressing