My Raw Food Experience

I haven't blogged in a while, I guess you can say I have had a bit of the old writers block. I've also been very busy with the Hope Eternal Loud Music Festival, a little something I put together to celebrate the recovery of a good friend of mine who was diagnosed with a very rare form of uterine cancer this year. Green Inside Herbals has taken a back seat because I am still trying to figure it all out. Being new to this line of business has been a little bit of a challenge. Anyone who knows me from my Eternal Embrace and Triple Moon Entertainment business knows me to be smart, savvy and decisive, but for some reason, my Herbal Business self just has not found her sea legs yet.

This past month has been a very positive and transformational month for me though. I have been told that my ability to change easily and quickly is not always beneficial, but I disagree. I love change and the more I grow in this life, the easier I may have it in the next life. (At least I hope that is the case!)

About a month ago I suddenly started to receive information about raw foods in my email. I don't recall how I started to get them, maybe facebook put a trace on an inquiry that I made to an aquaintance who was trying to go raw and sent the website www.rawepicurian.net to my email, or perhaps some of my herbal buddies turned me on to the idea. At any rate, I began to receive blogs regularly, not thinking too much of it, I would read the recipes with a vague interest. Until one day I was sent a blog about Sarma Melngailis' new book Living Raw Food. It was probably Sarma's unique beauty that caught my attention first, but I began to read the synopsis of the book and became fascinated. In 1999 I breifly encountered a Raw Food workshop being held in Newburyport, MA and I was intrigued, but at the same time scared. I didn't want to eat raw meat and raw eggs. Boy was I mis-informed. I picked up Sarma's book, one of two in a series, and devoured it. Soon enough I began to incorporate raw foods into my every day eating, then I suddenly lost all my desire to eat otherwise. In a month's time I went almost completely Raw Vegan.

As a still breastfeeding mother, I worried at first that I would not be providing enough nutrients for my daughter, but because breastfeeding is merely supplemental at this point and she eats everything now, I surged ahead. I was relieved when I read that certain vegetables and fruits, including coconuts have more protien than meat and that our bodies are more efficient when we eat our fruits and veggies in liquid form.

Not only did I suddenly have amazing energy because of this new eating, but I loved food again. I went through quite a long period after my pregnancy, where I detested food and craved only sweets. It was not pretty and I felt that something had to be done when I received a blood test back where my tryglicerides were through the roof! I had originally met with a dietician who counciled me about portion sizes, that helped tremendously as we are now consuming double the portions that we did fifty years ago. I also began running and joined a Pilates class which has been such an amazing experience for me because I previously did not like to exercise and now I love it. Now, finally, after I made these adjustments, I am beginning to feel better about myself, not only my energy and eating habits, but better over all, more confident, more aware, more myself it seems.

Although recently, I must admit, I fell off the wagon, I jumped right back on. It was hard though. I guess learned behavior patterns can often derail progress. It helps to have amazing resources on the web. If you are interested in exploring more about the benefits of Raw Food health, check out www.rawepicurian.net and www.crazysexylife.com both of these sites are inspirational in their own way and support people looking to add more raw food into their lives. The raw epicurian is all raw food recipes and they even do monthly give-aways, and Crazy Sexy Life has quotes, articles and stories about everyday people who are making the transition to living healthier.

I am not 100% anything. Why be so strict when I know that I will fail, that is why diets never work. But I make an effort (and yes, it is an effort some days more than others) to do a little each day. In the morning I always have a smoothie or a peice of fruit. In the afternoon, I may have a salad or sometimes I eat just a simple dish of tunafish or share chicken fingers with my daughter. And for dinner I will have a plate of veggies and some rice or a small peice of chicken. I want to try to eventually be about 85% raw, but I am not going to kill myself. As long as I am exercising every week at least three times a week, and eating that way I know I am doing a world of good for me and for my child.

We also implemented Meat Free Monday's at our house, which I borrowed from CSLs website. I read that more and more communities are advocating MFM to try to reduce our consumption of meat. From 1950, we have doubled our meat consumption and also doubled our body masses. Since cows and other meat animals are being fed diets of grain rather than grass, to make them grow fatter quicker, they are unhealthy and get sick easier due to a comprimised immune system which is why they are injected with the antibiotics that we have now built immunity against. I am making a concerted effort to only purchase grass fed meat when I buy meat at all anymore.

I also found these great bars today at the supermarket. Usually supermarkets don't carry anything raw, but Lara Bars are 90% Raw and they are Vegan. If I get a chocolate craving or a sweets craving, I can turn to Lara Bars. I think their base is made of dates, what my Mother calls "God's Candy".

I can't wait to buy Sarma's first book too, I was reading it at the bookstore a few days ago and couldn't put it down. She is an inspiration for me, we are around the same age, she grew up in Newton, MA and went to Mount Ida Summer Camp and I went to college in Newton at Mount Ida. She is a saavy NY restaurant owner and also has several online companies. As a multiple business owner myself, it is nice to have a peer like her to admire and connect with. To learn more visit her restuarant Pure Food and Wine www.purefoodandwine.com or her oneline wholesale raw food store One Lucky Duck www.oneluckyduck.com.

At the end of the day, it is all how you feel about yourself, maybe you will find that eating Raw is not for you which of course, there are plenty of additional ways you can improve your health. I myself, finally found something that is working for me and it took 32 years to figure that out and I am still trying to work at it!

Your kitchen is your medicine cabinet

To learn how to use the herbs and spices in your kitchen as a part of a healing diet or as supplements in your self care routine, read this article: http://www.examiner.com/x-14746-Manchester-Natural-Health-Examiner~y2009m7d9-Your-kitchen-is-your-medicine-cabinet

New Hampshire: Where the herbs are

My latest article entitled New Hampshire: Where the herbs are, has just been published at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-14746-Manchester-Natural-Health-Examiner~y2009m7d2-New-Hampshire-Where-the-herbs-are.

Please visit to generate traffic to my site and to learn about New Hampshires herbal scene.

Green Inside Herbals News

It's been awhile, my life has been in a bit of an upheaval lately. Many changes have been taking place and recently some positive ones are coming to fruition. A few months ago, I had met up with the woman who inspired me to become an herbalist, Maria Noel Groves, she was forming a group of NH Herbalists and invited me to join. I have since gone to several meetings and have found it to be a very rewarding experience so far. Last week I volunteered to be on the education committe to engage in a discovery process about how we can educate the public and ourselves regarding herbs. I am excited and have alot of ideas surging forth!

Another wonderful new outlet that I am exploring is freelance writing. I have been hired by the Manchester Examiner www.examiner.com, to be a Natural Health writer for their online newspaper. My latest article, Creating sustained wellness: Strengthening the immune system can be read at http://www.examiner.com/x-14746-Manchester-Natural-Health-Examiner.

I will also begin working more directly with the Intuitive Life Network to promote my herbal business in hopes of reaching a more diverse community of people interested in exploring natural health alternatives.

I will be available for consultations and classes through www.intuitivelifenetwork.org in the months ahead.

Where the Herbs Are in New England

It's that time again, when nature sprouts her seedlings and plants are abundantly growing in the wild, cultivated on farms and in gardens, off of our porches and decks and all about in farmers markets, supermarkets, garden stores and more! The earth is singing her birthing song once again.

One may wonder where to find specific herbs this season. If you've been listening to my radio show or reading this blog, an herb that I mentioned may have piqued your interest. To a person who is new to the world of herbs or someone looking to find fresh rather than dried herbs, the quest isnt always an easy one. There are so many online stores it is dizzying, how do we know that the herbs sold at certain natural food stores are truly organic or what they say they are, how do we know which product to choose from with so many on the shelves?

It can be difficult, I will not lie. It sometimes takes alot of trial and error before finding the best quality on the market today. But I like to make things easy for people and I like to help. So here is a comprehensive list of many of New England's Herb Farms, the best Online stores that sell dried herbs and herbal products and some wonderful resource books that I recommend to anyone interested in increasing their herbal knowledge. With these tools, I hope you will find the herbs that will resonate with you and make you happy during this year's growing season.

Books About Herbs and Herbalism
Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone
Author: Linda Paige
Product DescriptionThe ultimate resource for improving your health naturally! In its first edition nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Linda Page’s book Healthy Healing was the only one of its kind. Now updated and expanded, it’s still the easiest to use natural health reference book on the market. Customize your own personal healing program from natural therapies for over 300 ailments through diet, whole herb supplements and exercise.

Naturally Healthy Babies and Children
Author: Aviva Jill Romm
Product DescriptionYearning for natural ways to care for their children, many parents seek techniques that do not require the invasive procedures and medications often associated with Western medicine. Midwife and herbalist Aviva Romm offers an A-to-Z handbook that addresses common health issues of children, from newborns to preadolescents. Aviva’s whole-child approach integrates herbal remedies, nutrition, hygiene, and alternative health techniques with supportive, informed parenting.

A Kids Herb Book
Author: Lesley Tierra
Product DescriptionA creative blend of information, projects, activities, preparations, colour-in artwork, stories, songs, lore and interesting herbal tidbits. This book will help parents and their children learn about herbs.

Herbal Healing for Women
Author: Rosemary Gladstar
Product Description
Comprehensive and easy-to-use, Herbal Healing for Women explains how to create remedies -- including teas, tinctures, salves and ointments--for the common disorders that arise in the different cycles of a woman's life. A complete women's health-care manual.

The Male Herbal
Author: James Green
Product DescriptionUntil herbalist James Green introduced THE MALE HERBAL more than 15 years ago, there was virtually no information about using herbs specifically in men's health. With sensitivity toward men's reluctance to focus on health matters, Green's trusted advice and wisdom is as vital today as it was then. He outlines the medicinal uses of scores of herbs for male-specific issues, while emphasizing prevention and health rather than illness.

Reference Material from www.amazon.com

New England Herb Farms
Massachusetts
Cedar Spring Herb Farm159 Long Pond DriveHarwich, MA 02654donnna@cedarspringherbfarm.com508-430-4372Wide range of herbal products, including plants, teas, culinary blends, household cleansers, beauty products, potpourri. Also offers classes and events, wellness consultations, and weed walks. Farm store on premises, also mail-order. Registered United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary.

Cutler Mill Herb Farm171 Foundtain StreetAshland, MA 01721info@CutlerMillHerbFarm.com508-881-7200Dried and potted culinary and medicinal herbs. Farm store on premises, farm welcomes visitors.

Hartmans Herb Farm1026 Old Dana RoadBarre, MA 01005hartmansherb@hotmail.com978-355-2015Potted herbs, dried herbal wreaths. Farm store. Some online ordering.

New Hampshire
Misty Meadows Herbal Center185 Wednesday Hill Road Lee, NH 03824 office@mistymeadows.org603-659-7211Huge selection of herbal products, teas, tinctures, aromatherapy, books, gems and jewelry. Periodic plant sales. Farm store and online ordering. Herbal Education Center. Plant Identification Walks.

Heartsong Farm Healing Herbs859 Lost Nation RoadGroveton, NH 03582603-636-2286Fresh and dried medicinal herbs, herbal preparations, including mouthwash, cough syrup, bitters and others.

Maine
Blessed Maine Herbs257 Chapman RidgeAthens, ME 04912gailea88@gmail.com207-654-2879Beauty products, incense, smoking blends, herbal syrups and tonics, dream pillows, herbal teas, salves, massage oils, herbal aphrodisiacs. Many products certified organic.

Steeplebush Farm Herbs102 Staples Rd.Limington, ME 04049herbs@steeplebush.comCulinary herbal blends, teas, salve, lip balm, lotions, salt rubs, potpourri. Farm store and online ordering.
Vermont

Everlasting Herb Farm931 Greenbay Loop, P.O. Box 143Peacham, VT 05862wendy@everlastingherbfarm.net802-592-3111Organically-grown herbal and flower potpourri, bath infusions, lip balms, drawer sachets and sachets made from vintage linens. Online ordering.

Woodsong HerbalsP.O. Box 301Randolph, VT 05060woodsongherbals@verizon.net802-728-4941Herbal and aromatherapy products, including healing salves and oils, herbal therapy pillows, teas, moisturizing creams and lotions, children's products, lip balm.

Zack Wood Herb Farm278 Mead RoadHyde Park, VT 05655zackwoods@pshift.com802-888-7278Certified organic. Dried and fresh medicinal herbs in bulk, potted plants. Farm store and online ordering. Farm tours available by appointment.

Connecticut
Topmost Herb Farm244 North School RoadCoventry, CT 06238carole@topmostherbfarm.com860-742-8239Fresh medicinal and culinary herb plants, available at farm store from May-September.

Rhode Island
Cherry Valley Herb Farm969 Snake Hill RoadNo. Scituate, RI 02857401-647-3614Farm store closed, but products available online. Catalog does not indicate which herbs are grown at the farm.

Online Resources
Mountain Rose Herbs
www.mountainroseherbs.com
For buying quality dried herbs and spices

From Nature With Love
www.fromnaturewithlove.com
Large selection of quality dried herbs, aromatherapy products and natural care products. Local web based business from Connecticut.

United Plant Savers
www.unitedplantsavers.org
Education resource for information on endangered wild botanicals and herbalism

New England Grown
www.newenglandgrown.com
Database for New England Based Herbal Study Courses and Internships

American Herbalist Guild
www.americanherbalistguild.com
Locate an herbalist in your area, learn about herbalism and general information regarding herbs as medicine.

Do you want to dream?

Many of us have trouble falling asleep, with the stresses of the day and our busy lives weighing on us, we may toss and turn and think obsessively until at last we fall asleep only to be awoken unexpectedly, never really settling in, never really feeling the satisfaction of a full night's rest.

REM Sleep is our deepest and most healing slumber, it is where our body and mind does it's healing work. If we do not reach this deep state of relaxation, we are often irritable, fatigued and on edge throughout the day.

Prophecy Tea has been designed to allow the body to relax and unwind naturally and drug free. The ingredients are time tested and non habit forming, safe for just about everyone.

Would you like to try some? Would you like to have the sleep you deserve? Order today at www.intuitivelifenetwork.org

Tune in to my Herbal Radio Show at Para-x.com, Monday, May 11th