Monday, November 23, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009

a really good sweet potato recipe

okay, so i just thought i'd share an extremely delicious recipe for brandied candied yams for those of you looking for a new addition to your thanksgiving. it is seriously soooo good and has become a family and friend favorite. you won't be disappointed!

5-6 yams or sweet potatoes cooked (about 2 1/2 lbs)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter melted
3 tablespoons brandy
2 tablespoons frozen concentrate orange juice (i've used fresh squeezed as well)
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten

topping:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cold butter
1/4 cup chopped pecans

1. preheat oven to 350
2. in large bowl beat yams or sweet potatoes with a mixer until well mashed
3. add 1/2 cup of brown sugar, the melted butter, brandy, oj, water, vanilla and salt. beat until combined. add the slightly beaten eggs and beat mixture until smooth
4. transfer to a 2 quart baking dish
5. to make topping combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. using a pastry blender cut in cold butter until mixture is course crumbs. stir in pecans
6. sprinkle topping over yam or sweet potatoes and bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes

This can be prepared up to 48 hours ahead of time and refrigerated. baking time may be a bit longer.

my pal elderberry or the fabulous tales of elder mother sambucus


So I was kid sitting a few months ago, pushing sweet little twins on swings and something tapped my shoulder. I turned around and it was an elegant bushy elderberry tree asking me to harvest her deep purple berries! Naturally I obliged! The kids and I grabbed a big bowl and started picking! Each little berry so tender and delicate, our fingertips gingerly stained purple at the end of our picking. Of course we made sure to leave some berries for the birds.

Later I took the berries home and put them in a quart jar and filled it to the top with organic grain alcohol (but 100 proof vodka works just great too). Now I have my medicine for the winter!

Elderberries are anti-viral and a definite ally this cold and flu season! In fact studies have been done showing that our dear mother elder kicks tamiflu's ass as an effective flu remedy, delivering a much shorter flu recovery time. Elderberry has a high oxygen radical absorption capacity and a great deal of flavanoids that stimulate the immune system. This coupled with the fact that our lady has an anti-inflammatory compound called anthocyanins, make her an effective reliever of the aches and pains associated with the flu.

Proper dosage this winter is a teaspoon in water four to five times daily during infections and a teaspoon daily for maintenance for adults.

Make sure you have Elderberry tincture on hand this winter. She's a wise one!

xo
fh

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Sunday, November 8, 2009

lovefest headbands


just posted my super cute handcrafted headbands on etsy. i love them!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Monday, November 2, 2009

rodriguez


just saw him play tonight. he told me i smelled oh so good. it was my patchouli salve from featherheart trading co. www.featherheartflower.etsy.com

xo
fh