Tea Infused Marble Eggs - How To Make Tea Infused Marble Eggs

12 jumbo eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons of black tea leaves
8 cups of water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

* Optional: 1 teaspoon of spices or herbs of choice may be added for flavor.

Place eggs in a large pan covered with water. Bring water to a gentle boil. Boil for 10 to 12 minutes.

When the eggs are cooked, gently lift the eggs out of the pan and place them under cold running water for approximately 2 minutes or until they are easily handled; set aside.

When eggs are cold, gently crack the eggshells all over by rolling them on a paper towel or using the back of a spoon the tap the shells of each egg. NOTE: Do not allow the shells to detach from the eggs.

In a large pan, add black tea leaves, water, and salt. Place the cooked eggs into the pan. NOTE: If needed, add additional water to cover them. Bring water slowly to just to a boil; then cover the pan, lower heat, and allow the eggs to simmer for 1 hour. Remove from heat and let the eggs cool in the liquid. When cool, drain and wrap the eggs in plastic wrap or a sealed plastic bag. Store in refrigerator.

Remove the shells just prior to serving. Eggs will have a marbleized appearance.

Serving suggestions: Slice in half, remove yolk and use as cups for deviled eggs, chicken, tuna, seafood, and chopped salads.

Makes 12 marbleized eggs.

Naturally Dye Eggs

Give the Easter bunny a run for his money by dyeing Easter eggs the natural way, using common foods and flowers.

Start with hard-cooked (boiled) eggs and refrigerate until ready to use.

The longer you soak the eggs in the following dye liquids (of your choice), the more intense the colors will be.

If desired, before dyeing the eggs, draw shapes, pictures or inspiring words on them with crayons or a piece of wax. The wax won't absorb the color so the designs will show through. Using a crayon, simply draw a design onto your eggs and then dye as you would any other Easter egg. Your crayon design will be accentuated by your choice of dye!

Rubber bands are all you need to make tie-dyed eggs. Use a collection of different sized rubber bands. Wrap the rubber bands, one at a time, around the eggs. Make sure to leave some of the egg shell exposed so it can be dyed.

Once the eggs are dyed to the color you like, remove them from the water and let them dry. Once dried completely, pull the rubber bands off to reveal your banded design.

Learn how to make Tea Infused Eggs (Marbleized Eggs) by Ellen Easton


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How to make natural egg dyes:

Wash hard-cooked (boiled) eggs in warm soapy water to remove any oily residue that may impede the color from adhering to the eggs. Let eggs cool before attempting to dye.

You need to use your own judgment about exactly how much of each dye stuff to use. Except for spices, place a handful (or two or three handfuls) of a dyestuff in a saucepan.

Add tap water to come at least one inch above the dye stuff. NOTE: This will be about 1 cup of water for each handful of dyestuff.

Bring the water just to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Let simmer about 15 minutes or up to an hour until you like the color obtained. Keep in mind that dyed eggs will not get as dark as the color in the pan. Remove the pan from the heat.

Pour mixture into a liquid measuring cup. Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of white vinegar for each cup of strained dye liquid. Pour the mixture into a bowl or jar that is deep enough to completely cover the eggs you want to dye.

Use a slotted spoon to lower the eggs into the hot liquid. Leave the eggs in the water until you like the color. NOTE: Allow the egg to sit in the tea for several hours or overnight. The longer the egg soaks, the deeper the final color will be. If you plan to eat the eggs be sure to do this step in the refrigerator.

When eggs are dyed to the color you desire, lift the eggs out with the slotted spoon. Let them dry on a rack or drainer. NOTE: An egg carton works nicely as a drying rack. Be careful to handle the eggs gently and minimally as some of the colors can easily be rubbed off before the egg has dried.

For a textured look, dab the still wet egg with a sponge.

Eggs colored with natural dyes have a dull finish and are not glossy. After they are dry, you can rub the eggs with cooking oil or mineral oil to give them a soft sheen.



Color

Items To Dye With

Blue

Canned Blueberries
Red Cabbage Leaves (boiled)
Purple Grape Juice


Brown or Beige

Strong Coffee
Instant Coffee
Black Walnut Shells (boiled)
Black Tea


Brown Gold

Dill Seeds


Brown Orange

Chili Powder


Green

Spinach Leaves (boiled)
Liquid Chlorophyll


Greenish Yellow

Yellow Delicious Apple Peels (boiled)


Grey

Purple or red grape juice or beet juice


Lavender

Small Quantity of Purple Grape Juice
Violet Blossoms plus 2 tsp Lemon Juice
Red Zinger Tea


Orange

Yellow Onion Skins (boiled)
Carrots
Paprika


Pink

Beets
Cranberries or Juice
Raspberries
Red Grape Juice
Juice from Pickled Beets


Red

Lots of Red Onions Skins (boiled)
Pomegranate juice
Canned Cherries (with syrup)
Raspberries


Violet or Purple

Violet Blossoms
Hibiscus tea
Small Quantity of Red Onions Skins (boiled)
Red Wine


Yellow

Orange or Lemon Peels (boiled)
Carrot Tops (boiled)
Chamomile Tea
Celery Seed (boiled)
Green tea
Ground Cumin (boiled)
Ground Turmeric (boiled) or Saffron

Pumpkin Recipes

Try these pumpkin recipes from Cooking Light magazine.

Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients
For 18 servings

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg white
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar


INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (flour through salt) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Make a well in center of mixture.

Combine pumpkin and next 6 ingredients (pumpkin through egg white); add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Spoon the batter into 18 muffin cups coated with cooking spray.

Combine 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and brown sugar; sprinkle over muffins.

Bake at 375 for 25 minutes, or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove muffins from pans immediately; cool on a wire rack. Yield: 18 servings (serving size: 1 muffin).

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 164 (19% from fat): FAT 3.5g (satfat 0.6g, monofat 0.8g, polyfat 1.9g); PROTEIN 3.5g; CARBOHYDRATES 29.7g; FIBER 1g; CHOLESTEROL 12mg; IRON 1.2mg; SODIUM 269mg; CALCIUM 78mg.

Pumpkin Ravioli
INGREDIENTS
For 6 Servings

1 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
6 wonton wrappers
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Chopped parsley


INSTRUCTIONS
Combine pumpkin, Parmesan, ¼ teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Spoon about 2 teaspoons pumpkin mixture into center of each wonton wrapper. Moisten edges of dough with water; bring 2 opposite sides together to form a triangle, pinching edges to seal. Place ravioli into a large saucepan of boiling water with 1 teaspoon salt; cook 7 minutes and drain in a colander. Place chicken broth and butter in pan; bring to a boil. Add ravioli, tossing to coat. Sprinkle with parsley. Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 4 ravioli).

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
CALORIES 162g; FAT 5g (satfat 4g, monofat 1g, polyfat 0g); PROTEIN 6g; FIBER 2g; CHOLESTEROL 17mg; IRON 2mg; SODIUM 505mg; CALCIUM 102mg.

Pumpkin Soup
INGREDIENTS

For 6 Servings

1 tablespoon butter
1 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup peeled and cubed (1/2-inch) sweet potato
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 14 1/2-ounce cans fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
1 cup 1% low-fat milk
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (optional)

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Pumpkin has been used for centuries for its healing prosperities. The Yuma would create and emulsion from pumpkin seed and watermelon to help heal wounds. The seed oil would be used to treat burns and wounds. The Catawba’s ate pumpkin seeds either fresh or dry as a medicine for kidney support. The Menominee’s mixed powdered squash and water for urinary support.
Pumpkins are rich in antioxidants, such as Beta carotene, Potassium, Zinc and High in Fiber. They are high in Vitamin C, A and E. Beta Carotene can help prevent certain cancers. Potassium has been shown to lower high blood pressure. Zinc has been shown to boost your immune system, and aids in bone density support for people with osteoporosis. Fiber helps prevent cancer, heart disease and other serious ailments. Vitamin C helps boost you immune system, helps in preventing high blood pressure and heart disease. It also helps regulate cholesterol levels. Vitamin A helps promote healthy vision and ensures proper immune function. Vitamin E promotes healthy skin by protecting the body from sun damage ad may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and certain cancers. Pumpkins Seeds are a good source of Vitamin E, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc and are an excellent plant base source of omega-6 and amega-3 fatty acids. They do not lose their vitams when cooked.
Pumpkins Nutrition Facts (1 cup cooked, boiled, drained and without salt)
- Calories: 49
- Protein 2 grams
- Carbohydrate 12grams
- Dietary Fiber 3 grams
- Calcium 37mg
- Iron 1.4mg
- Magnesium 22mg
- Potassium 564mg
- Zinc 1mg
- Selenium .50mg
- Vitamin C 12mg
- Niacin 1mg
- Folate 21 mcg
- Vitamin 2650 IU
- Vitamin E 3mg
- 90% water

Monday Recipes for pumpkin.

Four Tips for Healthier Living You can do today

Here are simple four tips for healthier living you can start doing today:

1. Get educated on food and read labels. The more you know about the processing, ingredients and real nutritional value of the foods that are available, the more you'll be able to make better choices at the grocery store or lunch room.

2. Make fitness a priority in your life. Instead of having activity come after you run errands or watch TV, try making activity the first thing you do in the morning.

3. Cook, cook, cook! Being able to prepare your own meals and snacks is the absolute best way for most people to eat healthier and it doesn't have to be complicated -- a quick PB&J using whole grain rye and fruit spread instead of sugary jams is one fast example.

4. Place more value on food. If possible, channeling a bit more cash to your food budget in order to get better options will do your body a whole lot of good over the long run.

Superfoods That Add Years to Your Life

Cocoa beans

Why they're a winner: "They're high in catechins -- antioxidants that provide many benefits for heart health, like controlling blood pressure," says Klein.

Best way to eat them: For maximum immune boosting antioxidants and sweet-tooth satisfier, Klein suggests choosing an unsweetened organic cocoa powder (non-alkaline), which is available at most health food stores. She suggests mixing one tablespoon into one cup of hot water and adding a teaspoon of cinnamon.

Butternut Squash

Why it's a winner: This winter squash is full of beta-carotene, a fat-soluble compound that possess antioxidant properties, which may help prevent cancer. "It's also high in fiber -- so you'll feel fuller longer and will even experience more satisfaction per chew. It's also high in vitamins A, B6, C and folate and in the minerals manganese, magnesium and potassium," says Klein. "And it's a gluten-free way to get fuel in a meal, plus a great substitute for the typical carbs, like bread, rice and pasta."

Best way to eat it: Available fresh, frozen and canned, Klein advises eating with a palm-sized piece of fish or chicken and a steamed green-leafy vegetable in order to create a balanced meal.

Salsa

Why it's a winner: While the tomatoes provide an excellent source of Vitamin C and the antioxidant lycopene, the peppers provide capsaicin, which may help fight bacterial infections, prevent heart disease and improve digestion, while the onions contain antibacterial and antifungal properties that can reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol and prolong

Popcorn

Why it's a winner: "Made in the movie theater or loaded with butter and excess salt, it's a heart attack waiting to happen," warns Klein. "But treated properly, popcorn is a great high-fiber snack."With Vitamin A, calcium and potassium, this treat is also made with folic acid (a B vitamin that helps the body make healthy new cells) and phosphorus (a mineral that helps with the formation of bones and teeth).

Best way to eat it: Choose organic air-popped popcorn, which can be found in most health food stores and look for popcorn with just a one-word ingredient: popcorn.

Ricotta Cheese

Why it's a winner: Not only is this traditional Italian cheese higher in calcium and lower in sodium than cottage cheese, it contains folic acid and phosphorus, along with potassium (a mineral that is essential for proper function of all cells, tissues and organs) and magnesium (another essential mineral that helps with the functioning of certain enzymes in the body). "It can also be a great replacement for sour cream and cream cheese."

Best way to eat it: Look for the organic version. "For a high-calcium protein source that's low in fat, choose part-skim ricotta," adds Klein.

Almond Butter

Why it's a winner: This high-protein, high-energy spread is an ideal alternative to peanut butter. "Because almond butter is rich in monounsaturated fats, is extremely low in saturated fats and has no trans fats at all, this butter if definitely a heart-healthy choice," states Klein. The almonds also provide significant amounts of calcium, fiber, magnesium, folic acid, potassium and vitamin E. "Plus, one plant sterol, beta-sitosterol, may alleviate the symptoms of an enlarged prostate."

Best way to eat it: Klein advises buying an organic almond butter with few additives. Whether you choose roasted, non-roasted, smooth or creamy style is simply a matter of taste.

Hummus

Why it's a winner: The main ingredient in this spread is garbanzo beans, which are low in fat and high in fiber and protein (a combo that will keep you feeling full for hours). In addition to containing numerous minerals, like iron, zinc, phosphorus and calcium, garbanzo beans also have saponins, phytochemicals which may act as antioxidants. Hummus also includes tahini (a sesame seed paste) and olive oil -- two ingredients that are high in monounsaturated fat, which can help reduce bad cholesterol levels.

Best way to eat it: Enjoy two tablespoons on a serving of whole wheat crackers, suggests Klein.

Maple Syrup

Why it's a winner: "This mineral-rich sweetener provides calcium, magnesium, zinc and potassium," says Klein. While one serving (one tablespoon) will not provide significant amounts of these nutrients, this low-fat topping still offers traces of these minerals, making it a healthy choice.

Best way to eat it: Choose 100 percent pure maple syrup rather than the corn syrup-loaded "maple flavored" syrups. You can substitute ¾ cup maple syrup for one cup of sugar when baking. "And keep in mind that maple syrup is a great flavor enhancer on a winter squash, like butternut, on your morning multi-grain waffle, hot cereal or in yogurt."

Maple Syrup

Why it's a winner: "This mineral-rich sweetener provides calcium, magnesium, zinc and potassium," says Klein. While one serving (one tablespoon) will not provide significant amounts of these nutrients, this low-fat topping still offers traces of these minerals, making it a healthy choice.

Best way to eat it: Choose 100 percent pure maple syrup rather than the corn syrup-loaded "maple flavored" syrups. You can substitute ¾ cup maple syrup for one cup of sugar when baking. "And keep in mind that maple syrup is a great flavor enhancer on a winter squash, like butternut, on your morning multi-grain waffle, hot cereal or in yogurt."

Supplements you Need

Below are supplements you should be using:

Calcium

Fifty percent of women (and 25 percent of men) over 50 will break a bone as the result of osteoporosis. The best way to stave off osteoporosis is to take calcium supplements. "It's great for bone health, and, of course, for teeth," says Ricanati. Premenopausal women should take 1,200 mg a day, while post-menopausal women, who produce less estrogen, should get 1,500 mg. Make sure to space out your supplements, as the body can absorb only 500 mg at a time. Since you're likely to get that through food (primarily milk, cheese, and yogurt), pop a pill of the appropriate dosage in the morning and in the evening.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D's star just keeps rising: Along with its well-known benefits to your bones, it's thought to be good for your mood, heart health, balance and even cancer prevention. You can get it through some types of fish and cheese or through exposure to sunlight, which causes the body to manufacture vitamin D. Still, "it's hard to get enough through your diet, and standing in the sun is great, but if you're in gray Cleveland like I am, there's no sun around for months," says Ricanati. Supplements can fill the gap. Make sure to look for vitamin D3, the form your body can most readily absorb, and take at least 400 international units (IUs) a day -- though current research suggests that you may need as much as 1,000 IUs daily for optimum health.

Omega 3s

This group of acids is known to be beneficial to those who suffer from arthritis, depression, anxiety and cardiac arrhythmias. They're believed to boost immunity and may play a role in the prevention of Parkinson's disease. Omega 3s are also thought to help prevent cancer and heart disease. You can get your omega 3s from cold-water fish, like salmon, trout or sardines -- but since most Americans don't eat fish twice weekly as recommended, supplements can be beneficial. Take no more than 2 grams a day in a soft gel. "Those are the generic recommendations," warns Ricanati. "If there are special issues, depending on your own medical history, you might need a different dose." So consult your doctor.

Folic Acid

"If conception is on the horizon, then folic acid is a good idea," says Ricanati. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects (like spina bifida) in the fetus. If you're planning on getting pregnant -- or if you're of childbearing age and there's even the slightest chance that you could become pregnant -- you should be taking folic acid daily, since the supplement's effectiveness is highest during the first trimester when most women don't know they're pregnant. You can get folate (the naturally occurring form of folic acid) from lentils and legumes, fruit, leafy green vegetables and peanut butter. Women who may become pregnant need 400 mcg to 800 mcg of folic acid daily, while breastfeeding mothers need 500 mcg.

Home Grown Remedies

Some of the best Remedies can be grown in your own garden. Here are some easy to grow herbs, that can be used for your remedies.

ROSEMARY

What it’s good for Sharpening memory
When British herbalist Anne McIntyre was a student, she kept rosemary sprigs on her desk during classes, squeezing the oils onto her hands. “The scent stimulates blood flow to the brain and aids concentration,” says McIntyre, author of The Medicinal Garden and ten other herb-related books. Years later, science came to the same conclusion. In a 1998 study, University of Miami researchers exposed 40 adults to three minutes of rosemary scent. The group showed increased alertness and worked math problems faster—and no less accurately—than they had before the aromatherapy session.

How To Grow It Rosemary is a Mediterranean plant, thriving in sun and well-drained soil. If your winters are very cold, grow it in a pot and take the pot inside for the winter. It’s hard to grow from seed, so start with a plant. Or cut a spike from a friend’s plant at the woody end. Add rooting hormone (available at plant centers) to light soil, insert the cutting, and chances are it will root.

How To Use It Ancient scholars used to wear wreaths of rosemary around their heads, but you don’t have to go that far. Nurse Dorie Byers, author of Herbal Remedy Gardens, simmers a cup of rosemary needles in two quarts of uncovered water, letting the smell waft through the house whenever she’s doing brain work. Or you can brew rosemary tea, adding one to two teaspoons of rosemary needles to one cup boiling water. Steep it for five minutes, strain the herbs, add a squirt of lime juice, and enjoy. Of course, if you’re feeling both forgetful and hungry, rubbing chopped rosemary over chicken or fish creates a dish you’re bound to remember.

Fennel

What it’s good for Calming digestion
It’s no coincidence that Indian restaurants set out tiny bowls of fennel seeds to chew on after dinner. Anethole, the active ingredient inside the seed, relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach, easing digestion. Even the ancient Romans praised its healing properties, including scientist Pliny the Elder, who listed 22 medical uses for it.

How To Grow It Fennel’s easy to propagate from seed, shooting up to as high as 6 or 7 feet, and returning each year if you let it go to seed. It loves sun and dry, rich soil. Plant the seeds in early April, covering lightly with soil. Thin the seedlings to about 15 inches apart.

How To Use It Gather the seeds from the end of the feathery stalks. With a mortar and pestle, crush one to two teaspoons—fresh or dry—and add those to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for ten minutes, strain, and sip. “If you have digestive problems, drink a cup after every meal until your digestion is better,” suggests McIntyre. Or try eating the seeds straight, or brewing a tea with a teaspoon each of fennel seeds and peppermint. You can also sprinkle fennel seeds into bread or biscotti dough. And of course the fennel bulb, which also contains the antispasmodic oils, is delicious added to stews and soups.

ALOE VERA

What it’s good for Soothing cuts and burns
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all praised aloe vera for its ability to heal sores and soothe itchy skin—and modern science has followed their lead. Researchers have touted aloe vera for treating herpes blisters, burns, wounds, and frostbite. It works its magic through substances that block the production of inflammation-promoting prostaglandins. In lab studies, the plant has been shown to inhibit histamines (one source of itchiness). It also contains bradykininase, which relieves pain and reduces redness and swelling.

How To Grow It Although you have to buy your first plant, by the end of its first year it will have five or six baby “pups,” tiny plantlets that will grow into another plant, says gardener John Beirne, developer and manager of the horticultural therapy programs at NewBridge Services, a behavioral health agency in Pompton Plains, New Jersey: “Give it a good tug, and a pup will separate from the mother plant.” A succulent, aloe vera doesn’t need much water or care. But it likes warm weather, so bring it inside before the temperature falls below 40 degrees.

How To Use It Inside each plump aloe spear is the clear gel that doubles as a salve. Keep a pot in your kitchen window, and each time you get a burn or cut, pluck a leaf, cut it open, and spread the gel on the tender spot. Sharleen Andrews-Miller, a botanical medical faculty member at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, likes to mix about a tablespoon of gel from the plant with a couple of drops of lavender oil for an especially aromatic remedy.

SPEARMINT

What it’s good for Boosting energy
It turns out that “minty fresh” is more than just an advertising slogan. Spearmint’s probably best known as a stomach soother, aiding digestion while easing stomach spasms. But anyone who’s sipped a steamy cup of spearmint tea also knows the lift it can bring. It contains a number of central nervous system stimulants, including menthol, that boost energy more gently than caffeine does. And several may sharpen mental energy by preserving acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter vital to memory and learning. The mint also stimulates blood flow, which may account for its reputed ability to boost another kind of energy: lust. According to McIntyre, ancient Romans refused their warriors mint, fearful they’d focus only on the women they’d left behind.

How To Grow It You can grow spearmint from seed, but it’s easier to divide a root from a friend’s plant. “Once you plant it,” says Beirne, “it will grow forever, so it’s a great plant to be generous with.” If you want something other than mint in your garden, plant it in a pot, or it will take over. It thrives in almost any condition, even partial shade, although it does best in damp, cool soil.

How To Use It James A. Duke,
a world-renowned herbal expert and author of The Green Pharmacy and Anti-Aging Prescriptions, simply chews on spearmint straight from his garden. Sharleen Andrews-Miller likes to brew a fresh handful in a cup of boiling water, letting it steep for five to ten minutes. Or you can hang bunches upside down in a dry spot out of direct sunlight, crumble a few leaves, and add two teaspoons to a cup of boiling water. “But don’t let it steep more than five or ten minutes, or your mouth will pucker from the tannins,” she says. It’s also great cut up and tossed into salads, tabbouleh, and cold pasta dishes.

Lavender

What it’s good for Easing insomnia
For those who toss and turn, the scent of lavender may well beat counting sheep—or even popping sleeping pills. In one small 1995 study, British researchers found that infusing the scent of lavender into the rooms of nursing home patients worked just as well as sleep medication. Not only did the patients get to sleep faster, they slept more peacefully. The 1998 study that examined rosemary also found that a brief dose of lavender aromatherapy increased drowsiness. “Lavender has a sedative effect on the central nervous system and releases muscle tension,” says British herbalist McIntyre, author of The Medicinal Garden and ten other herb-related books. In fact, when new patients arrive at McIntyre’s office, nervous about what might be brewing in a back-room cauldron, she pulls out the lavender. “I can see its calming effect,” she says.

How To Grow It Like rosemary, lavender is a Mediterranean plant. It likes sun and dry, rocky soil that will force it to struggle a bit. It’s slow to germinate, so rather than grow it from seed, it’s best to buy your first plant or pull a side shoot off a friend’s plant and stick it in sandy or light soil to root. It should be planted outdoors and can be happy either in a pot or in the ground. Water it well until it’s established—and during hot summers—but don’t overdo it; lavender doesn’t like soggy roots. In temperate climates, it will come back each spring, sending up its tall stems adorned with tiny purple flowers.

How To Use It When the flowers open, cut the lavender stalks, tie them in small bunches, and hang them upside down in a dry place out of direct sunlight. Depending on the temperature and humidity, the flowers should dry in two to four weeks. Herbalist and nurse Dorie Byers suggests filling small muslin bags (sold in health food stores for tea) with dried flowers and placing one between your pillow and pillowcase.

You can also make a tea by adding one teaspoon of dried or two teaspoons of fresh blossoms to a cup of boiling water, and letting them steep covered for ten minutes. Strain and drink just before going to sleep. To make a tincture, add approximately 7 ounces of dried lavender flowers to four-fifths of a quart of glycerol (a syrupy alcohol also called “glycerine” and available in health food stores) and one-fifth of a quart of water. Or use one cup brandy or vodka and three cups of water. Cover for two weeks. For sleep, take one teaspoon after dinner and 2 to 3 teaspoons at bedtime.

Awareness

Everyone on the spiritual path talks about "awareness, awakening, enlightenment and being conscious.....etc." In our mind we make it very complicated and difficult. In reality it is simply being willing to NOTICE what you are thinking (or saying) about life. As we know, it is NOT about what is happening, but what you THINK about what is happening that counts. And like any other skill, it takes practice, practice, practice. When you learn that you can CHOOSE your thoughts, then you are "aware, awake, enlightened and conscious." When you experience this and know it is true, - this is the "truth that shall set you free".

No longer will it matter what other people say and do, nor what happens around you, because you are focused on what you want and how you feel. If you look around you can see how this works in life. Two role models I know who depict this truth, are the Dalai Lama and Greg Mortensen. You all know the Dalai Lama, and I hope you have read about Greg Mortensen. He has been building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan for the past 13 years. His books (Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools) are best-sellers and very inspirational. He was second to Barack Obama to get the Nobel Peace Prize, and now he is working with our military forces in Afghanistan to teach them how to become friends with the local people, rather than enemies. He meets and talks regularly with the head of the Joint Chief of Staff, Mike Mullen. All he has done is stay focused on what he wants.

If it works for these two men in war torn countries, then I am certain it works for us in our lives.

Change is Good... You Go First

A Truckers Story

If this doesn't light your fire… your wood is wet!


I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie.

He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade.

The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded "truck stop germ" the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.

I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot.

After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him.. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto his cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag.

If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met.
Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work.

He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart.. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.

A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine.

Frannie, the head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news.

Belle Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of this 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table.

Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Belle Ringer a withering look.

He grinned. "OK, Frannie, what was that all about?" he asked.

"We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay."

"I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?"

Frannie quickly told Belle Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed: "Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK," she said. "But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is." Belle Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables. Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do.

After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face.

"What's up?" I asked.

"I didn't get that table where Belle Ringer and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pony Pete and Tony Tipper were sitting there when I got back to clean it off," she said. "This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup.."

She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed "Something For Stevie".

"Pony Pete asked me what that was all about," she said, "so I told him about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this." She handed me another paper napkin that had "Something For Stevie" scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds. Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply: "truckers.."
That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work.
His placement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called 10 times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work. I then met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back.

Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting.

"Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast," I said. I took him and his mother by their arms. "Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate you coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!" I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room.

I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins. "First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess," I said. I tried to sound stern.

Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had "Something for Stevie" printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table.

Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it. I turned to his mother. "There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on that table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. "Happy Thanksgiving, ".
Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well.

But you know what's funny? While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table.

Best worker I ever hired.

Plant a seed and watch it grow.
At this point, you can bury this inspirational message or forward it fulfilling the need!
If you shed a tear, hug yourself, because you are a compassionate person.
Well.. Don't just sit there! Send this story on! Keep it going, this is a good one!
AMEN!!!!!!!
It's not what you are going to do,
but it's what you're doing now that counts.
"I am not afraid to face tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.

My Lord was there yesterday, He is here today, and He will be here tomorrow."