Organic Survival

Winter sore throat “tea”. In a jar, combine lemon slices, organic honey and sliced ginger. Close jar and put it in the fridge, it will form into a “jelly”.

 To serve: Spoon jelly into mug and pour boiling water over it. Store in fridge 2-3 months. Homesteading / Survivalism (Facebook)

Organic survival is about saving money and learning how to take care of our body naturally.  Since everyone is moving to more organic foods to maintain health I thought I would share some of my all natural remedies for health and every day living.  I found this great site Homesteading/Survivalism (Facebook) that has fantastic tips and facts.  I love it because the tips are simple and I learn something new every time I check it out.

The recipe above is a Korean tea that has had ginger added to it over the years.  If you find yours is runny pectin is natural and will jelly it up faster.  This tea is very soothing and guaranteed to help cure a sore throat.  I am actually thinking of making this as a Christmas gift for friends because it is more personal than store bought gifts.

Cinnamon and Honey; Bet the drug companies won’t like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a ‘Ram Ban’ (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effect… s for any kind of diseases. Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists: HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, when they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins. ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily (morning and night) one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain — and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain. BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder. CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol. COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses. UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from its root. GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas. IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases. INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ‘Ingredient’ which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu. LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old. RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms. PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root. SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections. WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet. CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month. FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

You should always check with your doctor before trying any of these treatments.  These remedies are meant to show us that we have natural options but we should always check with our doctors and not just stop any treatments or medicines we may be taking.

Honey Lemon Throat Drops

These soothing throat drops not only soothe the throat, the lemon helps clear up the phlegm and open the passageways.  There is no corn syrup, artifical colors or additives which makes them great for kids or anyone with allergies.  They are easy to make with just a few simple kitchen ingredients.

2 C. sugar 1/2 C. honey 3/4 C. water juice of 1/2 lemon 1-2 Zinc tablets, crushed (optional) 1-2 Vitamin C tablets, crushed (optional)
Butter an 8″x8″ pan. Set aside.
Place sugar, honey and water in medium saucepan. Place pan over medium heat.  Cook and stir until mixture boils, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.

Turn the heat down to med.-low and continue to lightly boil , stirring occasionally until a candy thermometer reads 285 degrees (soft crack). Approx. 20 minutes total.

Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice. Add zinc and Vitamin C (if desired), letting mixture cool for 1-2 minutes.

Pour into prepared pan.  Cool for 10 minutes, score top of mixture.  If not cool enough to score, wait a few minutes and try again.

Cool completely.  Break into pieces using score lines.
You can wrap pieces individually or store in a baggie or other container until ready to use.
Store in a cool dark place.

Treat your body like a temple.  Save money and time by making all natural cold remedies this winter including cough drops.

Okay so who hasn’t at sometime or another had to unclog their sink?  So frustrating right?  A lot of the products that we purchase to fix this problem usually put a hole in the pipe under the sink after a while.   Well here is an all natural way to fix it.  It’s simple, cheap and effective.  Did I mention ridiculously easy?

 Wow so cheap and so many uses!  A definite must have for any kitchen.  Who knew?

I am not a big fan of juicing because I don’t have a juicier but this actually looks yummy and worth trying. 

 Okay I added this because it’s true and funny!

Health Benefits of Dill: Protection from cancer, good digestion, oral care, relief from insomnia, hiccups, diarrhea, dysentery, menstrual disorders, respiratory disorders, etc) 1 ) Cancer: Now it is the turn of the Monoterpenes to come under the lime light. These chemoprotective Monoterpenes, being stimulant in nature, activates secretion of an enzyme called glutathione-S-transferase (the radical glutathione is an effective anti oxidant) which is very effective in neutralizing carcinogens, particularly Cyano- and Benzo- derivatives and free radicals, thereby protecting from cancer. The other Anti Oxidants in essential oils of dill also contribute to this. 2 ) Respiratory Disorders: Kaempferol and certain other components of Flavonoids and Monoterpenes in the essential oils of dill are Anti Congestive and Anti Histaminic in nature and help clear congestion in the respiratory system due to histamine, Allergies or Cough.

 Wow I love dill and now there is just so much more to love about it.  Who knew?

Baked Hard-Cooked Eggs:  For anyone that may not know, the BEST way to make “hard-boiled” eggs is in the OVEN! Place the eggs in a muffin tray so they do not move around, turn the oven to 325 degrees, pop in for about 25-30 minutes and remove! Not only are they tastier, but they also are much easier to peel!

This is a great way to cook them if you need a lot for party platters of deviled eggs fast and easy!  Who knew?

 Perhaps a little late in the season but what a great tip!

 How to Remove a Tick Safely and Quickly: Soak a cotton ball in some liquid soap.   Swab the tick with the soapy cotton ball several times and then hold it lightly on top of the tick so that it is touching.  Within 15 seconds or so, the tick will dislodge itself and come away from the skin stuck to the cotton ball.

 So gross, but if need be I am sure this simple and effective method is a life saver.  Did we mention cheap method?

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries:

Ingredients: 1 lb large strawberries 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/4 – 1/2 cup powdered sugar (depending on how sweet you want it) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 – 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

Instructions:

1. Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry. Remove the top and clean out with a paring knife, if necessary (some of them are hollow already. Prep all of the strawberries and set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese mix to a piping bag or Ziploc with the corner snipped off. Fill the strawberries with cheesecake mixture.

3. Once strawberries are filled, sprinkle or dip the tops with graham cracker crumbs. If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving.

 God I love my job I just wish I was better at cooking and baking.  This looks easy enough for me to make.  Yummy!  What a great party idea!

 How To Keep Spiders Out Of Your Home With Peppermint Oil

 Simply fill a spray bottle with tap water and add 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil. Give it a smell to make sure the water smells minty, if not add a few more drops. Then you simply need to spray the peppermint water in the cracks and gaps where spiders can enter your home.

Spiders do not like peppermint oil. The strong smell will send them scurrying in the other direction and away from your home.

For an even more potent remedy add one or two drops of peppermint oil onto a cotton bud and place in the areas where spiders enter.

It’s as simple as that!

Thank you Herbs & Oils World (Facebook) for that awesome tip! 

 Thank you Natural Living and Parenting (Facebook) for reminding us!

DIY Natural Room Scents Throw out all those canned room sprays and make your own natural and safe room scents using simmering waters infused with spices, herbs & fruit. Fragrant items for naturally scenting your home: … Citrus - I’ve tried other fruits. Some of them smell good initially, but they don’t hold up for more than one use. Citrus is sturdier, longer-lasting, and gives these scent recipes freshness. Lemons and oranges are particularly fragrant and have the best staying power in these scented waters. Herbs - Any herb can be used for making a room scent, but the ones that are sturdier and on woody twigs hold up the best. My favorites for room scents are rosemary and thyme. Pine or Cedar Twigs/Needles – There may be other fragrant trees that will work, too; pine and cedar are the two I’ve tried for their appealing, fresh fragrance.

Extracts – A touch of vanilla or almond extract improves most room fragrance mixtures. Mint extract has a nice fresh scent.

Spices - You can use ground or whole sweet spices. The whole spices look prettier, if your scented water will be in a location where it will be seen. I have found that cinnamon sticks and whole cloves have the most scent staying power. Cinnamon sticks can be rinsed off and reused several times.

Thank you Natural Living and Parenting (Facebook) for a fabulous tip.  This would make an awesome Christmas gift.  Personal, fun and from the heart.

Dark Chocolate Covered Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit - peeled and cut in 1 inch thick rounds, with a popsicle stick in each round. Freeze on a tray in the freezer. 1 cup Chopped dark chocolate and 1/2 cup Coconut oil – melted over a double boiler, then cooled to room temp. Dip each Kiwi-pop into the chocolate mixture (it will immediately turn crispy) and place on a tray to refreeze or pass around right now.

 Great party idea and fun activity to do with the kids.  Great way to make them love fruit.

I hope you loved these tips and remedies as much as I did sharing them with you.  By sharing we learn how to solve almost anything cheaper and naturally.

Have a fabulous organic day!

Lucky