“Eating is my Hobby”, Said Ethel – Adventures in Canning – 

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Cathy Silver

Where do I begin? First off, I’m blaming Sprouts, a local grocery store, to start. One day strolling through the store a couple of years back just to pick up one item, I noticed beautiful organic strawberries on sale for 99¢ a carton.  OMG! What a bargain! As I rounded the next isle of the produce section, the grocery store had large irresistible yummy sweet potatoes priced for .99¢ a pound—rather than the regular cost of $2.49!

With no root cellar as in days gone by—especially in Florida where a shovel full of dirt may draw water and a strong hurricane may take your electricity out for weeks—the freezing option was clearly dicey at best. Canning seemed like a great alternative. Not to mention some glitches in the supply chain. Real life villains’ Bill Gates, now the largest farm-land owner in the United States, with millions invested in lab-grown Frankenfood.  And the other Real-life Bond Villain, Klaus Schwab, of WEF notoriety pitching how bugs will be our dinner and how we will totally learn to like eating them. NO. Thank. You! 

So, I asked my partner in crime, “Do you wanna give canning a try?” 

“Yes,” was the answer. As Ethel said to Lucy, “I Can’t Help It, Eating Is My Hobby.” 

And, as I said back to my friend Ellen, “What do we have to loose?” 

Step two: Ordering a 23 Qt. canner. It arrived on my doorstep in a big box in a timely manner. Now what??

I kept saying to myself this canning adventure definitely had a learning curve. You know that relationship between cost/output and how long it takes to acquire a new skill or knowledge? Although I had made jam from time to time over the years, the pressure canning thing was something that had intimated me. I had heard horror stories growing up about the dangers of pressure cookers. The organic strawberries from Sprouts were quickly turned into a luscious batch of strawberry jam sans high fructose corn syrup. But for the sweet potatoes, I needed a crash course in the finer points of pressure canning. 

Enter YouTube. This highly helpful modern “education” platform is a great go-to. It most certainly gives you a hand when learning a new skill whether fixing your garage door opener, repairing a washing machine or learning how to pressure can. I speak here from experience. Real people, as you know, walk you through whatever your issue, using their expertise and experience on with just about any subject. I found videos from “Pioneer Women”, “Preppers” and healthy, helpful Canning sites. Bingo!

In all seriousness, food is more than just a hobby, not to disregard poor Ethel. Our food and what we ingest is a foundational pillar in our well-being. It drives our energy. It nourishes our cells in every part of our physical body and gives us a robust vitality—all designed by the Creative Source. There is a partnership with the Earth. No amount of creative chemistry designed to LOOK like food can give us what Mother Nature’s bounty provides. Period. 

The last two years learning to can have been fulfilling. We watched videos on how to do beef stew. And, it’s delicious, btw and easy! We canned spaghetti sauce. We found asparagus on sale and canned it. After all it’s so expensive for a can and an excellent vegetable for health. We canned white potatoes, and of course the sweet ones. We have even ventured to hamburger and turkey. It didn’t stop there. Out of the kitchen we have produced Strawberry and Mango-Raspberry jam. We made Ginger Marmalade using homegrown ginger. We tried our hand with Lemon Curd, again with excellent results. Oh and I can’t forget the delicious Cranberry Sauce which is NOT just for the Thanksgiving table. lol Our latest, canned success, was fresh peaches. 

We use wholesome ingredients. No preservatives. No mysterious ingredients you can’t pronounce or can’t identify. Canning is simply the way our Mothers, Grandmothers and Great-Grandmothers preserved the fresh bounty of wonderful, health-giving and nutritious food that have kept humanity going for generations.  

So, don’t drag your feet—get to work and try something new! You will be pleasantly surprised.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

~Hippocrates

About Cathrine Silver

Cathrine Silver, HC, AADP, is a Shaman, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, and intuitive in private practice in Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida. She works collaboratively with clients on their desires regarding disease through a process called biological decoding. She writes about relationships, spirituality, and loss and help others through theirs.  Suffering through her own loss in 2005, Cathrine motivates and empowers others to be the heroes in their own lives, becoming fully responsible for their own happiness, joy and well-being.

Cathrine holds a degree in Speech Communication from the University of Washington, is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and holds certifications in Reiki, Matrix Energetics, Hypnosis, Biological Decoding and Grief Counseling and is a Shamanic practitioner.  She is the author of the book, Riding the Light Beam: How Any Woman Can Find the Hero Inside.

www.Cathrinesilver.com (Website)

www.cathysilver.me (Blog)

cathysilverhealth@gmail.com (email)

Cathy Silver Holistic Healing (Facebook)

Cathy Silver, HC@CSilverWellness (Twitter)

Cathrine Silver (LinkedIn) 

Decoding Our Lives Podcast – Pending

Filed under: 2024, Alternative Medicine, Buy local, Canning food, Change, Choices, choice point, Connection to the Earth, Eating Right, Empowerment, Food for Thought, fruit, Getting what we want in Life, Good Eats, Good News, Health and Healing, Healthy Living, How to stay healthy, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Living our truth, Love and purpose, Making Jam, Mother Nature, Pressure Canning, Self-Empowerment, Self-help, Self-love, Transformation and empowerment, Well-being | Leave a comment »

What Are We Doing To Our Food?

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Cathy Silver

For decades I have been what many consider a “foodie”. But, this was who I was long before the term became “a thing”. I began my young adulthood subscribing to Gourmet Magazine—and saved every issue for five years. After having my two boys, I decided that the new publications, Eating Well and Cooking Light may be better choices. (There was no internet at the time.) And although the bulk of my beloved Gourmet magazines were discarded many years ago, a few saved favorite recipes still make their appearance from time to time today.  My interest in food, nutrition and well-being shows itself in my monthly newsletter—encouraging folks to get back into the kitchen. After all, among many benefits, that is where the love is procured. There is energy in what we make and eat. Good ingredients are key, and we control what ingredients our meals contain. None of those unpronounceable “ingredients”, thank you! So is the attitude in our meal preparation; that’s an imbued energy too. Make it Love, not anger or resentment! 

The food we eat, and the nutrition we need are pillars and a significant, often overlooked, foundation to our well-being. Unfortunately, it’s continued deceit over the last 50+ years is evident today. It’s projected to get worse, unless we stand together, and resist this craziness and continued dissolution of live-sustaining REAL food.

I am a graduate of the Institute of Integrated Nutrition. I enrolled in a Culinary Instructors Training program back in 2014. Diane Carlson, my instructor—announced rather abruptly one afternoon, “You clearly have a relationship with food.” I smiled. Yes I do. Yet, it goes beyond the meals I prepare. I know it is tied directly to our health and well-being, something that allopathic medicine is just beginning to admit and recognize.  It is clearly another piece of the wellness puzzle, and one perhaps that is denied by many. Food is more than just fuel! Sadly, we have to be more and more mindful of what we buy, eat and consume. We must check labels and be extremely vigilant. If you haven’t noticed—the rules and regulations enacted, that are supposed to protect us from harmful substances, by our government have eroded and are no longer there. Not really. Its become a shell game of pretend, influenced by lobbyists, and the corporate agriculture door between them and government and vise-versa.

It seems the end game is to actually make us unhealthy—because an unhealthy population falls to their knees and is easier to control in all aspects of daily life. Game over. It also feeds the Big Pharma Mafia.

Belonging to this elite control group is, Henry Kissinger, still alive today. He noted in his 1973 address a particularly chilling thought: “Who controls the food supply controls the people; who controls the energy can control whole continents; who controls money can control the world”

Since then the United States has been on track to deliberately destroy family farming in the US and abroad. This has led to 95% of all grain reserves in the world being under the control of six multinational agribusiness corporations. US export strategy in the 1970s was to further control food supplies. In fact, I recently spoke to a young farmer in Virginia. He is a third or 4th generation apple farmer, and said, “they can’t even pay the land taxes—that their Apples sit in warehouses—unsold—from last year.” I feel a deeper darker story there . . . Yet, I digress. 

In recent off-mainstream news, if you follow such things, businessman and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is reported to be the largest private owner of agriculture in the USA, owning some 270+ million acres. He is also highly invested in fake lab grown meat and chicken. Why? What’s the recent interest in farming Bill? Another new initiative of the Biden Regime is called 30 x 30. This move is designed to control 30% of the (farming) land by 2030. Why? What’s the bigger plan unfolding? After the last three years, it can’t be good!

Remember, this is the same group who are also pushing us that we will enjoy eating bugs. I understand they are slowly being added to packaged ingredients—and will be integrated into our food supply. I write this, not to alarm you—but to be mindful of another agenda and to take active steps on what you eat and purchase. And, read labels! These folks are profit driven, and when we vote with our dollar—it creates a huge impact in their corporate decisions. I needn’t remind you of Bud Light. The awareness and Light we create is what can put a huge wedge into the forward progressing Trojan horse and the dark’s warped agendas. Connecting the dots is important no matter how we currently feel. Or what we don’t really want to see.

The holistic way of life considers not only the spiritual, mental-emotional but physical aspects of our life.  All these areas are necessary to maintain and create vitality. Our innate wisdom and cellular structure knows what we are eating! It can’t be fooled.

Here are a few things to examine for yourselves: 

  • Fluoride is a neurotoxin, and according to Toby Rogers, America began adding it to our cities water supply in 1945. When you look at a bottle of water, you’ll see “freshwater source” written across the bottle with beautiful mountains and pristine rivers in the background. But the truth is nearly 64% of bottled water sold in the U.S is filtered tap water, according to a 2018 report from the advocacy group Food & Water Watch.10  I purchased a Kangen alkaline machine in 2009. You may consider the same. 
  • I had many a housemates that consistently microwaved their dinners. Not only is this highly processed food detrimental to our health, but whatever nutritional value might have remained—the microwaves changed the molecular structure of their food as it heated “from the inside out”. So, why have they pushed and placed a microwave in just about EVERY kitchen in America? Mine, only served as a “bread box’ and kept food safe from wandering ants and BIG wandering cockroaches. Remember, I live in Florida. And we seem to be unable to keep the “wildlife” outside. It is what it is!
  • Round-up is another bad one. By 2007, it had become the most used herbicide in the United States. An estimated 1.4 billion pounds of Roundup are used in more than 160 countries each year. Roundup and its key ingredient, glyphosate, have been linked to several types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), b-cell lymphoma and leukemia. Internal Monsanto documents, whose parent company is now Bayer,  also demonstrate repeated attempts, some successful, to manipulate published scientific studies and media reports in favor of glyphosate safety. Seems like we’ve seen this strategy before! Can you say Co-vid? Yet the US government continues to allow this to be sprayed on the food we eat. (And, don’t even get me started on the horrific GMO’s. I never knew anyone allergic to wheat growing up! It’s another “new” thing!) To be helpful, I’ve listed the dirty dozen—and the Clean 15. Produce that should be organic to eat (but still washed) because in order to move them across state lines, they have to be sprayed with—pesticides. But less. The clean 15 you pretty much peel or grows underground.
  • Dirty Dozen: Strawberries, Spinach, Kale, collard and mustard greens, peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, grapes, bell and hot peppers, cherries, blueberries and green beans. 
  • The clean 15 are: Avocados, sweet corn (75% is GMO), pineapples, onions, papayas, sweet peas, asparagus, Honeydew melons, Kiwi, cabbage, mushrooms, mangos, sweet potatoes, watermelon, carrots.  

Our food is being altered and becoming unrecognizable to our cells. The Pesticides are toxic to our system. Farms lands are being captured. Bottom line is we need to pay attention to the continuing changing world around us. As one who appreciates our real food grown—with integrity and the inherent nutrition that comes with Mother Nature’s divine wisdom.  It is necessary and important to be aware of continued threats to our food and our food supply and to our farmers. Vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from what we have grown over the course of our history has provided us with life. 

We as a society and civilization cannot let the controlling government powers—the private sector technocracies —and the skewed visions of the Klaus Schwab’s WEF, his followers and the Bill Gate’s multiple “non-profits” and charities of the world take our freedom— snatch our farm lands, and choke us all with their version of so-called food. We in the United States must continue to resist the Monsanto/Bayer—Roundup invasion that so many countries are beginning to refuse. We must respect our Earth and the life giving energy she gives us, which sustains our life and well-being. 

We must grow and enjoy wholesome food which becomes our nutrition and our life force energy. We must support each other in true health and not one bolstered by dozens of pharmaceuticals just to remain “alive”. I for one believe we must have access to good wholesome food, grown in healthy soil, under the sun and sky. We all need that relationship to be reestablished as a key ingredient to good health, vitality and well-being. I leave you with this thought:

“For thousands of years, these foods (re: allergies to seeds, grains, legumes, eggs, and dairy.) have worked for humanity. In these cases you speak about, the main culprit continues to be the way in which these foods are collected and processed. You won’t find these allergies in third-world countries, and you won’t find them within the children who work on farms, where they eat the foods directly. There will eventually have to come a day when you relax some of your efficiency attributes and go back to the way food was meant to be collected and eaten. And yes… there are effects from how the dairy animals are treated, too. Going back to some basics will help, and so will eliminating some of the procedures that supposedly create a “safer food.” These procedures have instead made them begin to look like foreign food to the Human body.” Kryon

Below are some links for your continued reading and research.

Watch the full video: https://theepochtimes.com/epochtv/the-global-war-on-farmers-and-push-to-eat-the-bugs-facts-matter-5416519?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=wideawake_media&src_src=partner&src_cmp=wideawake_media

https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/kissinger-control-oil-and-you-control-nations-control-food-and-you-control-the-people-us-strategy-deliberately-destroyed-family-farming-in-the-us-and-abroad-and-led-to-95-of-all-grain-reserves/

https://open.substack.com/pub/tobyrogers/p/the-great-regression?r=opxju&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
https://www.thethinkingconservative.com/who-controls-by-henry-kissinger/
Roundup Lawsuit
List Of Bottled Water Without Fluoride In 2024 (318+ Brands)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/epochtv/exposing-governments-secret-plan-to-grab-30-of-americas-land-5492752?utm_source=ref_share&src_src=ref_share&utm_campaign=gv-cc&src_cmp=gv-cc

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/13/us-environmental-protection-agency-failed-policy-consumer-chemicals

https://takecontrol.substack.com/p/traditional-amish-farmer-threatened

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2022/06/29/rockefeller-foundation-reset-the-table.aspx?ui=45d084311023372369aaf2b32fa708a6176ade12cb72c05e995ad92edc33d8c5&sd=20150523&cid_source=dnl&cid_medium=email&cid_content=art1ReadMore&cid=20220629&mid=DM1201788&rid=1534086839
About Cathrine Silver
Cathrine Silver, HC, AADP, is a Shaman, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, and intuitive in private practice in Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida. She works collaboratively with clients on their desires regarding disease through a process called biological decoding. She writes about relationships, spirituality, and loss and help others through theirs.  Suffering through her own loss in 2005, Cathrine motivates and empowers others to be the heroes in their own lives, becoming fully responsible for their own happiness, joy and well-being.
Cathrine holds a degree in Speech Communication from the University of Washington, is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and holds certifications in Reiki, Matrix Energetics, Hypnosis, Biological Decoding and Grief Counseling. Cathrine is Shamanic practitioner and ordained minister. She is the author of the book, Riding the Light Beam: How Any Woman Can Find the Hero Inside.

www.Cathrinesilver.com (Website)
www.cathysilver.me (Blog)
cathysilverhealth@gmail.com (email)
Cathy Silver Holistic Healing (Facebook)
Cathy Silver, HC@CSilverWellness (Twitter)
Cathrine Silver (LinkedIn) 
Decoding Our Lives Podcast – Pending

Filed under: 2023, America, Americans, Change, Connection to the Earth, Consciousness, Consciousness Increasing, Dark and Light Energy, Eating Healthy, Eating Right, Empowerment, Food for Thought, Future of Humanity, Future of Humans, Genetically Modified Organism, Good Eats, Health and Healing, Healthy Living, How to stay healthy, Lifestyle, LIGHT vs DARK, Living our truth, Paradigm shift, Self-help, Self-love, Transformation and empowerment, Uncategorized, Well-being, Whole Food Benefits, Wholeness | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Chemicals BAD

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Cathy Silver

Blog September 2023

I took a deep sigh as I began to type. My next thought, how do we climb out of the cesspool of these predatory corporate commercial farming practices? They have seeped their way into every tiny crevice and just about every morsel of food consumed by us—AND deemed acceptable or “within normal limits”—AND ignored by the so-called medical professionals and “experts” of today? The policies are deteriorating our health. It’s David vs Goliath all over again. 

We must realize our strength in numbers and return our food to its humble nutritious origins. Do you think our cellular structure knows something innately? Is the precipice we have been looking at finally going to crumble? At the same time, more of us are able to recognize the new consciousness and a slow shift from corporate greediness to one of harmony with the earth and each other. We must make it our goal, to help each other with our wellness and the very basics that are necessary. The pesticides, the herbicides, the GMO’s and the destructive farming practices are making people sick.

Alright, let me back up. It’s a common theme—a giant messy food fight of sorts between us, the consumer and the agriculture corporatocracy. I was in North Florida last week and had a conversation with a gentleman and his wife on numerous topics of late. Yet, the one point I was not familiar with, was broadleaf herbicide was now being spread across fields of growing grass and future hay then fed to the animals. I was interested in using the horse manure and shavings for organic garden fertilizer like we did growing up, but he claimed it would kill a vegetable garden—and I thought, not to mention the horses or other animals who ate it too! Certainly a slow-kill agenda anyway—how long had they been doing this? Was it all by design?

When my friend Joy returned from visiting her folks in western New York, she was confused about the headaches, nausea and malaise she was feeling upon her arrival home to Florida. It turned out, pesticides had been sprayed by air on soy beans growing behind her parent’s house. AND, her 80+ year old father, unaware of just how toxic these chemicals were—had sprayed his apple tree next to the house for worms. He had then invited her to sit beside it and keep him company in the yard. She said no, and advised her father, who has lung damage—that he shouldn’t be there either! There were better, more natural substances to use on his apple tree and growing apples. (Neem oil or a pyrethrin base spray, btw, is a much better than what they push (Round-up) in Lowes, Home Depot or Ace Hardware.) Just saying.

So, everything that goes into the food chain is becoming more and more toxic to us. But, maybe that’s just part of the “slow-kill” plan for reducing humanity’s population and pushing us into a bug eating, chemically lab-grown fake food society? You know, to reduce the population of earth because of the hoax climate change and the not-so-great-reset by the Cabal? I’ll let you digest that thought while you ponder over chocolate covered cockroaches served at your next party—if you’re allowed. 🤮

The fight between Monsanto, which is now owned by the German corporate giant, Bayer, and consumer groups has been going on for years. Many of these chemicals are being banned out of other countries thankfully—but, ah, not so here in the USA! So, perhaps, it’s time to vote with our dollar! It worked wonders for Bud Light and Target—Southwoke and others. Can we please vote with our wallet and just stop buying things like Roundup? I know we can find alternative sources for our garden and products not grown with these chemicals—and the coming flood of things—like Apeele™? And, good grief, we have no idea what that really is! Please forward your thank you notes to Bill Gates!

I guess this growing awareness is just the beginning. And for those unaware—we must band together to create a coherent coalition—an alliance of agreement to just say, “No more”.

But, what are the alternatives you ask? 

A friend of mine, and let me say, genius in the truest sense, has developed several working theories regarding plant health and yield. The laser technology developed by him and his colleagues carries an electromagnetic resonance. This innovative technology enhances the bioavailability of nutritional molecules to their most natural form. The body recognizes, accepts, and assimilates the molecule more readily for greater impact on the body chemistry and well-being.  It’s like a perfect fitting key in a lock. This technology has been studied and used on seeds. This technology, combined with ingredients from his supplement line, tremendously enhanced growing plants in experiments done in Mexico on several hectares of land.  They are indeed new extraordinary ideas. And, these forward thinking ideas are producing yields up to 30% above normal farming production schedules and expectations. They also have a higher resistance to crop pests because of the health and vitality of the plants. So, we have alternatives coming.

Another idea, no matter who is growing our food—short or long term—organic or conventional is a very esoteric meta-physical suggestion for those who can understand and appreciate its merit. When we begin to speak and greet things before they enter our body we begin to “marry” our biology with spiritual truths and our cellular structure responds in a higher, new vibrational pattern. Our biology-mind begins the meld. Certainly food is included as we co-create our wellness and shake hands with the Creator inside.  

I am planning on attending one of the good Doctor’s lectures next month and hopefully will have more to say. But, it’s time to join the movement of supporting organizations which are resisting corporate take-overs. We must support local farmers and ideas that embrace campaigns towards replacing these old, now very toxic farming methods we have somehow embraced or tolerated the last 50-60 years. It’s time to meld with the partnership of Earth and welcome sustainable and regenerating ideas that support this revolution—this evolution in consciousness!  It is our lesson of courage, faith, and overcoming what seems impossible just as in the story of David and Goliath! 

I have included a couple links for more information on a variety of topics regarding this mission: To protect and advocate for consumers’ right to safe, healthful food and other consumer products, a just food and farming system and an environment rich in biodiversity and free of pollutants that will feed us into all the future

Check out: Organic Consumers Organization: https://organicconsumers.org/ 

or Food Tank Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3EdsOyK

About the author:

Cathrine Silver, HC, AADP, is a Shaman, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, and intuitive in private practice in Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida. She works collaboratively with clients on their desires regarding disease through a process called biological decoding. She writes about relationships, spirituality, and loss and help others through theirs.  Suffering through her own loss in 2005, Cathrine motivates and empowers others to be the heroes in their own lives, becoming fully responsible for their own happiness, joy and well-being.

Cathrine holds a degree in Speech Communication from the University of Washington, is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and holds certifications in Reiki, Matrix Energetics, Hypnosis, Biological Decoding and Grief Counseling and is a Shamanic practitioner.  She is the author of the book, Riding the Light Beam: How Any Woman Can Find the Hero Inside.

www.Cathrinesilver.com (Website)

www.cathysilver.me (Blog)

cathysilverhealth@gmail.com (email)

Cathy Silver Holistic Healing (Facebook)

Cathy Silver, HC@CSilverWellness (Twitter)

Cathrine Silver (LinkedIn) 

Decoding Our Lives Podcast – Pending

Filed under: 2023, America, Americans, Buy local, Change, Choices, choice point, Connection to the Earth, Consciousness, Eating Healthy, Eating Right, Empowerment, FOOD, Food for Thought, Genetically Modified Organism, GMO's, Good Eats, Health and Healing, Healthy Living, How to stay healthy, Immunity/Immunity System, Just Label it!, Lifestyle, LIGHT vs DARK, Living our truth, Man's Connection to Gaia, Mother Nature, Old Energy Human vs New Energy Human, Uncategorized, UNITY, USA, Well-being | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Happy Thanksgiving: Celebrating the Seasons of Life!

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Cathy Silver

The Sun Coming Up

The Sun Coming Up – Thanksgiving Morning 2014

The sun came up over my backyard white weather-worn board on board fence welcoming the day.  A cool 55 and breezy for those of us in the Broward-Dade locale. Today is Thanksgiving. Traditionally a holiday of family, food and lol–football. For many a tradition that includes Macy’s parade, whether viewing from the living room television screen or huddled on the street watching large balloon characters & turkeys tethered by ropes, colorful marching bands in their best regalia, high kicking Rockettes and ornate elaborate extravagant floats, all symbols of things we have grown up with and love. Tradition. It is all around us. We love it. We live by it, and we look forward to ‘ours’ each year. Right? But what happens when we don’t fit in to the likeness or painted image imprinted in our minds-eye?

If change is the “new normal” and it’s affecting all parts of our lives, then I guess we should expect our holidays to take on a new look and feel. However most of us have strong resistance to change. The memorable Norman Rockwell painting has all but vanished in most nuclear families. We live and work in all parts of the globe; not everyone can always “get home.” Family dynamics change through divorce, death, marriages or downsizing. Sometimes the next in-line no longer desires to carry on the family tradition, refusing to pick up where Mom left off.

Cheers, Friends, Seinfeld, Mash  sitcoms or the Star Trek series Next Generation helped visibility demonstrate family doesn’t necessarily stay confined to those in our biological circles.  As dysfunctional as the characters were at times, they cared about each other in times of need; mimicking life? Far truer and closer to our reality than we probably realize.  If, TV parrots life: Modern Family represents a new example, would you not agree?  Holidays, like life, evolve the way our life does. It may begin the years we’re in the dorm at school, in a particular neighborhood,  or within a close circle of friends.  Life just happens. The evolution is simply where we are in the moment writing our script in own personal movie–or sitcom. My own life and family looked very different 15 years–or even 30 years ago than today, and completely different than growing up.  I would say in a much better, and healthier view of the world.

I am meeting friends at one of my favorite restaurants, in walking distance from my home, near the ocean. I will talk to my boys–now 26 and almost 30 on the phone who live thousands of miles from each other, and from Florida. I will make a call to Seattle and talk to my parents, divorced, but still living and touch bases with my siblings. I will send and receive Thanksgiving texts and talk some more on the phone, and visit nearby friends, but mostly I will enjoy the day. I refuse to dwell in ‘what could or should have been’ and simply enjoy the moment and company of others–laughing, sharing stories and having gratitude for today.  Creating new traditions again. It is a no-muss, no-fuss kind of year. What is important is embracing our life NOW and enjoying what is.

We are always at choice point. I encourage you to create something new and different. Reach out to someone less fortunate. Play golf, do something that you enjoy. Perhaps, take in a movie. Each Holiday has looked very different in the last 10 years and I am okay with that–in fact embracing what comes in an adventurous–let it unfold kind of way; expectations gone.  Be mindful, our holidays and our tradition can always look a number of ways. Be happy where you are right now, evolve the way your life evolves. Next year will be different.  When the artist begins with the blank canvas he or she is in the process of creation. Be the artist.   Choose the colors you love.  Paint your portrait with any colors; joy is all that is required.  Use pastels, watercolors or oil. Use your fingers, sponges or a brush. Metaphors for the seasons of our life. Create something beautiful with what you have today.  I plan to and so can you!  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Happy-Thanksgiving

Filed under: 2014, Energies of Healing, Food for Thought, Good Eats, Living our truth, Primary Food, Self-help, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, Well-being | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Hillcrest Farmers Market; The New Paradigm Unfolding?

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Cathy Silver

Hillcrest street musicianThe Hillcrest Farmers market in San Diego is walking distance from my friend JulieAnn’s apartment. I was on the West Coast for the Biological Decoding conference in La Jolla but free for the weekend, and I decided to walk over and participate in the local Sunday ritual.  My first observation was this Farmers market seemed to be a hustle and bustle of community; village-like in feel and energy.  Aside from the customary assortment of beautiful freshly picked organic vegetables and fruits, were vendors selling hot and prepared food from around the globe. There were talented craftsmen and jewelry artisans, soap makers and entrepreneurs selling unique wares.  I saw–kitchen towels on flour sacks, handcrafted calendars and paintings–plants to eat, and flowers to grow and the heard melodious musician’s note enhancing the fair-like ambiance with song and note floating up through the crowded market street which had been assembled early that morning. An instant city of tents placed above the usually recognizable  yellow & white painted traffic and parking lines transformed into this temporary village on Normal street; ironically, feeling anything but normal.  I walked through the maze and frenzy of orange and white blinking traffic barricades flowing new directions over the asphalt normally reserved only for cars. Interrupted by the iconic traffic cops maintaining order, blowing their whistles and waving their arms, keeping harmony with the crowds of pedestrians and redirected autos. The kind of scene you would expect Harrison Ford to materialize and saunter through in true Indiana style. (Smiling)

The hopes of finding Julieann’s friend led me down to explore this energetic neighborhood farmers market; a market in which Maria, a editor and producer from LA,  sells her vintage typewriter creations on the weekends for fun. “I get to see the light of day,” she joked.

I spent a few hours there, and what struck me most was the comradery; vendors really supportive of each other. The flour sack kitchen towel guy John knew my new friend Maria who sells the old-vintage typewriter jewelry and walked me right to her booth. Wow! Maria introduced me to the woman on her right who manufactures her own skin care line and to Josette, around the corner who sells beautiful succulent wreaths and arrangements. Josette’s brother Louie, a craftsman himself who designs and builds wood furniture, also cooks and bakes and shares his goodies with his surrounding tent neighbors.  (Cookie recipe forthcoming.)

Such a sense of community I noted, as I wandered down the side walk ready to indulge and sample flavors of the worldly cuisine that awaited. Crossing the street I headed in a southerly direction, actually looking for a close ATM and then lunch, when I heard a comment about the Buddha shirt I had picked to wear for the day. Soon, I was in a discussion with a guy named Robert who offered me a glass of his friend’s tea. It was made with aloe, rosemary, fresh stevia leaves, bougainvillea blossoms, & mint. I’m still not sure what the name of it is, but well worth the trip over to the Market if you live in the  San Diego area.  Have a glass of her whole-made from scratch tea and her delicious home-cooked cuisine!  (Her picture is below.)

I know these local markets happen all across the United States, and it is well worth taking a few minutes to visit these hard working heart-felt folks wherever they live.  I was going to include web addresses, but many of the artist don’t have them.  So, if you’re in the neighborhood–pop over and say hello.  Enjoy all the market has to offer–and support the artists who live doing what they love.  Isn’t this a great example for us all!  “Do what you love or find a way to love what you do.”  These artists and farmers and cooks do this everyweek–supporting each other in all they do!  Do you find support where you work and live?  If not, why not?  Have the courage to step out and be the authentic you. I’m sorry I didn’t take more pictures, but I’ll let you fill in the blanks with your own imagination of how the world can be when we all work together and do what we love.

“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathrine Silver, Certified Holistic Health Coach

http://www.CathrineSilver.com

Wonderful tea and food from this beautiful woman!

Wonderful tea and food from this beautiful woman!

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Baby Zucchini Sauté with Mint

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Cathy Silver

Beautiful baby zucchini at the farmers market

Beautiful baby zucchini

This is a great tasting easy to prepare recipe I made in San Diego for a dinner one night. I really enjoyed how the lemon and garlic added so much  flavor to the sometimes blandish green squash.  Zucchini is a summer squash according to Rebecca Wood and the medicinal benefits support the stomach, spleen, large intestine and liver.  Zucchini is easy to digest and contain anticancer properties and carotenes. This is a “keeper” for many dinners to come!  Enjoy.  

                                      ‘Inspired Wellness from Within’ –Cathy Silver, HC

Total: 20 minutes
10 servings

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, (orange flavor if you have it in your pantry)
1-3 large garlic cloves, very finely chopped
3 pounds baby zucchini, trimmed and halved lengthwise
Sea Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup chopped mint

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil.  Add the chopped garlic and cook over moderate heat stirring until it is fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds. Add the baby zucchini halves, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp tender, about 8 minutes.  Add the fresh lemon juice and transfer the zucchini to a serving plate. Sprinkle the zucchini with the chopped mint and serve.
Adapted from Katie Lee Food & Wine

Be mindful unless you’re buying yellow summer squash at the farmers market, the odds are that it has been genetically modified (GM).  In a store, if possible, purchase certified organic or squash that are labeled non-GMO.  To a lesser extent commercial zucchini squash may be GM too!

Zucchini ready to serve

Zucchini ready to serve

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Amazing Frozen Lemons!

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Cathy Silver

fresh lemonsFirst bananas and now lemons–What a concept! Many professiona­ls in restaurants and eateries are using and consuming entire lemons and nothing is wasted. How? Simply . . . place the washed organic lemon in the freezer. Once the lemon is frozen, use your grater and shred the whole lemon—peel and all—and sprinkle it on top of foods.

I buy and use lemons to season chicken or tuna salad in place of salt. I also love them in water or tea. So after reading about this earlier in the week I tried grated lemon in tuna salad—someplace I normally add fresh lemon juice. This was easy and tasted great. Frozen grated lemons are also great and suggested to add into a vegetable salad, ice cream, soup, cereals, noodles, spaghetti, rice, fish dishes and more . . . the list is endless. Your foods will have a wonderful taste.

Even better, lemons peels or zest contain as much as 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon juice. Peels are also health rejuvenator in eradicating toxic elements in the body. Place your washed lemons in the freezer and grate when needed.

Consulting, Rebecca Wood she reveals the medicinal benefits in her book, The New whole Foods Encyclopedia, that citrus in general is a miraculous food. A cooling agent for our body—be it from a fever, physical exercise or hot flashes. But, did you know that citrus varieties contain 58 known anticancer agents? One article claimed Lemon (citrus) is an extraordinary product to kill cancer cells and claims to “be 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy”. I guess the labs have jumped on to this news and are in the process of making a synthetic version. Personally, I’d trust Mother Nature—both energetically and the micro-nutrients which work in harmony with our system. Lemons constrict body tissue, they dry damp conditions, resolve stagnation, and dispel sputum. If your digestion is off, lemon stimulates the flow of saliva, easing the work of the liver. They help to alkalize the body and are helpful in high blood pressure—good for sunburn, insect bites, sore throats, hiccups and weight loss.

For a great Morning Elixir, to gently bring your energy up restoring balance and rehydrating your body without the jolt from caffeine, boil (on the stove) 1 cup of water. Add two Tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and honey to taste. Cayenne to taste (optional)

This will help your body if it is feeling stiff—or your mind if it is feeling cloudy. It could be your liver is complaining it didn’t complete its middle of the night task of blood cleansing. Who knew this beautiful yellow fruit brought to us from India was such a world class seasoning ingredient—and so remarkable for our health!

Inspired Wellness from Within

Cathy, HC

http://www.CathySilverHealth.com

lemon tree

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The Power of Apple

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Cathy Silver

The wondrous apple     Anxious to grab a morning walk before the temperatures rose to quickly, I snatched a crisp red organic apple out of my refrigerator drawer–a Gala to be precise.   Apples are one of my favorite fruits–conveniently packaged in a  portable size and sturdy enough to be carried almost anywhere.  They have the advantage so far–of making it through airport security; my yogurt was not so lucky!  As I munched through the house multitasking, my mind wandered just briefly about the iconic  platitude “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” 

This is one fruit that we apparently love.  Emerson called it “the American fruit.”  Those who keep track of such things estimate that we consume about 120 apples per year–per person.  And, did you know that the apple originated not far from the mythical Eden, in Almaty, Kazakhstan in Central Asia where wild apples still cover the foothills?   Most of ours don’t come that far, and although they grow in almost all states,  if you have ever driven through Yakima, Ellensburg or the Wenatchee Valley you would not need to be convinced  that most apples in the United States come out of Washington state where 12 billion apples are thinned and picked by hand.  That’s a lot of apples!

No one is better suited than Rebecca Wood, author of The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia to detail the medicinal benefits of apples.  According to her expertise, apples are a cooling food–and both a yin & chi tonic that treat the heart, lungs, large intestines, stomach and spleen.  They invigorate and promote vital energy and help dispel toxins.  Apples contain something called Malic and tartaric acids which inhibit fermentation in the stomach making apples easier to assimilate than most other fruits.

They are moistening and so reduce thirst, reduce fever, and ease dry hot lungs.  In addition, apples, especially green, help to cleanse the liver and gallbladder and help to soften gallstones.  Rebecca recommends giving grated raw apples to children to reduce their fever. To ease a dry cough her recommendation is to steam apples with honey until they’re soft and eat–to eliminate phlegm from the lungs, prepare apples with agar.

Apples are a rich source of pectin and so can lower cholesterol, promote beneficial intestinal flora, and support normal colon function.  They’re high in quercetin and other flavonoid antioxidants that help protect against heart disease, cancer and asthma.  They are also an excellent low-calorie source of fiber and vitamin C–and other nutrients.

When we look back not too far in our own history, I ask: Did our love affair with this American fruit begin here with the  myth and legend of John Chapman–a.k.a. Johnny Appleseed.  An interesting character,  he traveled the vast unsettled territories of our new country with his bag of seeds planting trees: a unspoken message– perhaps one that we should heed more closely today?  Is there a synergy between man and the apple or apple and man?   You know kind of like the squirrel and the acorn? Once thing is sure our love affair with the apple is far from over and it seems with out a doubt  is good for our system of creating health within.   For me it can certainly be taken out of “bible lore” and brought into the our  daily ritual–for snacks, salads, dried, cooked, –juiced or cider.  Whether we call them Braeburn or golden, Granny Smith or McIntosh the message is clear–an apple a day really should keep the doctor away.

“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathy Silver, HC

http://www.CathySilverHealth.com

 

 

 

 

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Spring + Easy to Make Green Shake to Detox Your Body!

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Cathy Silver

Green ShakeAh, spring! This season brings increasing daylight, warming temperatures, and the rebirth of flora and fauna.   Take a moment to walk outside and notice the green plants growing in your garden. The three months of the spring season bring about the revitalization of all things in nature; usually increased rain water, waking from hibernation and the spring equinox next week: Gaia’s announcement that we have come to the season of birth.  Without our awareness—and sometimes unnoticed, nature shows us this every spring—the announcement from those small crocuses, bright happy daffodils and yellow forsythias which blossom without fail.  The swelling vibrant and bursting energy that moves the sap and forces the buds to open and bloom may be our calling and awakening from winter as well.  That burst of energy to clean, change our diet or other small rejuvenations; unseen energy that surges through body, mind and spirit that so often goes unnoticed or at least, unspoken.  Watch what greens begin to appear in the grocery stores or farmers’ markets.  Is this too a sign from nature, a calling of sorts to detox our bodies after our heavier winter fare? Alkaline food detoxes our body —leafy greens, sprouts, berries, cherries, asparagus, grapefruits, lemons, spinach or dandelion greens available now for your choosing.  See what local leafy greens appear in your neighborhood market, and how you might prepare them tonight? Or, are you more of a ‘blender chef’? See the green shake recipe below.  You might also try sipping hot water every day for two weeks.  The hot water will dilate, hydrate and begin to detoxify your tissues and encourage your lymph system to move sort of like the sap. (Smiling) Ancient cultures have lived within the harmony of natural cycles.   A balance of yin and yang promotes health and harmony.  Understanding this balance within your body is key. Happy spring!

Green Drink

Delicious Green Shake!

  • In Vitamix, place all ingredients, blend and enjoy the benefits of health and vitality!

2-3 generous handfuls of baby organic spinach

2-4 leaves of organic kale.  (I use the leaves and save the big stems for my green juice.)

A big handful of fresh organic sunflower sprouts

1 ripe avocado scooped and placed in blender (The seed has more phytonutrients than the actual ‘fruit’-feel free to add it to your shake.  The Vitamix will easily incorporate it right into the shake!)

1 ripe banana (Option: I like to freeze mine and just break them into 2-3 pieces.  Peel before freezing and put them into a zip lock bag.)

1-2 scoops of “live” organic powdered greens such as Green Organics

Optional scoop of organic protein powder such as Green Organics “Smooth Vitality”

Udo’s Oil  3-6-9  or Flax oil to taste

(A few frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or even a lemon can be added for a bit of sweetness or more flavor—as in the case of lemon.  Other veggies that can be added to the shake are cucumber, celery, asparagus, ginger, garlic.  Be creative—but try to keep the shake mostly green and mostly veggies! J )

4+ cups Kangen water 9.5 or pH preference

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Clinical studies show that proper nutrition reduces oxidative stress, positively impacts markers of systemic inflammation, helps support a healthy immune system, helps protect DNA, and promotes Cardiovascular wellness.  Visit: http://www.thepowerofph.com

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Meatless Half-Hour Chili

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Cathy Silver

Image

This is a family favorite—updated a bit.  You will not miss the meat in this chili as Bulgur adds texture to the (mildly spicy) mixture of vegetables and beans.

1 Tablespoon olive oil

3-4 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

3 onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon minced jalapẽno pepper or

for less heat and more flavor substitute poblano pepper, to taste

1 carrot, graded

1 28-oz can and 1 14-oz. can organic tomatoes, chopped with their juices (I use the roasted tomatoes which are delicious, if you can find them.)

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 piece Seaweed, such as Wakame*

2 15oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1/3-1/2 cup fine or medium grain bulgur

½ cup low yogurt

1/3 cup chopped scallions

¼ cup fresh cilantro or parsley

 In a Dutch oven or a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat, add spice and sauté for 1-2 minutes—(this intensives the spices) until they are fragrant.  Add onions, garlic, carrots and pepper.  Sauté for 5-7 minutes—until the onions and carrots are soft. Add tomatoes with their juice and the teaspoon of brown sugar. Toss in your Wakame. Cook for 5 minutes over high heat.  Stir in beans and bulgur, and reduce heat to low. Simmer the chili uncovered for 15 minutes, or until thickened. Serve with a dollop of yogurt, scallions and cilantro or parsley on the side.

*In traditional Chinese healing, sea vegetables correspond to the winter season and to the kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder and reproductive organs. The strengthening, balancing and cleansing properties of sea vegetables are known to help these organs as well as the hair, skin and nails. Sea vegetables (or seaweeds) provide a variety of minerals and vitamins, including calcium, iron and iodine, and can help balance hormone and thyroid levels in the body. Eating too many processed foods or foods grown in mineral-depleted soil can result in a lack of minerals in the body, leading to cravings for salty or sugary foods. Adding sea vegetables to your diet can help balance your energy levels and alleviate cravings.

Adapted from Eating Well, 1992

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