I know where my Rosemary Goes

Lammas is the first of the harvest festivals, celebrated by the early Celts on August 1^st. It is the celebration of the grain harvest. According to tradition, the first sheaf of wheat is ceremoniously harvested, reaped, milled and baked into bread. In Celtic tradition, this ceremonially bread was considered the bread of life, which is similar to the Christian tradition of communion.

 

Today, it is common to celebrate Lammas by baking bread. One of my favorite, easy recipes is perfect for this time of year:

 

1 ½ c water + 2 tbsp

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp salt (I use Celtic sea salt)

1/3 c organic sugar

4 ¼ c whole wheat flour

2 tsp active dry yeast

2 tbsp rosemary

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp basil

 

 

Put ingredients into the bread machine in the order listed in instructions. Use the whole wheat cycle. Serve with butter or non-dairy spread

Let No man Steal your Thyme

Thyme has been used since, well the beginning of time. It was used as part of the Egyptian mummifcation process. Ancient Greece burned it as temple incense, thinking it brought courage to those who smelled it. In Europe, it was used to ward off nightmares and placed on coffins to ensure passage from one life to the next. Today it is used as an active ingredient in Listerine and against brochitis, toenail fungus and as an antibiotic. Thyme is traditionally associated with the summer solstice, and this bread recipe is perfect to celebrate it.

 

1 ¼ c warm water

1 ½ tbsp yeast

2 tsp honey

1 ½ tsp sea salt

3 ½ c flour

2 tbsp fresh thyme

1 tbsp olive oil

 

Add ingredients in the order listed above to a bread maker. Use the white bread cycle to bake. Serve hot with butter or cashew cheese

Sleep the clock around

I have had a nightly routine for years that helps me wind down and get to sleep. I do moon salutations, write in my gratitude journal, rub on magnesium oil and have my herbal tea.

It's a beautiful way to wind down, especially if it's been a hectic, crazy day. I love transitioning from my awake time to getting a good nights rest.

I used to buy boxed teas, but they aren't always pure or even contain the real deal. My local health food stores (and in Sioux Falls, I'm pretty lucky because I have a few great choices) carry loose herbs in their bulk foods section. I bought chamomile

nutmeg

and valerian

, all of which promote sleep. 

I add them to a tea ball and let it steep in boiling water for 15 minutes. You can either drink it as is

or add milk and honey.

Then lay down for restful sleep.