Growing Garlic I haven't purchased garlic since 1996. That's because I grow enough to eat a bulb of garlic every day, year-round. While most of my garden adventures are hobby-level attempts at self-sufficiency, my garlic crop is for real. Garlic is an overwintering crop, planted in fall and harvested mid-summer. So if you want to have a crop next year, it's time to think about planting. A year's supply of garlic hanging in your garage hints at many great meals to come, but by the time you reach that milestone the rewards have already been flowing for months. As spring continues, your plants will continue to skyrocket, and in late May—assuming you planted a flowering variety—you'll be treated to a funky display of garlic blossoms curling from the plant tops. The flowering varieties of garlic are collectively called hardnecks, so named because of their woody flowering stalks. The first step in growing your own garlic stash is getting your paws on some good garlic for planting. Ask Ari: Got milk options?
20 Foods that Detox Your Body & Mind The connection between the body and the mind is a very real one, with the way your body feels playing a big part in how your brain functions and whether or not you experience a state of well-being. Keeping it free of toxins, free radicals, and other nasty things that can end up in our insides is essentially to maintaining a healthy life. You’ll notice that with many of these detox foods the road to purification goes through the liver, and getting it to full capacity can have several long-lasting benefits throughout the body. Artichokes Artichokes help the liver function at its best, which in turn will help your body purge itself of toxins and other things it doesn’t need to survive. Aside from all of the benefits to your liver, it’s also filled with fiber, protein, magnesium, folate, and potassium. Asparagus Despite being a tasty veggie asparagus ranks highly on the detox-o-meter. Avocados Beets Broccoli Cabbage Dandelions Garlic Many detox diets list garlic as a crucial piece of the puzzle.
How to Clean Your Liver with 5 Natural Liver-Cleansing Tips Your liver is like the maid of your body, cleaning up all the toxins you put into it, and therefore keeping all internal systems running smoothly. The modern diet, environmental pollutants, and our increasing dependence on toxic personal care products have put our livers on serious overtime. For this reason, it’s important to know how to clean your liver thoroughly and effectively – oh, and naturally. Your liver works to cleanse the blood and remove toxic substances that we’ve eaten, inhaled, or rubbed on our bodies. When it is overworked—as it is in many modern adults—or when you are under a significant amount of physical or even mental stress, your liver can struggle to keep up. “The thousands of enzyme systems that are responsible for virtually every body activity are constructed in the liver,” explains Dr. How to Clean Your Liver – No Products Required So, what can you do about it? 1. Source: Natural Society Related:
20 Healthiest Foods on Earth Some foods pack more nutritional punch than others, and these 24 offer the most health benefits pound for pound of all food on the planet. They not only show up on our massive list of Superfoods, but they also make it onto plenty of top 1o lists across the internet, and several have long been known to provide plenty of nutrients and and goodies for the body. There are a few that you might not be familiar with, so consider this an introduction, and then you can get to know them better in the future… 1. Much has been written about the virtues of spinach, and rightly so. Benefits Right away spinach is going to go to work for you, providing you with energy, and helping you to fill your stomach without adding a lot of calories to your daily intake. Nutritional Breakdown per Cup – Raw, think fresh leafy greens Vitamin A – 2813 IU – over half of what you need daily. 2. Many people are just finding out how good goji berries are for your overall feeling of well-being. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Green Living - Gardening - A beginner's guide to permaculture gardening A philosophy of gardening. Gardening and philosophy. Either way it seems strange to the uninitiated. Permaculture is a design system which sprang up during the 1970s oil crisis, a reaction to food insecurity and the desire for self-reliance. When applied to gardening it suggests that not only can we grow food almost anywhere - from fruit shrubs in patio pots to vines on fences - but we can get higher yields with less effort simply by mimicking nature. When I started to view every niche as a potential food-growing zone, for me the world turned into one big gingerbread house. In contrast to many modern agricultural methods, a natural growing system sustains a continuous cycle, with dead plants becoming mulch for new growth. Survey your plot Permaculture isn't prescriptive and methods should be applied to each garden or balcony individually. If you are keen to start growing before your year is up, try a few things out on a small space first. Diversity Zoning Mulch! Forest garden Pests! Books:
What Is Amalaki? Amalaki, commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, is considered one of the most powerful rejuvenating herbs in Ayurveda. In Sanskrit, Amalaki means “the sustainer” and has traditionally been prescribed to strengthen the immune system and cool the body. Amalaki is a small tree that’s native to tropical southeastern Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Mascarene Islands. Why Use Amalaki? Do you have any of these conditions? ConstipationDepressionDiabetesHemorrhoidsHepatitisHigh cholesterolHypoglycemiaIndigestionInflammatory conditions of the GI tractUrinary Tract Infections Amalaki has traditionally been used to treat these conditions as well as symptoms associated with the common cold—cough and sore throat. Benefits and Healing Effects The herb is a strong natural antioxidant containing high levels of vitamin C. Amalaki provides support and nutrition to the digestive tract, inner and outer skin, arteries, and liver. 5 of the 6 Essential Tastes
Make Your Own Natural Salve for Pain Relief - NaturalON If you haven’t already heard, the health benefits of cayenne are truly amazing. Used as an herbal pain reliever, cayenne has compounds that improve the immune system, stop the bleeding from a cut, and can relieve pain like nothing else! Cayenne is found in many chilies, bell peppers, and paprika. These plants have been cultivated for at least 7,000 years. Early European explorers brought seeds from their visits to South America back to their homelands, and from there they spread quickly throughout the world. Photo credit: bigstock.com The active ingredient in cayenne is called capsaicin, and it’s this ingredient that works so well at reducing pain. If you go to your local drugstore you will find many different types of creams and lotions, all of which contain cayenne to one degree or another. You can use this salve on just about anything from sore muscles to stiff joints to nerve pain and bruises. Take a look at just how easy it is to make your own cayenne salve. Ingredients: Instructions:
The Top 10 Superfoods you Didn’t Know Existed Eating healthy can take on a whole new level with the top 11 superfoods you didn’t know existed. These foods can be added to almost any dish and provide significant levels of the necessary vitamins and minerals to keep your body functioning at optimal levels. They are definitely worth looking into in order to be even higher on the healthy food track than you dreamed you could go. Arame This seaweed is a good additive for many dishes, and it has Vitamin K and Vitamin A, which are very helpful for your body. Romanesco This contains Vitamin B6, Potassium, Vitamin C and fiber, providing a great source of these that compares to broccoli, but times two. Bitter Melon This plant helps the digestive system and can be used to treat an upset stomach. Yacon This plant can be used in its entirety and helps fight cancer. Chia Seeds The Omega-3s, fiber and protein levels in these tiny seeds make it almost criminal not to add them to any dish you are eating. Purple Potatoes Turmeric Black Garlic Sea Buckthorn
Pain Relief Lotion Bars Recipe Lotion bars are one of my favorite natural beauty recipes to make. They are a simple way to moisturize and nourish the skin and they can be easily customized for a variety of uses. This variation is one of my favorites, especially for after athletic training or on sore muscles. These natural pain relief lotion bars smell excellent and work wonders on sore or tired muscles! Pain Relief Lotion Bars Pain relief lotion bars help soothe the pain of achy muscles naturally with herbs and natural remedies. Author: Wellness Mama Recipe type: Remedy Ingredients ⅓ cup coconut oil⅓ cup shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter⅓ cup beeswax (can add an extra ounce or two if you want a thicker consistency, which leaves less lotion on the skin when used)1 tablespoon of Menthol Crystals10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil½ tsp Arnica Oil (optional)This recipe can be adjusted to make any quantity that you’d like. Instructions How to Use: To apply to skin: hold bar in hand and carefully rub on dry skin.