Goji Berry Breakfast Bars

These are one of my favorite Bars. They are great as a snack food and or breakfast on the run. You want to plan ahead when you are making these because you do need to soak the buckwheat groats for 6-8- hours. I like to get a few bowls ready the night before to prepare for the soaking process.

I tend to keep these on the lower sugar index just because I enjoy things less sweet. So make sure you taste test the batter to see if you might like them sweeter. Be careful when adding more sweetener to your recipe because once they are dehydrated the sugar is then concentrated in the flavor. They are really good. Feel free to change the ingredients as blueberries, cranberries, or other dried fruit can add great variations to these bars.

2 cups organic Buckwheat Groats, soaked 6-8 hours

1 cup Pumpkin Seeds, soaked in 2 cups water 2-4 hours

1/2 cup Flax Seeds, soaked in 1 cup water

1/2 cup Flax Seeds ground

1/2 c. Goji Berries soaked in 1-1/2 cups water for a 1/2 to 1 hour

1-cup Raisins, soaked in 2 cups water 1/2 hour

6 large Dates, pitted (Medjool dates)

4 tbsp Raw Honey, maple syrup or agave nectar

2 droppers full of Chocolate Raspberry Liquid Stevia by Sweet Leaf

1 tbsp non-alcohol Vanilla extract

2 tbsp Raw Cacao Powder

3 tbsp Raw Cacao Nibs (note: grind with the flax seeds)

2 tsp Cinnamon

Pinch of Gray Sea Salt

1/2 cup hulled Hemp Seeds or sesame seeds

Put buckwheat groats in a large bowl and fill to the top with purified water. The buckwheat will more than double in size as it expands, so use enough water to keep it fully under water.

I like to rinse the buckwheat periodically to keep the water fresh.

Rinse soaked buckwheat thoroughly after soaking six to eight hours.

Soak pumpkin seeds in 2 cups water for 2 - 4 hours. Drain and rinse.

Soak 1/2 cup flax seeds in 1-cup water for 15-20 minutes or until saturated. (The flax seeds will absorb all or most of the water).

Soak Goji Berries in purified water for a 1/2 to 1 hour. Drain.

Soak raisins in 2 cups water 1/2 hour. Drain.

Soak dates in 1/2-cup fresh water for 5 - 10 minutes or until soft. Drain the soak water.

Grind the remaining 1/2-cup flax seeds and 3 tbsp raw cacao nibs in a coffee grinder or blender until powdered. Set aside.

In a food processor or blender chop pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, dates, honey or maple syrup, vanilla, cacao powder, cinnamon and sea salt.

With a rubber spatula, in a large mixing bowl, mix in hemp seeds or sesame seeds, ground flax seed, cacao nibs and add the mixture from the food processor or blender and stir well. Fold in soaked buckwheat groats, Goji berries and raisins. If too wet add more ground flax seeds. The texture should be sticky, but the mixture should be able to hold a shape when processed. Using wet hands or a Wilton 13 Inch Angled Spatula With Black Handle spread the mixture 1/4 inch evenly onto parchment paper or on Teflex dehydrator sheets. Use a pizza cutter and cut into 2x3 inch bars.




Dehydrate at 130 degrees for the first hour then turn down to 118 degrees. Dry 4-6 hours or until you can flip them over (take another tray and place on top and flip) and take the parchment paper or Teflex dehydrator sheets off and then dry for another 4 hours or until completely dried.
Store uneaten bars in the freezer in glass storage containers.

Makes about 40 bars.
There are several manufactures that provide great dehydrators. Any model will work, but I prefer the stainless steel over the plastic. They should also have a thermostat so you can control the temperature if you are concerned about keeping your bars raw.

Spring Planting

I know that I may be a little late, but I started my garden vegetables last week in seedling trays. Since the spring rain last night they are beginning to emerge through the soil. It is so exciting watching their progress every day. Seems like the broccoli and cauliflower is faster germinating then the tomatoes and peppers.

I also planted all my greens directly into the soil. It took me three hours to get all the greens planted. I may be pushing my luck a little since we still are not completely safe from frost. I expect I may have to get up early and water everything if we get a frost. There is nothing like having your own food that you know is organically grown with love. Love is the most neglected ingredient in today's food supply and knowing you grew you own food really makes a difference. This should be the primary health care plan for everyone is to grow their own food. I will post some photographs so you can see the progress.

Chaga And Reishi as Immune builders

Chaga also contains betulin and betulinic acid, unique immune-supportive compounds which further distinguish this mushroom as a longevity tonic herb of the highest order. Betulin and betulinic acid exhibit properties similar to the triterpenes found in Reishi, working to build the strength of the liver and reduce inflammation. If greater health benefits are desired in these areas, then Chaga and Reishi may easily be combined in any healing program containing medicinal herbs and other superfoods.

What Are Toxins and How Do They Affect You?

There has been a great deal of talk lately about health care reform. Unfortunately, they are only trying to address the financial aspect, which primarily benefits insurance companies and the medical and drug industry. For a nation that takes its healthcare so serious, there is something seriously wrong with the health of its people and that is not really being addressed. In 2007, more than 90 million Americans live with chronic illness, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ”The prolonged course of illness and disability from such chronic diseases as diabetes and arthritis results in extended pain and suffering and decreased quality of life for millions of Americans.”

While many modern conveniences have enabled us to do more in less time, they have taken a significant toll on both our bodies and our overall health. Recently a study conducted by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and designed to examine the effects of toxic exposure found an average of 91 industrial compounds, pollutants and toxic chemicals in the blood and urine of every person tested. Even more disturbing is the fact that the majority of those toxins can remain in the body for years, even decades. If you think you live in a non-toxic area, think again. We live in a county that is virtually covered several times a year with herbicides, fungicides and insecticide, all designed to kill something. This all ends up in your water table, in your food you grow and in the animals you feed. Then we eat and drink all of it. Generally, toxins don’t have an immediate effect on you, but over time it can manifest itself in all forms of degenerative disease.

“We’re living in a toxic soup of polluted air, water, food and electromagnetic toxins,” observes Dr. Leonard Smith of Gainesville, Florida, referring to the large number of pollutants the body encounters daily. He explains that this daily exposure to harmful chemicals inhibits the natural detoxification process carried out by the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowel, lymphatic system, skin and blood – collectively referred to as the seven channels of elimination. “All of these organs work together to eliminate toxins,” say Dr. Smith, “When they don’t do their job, toxins get stuck in the organs and cause trouble for the cells. Cells under stress tend to work less efficiently.”
Not surprising, all of this toxic exposure has resulted in the overwhelming number of Americans living with chronic diseases. Today, medical establishments worldwide have recognized that no matter how pure your lifestyle, your body will inevitably absorb toxins. According to Dr. Vasquez, “Detoxification needs must be addressed daily since toxic exposure occurs daily.”
I’ve have seen an increase in awareness among people that at some level, their poor health is caused by an imbalance between the toxins they ingest and the toxins they eliminate,” Many natural health practitioners recommend a total-body cleanse at the beginning of each new season. The most effective products typically contain an organ detoxification formulas well as a natural colon cleanse.

Herbs often used to support the liver include milk thistle, artichoke, dandelion and turmeric, while corn silk may be included to promote healthy kidney function. Chlorella, hawthorn, larch gum and ashwagandha (also known as Indian ginseng) support the blood and lymph, and mullein and red clover are often included to help expel toxins (trapped in mucus) from the lungs. Red clover and burdock root support the cleansing of the skin.

To make this easier for everyone, there are many products on the market that combine these ingredient into a simple daily cleanse that eliminates the need to know and understand what each product does for your elimination system. Many of these products are available locally at Sweet Cicely and soon they will also be available online at http://www.sweetcicely.com/. Get you started on your health plan today and start eliminating those excess toxins from your system.

Where Has All Your Freedoms Gone?

I am sure by this time everyone has hear of the thirteen year old boy here in Minnesota that is forced to take chemotherapy. The key word here is forced. Now I understand that the boy is in the custody of his parents who are suppose to make the right decision for their child and yes everyone wants the best for the child. The question is what is really the best thing for him? Since we have a monotheistic medical industry and I emphasis the word industry here since it is and is designed as a for profit business. By monotheistic, I mean we really, according to law, only have one choice and if you decide that you would like a different choice you are subject to legal prosecution. In the "Land of The Free" where have all our freedoms gone.

People often complain about the cost of health care, but no one really wants to discuss the real issue and that is that there is no competition to lower your costs. When you have an industry protected by law to be the one and only choice for your health care you can imagine what you will be charged.

With the cost aside for a moment, I know through personal experience that there are many options for your health care that can be just as effective as the protected industry, but we cannot legally say what they are without fear of legal prosecution. Nor, as we find out from recent news articles that we can refuse it. When did we give up our rights. There is a reason that you are admitted to the hospital. Admission is a voluntary condition, once you are admitted to the hospital, you have just given up your rights to allow the medical staff to make the best choices for you that they feel necessary based on their knowledge and information. We assume that they know better than we do and in many cases this is true, but not all. I have found that most medical professionals have a very poor understanding of nutrien and dietary health.

What do you think? Are you willing to give up your rights to have the freedom to make your own choices? Let me know.

Sweet Cicely Attends Health Expo in Pine Island Minnesota

It was a perfect weekend for attending a trade show. Rain, rain and more rain. It may have kept some of the people from attending, but we sure had a great time with those who did attend. The event was attended by Douglas Raiche, Rhonda Osberg and Debra Raiche.

There were great venders there that had great information to offer and to learn from. I learned a great deal about some new products that I am evaluating to carry in the store. There was a women that was selling products that contained silver which help to kill bacteria. Silver has long been known to eliminate bacteria and protect against disease. She was selling cleaning products, tooth brushes and other items that can be used to protect you and your family against unwanted germs. A great idea and extremely valuable as we are under the threat of the Mexican Swine Flu.

We were there promoting our Elements For Life products along with our Moxxor product. Both items are a multi-level marketing companies that sell some of the best products on the market for good nutritian and health. If you are working to increase more raw food into your diet, these products are great for you. Being a young company, it is also a great way to start your own cottage industry by selling these products also. If interested, contact me through this blog and I can sign you up or sell you products whichever you prefer.