Friday 7 June 2013

Sharing & Natural Green Remedies

It's 10:30 am, friday morning and I think it's been pretty good so far. I woke up early (4:30 a.m.) and planned to go to the market, but changed my mind as I did a little jewellery work for delivery and turned on the computer to tell my facebook friends about the local blackberries that I bought at the supermarket (Megamart) last evening. It's always great to see local versions of fruits that are usually imported, which I try not to buy. It's always best, healthy and green to buy local. I usually just eat them  but I made a smooothie this time. Here is my 'berry banana smoothie' recipe based on one from EatingWell:-

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/berry_banana_smoothie.html

Blackberry Banana Smoothie

1-2 ripe bananas, peeled & chopped
1/2 - 3/4 cup black berries
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup coconut water
1/2 cup ice
1 Tbsp. flax seeds, ground

Blend until smooth. Makes 2 servings. Enjoy!


I've been very busy lately as I've been involved with a learning to earn programme to teach inner city residents a variety of crafts. I'm teaching jewellery craft and it's been scary and interesting at the same time, but as I always say, "I live and I learn", but that's a different story.
I've thought about teaching for a while and I welcome the opportunity that the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) has given me to share some of what I have learnt and discovered over the years.
The programme is under the auspices of the JEA and the St. Andrew Settlement (Majesty Gardens), and is sponsored by the European Union and Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

My neighbour across the street called to give us some information and I indicated that I wanted to come and pick some mangoes (common or stringy mangoes) from her tree (that she never eats). I actually have a standing invitation to pick the mangoes as it produces profusely and she would rather someone pick them than they go to waste or make a mess, but I prefer to let her know that I'm coming.  I'm always willing to help if it involves eating mangoes, 'King of Fruits'.

I decided to make my neighbour a natural antibiotic drink for a cold that she was fighting. This recipe comes from Sophie at Step Into My Green World :-

http://www.stepintomygreenworld.com/healthyliving/best-natural-antibiotic/

The recipe called for garlic, honey, ginger, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and lemon juice but I used seville (sour) oranges instead. I've been buying sour oranges at the market but I got some nice looking ones in Megamart as well. They were labelled 'Seville Sweet Oranges', so don't be fooled; they are not sweet. I made two batches of the antibiotic, one for myself and one for my neighbour. I had a taste of mine before packaging the other and it was very hot. Pepper is not naturally my thing so maybe I needed to cut down on the cayenne. I had to warn my neighbour so if you dont have a high tolerance for pepper, use less, but bear in mind that cayenne is good for you as it makes you sweat & gets rid of toxins. Honey and garlic are natural antibiotics; ginger and cinnamon have strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. There are also some other great natural remedies on the site, so check them all out.

My sister and I picked a bag of mangoes and as a bonus we got some sour sop leaves to make tea. Sour sop is another great healthy green ingredient. We regularly eat it as a fruit but it's more often than not used as a drink in Jamaica, usually with milk but lately with lime. Have a look at these sites for some great benefits:-

http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=12

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-soursop-4285.html

Google soursop for more information. In the meantime enjoy the fruits of the season.