Raw Juneberry Chia Jam

Juneberries are at peak ripeness when they turn a deep purple color

Juneberries are here! If juicy blueberries and sweet almonds had a baby, you would have the irresistible flavor of Juneberries. Found wild and as an attractive urban ornamental, they (surprise!) ripen in June here in Wisconsin. If you don’t have access to fresh wild Juneberries, blueberries will work just fine for these recipes.

I normally freeze our extra berries so we can make smoothies year-round, but this year I decided to make some healthy, easy jams. I have a recipe for everyone: one is vegan and made with chia seeds, the other made with nutrient-rich gelatin. Both versions are raw, whole food, antioxidant rich, and free of refined sugar, preservatives, and anything icky.

Recipe 1: Juneberry Chia Jam

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh berries
1/8 cup purified water
1.5 tbsp raw honey
1 tbsp chia seeds

Using a pestle or similar tool, roughly mush your berries in a bowl.

Add the water, honey, and chia seeds.
Mix well, move to a glass jar for storage, and place in the refrigerator.
After about 30 minutes, the chia seeds will set and be ready to enjoy.

Recipe 2: Juneberry Jelly

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh berries
2 tbsp purified water
1.5 tbsp raw honey
.5 tbsp pure gelatin powder (ideally organic)

Using a pestle or similar tool, roughly mush your berries in a bowl.
Add the water, honey, and gelatin.
Pour your mixture into a blender or food processor and blitz until smooth. Pureeing your berries releases more of the almond flavor from the seeds.
Move your puree to a glass jar for storage, and place in the refrigerator.
After about 30 minutes, the gelatin will set and be ready to put on fruit, English muffins, or your favorite snacks.

Warmly,

Megan Normansell, CHC, AADP, CFH

Certified Holistic Health Counselor/ Certified Herbalist/Holistic Nutritionist/Wild Edibles Guide

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http://www.aayushealth.com – megan@aayushealth.com – 920-327-2221

Copyright Megan Normansell 2020. All rights reserved.

8 Incredible Reasons to Eat Star Anise

Star Anise is an aromatic, liquorice- flavored spice that is widely used in Indian, Malay, Chinese, and Indonesian cuisine. As with all herbs, it is not only a culinary delight but has some powerful medicinal properties. Find it in the spice aisle of your local grocery store, preferably organic.

1. Star Anise has antibacterial, anti-viral properties and helps to fight infection. Almost all of the world’s star anise crop is used for extraction of shikimic acid, the chemical used in the synthesis of Tamiflu. Can you imagine how much safer it must be to use the unadulterated, whole food form of the medicine? This herb is indicated specifically for the flu, sinus infections and bronchial infections. Take it at the first sign of illness and each day you are ill, preferably in the tea form. See my recipe below.

2. It has compounds such as creosol and alpha-pimene that clear mucus from air passages, soothe a sore throat, and make dry, irritating coughs more productive. The Greeks used to make teas with it to help asthma and other respiratory ailments.

3. Alleviates constipation.

4. It is carminitive (relieves gas) and is good for indigestion.

5. Is helpful for PMS and menopausal symptoms, and gently encourages childbirth.

6. Supplies calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and five B vitamins.

7. The seeds from this powerfully scented herb have been used as a tea for thousands of years to help treat bad breath.

8. Star Anise contains a compound called anethol, which has been reported to increase sex drive in women.

Here we used star anise to make a flavorful immune boosting tea with a handful of Wisconsin chaga mushroom chunks, 1 cinnamon bark stick, and 1/4 cup of elderberries in a stock pot.  If you want a no fuss, ready-to-go star anise option, check out my organic Star Anise tincture. 

Explore the many culinary applications to get the benefits of this wonderful medicine provided by nature!

Warmly,

Megan Normansell, CHC, AADP, CFH

Certified Holistic Practitioner/Holistic Nutrition/Herbalist/Wild Edibles Guide

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more recipes and healthy living ideas!

Interested in healing your body naturally?
Get the answers you’ve been searching for, and heal your body for good… naturally.  We have successfully helped thousands of people across the country live a healthier life than they ever could have imagined, and specialize in dozens of different health concerns. Curious? Schedule your complimentary consultation with me today! Read the incredible reviews we’ve received over the years here.

http://www.aayushealth.com     –     megan@aayushealth.com    –    920-327-2221

*please consult your herbalist or other health care practitioner before beginning a new herbal regimen like these.

Copyright Megan Normansell 2018 All rights reserved. 

Super Immune Chaga Gummies

As we are entering “chaga season,” I thought I’d share one of my family’s favorite things to do with it- super immune chaga gummies!

For those unfamiliar, chaga is a potent medicinal mushroom that grows in the northwoods of Wisconsin. With hundreds of clinical studies behind it, it’s used for strengthening the immune system, balancing autoimmune disorders, fighting cancer and tumors, cholesterol, blood pressure, eczema, inflammation, and many more.

We first make the chaga tea from the dried chunks, then add maple syrup until nice & sweet. Then follow this recipe, simply substituting the elderberry syrup for chaga. Sometimes we will do half & half. They are delicious and help to keep away the colds & flu that are circulating this time of year!

My hand-harvested Wisconsin chaga to make this recipe is available here!

Warmly,

Megan Normansell (Kerkhoff), CHC, AADP, CFH

Certified Holistic Practitioner/Holistic Nutrition/Herbalist/Wild Edibles Guide

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more recipes and healthy living ideas!

Get Even Healthier!
Get the answers you’ve been searching for, and heal your body for good… naturally and holistically. We have successfully helped thousands of people across the country live a healthier life than they ever could have imagined, and specialize in dozens of different health concerns. Curious? Schedule your complimentary consultation with me today! Read the incredible reviews we’ve received over the years here!

http://www.aayushealth.com – megan@aayushealth.com – 920-327-2221

Copyright Megan Normansell 2018 All rights reserved.