Living Naturally
July 3, 2021
We all have times when we experience strong negative emotions—anger, panic, fear, anxiety, frustration, sadness, hopelessness, and resentment. I’ve found that I can’t do much to prevent the rise of these emotions, but I have found ways that help to halt a downward plunge. I call it “calming down the calm.” Here are eight strategies for adults.
Negative emotions are often justifiable, especially in emotionally or physically toxic environments, and on those days when one calamity after another... more
July 3, 2021
Is dark chocolate good for you? The news is never quite as good as you wish. However, recent research suggests that eating a little chocolate a few times a week may deliver a cascade of health benefits.
Chocolate Health Benefits
Though most of the confirmed benefits are relatively modest, research shows chocolate may:
prevent or control obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
lower the risk of stroke and some cancers,
improve athletic performance,
protect brain function, and slow... more
July 3, 2021
So many flowers are not only beautiful but also completely edible, adding color and flavor to salads, soups, pastas, drinks, and desserts. In fact, in ancient times, flowers were grown more for scent and flavor than looks alone. Here are 15 edible flowers that are also easy to grow.
For centuries, humans have foraged or cultivated flowers and flower buds for food, drink, and medicine. Think of squash blossoms in Italian food, chamomile or jasmine tea, and rose petals in Indian food. Some are... more
June 30, 2021
What can you do to stay cool in hot weather? Here are tips for keeping your body cool, especially if you don’t have air conditioning or the power goes out!
Actually, we should sweat in the heat. Sweating is part of the complex system our bodies have evolved to dissipate heat. Sweat cools the body as it evaporates from the skin.
I’ve never lived or worked in an air-conditioned space. Of course, here in New Hampshire, most of us can get along with fans, cold drinks, and outdoor swimming.
But the... more
June 29, 2021
Yes, carrots are good for eye health—and offer even more health benefits than the Vitamin A you might know about! Plus they’re inexpensive, always available, and easy to grow. Here are some of the ways that carrots are good for you.
Carrots Are a Healthy Food
They’re nutritious. A single carrot, raw or cooked, will provide more than a day’s worth of Vitamin A.
Carrots are also a good source of fiber, and deliver a variety of vitamins and minerals in lesser amounts.
Low in calories, carrots also... more
June 28, 2021
Don’t waste those fresh garden herbs! Freezing herbs is easy; there’s no need to blanch. Or, some herbs can simply be air-dried or dried in a dehydrator. Here’s how to freeze and dry herbs—as well as which herbs are best for freezing versus drying.
What Is an Herb?
I think of an “herb” as any aromatic plant used for food, seasoning, or medicine. I’m thinking Greek oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, dill, parsley, and the various mints, as well as the medicinals: yarrow (leaves and flowers),... more
June 28, 2021
With all the ups and downs that happened during COVID this past year, it’s undeniably been an eye-opening and reflective period for all of us. Looking back, I realize how much our world shifted dramatically, both physically and psychologically, some of it perhaps permanently.
As I live on a rural farm, we lived much the way we always do: planting a supersized garden, harvesting, canning and freezing, taking long walks on back roads and trails, watching wildlife, stacking and burning wood. That... more
June 28, 2021
Herbal tinctures are age-old remedies that can help soothe and heal whatever might ail you. Tinctures are surprisingly easy to make, and fresh herbs make the most powerful tinctures. Here’s how to make herbal tinctures using plants from your garden.
What is an herbal tincture?
Last week I came across some Internet sites about herb-based first-aid kits. In addition to standard items such as scissors, bandages, and sterile gauze pads, most sites recommended packaged dried herbs for tea, a... more
June 8, 2021
Often thought of as just a weed, the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a wild plant that has hundreds of uses from culinary to medicinal. Discover the many ways that you can benefit from nettles in the kitchen and in the garden.
One of the first wild plants to thrive early in the year is the nettle. They’re pretty easy to find and, believe me, you will know if you accidentally run into a wild patch of stinging nettles (which I found in my raspberry patch). When you brush against them with... more
June 2, 2021
Aloe vera is truly amazing. Since ancient times, the gel from the leaves of aloe plants has been used for healing skin and also been a folk remedy for many skin problems. See how to use this houseplant which does double duty as a self-regenerating first-aid kit.
Among the easiest-to-grow houseplants, aloe vera will decorate a kitchen shelf with quiet grace while also providing healing compounds. It’s fleshy leaves contain numerous plant compounds with antimicrobial, pain-reducing, anti-oxidant... more
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"Living Naturally" is all about living a naturally healthy lifestyle. Margaret Boyles covers health tips, ways to avoid illness, natural remedies, food that's good for body and soul, recipes for homemade beauty products, ideas to make your home a healthy and safe haven, and the latest news on health. Our goal is also to encourage self-sufficiency, whether it's relearning some age-old skills or getting informed on modern improvements that help us live better, healthier lives.
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