Fruits and Veggies In Season This May

Recently I've had the joy of being able to plant, prune and harvest organic vegetables in season. Since then I'm obsessed with in-season fruit and veg because it tastes better and leaves you fulfilled nutritionally you eat less because your body feels better about what you're eating. I also enjoy trying out new foods and seeing what they taste like freshly picked instead of freshly packed.

In the month of April/May I managed to get my hands on some rhubarb (I made a rhubarb crumble, asparagus with wild garlic leaves and roasted herby celeriac.

I've really been enjoying apricots and plums which are fresh and juicy this time of year as well! Also spring greens, sorrel, radishes, pak choi, lettuce, various potatoes, cabbage, pomegranate, grapefruit are just a few.  Check out some more in season food here.

Be Happy
Be Healthy 
Be Unified 
Be You!

Thanks For Reading!

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How Did I Become A Holistic Health Blogger?

HOLISTIC LIVING & YOU

On the 1st March 2013, I officially turned plant based vegan. What that meant for me at the time, even I didn't entirely know. I had someone in my life at the time who wanted to go completely cold turkey and it was not only a drastic but very shocking transition. Just under 4 years later, looking at what I've accomplished since then is amazing.

When I first turned vegan I wanted to change my life 360, I wanted the opportunity to study and cleanse myself and totally channel my energy inwards. I began detoxing monthly and eating mostly raw for the first 6 months. Which spelled body weakness and having to adjust to a 2 stone lighter me, although my energy levels hit the roof, my skin cleared up and  I lost a lot of excess toxicity. My brain fog disappeared and all I wanted to do every day was put pen to paper and write. Which leads me to the title.

HOW DID I BECOME A HOLISTIC HEALTH BLOGGER?

Well, to begin with, it comes with no strict criteria, I've learnt spiritually and mentally about the wholeness of holistic living all by myself, a a natural life is a simple life, in my culture living holistically is how our ancestors lived. But it all really started from taking my journal online with me, from pen and paper to screen and keypad. The blog naturally becomes itself. 

Not everyone likes to read... over time I have noticed that unless you're really old and wealthy. A lot of people don't like reading anymore, remember that blogging should be for you first and not just your audience. Write about something you specialise in and live for every day. 

Having a blog or website to represent your personality, knowledge and findings is too priceless not just for yourself but the people around you and kiss goodbye to lengthy job applications, one look at your portfolio of work and businesses can see your speciality.

DID YOU KNOW I OFFER WRITING SERVICES...

Whether it be for transcribing those important notes, SEO optimisation, Content Writing, Online Advertising, Copywriting for all of your document specialist needs you can contact me! It's really what I do...

 Contact me via my contact form.

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Autumn Is Here

Autumn is approaching on the 22nd September and I can't help but enjoy the beautiful changes in nature and on the planet. Now is the time for us to enjoy our favourite berries (rosehips above) and harvest our luscious herbs and vegetables. Root vegetables begin to thrive as the beautiful autumn leaves greet the pavements. 

Now is the time to mix your herbal medicine concoctions of raw honey, orange, onions and garlic. It's time to light some beeswax candles and re-align yourself with all your surroundings. Get out those comfy jumpers and blankets and enjoy herbal teas to keep you cosy at sunset. Autumn is full of curiosity and wonder. Here are some pictures I took on a foraging walk in Enfield, London. Taking in my surroundings and observing the natures changes from flower blossoms turning to berries. Here they are!

Horsetail, retail price is £8 per mini bottle. A great tonic for colon and hair!

Hawthorn berries are good for coughs and colds when made into a syrup

Stinging Nettle Seeds great for alcohol and good for energy drinks!

Dock leaves are nature's cabbage, once cooked down with lots of seasonings to avoid the bitter taste!

;)

I can't help but scream the amazing things I have planned for the blog in the next few months, just in the planning stages! Stay tuned!

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Nettles (Urtica Dioica) The Forgotten Superfood

Nettle has been used for many years and in history treasured amongst most city dwellers. The entire plant may be used for medicinal purposes and it tastes/cooks much like spinach. Aside from childhood memories to avoid nettles at all costs. Nettle possesses great benefits for skin problems, infections, and even bed wetting, it has been used to treat coughs, assist milk production for pregnant women and as a tonic to promote overall wellbeing.

Nettles remain one of the safest medicinal herbs to use, with fewer side effects then perscription medication and its grows all around London!

Nettles are completely harmless aside from their stinging syringes that inject a histamine-like substance into your skin. These substances are irritating nonetheless great for bee stings, insect bites and treating any poison like substances, it stimulates your natural antihistaminic response increasing white blood cells. 

Despite its piercing defense, the plant is rich in chlorophyll, and a good source of beta-carotene ; vitamins A, C, and E; tannins; iron ; calcium ; phosphates; and various other minerals. Nettle grows in nitrogen and phosphorus-rich soils, it's a great natural fertiliser too! 

FACTS ABOUT NETTLES

1. A gentle body detoxifier, especially for the digestive system and lymphatic system. 
2. Good for pregnant women in labour
3. Good for menstruation and menopause
4. Good blood builder and good for circulation suggested for anemic people
5. A powerful anti-inflammatory
6. Strengthens the immune system
7. Good for bone health
8. Good for respiratory issues
9. Great for kidneys and gallbladder issues
10. Great for skin especially acne, age spots, and blemishes
11. Nettles are a superfood high in vitamins C, Iron, calcium and more protein than soya.
12. The stinging syringes are said to be a cure for baldness and hair loss
13. All natural durietic and pain killer
14. It is said to stimulate hair growth and improve quality of hair 
15. Nettle was used to make fabric before cotton in the UK, German army uniforms were woven from nettle fibers in world war 1.
16. Fresh nettle juice leaves are used to treat asthma 
17. Nettles help keep produce fresh, everything from fruit to meat, it prevents mold from growing and keeps bacteria away from nearby plants 
18. Fresh nettle was placed on the skin, for joint pain, rheumatism, and even gout. 
19. 2.7g of protein per 100grams 

NETTLES HAVE BEEN USED TO TREAT

Alzheimer's,Arthritis,Asthma,Bladder Infections,Bronchitis, Gingivitis, Gout, Hives, Kidney stones, allergies, multiple sclerosis, PMS , sciatica, baldness, internal bleeding, anemia, heavy menstruation, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, skin complaints.

Nettles work very well as a survival food, thanks to their high-quality protein content and high levels of nutrients. Nettles can contain up to 25% protein by dry weight. A complete protein, with a good mix of essential amino acids. Nettle protein is easily digestible.

Dry on a sheet and use in nettle tea, great for allergies especially hay fever, also good for heavy periods.Or make into dumplings, old English nettle soups were popular too. I love to use mine in stir fries or steamed salad toppings/ stock. Much like spinach it boils down so always get a full bag and season well! The Nettle seeds taste much like coffee and are good for an energy boost too! The root can be used as a dye. 

Don't pick nettles that are flowering like the image on the left. Instead, pick the young leaves at the top of younger plants, these are the most tender nettles which appear in spring and can be harvested until the end of July before the leaves start to fill with crystals of calcium carbonate which can be gritty and unpleasant.

The entire plant is so useful! Yet so unappreciated.

This is not evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

References: Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine | 2005 | Hanrahan, Clare; Frey, RebeccaCOPYRIGHT 2005 The Gale Group, Inc.

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How To Live Within Your Means

We all have too many things, too many belongings. Way more then we could ever use or need. We hoard things and keep things in case we may need it in the future. We live in a consumerist society. Any material thing you need is easily accessible and always available, at your local shop or shipped to your door. We all behave as though the finite natural resources we have will last forever, much like having good health when you are young. 

The earth's magnetic field is deteriorating, there a gaping holes in the ozone layer, increasing earthquakes and sinkholes, not to mention the global temperature rising, animals are facing extinction at the fastest rate known to man. It would not be far fetched to say, you should know at least some of these things. 

So how can you make a difference?

Start small, do what you can do instead of nothing at all. Here are a few of my tips to start living within your means: 

Recycling

Keep 2 bins in your house and 2 bins outside. One for recycling and one for non recycling. You'll find that the bin used for recycling will fill up much quicker then the other one, so eventually I used my other one for food waste.

Keep a small sealed food waste bin. Keeping in mind that a lot of your food scraps can either be regrown, composted or eaten by pets which would also be a good way of living within your means. Throw away anything that will decompose inside this bin, you can buy counter top ones if your not going to eat that much.

Reusing Things 

I do this with everything including cosmetic and make up bottles. Sometimes I buy products just for the containers, you'd be surprised at the amount of household items that have reusable packaging even if you don't like the product. Old honey jars or sweet jam jars, lip gloss containers, I favour anything in a glass container, because glass containers preserve things very well. 

Do It Yourself

It's actually better for you to consider making your own cosmetic products or at least buying it from small businesses that do. Traditionally many cultures across the world, made their own cosmetic products and passed the knowledge down to the later generations. Buying toothpaste in tube or shower gel soap in a bottle was unheard of. It's healthier and ecofriendly, to do it yourself.

Giving To The Needy

Face it, we all have way more then we actually need. My simple rule is if I cannot fit all my belongings into the storage I have (with extra space left over), then I have too much. If I don't use something weekly or monthly I don't need it. Apply this rule to all your belongings and give them to people who need them, you'll be surprised how easy they are to replace when you do. You should be able to fit all your precious belongings on your back to carry around with you, any more then that and you have too much. 

I usually give to charity every season, so 4 times a year because of how easy it is nowadays to accumulate things.

 Support Small Businesses/Charity Shops

Buy Reusable Bags

I have always reused plastic bags, but the time has come to buy some quality reusable bags and actually remember to use them for shopping, no more purchasing plastic bags that ruin the environment.

Get On Your Bike

Cycling more, if your only going somewhere local within a 5 mile radius, try cycling. It's fulfilling, it gives your body a good work out and you actually learn more about where you live, scenic routes, different bike paths, small shops etc.

Eat Vegan

Plant based eating is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint, the amount of manufacturing that meat has to go through to get to our shops is ridiculous. It's also by far much easier to grow produce then farm animals. If you had to hunt or farm your own food, this would be a much easier decision for you to make.

Grow Your Own Food

Which leads to my last tip. If you have a garden or even just a sunny window seal. Grow your own food, there are really no excuses, change your food with the season and taste the difference between the GMO versions that are sold in the shops. Start with spring onions, celery or leeks, try herbs that grow easily if your unsure where to start check out my article on growing food at home

Ultimately the more self sustainable you are, the lower your carbon footprint. Try to live within your means, for the planets sake and your own.

Thanks For Reading

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Urban Farming Part 3: Foraging

Around the beginning of June, I started potting some of my vegetable scraps routinely, it was great to see them grow and flourish. At the time, I really did believe they were coming into harvest. In July they, were growing fast but far from being ready for harvest. Everything looked promising until mid-way through August.

This year we had virtually no summer over here in the UK. I waited it out as long as possible but growing food anywhere in the London area probably didn't work out well. Apart from cloudy humidity in July I can pretty much count on one hand a number of days, we have had summery weather acceptable for this time of year. We've had constant rain and temperature highs of around 10 degrees, to be honest. My winter coats never made it into storage and unfortunately even with a lot of help with fertiliser, my harvest couldn't weather the conditions. 

I considered UV lamp lighting which I already have for an African tortoise I used to have but, electricity bills would skyrocket and just didn't make sense for a few onions celery and lettuce. My Spring onions and leek did really well, the only thing I believe I could have done better is to plant everything a lot earlier. As June is really the start of summer and not spring.

Rose Hips

On a much better note, I have been cycling the past few months. While commuting I found new nature reserves and hide away bike paths, which a full-time driver like myself, never even knew existed. We found everything from local apple trees, pear trees, and plum trees. Blueberries and berries galore. Which made me consider foraging. The wild wheat is flourishing at the marshes by the river lee that runs through my town and there are so many types of berries and leafy greens that can be used as herbs, or in salads and also have certain anti-parasitic and detoxing properties. So far we've been foraging for all of the above and rose hips, which are great for the skin and anti-fungal. Easy to make into a tea and quite mild and tasty if I don't say so myself ;)

Sloes 

Now since I have a lot to learn about foraging (there are many poisonous berries to avoid) I will keep updating. But what I like most about the idea of foraging is that it's always readily available, natural and completely pure, heirloom no pesticides or artificial tampering at all. What you pick has grown and flourished all on it's on with only nature's assistance. 

Update coming soon!

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Growing Food At Home 2 - Potting

This article is a continuation to my introduction of the urban farming series 'Why Growing Food At Home Just Got Easier' . I am so pleased with the progress of my young budding vegetables and I am also a lot wiser now on how to sprout vegetables before potting them!  Important things to note are;

Don't leave lettuce's on the window sill (especially in summer)

Don't assume that all vegetables need a large amount of light, some of my vegetables burnt and after awhile stopped growing. An ideal spot for your vegetables is where they can get direct light far away from the window(which means they can get some shade to).

When your vegetables stop growing (or start browning) Somethings Wrong! 

Whenever your vegetables look odd, or stop growing don't assume they need fertiliser or more water, its instead a surefire sign that they need better growing conditions!

Use good potting soil and consider companion planting 

If you have a wide range of growing vegetables it saves space and some vegetables compliment each others growth!

Organic vegetables grow a lot faster then supermarket bought organic vegetables.

I planted some more vegetables in glass jars again, following these rules. I got much better growth! They'll be ready to pot soon.. 

Just 5 Days

Organic Farmers Lettuce

 Bok Choy (Chinese Cabbage)

In the background you can see my 1st vegetable scraps forming a mini-forest! 

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Growing Food At Home

Since spring started I've been thinking a lot about growing my own herb garden out of old jars and even old boots, but somehow summer is fast approaching and I still haven't brought myself to buying the right seeds and soil etc. One day I was preparing one of my favourite vegan dishes, when it dawned on me that a lot of the vegetables I'm eating can simply be regrown from the leftover roots and vegetable cuttings.

Now I'm no expert at growing my own food, but I know, that the UK climate is a bit on the cold and cloudy side. So it's not necessarily the right temperature to grow my favourite foods outside, plus its not convenient for me in an apartment. So why not try it indoors?

Being a tree hugger living in London. I appreciate having 10 Aloe's around the house along with other indoor plants, that provide a fresh smell and detoxify the polluted air. So in my head I'm imagining having a row of romaine lettuce's, spring onions and celery's at home to graise away, to my hearts content. But I'm sure yet if that's even realistic.

01/06/2015 - After 2 days - All the bright green leaves and shoots are brand new.

Tesco's Organic Romaine Lettuce 

 Tesco's Organic Celery

Tesco's Organic White Onions

Tesco's Organic Leek

Tesco's Organic Spring Onion 

I'm so impressed with my findings. I went to my local supermarket and bought my usual groceries. I usually eat about 2 heads of lettuce in a few days, so I prepared this, and put the roots in some glass almond butter jars I had collected.(Making sure to leave some green bits above the root - which has more chlorophyll encouraging quicker growth) and added some bottled water. Throughout the week I planted the roots of my spring onions, normal bulb onions, romaine lettuce, celery and leek. The results after just 2 weeks are mind blowing, it takes minimum effort and just imagine the yield if I took care of this all year round!

08/06/2015 - After 1 week

Romaine Lettuce

White Onion Bulb

16/06/2015 - After 2 weeks 

My 2 Celery's (I'm all sentimental now)

My 2 Spring Onions & 2 Onion Bulbs

Leek 

Romaine Lettuce

After seeing this it made me wonder, if more and more of us collectively plant our vegetable roots and seeds every spring/summer or even throughout the year indoors, would we have to buy vegetables so regularly from the grocery stores? Would eating vegetables become as simple as cutting it from the flourishing batch in your own home? Not to mention it takes little maintenance, spring/summertime to say the least, it makes getting your 5 a day so much easier. To me the benefits are endless, so i'm going to be keeping a documented record of mine throughout the year! To show that you can grow food in your apartment, even your bedroom, it's our frame of mind that stops us from getting the satisfaction from the little things in life, that are completely free! Just the way nature intended..

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