Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Lammas

What is it / some other names ? 
2nd Summer Sabbat , Grain harvest , First harvest

Crafts
Harvest stamps ( check youtube channel for video . I intend to do some on video this season ! )
 Start Early wrapping paper making using harvest stamps ( for yule or any occasion )
Sand picture art
Make a zen garden or a Magical Sand Garden 
Upcycled game making
Make a Protection poppet 
Metal work
Carpentry and wood working , and carving
Grapevine Pentacles
Straw, or cornhusk crafts such as dolls and wreaths, and pentacles


Activities :
Talent shows
Practicing an outdoor craft or skill
Fill a cornucopia
Cooking and Baking with grains
Go to the beach
Sports
Other competitions
Board games
Obstacle courses
Wild Crafting
Foraging
Making Preserves
Canning
Dehydrating foods
De-clutter ( make room for the harvest

 


Rituals and Spells
Protection poppets
Peaceful warrior meditation and or ritual
Ditch, Harvest , Preserve ritual ( see Lammas video for details )
Harvest gratitude Ritual
Any spells or works for inner strength, physical health and vitality, Self-esteem , Protection , Defense , Well-being, Welcoming and receiving the harvest, banishing  , Ocean and other water spells and rituals

Food
Grains
Any fruits or vegetables in season in your area

Dehydrate fruits and veggies  !

( some suggestions, kale, peaches, mango, plums, carrots, plantains, bananas, parsnips .. so many other possibilities ! )

Organic Blue corn bread ( Vegan and Gluten- free )
Recipe
Preheat Oven to 375 F
Ingredients:
 4 tbs. chia seeds and 4 x as much water
1 1/4 C. Blue cornmeal
1/2 C. Brown rice flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 C. xylitol or raw sugar
1 pinch fine ground sea salt
1 C. vegan milk ( I use organic soy )
1/2 C. coconut oil plus enough to grease pan ( softened )
Directions: 1. Make chia egg by combining chia seeds and water mixing and allowing to sit for 30 minutes 2. Add vegan milk and coconut oil to the chia mixture and combine. 3. Add dry ingredients and blend but be careful not to over mix you are just trying to combine them all evenly . 4. Pour into muffin tins that are greased or into a bread tin . 5. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean .




Vegan fried dough-
Use coconut oil or olive oil . vegetable oil is low grade gmo ridden ;)
 http://vegweb.com/recipes/fried-dough

Vegan doughnuts-
 http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/8-legendary-vegan-doughnut-recipes/

Harvest veggie soup with or without a grain of choice

Healthy preserves - dehydrated fruits and veggies , pickling , canning, jams, jellies etc.
Gmo free Corn on the cob if it's in season . There are lots of ways to spice it up . coconut oil ( not extra virgin though ! ) goes great ! Wrap it in foil and add red pepper or lime juice or garlic and herbs . Grill it !

Grain salads - 
Like Tabuli

My first Autumn quinoa salad of 2013


Raisins, onions, pecans, spices and delicious !!
Ingredients: 2c. white quinoa ,
small amount of ginger and cardamon
,2 tbs cinnamon ,
2 med. sweet white onions,
2 c. pecans ,
3/4 c. raisins


lemon thyme and parsley wheat berries

Ingredients:
soft white wheat berries
lemon juice to taste
parsley and thyme to taste (fresh or dried )

Directions:
Preparing
The cooking instructions for different types of wheat berries are similar.
For stovetop cooking, bring 2 ½ cups (625 ml) of water to a boil for every 1 cup (250 ml) of raw wheat berries.  Before adding wheat berries to boiling water, place them in a colander and rinse under running water until the water runs clear.  Add wheat berries to boiling water, and stir until water returns to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until wheat berries are tender.  Remove from heat, drain off any excess water and fluff wheat berries with a fork.  1 cup of raw wheat berries will yield 2 ½ cups cooked wheat berries.
Wheat berries can also be added to soups and stews during cooking. Allow for at least 45 minutes of cooking time and add extra water since wheat berries absorb water and double in size once they're cooked.
Depending on the type of recipe you'll be adding wheat berries to, cooking time may vary slightly.  For instance, a salad tastes better with slightly al dente, or chewy wheat berries, while other dishes such as breakfast porridge may require wheat berries that are slightly softer and cooked longer.

note: I soak my wheat berries in the fridge overnight so, optional idea
 when wheat berries are done add other ingredients mixing as u go .

 Links
My recipe groups :Lots more grain recipes there!- 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthyveganrecipesplusproductreviews/

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/myplantstrongrecipeswap/

My Lammas video 
http://youtu.be/_4nd6dD_5wM


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Litha- Summer Solstice

Litha - Summer Solstice - Summer Harvest 
( See Beltaine Blog for a link to an edible flower list with a taste description . )

What is it?

It's the first day of Summer . It's the longest day(light) and shortest night ( darkness) of the year , It's the Summer Solstice.

Rituals and Spell Ideas:
- A healing ritual/ spell for Earth's waters

-Spells for increased health , vitality and energy

- Sand symbol spells or Sand bottle spells

-Garden magic

-Make a sun catcher

- Star magic / Celestial magic

-Nature Magic

- Dream magic

-  Sea rituals

- Love magic

- Empowerment spells and rituals

Activities:
  • Do some responsible wild crafting / foraging 
  • Do some outdoor meditation and or lounging  
  • Watch the sunrise and or the sunset 
  •  Go camping -Get back into nature disconnect from technology  and some modern conveniences
  • Go to the beach 
Photos of me with mine below 


  • Do a moon garden or just plant some lunar or moon corresponding plants 1 Check out these articles :
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/moonphasemagic/a/Moon_Garden.htm

 http://www.smashinglists.com/10-lovely-flowers-which-bloom-only-at-night/

  •  Star gazing 
  • Picnics
  • Preserving

Crafts:

Make sun prints 

Make garden decor - a sundial , bird bath , sculpture , seat etc.

Make a Summer wreath

Make herb filled mini pillows to aid in sleep , to enhance dreams , stop nightmares, or for physic or intuitive dreams 

Make a Zen garden or make a Sand garden

Tree houses

Fairy houses





Food :
  • Flower ice cubes - Some flowers are wonderful in ice cubes and beverages 
  • Chilled Jasmine tea 
  •  Grilled veggie burgers make your own or my favorites are Hilary's brand - All flavors and sunshine burgers particularly the falafal burger !
  • Grilled veggie kabobs
Just one way -  http://ohsheglows.com/2014/06/10/vegan-green-goddess-dressing-with-grilled-veggie-kabobs/
  • Grilled pineapple
  • Vegan Ambrosia
 Orgasmic Food ! yeah ! Dandies ( vegan marsh mellows the best marshmallows ever ! I swear ! ) pineapple, manderine oranges ( kept in cans with pear juice instead of corn syrup , dark cherries , green grapes, unsweetened coconut shreds, kiwi

  • Grain salads
    • Example 1 
    lemon thyme and parsley wheat berries

    Ingredients:
    soft white wheat berries
    lemon juice to taste
    parsley and thyme to taste (fresh or dried )

    Directions:
    Preparing
    The cooking instructions for different types of wheat berries are similar.
    For stove top cooking, bring 2 ½ cups (625 ml) of water to a boil for every 1 cup (250 ml) of raw wheat berries.  Before adding wheat berries to boiling water, place them in a colander and rinse under running water until the water runs clear.  Add wheat berries to boiling water, and stir until water returns to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until wheat berries are tender.  Remove from heat, drain off any excess water and fluff wheat berries with a fork.  1 cup of raw wheat berries will yield 2 ½ cups cooked wheat berries.
    Wheat berries can also be added to soups and stews during cooking. Allow for at least 45 minutes of cooking time and add extra water since wheat berries absorb water and double in size once they're cooked.
    Depending on the type of recipe you'll be adding wheat berries to, cooking time may vary slightly.  For instance, a salad tastes better with slightly al dente, or chewy wheat berries, while other dishes such as breakfast porridge may require wheat berries that are slightly softer and cooked longer.

    note: I soak my wheat berries in the fridge overnight so, optional idea
     when wheat berries are done add other ingredients mixing as u go .
Example 2 - Delicious Balsamic salad and rice pasta bowl
 http://ourwellnessbydesign.blogspot.com/2015/05/balsamic-salad-with-brown-rice-pasta.html
  • Salads with added flowers and vegan dressings ( organicville brand has vegan versions of all the transnationals I think ranch, creamy Italian and so on .. that taste truly identical at least the ranch did which is all I tried . Organicville also has vegan teryaki,  and bbq sauces , there are vegan horse radish sauces and vegan tarter sauce too and probably anything you can imagine the only thing I've yet to find a vegan version of is pop tarts .( 2015 - found them )
  • Trail mix


Mango trail mix 

Mango trail mix Recipe

Used desired amounts of each and mix in a large bowl

Just mango slices - dehydrated ( dried ) mangoes
Freeze dried cranberries
Organic date piece with oat flour
Pistachios
Raw whole cashews
Raw sunflower seeds


Apple Trail Mix


  • Some Vegan fish options :

Baked Shitake vegan shirmp recipe http://www.forkandbeans.com/2014/05/15/baked-shiitake-shrimp/

Tempeh vegan fish recipe http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/tempeh-fish-nchips-with-tartar-sauce/?utm_source=Green+Monster+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=27f40e53e3-NEWSLETTER_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bbf62ddf34-27f40e53e3-102169273

Fish feels facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FishFeel.org

You may be able to find these at a local co- op, health food section of grocery store  or wholefoods store as well !
Already made vegan prawns http://www.veganstore.com/product/sophies-kitchen-vegan-prawns/cold-pack-required

A lot more already made vegan fish options - just scroll a tad starts at the 3rd I believe - http://www.veganstore.com/category/cold-pack-required



  • Chilled "Ginger Sweet Potato Carrot Carrot Soup"

    Ingredients:
    3 C. Sweet Potato chopped into 1 1/2 inch pieces 
    1 1/2 TBS. Organic ginger juice
     16 oz. Pure Carrot juice
     3/4 C. Shreded carrots
     3/4 Tsp. Fresh shreded ginger ( optional but, delightful ) 
    1 14oz. can light coconut milk 
    3/4 tsp. ginger juice 

    Directions :1.) In a medium size pot. Cook sweet potatoes in water and 1 1/2 TBS. Ginger juice until soft and mashable. Strain . 2.) Mash some but, not all to allow chunks in soap. Add carrot juice , coconut milk, carrots, fresh grted ginger and 3/4 tsp. ginger juice.  3.) Cook over medium low het until warm and carrot shreds are desired consistency . serve chilled 


  • Cucumber lemongrass soup ( chilled soup - great for Summer!)


    Ingredients:
    • Aprox. 2/3 C. plain so delicious brand coconut creamer
    • 1 large cucumber
    • enough soy milk to reach cucumber slices in blender
    • 1 oz. fresh lemongrass 
    • 1/3 c. fresh dill ( or to taste) 

    Directions:
    1. slice cucumber 
    2. put coconut creamer in bottom of blender along with a small amount of soymilk so you have about 2/3 c. of liquid in the bottom 
    3. cut lemongrass into 1 inch pieces . 
    4. add cucumber and lemongrass to blender
    5. pour in soymilk 
    6. using scissors cut dill into blender 
    7. blend until well blended and frothy
    Optional - ( additional pieces of cucumber would probably be delicious to as chunks in the soup )

    Serve 

  • Raw Peaches n Cream Pie - Simple ! Super Fast ! Wonderful Pie !

    " Raw Peaches n Cream Pie "note * So easy ! So Delicious!

    Ingredients :

    1.) 8 oz. Pecan pieces 2.) 16 oz. Frozen but de-thawed peaches 3.)1/2- 3/4 C. light coconut cream from can 4.) 8 Madjool Dates (remove pits  ) 5.) 2 Tbs. water 6.) 1 tsp. ( 1/2 & 1/2 ) vanilla extract

    Directions:

    Crust :1. Put 6 dates and pecans in a food processor . And process. - If not moldable (enough to mold it to the pie pan) add 1/2 Tbs. water and process again .2. Mold mixture to pie pan .

    Filling :Process Peaches , 2 dates , 1/2 tsp vanilla nd 1/2 C. - 3/4 C. Coconut cream ( save any solid white )until well blended & smooth.

    Top with ...  White solid of coconut cream that rises to top of can mixed with ( by hand ) 1/2 tsp. vanilla !

          MMM...


    :)
  • Above is the Crust

Other links  :

My youtube video for Summer Solstice -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQcXnjO-A1s

 http://fishfeel.org/fintastic.php

 http://fishfeel.org/factsheets.php

 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430161242.htm

 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101110101346.htm


Photo


Video Link - Trail mix - My youtube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqHHPu9ChfM

Monday, June 16, 2014

Pagan art journal video !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQL9VNHP8AY

Mango trail mix Recipe written down ingredients

Mango trail mix Recipe

Used desired amounts of each and mix in a large bowl

Just mango slices - dehydrated ( dried ) mangoes
Freeze dried cranberries
Organic date piece with oat flour
Pistachios
Raw whole cashews
Raw sunflower seeds

 I got most of these ingredients at trader joes 

Friday, June 13, 2014

Pagan vegan group on google invite !

Hi I created this group for pagan vegans , vegans curious about paganism and pagans curious in veganism . If you'd like to join I think we'd love to have you ! Hope to see you in there ! https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/110421963126002447605