In this Apocalypse, Burdock is Worth the Risk
Episode XII One Important rule Sadie, my teacher, taught me early on is that the risk of contracting Virus Z is a key factor in choosing which plants to harvest. Roots, for the most part, are the riskiest of all. When you’re digging, it’s too easy to stop watching for Zs. Even relatively easy roots, […]
Antioxidants Boost Your Health and Stamina
Blueberry and blackberry season is upon us and the apples are hot on their heals this time of year. These wonderful late summer fruits offer a wealth of antioxidants we can use through out the year to help boost our immune systems, improve vision, and clear our systems of toxins and free radicals that would […]
Antioxidant Rich Smoothie Blend
Research shows that antioxidants are good for us. It’s not clear yet whether antioxidant supplements are healthful, but given how easy it is to eat your antioxidants, there’s no sense in relying on supplements anyway. The key is to have a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This smoothie blend offers a […]
Using Herbs to Build and Repair Broken Bones
Last winter, my boy broke his arm in a taekwondo test. It was an accident, the perfect connection of sidekick and outer forearm block, that split a thin space from the outer edge of his ulna into his elbow joint. As has so often been the case when I’ve been neglecting some aspect of my […]
Protect Yourself from Zombies with Landscaping
Episode XI I wouldn’t have believed the Howard Clan could have become the Protective Landscaping gurus they are today when I first met them. They were a rag-tag group of mostly men hell-bent on shooting or cutting their way through the apocalypse. Were it not for the horde of zombies we took down together, we […]
Three Bone Tea Recipe
Although the name implies some of the ingredients in this tea could be bones, the truth is the primary ingredients are three bone-healing herbs. Boneset and comfrey have special affinity for healing bones while nettle is chock full of the nutrients bones need to grow. Together, they make healing broken bones easier for bodies young […]
Extreme Healing for the Zombie Apocalypse: Broken Bones
Episode X Zombies aren’t the only dangers in this apocalypse. Injuries that were once simple to fix have become healing nightmares. Take broken bones, for instance. I came across an older woman living in a boarded up suburban house a few months back. She’d managed to stash enough food and water to get by for […]
Treating Minor Wounds Wisely
Like so many other athletics, taekwondo is a full-contact sport. Even when we’re using pads, cuts and scrapes happen. Just last week I nicked the top of my foot on the Hydromaster bag. I wasn’t even kicking hard. It was a drill for building cardio health. The cut was small, not worthy of a bandage, […]
Quick First Aid Spray
Comfrey, Yarrow, and Lavender come together in this simple spritzer to make a powerful wound healing team. Lavender focuses on killing germs that lead to infections, including MRSA, staph, and funguses. Yarrow draws injured tissues together while driving out foreign matter of all types. Comfrey works to knit together the injured tissues, often leaving behind […]
Get Pumped and Stay Focused for Competition
Tournaments, like all athletic events, are chaotic, buzzing hives of competition, anticipation, and pressure to succeed. Even as a parent just watching I sometimes feel completely exhausted by the time my boy’s entering his ring to finally strut his stuff. He’s good at shutting the nervousness off once he’s in the ring, but waiting to […]
Calm and Focused Essential Oil Blend
Rosemary, spearmint, and ginger have helped me in a variety of stressful situations. This blend of essential oils is one of my secret weapons in any competition or test. The rosemary helps keep my mind clear and active even when my surroundings threaten to overwhelm me. Ginger helps me keep my feet on the ground […]
Nettling with Zombies
Episode IX Spring. Daffodils and Dogwoods blooming. Salmon running. Salads topped with fresh dandelion buds and stews finished with handfuls of fresh beet greens and nettle. It’s a luxurious time of year, except for the Zombies. A couple years ago, I got the bright idea we’d go nettling. Nettles are hands-down the best fresh green […]