Inside HBC

Success with new diffused oils

Last night Valentino, Romeo and I took our regular 7:30pm dead sea salt mineral bath (Romeo always reminds me to add salts for valentino) and then tried out the new oils to diffuse from Marlene. I set the diffuser to work for 5 minutes every 45 minutes throughout the night.

We only woke at 12:30 and then again at 4:30am. Valentino coughed a few times throughout the night. Little coughs. It was a relief compared to the coughing from the previous nights that would result in him gagging and then vomiting.

I was so excited with the results that I ran the diffuser again this morning while I dressed Val nearby and then did an extended reflexology treatment. (Yesterday Marlene and I did a training on working on the whole foot instead of just lungs and digestion…but that’s a whole different post…..)

Throughout the day today Val has pushed out little coughs here and there with good force. I am thinking that it’s not cold/flu related–this is CF coughs. So, I think at our next visit to the specialist we will end up with a new treatment plan that maybe includes nebulizers or some other treatment that I don’t even know about yet.

For now I think he’s breathing easy again.

Valentino’s cough- 7 months old

The past three nights have been completely sleepless with Valentino waking up 8-10 times a night coughing himself awake. When I hear him coughing away in his crib I run to the crib and pick him up to help him clear the mucus. During the day he coughs 5-6 times. I presume that when he lays down at night, the mucus is building up and causing him to cough more.

Because he also has weepy eyes and a runny nose…I can’t tell if this cough is a normal baby cold/flu or if it is CF related. Either way, Marlene has put together a new essential oil plan for us to try out.

We will be using a sonic diffuser set to time on and off periodically through the night (only running 5 minutes at a time) to diffuse the following oils:

inula- to break up the mucus

german chamomile- get rid of the waste from the bacteria in the mucus

tea tree oil- anti viral

lemon- immune boost (and it just smells so good!)

eucalyptus- break up mucus

This is a strong blend of oils. The german chamomile in particular comes through and is very strong. I am adding this to the current regimine of running a salinizer next to his crib throughout the night.

I hope this clears up his cough and he can get some sleep and keep breathing easy.

Cranberry Orange Scones

Having a scone with a cup of tea is such a treat, one that I thought I would never be able to have again once I realized I couldn’t eat things made with wheat flour.  Thanks goodness for GWF Baking Mix*!  Now I can have my scone AND be certain that it gives me something back–lots of protein, that is!

• 1 cup GWF Baking Mix (sweet, salty)
• 1 cup rolled oats (generous) (sweet)
• 6 TBS chilled salted butter, cut into squares (sweet)
• 1 beaten egg (sweet)
• 1/3 cup cream, buttermilk or soy milk (sweet)
• Zest from one orange or 1tsp orange extract (bitter)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (sweet, sour)
• About 1/8 cup oat flour for kneading (sweet)
• Greek yogurt (optional) (sour)

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Mix the GWF baking mix and oats in a large bowl.  Cut in 6 TBS butter (an electric mixer makes it easy, but a fork works fine as well).  The lumps should be about pea-sized.
3. Combine the milk and the beaten egg, and then add to the flour mixture along with the orange zest and cranberries.  Mix only until combined.
4. Turn out onto a floured board and knead gently until the dough is a bit stiff, but not crumbly.  Cut dough into 4 sections and form into 4 balls.  Cut those into 4 pieces, and retain shape (a little wedge).  Place onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for approximately 13 minutes.
5. Transfer to a cooling rack, but do enjoy them warm with a dab of butter or Greek yogurt.  Yummy!

GWF Baking Mix is available at the Heavenly Bodies Clinic and through our online store.

Pumpkin Muffins

These moist pumpkin muffins just might be my favorite recipe using GWF Baking Mix.  They are perfect for breakfast, a midday snack or a lovely dessert after a light meal.  Dress it up with sour cream and pomegranate seeds if you omit the cranberries.  Mmmmmm.

• 1 egg (sweet)
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (sweet)
• 1/2 cup cream or half and half (sweet)
• 1/2 cup melted butter or light oil (sweet)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla (sweet)
• 2 cups of GWF baking mix (sweet, salty)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (pungent, bitter)
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves (pungent)
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (pungent)
• 1 cup fresh cranberries (optional) (sour)

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Beat the egg gently in a large bowl. Mix in the pumpkin puree, cream, and vanilla. While stirring, slowly add cooled, melted butter or oil. Mix well.
2. In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients, then add to the pumpkin mixture, stirring just until combined. Fold in the cranberries.
3. Fill lightly oiled cupcake tins with batter.  Place in oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the center of a muffin springs back when touched lightly.
4. Cool in tins for 5 minutes, then remove to cooling rack.

GWF baking mix is available at the Heavenly Bodies Clinic and our online store!

Chinese Medicine Detox Soup Recipe

A healthy way to blend fall into winter

As the weather changes, its a good idea to give your body a day or so to adjust by feeding it something that will not only clear some toxins, but also nourish it.  You can do this by fasting for a day (or four), “eating” only clear liquids that include chicken broth.  Or you can try the Heavenly Bodies Clinic’s legendary Chinese Medicine Detox Soup Recipe. It will fill you up, nourish you, satisfy the five flavors, and get your ready for the next season.

Chinese Medicine Detox Soup Recipe

• ½ C dried barley (sweet, salty)
• ½ C fox nuts* (bitter)
• 6 large green onions  (use white and green part although cleansing property is in white only) (pungent)
• 1-2 cans of tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes if preferred, or omit if you hate tomatoes) (sweet, sour)
• 1 head of bok choy (pungent)
• 1 green pepper (pungeant)
• 1 celery bunch (salty)
• ½ C fresh parsley (pungent)

1. Combine barley and fox nuts in a pan, bring to a boil in 3C water, then simmer, covered, until soft (about 30 minutes).
2. Chop vegetables (make the pieces quite small) and put in a large pot.
3. When barley and fox nuts are soft, add them, and their cooking water, to the vegetables.  Add more water to cover the vegetables.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

*If you can’t find fox nuts in your local eastern food store, let us know so we can get some in the mail to you.