January 2010 Ezine Articles Archives

Greetings. 

This month I have decided to write about chamomile.  Most people are familiar with this herb as a tea.  Sadly it’s mild, slightly grassy taste means a lot of people can be quite negative about it, despite its wonderful properties.  Chamomile is common both as a herbal preparation and essential oil.  Apparently it is the 5th most popular herb. 

The recipe this month is for Clafouti.  This dessert is quite versatile, but goes particularly well with summer fruits like berries, cherries, plums and other stone fruit.  It’s best served warm from the oven, but is still quite nice cold.  In winter, it can be made with frozen berries, or even dried plums (soaked first to develop a nice plump texture).  It is quite delicious.

Wishing you many good things
Moonhawk

Chamomile
There are two main types of chamomile – Matricaria recutita (German or Blue Chamomile) and Anthemis nobilis (Roman Chamomile).  The flower heads of German Chamomile are hollow, while Roman Chamomile flowers are solid.  Both are members of the Compositae or Asteraceae family, and are small, low growing plants.  I’ve been growing chamomile for a couple of years now and the original seeding has spread to cover around 3 square metres, and continues to spread.  I don’t harvest the herb for consumption as I am unsure of the species.  Chamomile makes an excellent substitute to grass, which is why I grow it.  I look forward to the time when there is enough for me to stretch out on it and inhale the delicious scent.  Maybe next season.  

M.recutita (German/Blue Chamomile) is most commonly seen in herbal preparations and the dried flowering tops is what you find in a cup of chamomile tea.  This herb is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative and antimicrobial.  Generally it is prescribed for its calming properties, both to the nervous and the digestive systems.  This herb can be particularly useful when mixed with other herbs that may cause gastro-intestinal irritation, as it will tend to counteract the irritation. 

A word on chamomile tea.  If you want a good quality chamomile tea, then choose a loose tea that has a high proportion of flowers in it.  Good quality chamomile tea can be purchased from The Tea Centre - they sell a good quality organic chamomile tea that has lots of flowers.  T2Tea also produce good quality chamomile tea.  Chamomile tea bags are useful for travelling, but generally not the best quality you can buy.  One of the more common tea companies produces a delicious chamomile and spearmint tea bag.  The spearmint gives the tea a gentle minty flavour, and brings the benefits of spearmint as well as chamomile. 
To make chamomile tea, pour boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile.  Steep for at least 5 minutes, but no more than 10.  Sip slowly.  Honey and/or lemon can be added to make it more palatable if you don’t like the taste – or lack of taste as it is often thought to have little flavour. 
Roman and German Chamomile are also available as an essential oil, either in a pure form or as a 3% blend in jojoba.  German Chamomile essential oil has the most wonderful blue colour, particularly the pure oil.  Roman Chamomile is more straw coloured.  If someone tries to sell you German Chamomile essential oil that isn’t blue, then it isn’t German Chamomile. 

Broadly speaking, Roman Chamomile essential oil is considered to be best for the digestive system, and German Chamomile essential oil for skin conditions.  However, either can be used, and both have other uses, such as calming the nervous system, and as an analgesic. 
Both chamomiles are particularly good for easing the sting and pain of sunburn.  Make a strong chamomile tea, chill, and gently dab over the sunburn.  German Chamomile in 3% jojoba can be applied directly to sunburn.  If you have a lot of sunburn, then make a very strong tea with 1 cup of dried chamomile and 1 cup of boiling water, add to a cool bath, and give yourself a good, long soak. 
German Chamomile is particularly good for treating eczema and other skin conditions.  It is often used in a cream or lotion. 

Chamomile is particularly gentle and for this reason is often called a ‘child’s herb’.  It is gentle enough to use on infants and young children.  Please consult a trained herbalist or aromatherapist, as dosages for infants and children must be carefully calculated. 

People who are sensitive to plants in the Compositae or Asteraceae family should not use chamomile, either internally or externally.  Allergic reaction to chamomile are rare, however care still needs to be taken. 

Remember, always consult with a qualified practitioner before taking any herbs.  The NHAA and ATMS both provide lists of accredited practitioners.  The IAAMA will provide a list of accredited aromatherapists. 

References:  Medicinal Plants of the World by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink.  Herbs & Natural Supplements – an evidence based guide by Lesley Braun and Marc Cohen.  The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (2nd Edition) by Salvatore Battaglia.  Aromatherapy for Health Professionals (3rd Edition) Edited by Shirley Price and Len Price.
 

Clafouti

Pre-heat the oven to 190C.  Grease a 20cm pie dish with butter.  (I use a 1.5 litre shallow Corning Ware baking dish). 
350g berries – mixed or one type.  Raspberries, blueberries and blackberries work particularly well, as does stoned cherries.  If you choose to use stone fruit such as plums or apricots, then wash the fruit and remove the stones.  Frozen berries can be used if fresh are not available.  Thaw and drain the fruit before use. 

Make a batter with 6 large eggs, 100 g plain flour, 75g caster sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 300ml double cream, and 300ml full cream milk. 

Scatter the fruit over the base of the buttered dish.  Pour the batter over the top.  Bake for 35-45 minutes.  The clafouti is cooked when the pudding is just set in the middle.  It will rise during the cooking process, then collapse as it cools – don’t worry, this is normal.  Remove from the oven and cool for around 20 minutes.  Dust with icing sugar and serve.  I like it in its natural state, but it can be served with cream or ice-cream. 

To make a low fat version, use lite cream and skim milk.  An extra-lite version can be made with only skim milk, but it won’t be quite as lush as the full strength version. 

Dearest Jems – happy New Year!

Can you believe it that we are now in a new year – a new decade and a new phase in our lives. I love all of these fresh starts – unknown trails it sort of feels like a blank canvas with a pallet of pristine oils awaits – untouched and waiting for the perfect moment to commence our mural for the coming phase.

While I stand in readiness of this new fresco I consider some of the concepts of the past.  It is a moment of reflection while I anticipate the new.  What experiences will imbue my painting will be a black and white sketch year or a flowery mish mash of colour and texture.

Contemplation aside, do you realise that we met in person twelve years ago and have sustained our relationship with one short visit in 2007 and then maintained the flow of communication via email, telephone and this column – Jar of Jems.  I am grateful for all of the modern technological supports which facilitate our communication.

With Mercury retrograde I have become more acutely aware of subtleties of communication; tones, words, thoughts, non-verbal, interpersonal nuances along with modalities such as the channels.

You know me, Jem, I’ve always embraced technology and social networking on line.  As a matter of fact I prefer publishing Ezine rather than paper based magazines.  Even though these are my preferences I am still extremely partial to hearing your voice – listening to your gorgeous accent as you share your emotions with the rise and fall of your intonation; familiar nuances are captivating.  I hear your voice in your emails and of course this column.  The text, words, thoughts and sentences that a communicated via the cyber stands do not hold a key to our friendship – you hold the key as you are the person, a woman and my friend that is the key – your voice is the enchantment that turns the key and the written messages back and forth oscillate that key in suspended animation across thousands of miles.

Recently I’ve noticed the propensity for text messages.  Not only receiving and or sending messages but the annoying tiny beeps and how they intrude upon real life conversations.  It is like excuse me, this beep is far more important than you are right now.  Do you mind?  I’m finding this new form of communication slightly annoying.

My fear is that have we lost the art of verbal communication and human interaction?  I’m concerned that our human-ness will be lost in the coded dots and dashes (and smiley faces) in the midst of ISP and routers across the web of disconnectedness.  Humans are tactile creatures – we seek out affection and understanding from human contact. I hope that we never forget that basic premise for maintaining relationships.

In the meantime, I will LOL, ROTFL, and smiley face – cu later in cyberspace!

Your cyber handshaking friend
Jar

Dear JAR STAR,

Happy New Year! I sit here writing, just minutes short of the moment when we will no longer exist within the 2009 vibration. Beam me up, Scotty!
Tonight we are gazing at what we call a “blue moon,” called such because the full moon has occurred twice in the same month. I believe that January will offer us that same unusual phenomenon. Wow, twice in a row! The eclipse that is also occurring tonight is taking place at 10 degrees of Cancer, and that is significant for me, since it is conjuncting my natal Uranus. Instead of feeling nostalgic and reminiscent, I’m experiencing the desire to break free from the connections to the past. I feel like shedding the skins that no longer fit.

We are indeed wiping the canvas clean, and beginning anew. A new decade – can you believe it? As I read your letter, I reviewed my memory bank and took inventory. It is a lovely reality to know that we have been friends for such a long time, in spite of the physical distance. I remember when we first met, I did not have a computer, and did not know a thing about email. I depended on snail mail to get my messages to you, and you were very patient and we continued to communicate the “old fashioned” way. It was a conscious choice, however, since at the time I was also raising a young daughter, and we wanted her to concentrate on developing interpersonal relationships rather than be constantly sitting in front of a screen. Eventually my brother bestowed upon us the gift of a computer, and it has changed our lives in ways beyond description. Of course now I wonder what I did without it!

I know that with the passage of time many new ways to communicate have come on the scene, but I am reluctant to give up my “human connection.” One of my nieces lived in a dormitory at college, and was on the computer much of the time. She and her floor mates would IM each other instead of walking the ten steps to the other side of the room or next door!
 I do not carry a cell phone to talk on, and feel quite uncomfortable with texting, particularly when I see folks behind the wheel typing away when they should be watching the road. I also do not do Facebook, although I have been invited to participate on more than one occasion. I am simply not attracted to the mass marketing of my personal life! I enjoy receiving personal messages from friends and family and look forward to finding the antiquated light blinking on my home phone letting me know someone called. I also think that the art of writing letters is becoming a lost art, (emphasis on “writing”.)  Just the same way that looking at the lines in a persons face can indicate the life map and character of a person, the handwriting is an important indicator of a person’s state of mind and being. The curve of the letters, the flourishes, the dots and dashes that decorate our style is all a part of receiving and perceiving the essence of a person.

I think about our fine motor skills too – typing is percussion, and we learn to tap our way to communicate, much like the native aboriginal drums. But the relationship of hand to pen to paper is more like tatting lace – very fine lines created with the movement of the fingers helps to develop and keep the connective tissue and joints fluid and supple. There is also a development of mental acuity that go along with the skill of forming delicate shapes.

I am grateful for the inventions of telephone, computer, interactive TV – they have helped to save lives and brought the world closer together in many ways.
However, I am leery of becoming too dependent upon technology and eliminating the ‘process’ in favor of the ‘goal’.
I have recently heard the reference to over-dependence on technology, computers, and instant everything as the “New Atlantis” – what a thought – the idea that the cyber world will expand too far and wide for humans to keep it up and ultimately crash and sink to the bottom of the sea, leaving us to the wits we have neglected in the process of disseminating our power.

But! While our Atlantis is still thriving and we have access to this marvelous machine we call Computer, allow me to utilize it to the fullest! I wish you a very Happy New Year, and may our relationship continue to thrive and blossom through thick and thin!

Hugs and Peace,

JEM

Happy New Year Cosmic Cousins and Celestial Travellers!

Here we are in a new and exciting year.  Our sun sign is Capricorn.  Capricorn rules the tenth house of career, business and public recognition.

Complimenting the Capricorn Sun sign phase, the year begins with a Full Moon lunar eclipse 11 degrees Cancer at 6:12am that highlights the importance of work/life balance.  Domestic dreams demand attention as you realise action is needed if you want to create your ideal home life this year.  Venus aligns with this Full Moon helping you find balance and compromise with significant others.  Mars retrograde suggests turning your attention inwards.  Explore your motivations and desires – you may be surprised by the homely truths.  Use your new awareness to adjust future plans.

Then January 15 a New Moon eclipse 26 degrees Capricorn.  Relationship themes are in focus, with an abundance of opportunities for new direction and affection.  The new Moon in Capricorn highlights ambitions and goals, helping you see a clear path.  Mentors and authority figures may unexpectedly step back from their roles.  A potent Mercury/Pluto link indicates new possibilities for truth as hidden facts come to light.  Information has power, so share what you know wisely.

These two lunar alignments start this year off with a warning that change is on its way.  Cancer is associated with mother/home/family and of course nurturing and emotional realm.  Whereas Capricorn is the work/career/goal oriented sign so you can see the platform for the interplay between these two opposing aspects.

Finally, January 30 a Full Moon at 5:17pm 11 degrees Leo.  This Full Moon signifies a release of dramatic creative energy.  Physical energy reaches a peak that demands expression.  New outlets for creative and passionate energy are easy to find.  With Mars still retrograde, revisiting the past, particularly around family matters, helps you find motivation to move forward.

2010 is a number three year which is Jupiter ruled.  Communication, short journeys and travel are highlighted throughout this year.  Remember to reduce the numbers into a single digit.  And if you want to know what your personal year is then add your day and month to the auspicious number three.  I am about to experience a number three personal year which aligns to this universal three so there should be lots of surprises and opportunities to expand my networks.  I will keep you posted throughout the year.

January is a number one month.  Yes, that is right it is time to focus on new beginnings and fresh starts.  I guess that is why we look at New Year resolutions and goal setting.  Try and make your goals/wishes realistic and consider small chunks on the ladder to success.  This way it does not seem like an overwhelming hike up the mountain.  Also, the rungs give you a moment to celebrate short term successes.

This month our animal totem is the frog.  Frogs represents cleansing. Frog's song calls down the cleansing power of the rain. Frog is a reminder of the sacred power of tears to transform and cleanse away sorrow. Frogs will die if away from moisture for too long, and thus Frog reminds us to refresh ourselves, and allow joy to moisten our lives and our hearts. If you are feeling "muddied" by the world, take a moment to dream, to laugh and cry and renew yourself. Frog also reminds us to cleanse our bodies, our environments and our auric fields http://serioussilver.com/totemenergy/frog.html .

Our journey into the tarot takes us to The Nine of Wands. When we reach deep inside ourselves, with a heart that is unafraid and accepting, we will discover new depths of strength and power. These deep reaches of wisdom, which lay dormant within the subconscious until we are brave enough to search them out, will bring balance and equilibrium. And from new centredness will arise an unshakeable trust in ourselves that will carry us forward through life.     

It's true that when we travel deep inside ourselves, we will also find material that we might prefer to leave unacknowledged - but the 9 of Wands, Lord of Strength, reminds us that in being true to ourselves we release energies that will help us to deal with whatever we find within. And after all, whatever lies inside our own subconscious is, for better or for worse, a part of us.    

When the 9 of Wands turns up in a reading, we can be re-assured that we have what it takes to get by. Even in times of stress and difficulty, inner strength will rise up to guide us forward toward our goals. And in the process we shall learn more about ourselves and our abilities, gaining a new all-round perspective which brings security and self-confidence.       

This card tells us to trust ourselves. We have everything we need. There is no necessity to analyse nor question. And absolutely no excuse to give in to doubt! http://www.angelpaths.com/wands/wands9.html

Our Goddess for January is In Greek mythology, Gaia is the Earth goddess, the personification of the Earth; the goddess of the land and everything produced by it. The "deep-breasted," the first being to emerge from Chaos. (The primordial void that existed before order became imposed on the universe and from which all created things proceeded, including the gods. Chaos had several children with himself, such as Erebus and Nyx as well as Eros and Gaia). She was creatrix of the universe, the first race of gods, and mankind.   

She gave birth to Uranus, the sky, and Pontus, the sea. She then mated with her son Uranus to produce the 12 Titans, the Cyclops and finally three monsters. Uranus, horrified at his offspring, shut them in the depths of the earth. Gaia, infuriated, persuaded her youngest male Titan, Cronus, to castrate Uranus (ouch) as he slept beside her. The blood dripping on the earth gave birth to Erinyes, to giants and to the ash-tree nymphs the Meliae. The blood dripping on the water gave birth to Aphrodite.  

The Oracle of Delphi, before it passed to Apollo, belonged to Gaia, who was preeminent among prophetesses. She presided over marriages, was invoked in oaths, and was offered the first of fruits and grains http://www.earthwitchery.com/gaia.html .   

Our crystal for January is Capricorn and I have offered several stones such as: The Onyx, Amber, Ruby, and Azurite Potential: The Capricorn sign is known for its organizational ability and desire for useful service. Many Capricorns have a secret wish to reach the top of the corporate ladder and have the discipline to do so. The Onyx is the stone needed to support the Capricorn drive while Amber is the stone that can link that drive with the vitality it needs to thrive (the Ruby's specialty) – promoting exemplary leadership. Only after the desired status is reached, will the Capricorn individual explore the more spiritual realms of life. For this purpose, it is the Azurite that would prove to be most useful. It can help the Capricorn soul unleash his intuition and connect to his inner wisdom. 

Thank you for your continuing support and loyalty to Harlequin’s Haven.  Let’s capitalize on the expansive and positive potential of 2010 – together.  

Happy New Year!
Harles

Green Back Pack – Nelson Bay

I’m all flushed in a green glow.  There’s a stirring in my cavity I just can’t explain.  With a rustling of belongings and packing of familiar travel items I know we’re off again.

Damn, bugger, poo – I’m lumped in the back with you know who?  She is such a Princess it infuriates me to my zippers.  Don’t they get it?  I’m such an important part of their lives it is beneath me to travel with a flea bag.  I think I will just sit here and pout.

Oh lookie there we are crossing the border heading north. Gosh, I wonder where we are headed.  It must be a long trip as the boot is filled with a lot less important cargo – you know cosmetic bag, cosy bags and assorted totes.  I’m so glad that I wasn’t created like them – how boring – no personality and certainly no mind of their own.  Anyhow, we’re off on another adventure.

Grunt, snorkel – what – where are we?  And what time is it?  Crikey it must be nearly midnight – where did those hours go?

The early morning bird calls jolt me out of a peace sleep.  Why is the world so bombarded with creatures flying between trees?  Mistress is up for her early morning ritual – coffee and journal writing.  I’m sure she is writing about me – my flaps burst with pride as she looks over – yes, it’s definitely true it is about me – I just knew it!

Here we are in Nelson Bay.  Where the bloody hell is Nelson Bay?  Oh, a holiday – well, why didn’t you say before?  You know how much I like holidays?  It’s my favourite time and even more importantly, it brings me closer to the Goddess <grin>.

The days filled with special interludes blend into one happy week of memories.  The walks on the beach and around the coastline are my favourite time, of course.  We put on the walking shoes and flip flops and hats a little sunscreen of course.  This coastal town has a lot to offer, by golly and the Mistress and her family are indulging the sites like a starving man at a banquet.

Sunday 25 April 2009 and there is a sombre feeling in the town.  Family speaks in hushed and respectful tones and move quietly throughout the morning preparation.  It is Anzac Day and you can feel the honour and pride floating throughout the air – consideration is given to those who gave their lives so we might live in freedom and peace – what a price?  “We shall remember them!”

The week unfolds with lots of chatter and loving familial conversation.  This family is so loving and warm – no wonder I chose them to be my adoptive family.

The Mistress is my favourite, of course, she is the one person in the world who can see inside the “real me”.  She gives me a voice – and brings my intellectual observations to the world.  Where would I be without her – I perish the thought.  Now, I’m not the one for being soppy but she is my source of inspiration and the meaning to my existence.  Anyhow, that’s enough of the mushy stuff.

Friday is by far the best day of the holiday jaunt.  We took off early and packed for a mini adventure.  Water bottles, sun screens and cameras – oh nooo – it can’t be happening you guessed it – the rabid flea bag – gruff, grunt, pout!

We took a ferry ride across the bay to Tea Gardens.  The pathetic flea bag quivered on top of Mistress’s lap (normally my sacred spot).  She’s a right manipulator; you know getting far too much attention for my liking.

I got lumped up into an overhead wire basket and was left there all forgotten and lonely.  Hullo, look at this I can see way off into the distance from up here – not so bad after all.

Dolphins swam close to our boat as we rolled and rocked gently across the watery highway.  Fishermen lined the shore hopeful that some suicidal creature would latch on.  Two majestic sea eagles were the centurions of the bay – perched high above the everglades – offering a regal sign post.

The day was filled with great food, lots of laughter and documented with happy snaps.  After we docked back at Nelson Bay it was a quick packing of the car and we were headed back home gain.  Exhausted and too tormented from the trip back home I am too tired to recall the trip but you can guarantee I’ll see you again soon for another Green Back Pack adventure.

Your mate,

Greenie