RECIPES
One of our favorite recipes for the Holiday Season
Molasses Cookies are a perfect Holiday Season treat. This recipe has been in our family for over 15 years.
They are often called “magic cookies”. We encourage using all organic ingredients whenever possible. I know the ingredients sound sinful, but Christmas is but once a year. And as for the spices, if you have a local health food store near you that have the spices in “dispense your own” bins, then purchase those instead of the ones you maybe have had in the cupboard for a bit. The freshness will make all the difference in the world for taste!
Molasses Cookies
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of butter (softened)
1/2 cup of black strap molasses
1 egg
2 1/4 cup flour sifted
2 tea. of baking soda
1 tea. of cinnamon
1/2 tea. of ginger
1 tea. of cloves
1/4 teas. salt
Cream sugar, butter, molasses and egg together. Add dry ingredients and mix well until blended. Chill for 2 hours or more. Shape into one inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 6 minutes. Take out sheet and drop flat so cookies spread out. Place back in the oven for a couple of more minutes.
As everyone knows, all ovens are different. That said, you do not want to overcook these cookies. They should be small and chewy when done. Yummy!! Enjoy with Soy milk or your favorite dairy product!!
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NEXT SHOW IN DECEMBER
Our next show is December 5, 6 & 7th at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia. This will be our last big show for the 2008 season. And to top it all off we get to stay home!
The five acre Jacksonville Center campus is located in the town of Floyd, Virginia, just a few miles north of the Blue Ridge Parkway on the site of a former dairy farm and houses a vibrant arts & cultural facility for the traditional and contemporary arts. The Jacksonville Center for the Arts offers a wide variety of arts & cultural activities for visitors and community members, including contemporary & folk art exhibits, educational programs for kids & adults, and social events throughout the year.
As you can see there are a lot to experience at the center, so come on out and see us and visit the Jacksonville Center at the same time!
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HERB OF THE MONTH
The content we are going to try for each herb is a description, a picture of Damiana, possible usage, toxicity levels, and earth elements. I will try to follow that formula as close as possible.
The reason we have decided to start with Damiana is because we have numerous questions about this herb at shows and emails.
The scientific name for Damiana is Turnera diffusa.
What it looks like: Damiana is a shrub like plant that is mainly found in South America near the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and southern Africa. The shrub normally grows to about 2 feet tall. The leaves are smooth and pale green on the top surface and with scattered hairs on the ribs underneath. The flowers are yellow and solitary. The fruit is a small, globular, many-seeded capsule, which breaks into 3 parts. it is aromatic and resinous.
Preparation: The part of the plant that is normally used is the leaves and stems. The normal method of preparation is infusion or tincture.
Possible usages: Damiana has been mostly used by as an aphrodisiac since Mayan times. It has also been used as a nervine tonic for depression. It has also been known to be tested for menstrual irregularity in young women. It has been known to have anti-inflammatory effects in tests. Damiana is also useful in the treatment of menopause. May be used as a warming diuretic for those with mild water retention, kidney problems and bladder irritation.
Toxicity Levels: No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper administration of therapeutic doses. There is a report from 1981 of a person experiencing sudden outburst of emotional behavior after mixing 8 fl. ounces of Damiana and alcohol.
Earth Elements: The element is fire, the planet is Mars, the power of the herb is lust, love and visions.
Damiana is used in our new tea blend, Is It Hot Or What?. This is a blend made just for our women customers…unless partners you want to buy it for your spouse… it should not be a gag gift though, it may lead to a dangerous situation..haha! Ladies…the name of this one should explain itself. How many times have you seen young and older women alike waving their hand in front of their face for a slight breeze? Hormones are raging, you think you will internally combust at any moment. Sooth the savage beast with this organic blend of great herbs, Black Cohosh, Licorice Root, Damiana Leaf, Passionflower, Squawvine, Wild Yam, Nettles, Alfalfa, Cloves, Rose Petals and Lemon Balm.
As this is the first herb in this series, I am sure there is information I have not even thought about putting here. If you, the reader, have any comments please feel free add to the information. We love to hear stories of how Damiana has worked for you or people you know.
Remember… “everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. - Mourning Dove Salish (1888-1936)
Notice: We must note that all information listed about herbs and their usages is for information only. We caution you not to attempt to diagnosis or attempt self-treatment; consult a competent professional assistant. The information here is not intended to substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your physician.
