Month: March 2020

Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | Health Benefits of Chaga Mushroom

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Chaga mushrooms contain a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
The Chaga mushroom grows on birch trees throughout the northern hemisphere. It resembles a dark clump of dirt more than a mushroom but is distinguished from other growths by its orange tissue.

Doctors, alternative medicine advocates, and researchers are increasingly interested in the potential health benefits of the Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus). Some studies on Chaga mushrooms have yielded promising results.

chaga

Nine potential benefits

In this article, we look at the potential health benefits of Chaga mushrooms and the research behind the claims.

1. Nutrient-dense superfood

Chaga mushrooms are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including:

  • B-complex vitamins
  • vitamin D
  • potassium
  • rubidium
  • cesium
  • amino acids
  • fiber
  • copper
  • selenium
  • zinc
  • iron
  • manganese
  • magnesium
  • calcium

2. Preventing and fighting cancer

Some studies suggest that Chaga mushrooms may slow the growth of certain cancer cells.

Increasingly, researchers are taking…

View original post 2,189 more words

Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | Mushrooms Boost Brain Power

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

If you’re a fan of mushrooms, rejoice! These nutritious little fungi have several known benefits to our health, including lowering your chance of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. And now, there appears to be yet another advantage to eating mushrooms. New research shows that they may help protect the brain from degenerative conditions such as dementia.

The study, which took place at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, found that regular consumption of certain types of mushrooms may be associated with brain changes that reduce the risk of developing dementia.1 After analyzing 10 different types of mushrooms, the investigators determined that they promoted the increased production of nerve growth factors in the brain, which contributes to the formation of new neurons in the gray matter, an important factor in our ability to retain and retrieve memories.

The Mushroom Course

What kinds of mushrooms were most beneficial? Unfortunately, not the white or…

View original post 621 more words

Nā ʻŌhana | Traditional Indigenous Kinship Practices at Home:  Being Child-Centered During the Pandemic

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

In our traditional kinship systems, children were the at the center of the family system. Everything we did was with, and for, the children. Women had babies on their back, breasts, and hips while […]

Source: Traditional Indigenous Kinship Practices at Home: Being Child-Centered During the Pandemic

Foodstyles | Vegetarian Samosa Recipe

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment
A spicy filling of chunky potato and green peas with a bite of chili encased in a crisp light pastry.
 
Probably the most well known of all the Indian snacks – samosas are simply amazing and I love them. All they are made of is pastry, potato, peas and that’s it – how three simple ingredients can taste so good is beyond me, but they are just amazing and yes I will say it again amazing! For me, these are a vegetable dish and although I have cooked meat samosas in my classes it’s not something I like to do.
 
My most significant memory of samosas is from my wedding where they were part of the festivities, right from all my aunties forming a production line in the kitchen gossiping, giggling and producing the amazing triangles parcels through to being served them for breakfast with a cup of hot, sweet chai, a combination that is out of this world.
 
You can’t help eating them one after the other and I think we got through hundreds of them. My best friend Nicky and her husband Mark called me a few days after the wedding and asked me if I could pop over and make a few before we left for our honeymoon as they were having withdrawal symptoms – addictive….very!
 
INGREDIENTS
 
FILLING:
1 tsp of rapeseed oil
4 potatoes boiled (skin on)
50g frozen peas
½ tsp of cumin seeds
1 tsp of salt
½ tsp chilli powder
2 chilies, finely chopped
1-2 tsp of garam masala
1 tbsp ginger, grated
2 tbsp of fresh coriander, chopped

 
PASTRY:
200g plain flour
1½ tbsp rapeseed oil
Pinch of salt
Approx. 100ml water
 
MAKING THE SAMOSA:
Potato filling
Pastry
Paste
Rapeseed oil for deep frying
 
DIRECTIONS | The Filling
1 – Cook the potatoes gently with the skin on (do not boil too vigorously) for about 25 minutes until soft. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Once cooled peel the skin off with your fingers.
 
2 – Cut into small 1cm sized cubes and place in a large bowl.
 
3 – In a small frying pan heat the oil and fry the cumin seeds. When sizzling, carefully add the peas and fry gently for a few minutes to soften. Remove from the heat and leave to cool before adding to the potatoes.
 
4 – Add the grated ginger, salt, chilli, chilli powder, garam masala and fresh coriander to the potatoes and stir – check seasoning and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
 
 
DIRECTIONS | The Pastry
1 – Place flour, oil and salt in a bowl and rub the mixture together.
 
2 – Using your hand begin to sprinkle in a little water at a time to bring the dough together.
 
3 – Continue to add the water in this way until the dough comes together. Using wet hands knead the dough until it is soft and no longer sticking to your hands or the bowl.
 
4 – Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Heat up a thava or frying pan on the lowest heat setting.
 
5 – Take a small tangerine sized ball of the dough and roll it between your palms to make a smooth ball.
 
6 – Flatten and roll out with a rolling pin to create a thin round disc the size of a side plate flouring when necessary. Place the disc on the thava for 4 seconds. Remove and place on a chopping board. Using a sharp knife slice the disc in half so you are left with 2 semi-circles.
 
7 – Place the semi-circles on a plate with the tea towel and cover to keep warm. Repeat with the rest of the dough so you are left with 10 – 12 semi-circles.
 
 
DIRECTIONS | The Paste
Make some flour glue by adding water to the flour and mix into a thick sticky paste.
 
MAKING THE SAMOSA
1 – Place one semi-circle on your hand with the flat edge at the top and the cooked side facing you. Dip your finger in the paste and spread it across the straight edge.
 
2 – Fold in the two corners so they meet in the middle ensuring one edge overlaps the other and press together to seal all the way down to create a smooth upside down cone.
 
3 – Turn the cone over so the pointed end is at the bottom. Using a spoon fill the cone with the potato filling to 2/3 of the way up.
 
4 – Seal the opening with the paste and seal it closed creating a triangle pastry. Lie on the tray and pat down to even the filling out. Repeat.
 
5 – Heat the oil, test it is hot enough by dropping in a little bit of pastry – if it bubbles and floats to the top immediately the oil is ready.
 
6 – Very carefully slip one samosa into the hot oil being careful that the oil doesn’t splash out. Leave the samosa to cook for a few seconds. As the pastry begins to bubble turn it over using a slotted spoon.
 
7 – Leave it to cook gently until it turns a beautiful golden brown. Once it is cooked remove from the oil and set on some kitchen paper. As you become more confident fry 2 or 3 samosas at the same time.
ENJOY!

 

Urban Gardening | 8 Vegetables You Can Grow In Your Tiny Apartment All Year Round

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Growing Your Own Vegetable is Not Only Fun but you’ll know What Exactly Went into the plants at every stage which is not the case with store bought food. While growing plants in a busy city and apartment might seem like an impossible-task, There are fruits and veggies you can grow in pots that can sit pretty on a super small-porch, fire-escape, or even in a well-lit indoor area. And, unlike traditional gardens, you won’t have to deal with many intrusive weeds either!

NOTE: The materials and the information contained on Natural ways channel are provided for general and educational purposes only and do not constitute any legal, medical or other professional advice on any subject matter. None of the information on our videos is a substitute for a diagnosis and treatment by your health professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new diet or treatment and with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provide.

Daily Words of the Buddha for March 17, 2020

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Khīṇaṃ purāṇaṃ nava
natthi sambhavaṃ,
virattacittāyatike bhavasmiṃ.
Te khīṇabījā, avirūḷhichandā.
Nibbanti dhīrā yathāyaṃ padīpo.

When past conditioning is released
and no fresh one produced,
the mind no longer seeks for future birth.
The seed consumed, cravings no more arise.
Such-minded wise ones cease like [the flame of] this lamp.

Sutta Nipāta 2.238
The Discourse Summaries by S.N. Goenka

Foodstyles | Veggie Spanish Rice

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Amelia @ CPM's avatarCook Plant Meditate

Why not add some nutrition to your Spanish Rice? Throw in some veggies!

Ingredients:
1 large carrot
2 medium ribs celery
1/2 medium onion
1 small green bell pepper
1 large tomato
1 3/4 cups white rice
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock, or water
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons oil
Few dashes cayenne or hot sauce (optional)

Instructions:
Dice all veggies into small uniform pieces.

In a large pre-heated pan over medium high heat, add oil, carrot, celery, onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently, then add tomato and cook for another minute.

Add rice and stir. Allow rice to cook for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently until it begins to brown.

Add liquid and spices. Mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce…

View original post 13 more words

Foodstyles | Locking it Down with CPM – Day 3

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

CPM's avatarCook Plant Meditate

It’s still raining today, but sunshine is coming. Then we can be outside, do yard work and walk the dog. I was telling my husband that I wish we had held off the cleaning and organizing we did recently… because I got time now! AND a clean garage. I suppose I can clean all the closets and cabinets again.

More restrictions keep coming. California shut down bars, nightclubs, breweries and wineries to the public. In Washington state, where my brother and sister-in-law own Uncle Dave’s Café, all restaurants have been ordered to close. They are still able (currently) to do delivery and curbside pick up.

Construction is underway on our Lego City, where the mini-figures will be able to shop at the store, eat at the diner, swim at the pool, and hang out at the gazebo in the park. The mini-figures are relieved to not be under lock-down…

View original post 141 more words

Current Events | MIT biologist says fear mongering on coronavirus will go down as biggest fraud to manipulate economies

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global epidemic. The virus, which originated from Whuan China, has claimed over 4,000 lives with 100,000 infected cases reported worldwide. However, some think the panic over the coronavirus is overblown and could potentially do more damage to citizens and overburden our already fragile healthcare systems.  […]

Source:  Fear Mongering About Coronavirus

Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | LAVENDER’S MEDICINAL AND AROMATHERAPY USES

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

There are few scents in this world that evoke the feeling of clean – lavender is one of them. Its common and scientific name originates from lavare, the Latin word for wash or bathe. Lavender was popular as a linen-washing herb in Europe, no doubt due to its pleasant aroma, but it also possesses antiseptic qualities and can help to keep insects at bay. Discouraging or killing insects was paramount before the invention of glass windows and screens, a time when humans often shared the same roof with flea and lice-ridden livestock. Maude Grieve writes in A Modern Herbal (no longer especially modern, as it was written in 1931):

Dried Lavender flowers are still greatly used to perfume linen, their powerful, aromatic odour acting also as a preventative to the attacks of moths and other insects. In America, they find very considerable employment for disinfecting hot rooms and keeping away…

View original post 5,221 more words

Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | The Essence of Ginger

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

No modern medication can rival the range and variety of therapeutic effects that can be induced by ginger. However, the full awareness of the health benefits and value of the herbal ginger remedies is rather limited because of the monopolistic health-care systems and a historically biased regulatory environment in most countries. Out of the hundreds of species in the plant family Zingiberaceae, the ginger remains the most famous and popular herb. Ginger is a rhizome, according to the correct botanical classification, though the underground stem of the ginger is often mistaken to be a root. Many different varieties of the ginger herb exist in the wild and in cultivation, these varieties range from mild to spicy in taste, and all of them require tropical conditions and fertile soils to grow at an optimal rate. The ginger herb has traveled out from Southeast Asia to the new world, over a period…

View original post 3,891 more words

Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | Tea Tree Oil: Benefits, Uses

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

From antiseptic mouthwash to natural deodorant, tea tree oil is an essential oil with a multitude of uses and benefits. It tends to be pale yellow or colorless, with an aroma that is similar to eucalyptus or camphor and boasts antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Here’s a deep-dive into all that it can do.

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil is distilled from the leaves of an evergreen shrub called Melaleuca alternifolia. The plant is native to Australia and used by Aboriginal people for cleaning wounds and other skin problems.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has a 100-year history as a natural remedy. The Bundjalung Aboriginal people would crush the leaves to create a paste to apply to the skin. They also made tea from the leaves to soothe a sore throat.

Amazing Antibacterial Properties

The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil have been studied since…

View original post 4,488 more words

Astrology | March Equinox Reading 2020 —

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Grandtrines's avatarGrandtrines

March is one huge deal of a month and truly the mark of some significant endings and beginnings taking place. The Equinox falls on the 19th as the Sun enters Aries and comes into a conjunction with Chiron, squaring the Nodes. This comet so named after the Greek centaur is a both a symbol […]

via March Equinox Reading 2020 —

View original post

Current Events | Coronavirus And The Sun: A Lesson From The 1918 Influenza Pandemic

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Terrified, people from all around the world are waiting for news of the outbreak of coronavirus, that keeps taking its death toll. The first case of Covid-19 was identified over three months ago, and so far, it has killed thousands of people, forcing the lockdown of numerous countries. Coronavirus is a worldwide subject of conversation […]

Source: Coronavirus And The Sun: A Lesson From The 1918 Influenza Pandemic – Healthy Food House

Musings | Ready To Say Goodbye To The Dark Night Of The Soul??

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

What many assume is the result of a low vibration, limiting subconscious beliefs, an out-of-control ego, or the assumption of ‘evil forces’ at play is a crucial stage of awakening called “Dark Night of the Soul”. During this stage, attachments to ego are deconstructed and unraveled, resulting in much pain, confusion, fear, and frustration for many beings. While surrender is the best remedy, it’s best to employ this in a specific way so not to become the ego’s way of co-opting the beauty of surrendering as a means of trying to control its experience or preserve its false perception of power.

In order to activate the authentic power of surrender, try repeating these words out loud:

“Thank you beloved Universe for awakening within me. Please spare no expense at unraveling what needs to be unraveled, transforming what needs to be transformed, and healing what needs to be healed. I surrender to the fate of my highest potential and divine authority, inviting the change that only brings forth greater harmony, wholeness, liberation, and well-being.

I hand over the aspects of ego that were never meant to go any further in my journey, allowing a greater embodiment and integration of heart-centered consciousness to abide within me now. Even when it feels like all hope is lost or as if I’m going to die, I step forward into the mystery that cannot be understood ‘beforehand’, only to receive more awareness of the light I AM, have always been, and shall always be. With a deeper commitment to self-care and healthy choices, I surrender my patterns of addiction by allowing my surrender to be complete.

This is not a surrendering from making choices, but surrendering to the highest choices that nourish my body with the nutrition, rest, and emotional support it so deserves and desires. Thank you for this opportunity to transform ancestral lineages and help uplift the consciousness of humanity by ending the inner battle of ego. And thank you for no longer supporting the negotiation of self-defeating choices. Thank you dearest Universe. I am the vessel of your highest will. Take me, I’m yours. And so I let go. I am surrendered. Surrendered I am. And so it is.”

Whether just needing to say it once or several times per day, please utilize this healing mantra to align with the light of your rebirthing soul, instead of identifying with the unraveling of a dissolving ego structure.

On behalf of the Universe, you are loved, guided, and supported so miraculously and incredibly — now and forever. Please enjoy each section of this newsletter and know that you are loved in each and every breath.

All my love,
Matt Kahn

Foodstyles | Locking it Down with CPM – Day 2

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

CPM's avatarCook Plant Meditate

Day 2:

Kid went to a friends house for a bit yesterday so we watched Jumanji: Next Level. Well, I watched. Hubby slept through it. He’s been working weird and long hours trying to get remote access running smoothly for hundreds of people worldwide. I really enjoyed the first Jumanji reboot, and this one delivered as well. Adding Danny Glover and Danny DeVito was pure hilarity.

Scratched yesterday’s plans to put together a puzzle. My daughter has tens of thousands of Lego. We are making a Lego City! Did you know the plural of Lego is Lego? It’s not Legos. Lego City needs a lot of work, but hey, we got time.

Lunch: grilled cheese, fruit and Crispy Taco flavored Lays. The…

View original post 188 more words

Daily Words of the Buddha for March 16, 2020

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment
Pāli Word a Day for March 16, 2020 — kalyāṇaputhujjana — a person of good habits etc who has not yet attained sotāpatti, but is aiming at such attainments

Anekajātisaṃsāraṃ
sandhāvissaṃ, anibbisaṃ
gahakāraṃ gavesanto;
dukkhā jāti punappunaṃ.
Gahakāraka! Diṭṭhosi.

Puna gehaṃ na kāhasi.
Sabbā te phāsukā bhaggā,
gahakūṭaṃ visaṅkhataṃ.
Visaṅkhāragataṃ cittaṃ:
taṇhānaṃ khayamajjhagā.

Through countless births in the cycle of existence
I have run, not finding
although seeking the builder of this house;
and again and again I faced the suffering of new birth.
Oh housebuilder! Now you are seen.
You shall not build a house again for me.
All your beams are broken,
the ridgepole is shattered.
The mind has become freed from conditioning:
the end of craving has been reached.

Dhammapada 11.153, 11.154
The Discourse Summaries by S.N. Goenka

Foodstyles | Chocolate Chocolate Caramel Cookies

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Amelia @ CPM's avatarCook Plant Meditate

Q: When you’re looking through your cabinets wondering “What kind of cookies should I make??”, and you find a package of craft caramel bits, what do you do?

A: Invent a new cookies recipe, of course! I started with the basics of a cookie recipe (like toll house) and made changes as needed.

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose ‘flour
2/3 cup high quality cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup Kraft caramel bits

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350.

Sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, soda and powder in a bowl. Set aside.

Using a stand or hand mixer, cream together butter and sugars for 2-3 minutes, until creamy.

Add eggs, one at a time, and allow each…

View original post 42 more words

Foodstyles | Locking it Down with CPM – Day 1

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

CPM's avatarCook Plant Meditate

Day 1

  • Toilet paper count: 17 Costco rolls, 12 rolls angel soft
  • My band aid supply is dwindling rapidly, as my daughter has an owie.
  • Trying to decide what kind of laundry soap to order from amazon, because they don’t carry Arm & Hammer. Suggestions?
  • Saturday is clean the whole house day, so we will be having some serious fun mopping and scrubbing toilets.
  • Later, we’re going to start a 2,000-piece puzzle from the closet then likely discover it is really an 1,800 piece puzzle.
  • We still have fresh fruits and vegetables.

Dinner last night: salad, chicken and smoked mozzarella sausage over linguine, and I turned a sad “everything” bagel into cheesy garlic bread.

Now is the time to do really fun things that never get done. For instance, why not pressure wash your oven racks?

This is the last store I visited. It was a really important stop!!

We’re…

View original post 167 more words

Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | Suggested Herbal Supports for Influenza/Influenza-Like Illness in the Event of a Pandemic | The Science and Art of Herbalism

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Compiled By: Lora Krall, Nurse Herbalist

With the recent incidence of seasonal influenza on the rise and the additional concern of possible coronavirus infections, the need for a list of possible options to support those who may become ill with these respiratory viruses is essential.  This list is by no means complete but is designed to offer the herbalist a list of options in order to support those of a specific disadvantage due to (race, socioeconomic conditions, isolation, gender, ethnicity, etc..), in situations of possible limited availability of certain plant preparations and to expand the list of options for those in your care.  In the event of a pandemic, herbalists will be KEY supports to our communities.  It is wise to be prepared.

Additionally, none of these herbal suggestions are meant to be sole support for someone who is ill.  In order for herbs to really support the body, some…

View original post 3,088 more words

Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | 8 Herbs That Calm Your Mind

Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

I had to share this video.

When we filmed Remedy, I had the honor of sitting down with the godmother of American herbalism, Rosemary Gladstar, at her magical home in Vermont. I have to admit, I was nervous going into this interview because she’s, well, one of my heroes 🙂

Today, I’d love to share a quick video from our encounter with you.

One of the questions I asked Rosemary was – what can we all do to overcome the stress and anxiety that seems to pervade our news and daily interactions these days? In other words, how do we keep ourselves peaceful, healthy and thriving in these chaotic times we find ourselves in?

Her answer blew us away…

In the clip below, Rosemary shares a handful of herbs that you can use to keep your body centered and at peace – including one slightly controversial plant if you’re feeling adventurous.

BUT…

View original post 182 more words