Blessed Spring is unfolding!!!

A Glimpse of the Universe Each day is a gift...to look upwards at the Pine trees here in the Northwood's and see if they are blooming...growing...extending again after our long and hard winter.  That one is...a bit of a wait for that one...waiting and watching as the temperatures cool and then warm...rain and then the sun shines down again.  Snow melting...buds greening on the ground...pushing forth.  So exciting to see life created once again after our long winter slumbers and going within.  The almost electrifying energy in the air--pushing our limits aside and preparing us for growth.  There are some cultures that I've been with who translate their prayers in the lodge to include the seasons -- blending them with the seasons of our lives.  Spring would then be the time of the child.  Innocence and trust...flitting about like the butterfly...running here and there exploring...the newness of it all.  Here's hoping your Spring brings blessings and growth to you and your families! In keeping with my move towards simplicity and almost raw healing you'll see many of the soaps and balms I've been busy working on.  Colored with herbs and spices--use of clear essential oil notes--sometimes as a double Sagittarius I get overly excited about all these things...and can spin a bit out of control for a bit.  Coming back to center is always a good thing for me.  When I look back on my production last year it was about making making making.  Getting as much personal practice and knowledge in as I possibly could.  This season our products are more focused---truer in a sense.  You'll see less coloration with chemicals, less blends of essential oils that are complicated and a refining of what worked with each of you last year and where we're headed for this year. With scents that many of you last year asked for--Lemongrass, Lemon, Lavender or Patchouli, Hemp oil soaps--and reworking of blends that didn't go over well.  Stocking up for our first Crafter's Fair...upcoming Farmer's Markets...with a  possible Women's Expo in Wausau too!  Truth be told we had hoped to be moving from the area this summer--with dreams of a farmstead where I could plant a garden and grown our own vs. forage in the wild.  We're waiting on that dream to manifest and are now searching for venues to travel to.  Keep us in mind if you have a favorite store you'd like to see our products in.. have a local Pow Wow we may not have the information about...or a local farmer's market you think would work well.  Remember too, marketing is not rocket science.  What we're doing is natural for any young business--learning as we grow!  Setting up times and dates are the focus now--We're also coming up with a Wholesale Linesheet and have several Vendor packages in the works to send off to stores.  If you have any ideas on where you'd like to see our products--send us an email!  Those should go out next month.  All this activity on what's new to do this season we have to find room for new products!  With that comes a release of more sale items.  Take a look at our Etsy site or our Facebook page to see where we are and what we're giving away this time! And now for a surprise!    We need more activity on our Facebook page!  Stop by...Like...Comment and Share...and we'll be having some giveaways!  Could be weekly, semi-weekly etc....We still need testers! Springtime is traditionally a time for cleansing and cleaning things up.  Inside and out, internally and externally.  What are the things that you do to cleanse in the Spring?  We're overhauling our storage area, our production and our outside space.  As this time has been so busy with creating product we've moved to using our kidney cleanse tea alternately with a detox licorice blend.  Use the information I've included to begin working on your own detox/cleanse...this is the perfect time for it.  We've included information for everything from self/body care to herbal energy support, allergies and yoga.  While you are at it---stop out to our Neighbor's Nagomi Yoga & Massage!  Shanna has included her schedule and a bit about the center.  Don't forget to stop in for tea too!!!  There's even some amazing Herbal flash cards you can download for your kids!  Spring is such an exciting time!!!!  Everything about Spring shows us that--and as you connect with the seasons of life, of mother earth...you'll find that your desires, wishes and goals you are working towards will come about in an easier way, a gentler way...As I always say---change can come about through a hammer or a feather....Which way will you choose?   Bright blessings, Sandy MountainsDreamz

Ginger Mint Soda Recipe Use ginger mint to make this delicious sparkling soda. By Terri Pischoff Wuerthner Keep this flavorful concentrate and some club soda on hand in the refrigerator for making fresh-tasting sparkling beverages. • 3 quarts water (12 cups) • 1 pound fresh ginger, unpeeled and chop­ped in 3/4-inch pieces • 1/4 cup chopped ginger mint leaves • 3 cups sugar • One 2-pound jar honey • 1 cup fresh lemon juice • Fresh ginger mint leaves for garnish • Club soda 1. Bring the water to a boil in a large nonreactive pot. Add the ginger. When the water returns to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. 2. Add the chopped mint leaves, sugar, and honey. Turn down the heat as low as possible, stir to dissolve the sugar, and heat gently for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture stand, covered, for several hours or overnight. 3. Strain and stir in the lemon juice. Cover the concentrate and store it in the refrigerator. 4. To serve, combine 1/2 cup concentrate and 1 cup soda in a large glass. Add ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired. MAKES 32 12-OUNCE GLASSES (1 GALLON CONCENTRATE) . How to make Pear Butter Shanna Stein received her yoga teacher training in Portland OR in 2013. She moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to her parents. Shanna also teaches Bellyfit® and Goddess Life Bellydance®. Shanna first started taking yoga as a method to lose weight. The mindfulness and body awareness that yoga has given her helped her to lose close to 100 lbs. The meditation has helped her focus her mind on her fitness goals and helped her to be more aware of what she eats. Shanna wants everyone no matter age, ability, or fitness experience to feel welcome and safe in her classes. She wants to everyone to have the opportunity to experience this amazing practice. Following her dreams to help provide wellness, Shanna graduated from Fox Valley School of Massage in 2016. She is excited to help clients with safe and effective touch. Both massage and yoga help her clients to become more aware of what and how their bodies are experiencing their surroundings. Both practices help to open and increase awareness to everyday life. Massage like yoga has many different style and Shanna offers quite a few of them. shanna@nagomiyoga.com www.nagomiyoga.com Nagomi Yoga and Massage 226 State Hwy 70 E Saint Germain WI 54558 (414) 916-4092 (715) 804-0777 5 Simple Ways to Naturally Support Energy May 27th, 2015 by Stepfanie Romine Life goes on, day after day, whether or not we’re ready for it. While no one gets to add extra hours to the day, there are plenty of ways to help support energy levels—without relying on sugar or caffeine. Read more here 5 All Natural Allergy Busters by Holly | Mar 13, 2017 | Ah..ah…ah.. CHOO!  It’s that time of year and here are five all natural allergy busters to help you survive the pollen season. 1.  Wipe your paws and institute a “Shoes Off” policy at your door.  Shoes will track a lot of allergens into your home.   2.  I hate saying this, but keep your windows shut at home.  I am a good ole fashioned country gal and I love the fresh air, especially in the spring.  Studies show that the allergens inside the home are typically worse than the allergens outside, but if the pollen is making you miserable, you may want to close up the house. Invest in a few Himalayan Salt Lamps to help purify the air. Read more here... 5 Unhealthy Habits Everyone Needs To Ditch Now: A Doctor Explains by Dr. Rachel Carlton Abrams March 12, 2017 5:20 AM Is it possible to avoid heart attacks, ulcers, headaches, cancer, and other poor health events? YES! It is true that we don't have complete control over the universe, and sometimes, "shit happens," but it is very clear that negative health triggers increase our risk for poor health events. Knowing what they are and avoiding them just might save your life.   Read more here Day 1 - Ease Into It - 30 Days of Yoga An Ancient Self-Touch Ritual Will Make Every Day Luxurious by Fern Olivia March 18, 2017 5:50 AM How about a massage? I know. I feel you. While achieving the time to go and treat yourself to a massage, let alone regular massages, is a luxury for most; the ancient ritual of Abhyanga is a self-massage technique for treating your body as temple…all in the comfort of your own home. This Ayurvedic healing practice is the process of anointing yourself with oil and massaging it into the entire body before bathing. Its benefits go far beyond the usual paradigm of simply relieving tension and "chilling out," extending to both mind and spirit, as well as the body. Read more here JULY 29, 2016 5 Herbs for Healthy Stress Management* Stepfanie Romine Your Natural Self   Stress is a normal part of everyday life, and it’s the adrenals’ job to promote a healthy response to it.* Biologically speaking, stress is the brain’s response to anything that demands its attention. All changes naturally trigger this stress response.* This bodily function also has the innate ability to divert focus from the immune system and trigger a healthy inflammatory response, so the adrenals normally work to keep it in check.* There is a group of herbs called adaptogens that work to support the adrenals and their response to stress.* These herbs support the body’s natural resistance and promote equilibrium of mind, body and spirit. Adaptogens can be divided into three groups. Physically and emotionally supportive adaptogens support your body’s ability to naturally protect against daily stressors, supporting your daily circadian rhythm.* Regulating, calming and restoring adaptogens support balanced adrenal function, promoting the body’s nighttime circadian rhythm. Physically and emotionally motivating adaptogens naturally awaken the body and set in motion internal activity that can help people power through their days.* They are not stimulating like caffeine but instead provide support for the adrenals. In addition, another group of herbs called nervines, can also provide support for the nervous system. Nervines are herbs that provide support to the nervous system. Read more here INTRODUCTION TO HERBS FOR KIDS: MEET MY FRIEND, HERB! Posted ByAngela Justis / Comments3 / Tagschildren, herbs for kids, introduction to herbs for kids, kids Meet My Friend, Herb! Part One Hi Kids! I am so glad you are joining us! We are about to go on an adventure. An adventure into the green world of plants where we will find a magical world of healing and friendship. Here we will start with some basics. What is an herb? How can you use herbs? Then over the next seven weeks we will learn how to make simple but effective medicines with much loved children’s herbs. We will also talk about planting a beautiful, whimsical garden, meeting our local wild herbal friends, and creating delicious recipes in the kitchen. Read more here... Kids Herbal Flashcards!!! Wildcrafting 101: Wild Plants in Season Now 3/16/2017 4:42:00 PM By Shar Veda  Shar Veda Stinging Nettle Hooray nettles! Do you know the sting is great for arthritis and can even prevent it? So touch it as much as you want as long you're not allergic. You can eat it raw too but squish it first to get the sting on your hand not in your mouth. Also lightly sautee it like spinach and/or make tea! Nettle is an absolute powerhouse that turns the body into a brickhouse with all of the following nutrients (plus some!)- SULFUR, CHLOROPHYLL, IRON, CALCIUM, VITAMIN A, B COMPLEX, K, PROTEIN, BORON, CHROMIUM, ZINC, SELENIUM, POTASSIUM. I picked this bunch around 8pm last night and my hands are still tingling! Shar Veda Chickweed The white starflower featured below with her sister, dandelion, is amazing in spring salad or just as a raw food snack! Chickweed contains calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, selenium, silica, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin B-1, vitamin B-2, niacin, and vitamin C, protein and a lot of fiber. CHICKWEED is great juiced a spring flush and to eliminate fat cells. Check out this recipe by Susan Weed:“one ounce of dried herb (I weigh it) in a quart jar and fill it to the top with boiling water. I cap it tightly and wait for at least four hours, then strain and drink it, hot or cold, with honey or miso. What I don't consume right away, I store in the refrigerator. A quart a day is not too much to drink, but even two cups a day can help you shed those unwanted pounds.” Chickweed is also an amazing antecdote for bacterial infections, inflammation, even cysts because it so cooling and green. (http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Chickweed-A-Star.htm)  The Science of Essential Oils: Does Using Scents Make Sense? By Cari Nierenberg, Live Science Contributor | September 3, 2015 02:21pm ET More and more Americans may have heard some buzz about essential oils, and may be experimenting with them in hopes of improving their moods or feeling better. These fragrant oils, such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, orange and tea tree, are extracted from a plant's leaves, flowers, roots, barks, seeds or peels. People may turn to essential oils as part of aromatherapy, an alternative-medicine approach in which these highly concentrated, aromatic plant oils are used in small amounts in hopes of improving someone's physical or emotional health. The oils are sold online and in natural food stores. But although many essential oils have pleasant smells and some of their active ingredients are purported to have health benefits, there is limited scientific evidence that they actually improve people's health or mood. And even small vials of these concentrated oils can be pricey. Read more here Downloads...Infographics, Flash Cards, Printables Copyright © 2016 - 2017 MountainsDreamz, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 624 Adams Rd Eagle River, WI 54521 (715)401-1014 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Have a happy and blessed Month!