Muma Medicine Making

Sage has a wonderful little circle of friends. Each one of the children is unique and so sweet. Yesterday, we had scheduled a playdate at little Ayla's home. Upon waking, I checked my phone and turns out all of the children invited except one had a cold with similar symptoms. We decided to get them together anyway and of course it was a mess. They were genuinely trying to have fun but you could tell there was a case of the yuckies abound. When I got home, I got out my trusty old Rosemary Gladstar book, Herbal Remedies for Children's Health. I had not made homemade medicines since Kaiden was small, and Sage had not really had any sickness yet in his short life. This book always inspires me. So this morning I gathered up the ingredients to make a few simple healing remedies so Sage will hopefully ward off the nasties. With winter right around the corner, there is no doubt I will be needing some remedies on hand.Thankfully I am still breastfeeding, so I can regulate what goes into my milk and make sure I'm taking in immune boosting items that will go to him also! One of my favorites is organic chicken based soup, vegetarians can do miso.

Medicine making for me has been part of my mothering style since day one. I am not huge fan of anything that comes from an unknown source and has multiple possible side affects like tylenol or the like. I feel like masking symptoms helps us cope when we need to get through the day, but rarely is it addressing the underlying conditions. So I feel better knowing I'm going to nourish the yuckies away and help my kiddo feel better with simple natural remedies that are safe for him. Note that many plants and "natural" remedies are NOT meant for children, so NEVER give your child any medicine or remedy that you are unsure about. I do not claim to be a doctor, but I do believe mother's are able to make solid and sound health choices for their families with proper research and experience. For me, medicine making comes from my love of plants, nature, and crafting, along with my many years of practicing herbal medicine on my own and with friends and mentors. I have listed a few remedy recipes that are easy and really do make a difference in healing.So- here's to the medicine making mama in all of us....Cheers to a happy, healthy, and handmade childhood!

Elderberry and Rosehip Immunity Syrup

(my own recipe adapted from Rosemary Gladstar)

Elderberry is an extremely popular children's cold remedy in Europe. If you are going to make this syrup, only use blue elderberries, as the red ones are toxic in large quantities. Also make sure to never eat uncooked elderberries. Rosehips are high in vitamin C and can also soothe fussiness if a child is coming down with something.

1 c. fresh or 1/2 c. dried elderberries ( I use dried since they do not grow around here in CO)
1/2 c. fresh or 1/4 c. dried rosehips
3 c. water

1 c. honey

Place berries and water in saucepan and simmer for 45 minutes on low-medium heat.Smash berries and strain through fine wire strainer into bowl filled with honey. Mix honey and berry juice vigorously for 1 minute, place in jars, and keep in the fridge for up to 3 months. Makes 2 ~ 8 oz. bottles. I like to use dropper lids, so measuring dosage is easier.

Suggested doses for children: Based on one teaspoon (60 grains) for adult dose as recommended from Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Remedies for Children's Health.

12-18 months 7 grains
18-24 months 8 grains
2-3 years 10 grains
3-4 years 12 grains
4-6 years 15 grains

Sage's Birthday Cupcakes

CARROT CUPCAKES

This recipe was adapted from one I found online. I wanted to make it a tad healthier (see parenthesis) and was more than pleased with the results. This cupcake is so moist and delicious, one little boy at Sage's party ate 4 of them! Good thing they are somewhat healthy!

HAPPY BAKING FRIENDS!

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.

Ingredients:

4 eggs

3/4 c. oil (I used raw unrefined coconut)

3/4 c. sugar (I used rapadura or whole cane)

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. applesauce

1 8 oz. can crushed pineapple

3 tsp. vanilla

2 c. ww pastry flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1.2 tsp. salt

2 tbl. cinnamon

1 tbl. ground cloves

1 tbl. ground nutmeg

3 c. carrots

Mix dry ingredients together in bowl and set aside. Blend all other ingredients together except carrots on medium speed for 1-2 minutes. Add dry ingredients into wet mixture and blend on medium speed 1-2 more minutes or until well blended. Stir in carrots. Grease tins or add cupcake liners.Fill muffin tins 1/2 full and bake for 20-24 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Makes 24 regular sized cupcakes. I like to use the icing recipe below and top them with toasted coconut!

Agave Cream Cheese Icing

I was trying to cut down on the amount of sugar in our cupcakes but wanted to maintain that nostalgic yummy sweetness that folks associate with cupcakes. Agave nectar worked perfectly! This recipe is a keeper and could also be used for chocolate cake, zuccini bread, in pastries, or in crepes! YUM!

3/4 c. whipping cream

1 c. cream cheese

1/4 c. coconut milk (the canned kind)

1/4 c. agave nectar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Whip cream in stand mixer or with hand mixer until light and fluffy- set aside in seperate bowl. Blend all other ingredients until smooth, then add in the whipped cream. Blend until it reaches a creamy texture. I prefer mine not so butter-like, but the longer you mix, the thicker it will get. When desired consistency is reached-use in/on your favorite recipe.

Sage's First Birthday

The Earth goes 'round the sun and Sagee is 1!
I cannot believe a year has gone by since the birth of my Sagee. I have watched him go from a little bundle of swaddled chub to a full on explorer, throwing himself down on the bed and giggling. Amazing. The fact that this year has literally flown by seems to be somehow saddening for me, as I can't help but think- what if this is it? What if no more babies? Maybe that was the last year I'll ever have an infant. I can honestly say, I appreciated almost every moment, even the ones where he was crying and I had no idea why and nothing seemed to be helping. That's what being a mama is all about- riding the wave, doing your best even if it seems like it isn't enough, giving every ounce of love possible, knowing that that moment is all you have, because soon enough a new one comes.

In preparations for Sage's party, I really wanted to make the day special for him to look back on someday since he wouldn't remember it. I crafted some homeade goodness to make his party truly "his". My first project was the ever adorable felted crown. I chose to hand sew it and not use the sewing machine, as it felt importnant to me to use my body to create this piece, to honor the gift of creation, much like my body made, nourished, and birthed my son without any plug in interventions. I chose to put a # 1 in the middle for his age and surrounded the crown with symbols that were significant to his first year: A music note, because he loves to play instruments and dance. A Mountain, since he got to travel to the mountains many times throughout the seasons and partake in their offerings (snow, water, wildflowers, dirt etc.), water drops, since he was born during a storm in the water and continued to love water, swimming, and puddle play during his first year. Lastly, a mushroom, because he is a forest child with mischeif making in his spirit and the mushroom reminds me of the little gnomes frolicking in the forest. I just cut out the shapes and used embroidery floss to sew on the symbols. I then outlined the top and sides with ric-rac, for a vintage feel, since I like things that remind me of older times.
I plan on continuing to make a crown for him every year and look forward to his input at later years on what symbols he wants on his crown.

I also made a banner using trendy fabrics and markers and hung photos from his first year on it.....it turned out somehow imperfectly nostalgic!

                                                                       

I made yummy carrot cupcakes and agave cream cheese frosting which turned out just delightful also. We topped his with a rainbow candle. Sage LOVED his first cupcake ever!

Of course, there was a torrential down pour, but there was a happiness among guests and birthday boy that emanated and proved we are adaptable. When there is a celebration to be had, nothing can really stand in the way of life's happiness. That is Sage's lesson to the world for year #1- happiness can be found anywhere...he is my little child of light, my sunshine! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAGE!