Green blessings.

Autumn means harvests of apples and grapes, two intensely heart-healthy foods. But you can’t just buy them and eat them and expect to get the most out of them.

Like all foods, it is imperative that we understand how to get the most out of them. That we break the cell walls and make it as easy as possible for our bodies to deal with the high levels of fructose in fruit.

Dehydration and fermentation are two excellent methods for achieving these goals. Thus, dehydrated apples and wine are healthier than the raw fruit or fruit juice.

It’s easy to dry apples:  Cut them into them slices and cut the centers out with a small cookie cutter. Run a string through the center hole and hang to dry.

Drying grapes is fun and easy...once dried you have raisins...then make raisin tea for a non-alcoholic healthy drink... can't wait? Try this recipe for an "instant" face lift" using fresh grape juice.

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way.

Green blessings.

Do you drink green tea?

It is proven to reduce the risk of heart attack and to help those who want to lose weight.

Is it one of those things you have been thinking about doing but never quite got around to it? Or did you drink green tea at one time but got out of the habit?

I find it easier to get a healthy habit going in my life if I start off with a bang. And if you are already drinking green tea, you will enjoy doing this project even more.

Treat yourself to a green tea tasting – make it a party if you wish – and see if you don’t find yourself drinking more of this magical heart-healthy beverage.

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way. 

Do you find it difficult to pack all the toiletries you need for your time away?

What with airline limits on what and how much you can take, and the likelihood of liquids spilling after changes in cabin pressure, packing can seem a real headache.

Let Madame Yarrow be your toilette. One small spray bottle of yarrow tincture can take the place of most of your toiletries and your first aid kit too.

You can use yarrow tincture as a dentifrice, a mouthwash, a skin cleanser and freshener, a deodorant, a toothache remedy, a blemish treatment, an insect repellant, and a disinfectant wound dressing. Don’t leave home without it. Get the Recipe here...

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way. 

Green blessings.

If there is one herb that stands above all others for a healthy heart and a strong immune system, it is garlic.

Every September I go to the Saugerties Garlic Festival and buy at least ten pounds of garlic.

Sadly, many of us don’t eat enough garlic, for lots of good reasons. It is difficult to peel and chop. It is easy to burn when cooking, and isn’t cooked garlic less healthy anyhow? And if I eat it raw, I stink. Garlic is difficult.

I have eight easy solutions to your dilemma. Eight easy and delicious ways to consume lots more garlic, without nasty garlic breath and without taking too much of your valuable time.

Ways so tasty your kids will beg you to let them have some. (Garlic Honey and Garlic Tonic recipes for you...)

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way. 

Green blessings.

Now that the weather is getting colder, I like to end my day with a hot, milky beverage. Hot chocolate has lots of proven health benefits and is always a good choice. But I have another one.

Would you like to know about another, easy to make, herbal hot, milky beverage for wintry nights?

Hot, milky beverages calm us down and help deepen our sleep. They build strong bones and soothe the intestines and lungs.

I have always advised combining mullein infusion with milk to benefit the lungs. When heated, this is a favorite beverage with those who used to drink coffee in the morning.

Then my daughter Justine moved mullein milk to a whole new level by turning it into mullein chai.

Whether you chill it and serve it over ice as a summer refresher, or cuddle up to a bedtime cup when skies are grey, mullein chai will help you weather the storms and breathe deeply - recipe here.

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way. 

Green blessings.

I love to make soups. I love to serve soups. I love to eat soups. How about you? Do you love soup too?

Did you know that eating soup is a great way to lose weight and to protect yourself against stroke and heart attack?

Consuming a bowl of hot soup at the beginning of a meal is one sure way to eat less, not just at that meal, but all day long.

Soups are a kind of herbal infusion, especially the way I make them, with lots of added herbs. And if you put in astragalus and shiitake, garlic and celery, you have an infusion that you can take to heart for a healthy heart.

I know you will enjoy my simple, yet complexly-flavored, stout-hearted soup. It combines the leading cholesterol-lowering foods, plus a few that keep blood pressure down and see to it that everything in the blood stream is flowing smoothly.

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way. 

Green blessings.

I awoke in the inn in Provence, stretched, and grinned as I recognized the scent of thyme tea. Whatever else was for breakfast, my day would begin with the strength and serenity of mother thyme.

Thyme is so associated with courage that courtly ladies embroidered thyme sprigs upon the scarves and kerchiefs they gave their knights to encourage them to be brave and kind-hearted as well.

Serve your knight a cup of thyme tea for breakfast, and his heart will thank you. So will his digestive system. And his brain and lungs and nervous system too.

You might want to try a cup yourself. Let a daily cup of thyme tea become a ritual of nourishing yourself and taking care of your heart.

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way. 

Green blessings.

Let me introduce you to a new seasoning: A yellow root so rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that it can improve the health of every organ in the body, including the heart, according to the ancient herbal tradition of India.

While it may be new to us, turmeric is a beloved mainstay in India and throughout the areas where it grows. The yellow of “curry powder” is turmeric.

Daily use of turmeric is more effective at reducing inflammation (and thus lowering risk of heart attack and stroke) than aspirin or ibuprofen, and as effective as the controversial prescription drug Celebrex.

It is also as effective in preventing breast cancer as tamoxifen.

Ready to get more turmeric in your diet? Try one of my favorites: turmeric eggs.  Go here for this quick and delicious recipe.

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way. 

Green blessings.

If you are concerned about cholesterol, I have some great news for you. A variety of delicious foods have been shown to be as effective at moderating cholesterol as any drug.

These foods lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (the good cholesterol). They have a positive impact on total cholesterol and triglycerides too.

And, as a bonus, most of these foods help prevent diabetes and lower blood pressure. Go here for a list of these cholesterol-lowering foods.

And remember to eat them cooked, frozen, dehydrated, fermented, or coated in oil for maximum benefit.

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way. 

Have you ever tried hibiscus punch?

This bright red drink is loaded with needed nutrients, inexpensive, beloved by children as well as adults, and pretty as, well, punch!

It is easy to make ahead and serve with a flourish: add a spring of fresh lavender or a slice of orange to dress it up or pour it right into glasses full of ice at your next barbeque.

And hibiscus punch is healthy as can be for you and your heart. It even helps counter the effects of eating those grilled hamburgers.

The sour taste of hibiscus punch is reminiscent of lemonade, especially if you add a hint of mint to your brew.

We prefer our hibiscus punch unsweetened, but you can choose the sweetened version of the punch if you prefer. Go here for both recipes.

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way. 

Green Blessings.

Mushrooms have always fascinated me.

I’m sure you know already that many mushrooms can help prevent and even cure some cancers.

But did you know that there is a mushroom that can make vitamin D after it is dried? And retain it after you cook it?

And that this mushroom is easily available, reasonably priced, simple to prepare, and delicious?!

As a bonus, this mushroom has been shown to be cardioprotective, helping to prevent heart disease and heart attack.

It goes by its Japanese name: Shiitake.

You can but fresh or dried shiitake mushrooms. You can cook them in a variety of ways. Or you can make a tasty shiitake vinegar. Just go here for the step-by-step recipe.

Enjoy!
Susun Weed
Here’s to a healthy heart to Wise Woman Way.