Rose Hip Jam - One of my new favorite things

Today I discovered the magic of raw rose hip jam.

First of all:  Rose hips?
    Yep! These magical little fruits are what is left on the rose plant after the flower has died off. Like other fruits, they contain the plant's seeds. Most of the time we don't see the fruit because they are pruned off with the dead roses to keep our gardens looking tip top. However, if you allow the flowers to fade on their own, the rose hips will be left and can be harvested to eat. The seeds are removed and you are left with an edible fruit that can be consumed raw or dried for other medicinal and culinary uses. They have a delicious, slightly sweet, tart flavor. Best of all, they are super good for you!

• They contain tons of vitamin-C (541 mg/cup), which is excellent for our skin and for boosting the immune system as well as:

• Citric acid, malic acid and ascorbic acid
•  Pectin, selenium, manganese
•  Lycopene and antioxidant flavinoids
• Trace amounts of magnesium, potassium, sulfur and silicon

...Translating into these health benefits:

     • strengthen the immune system

     • stimulate circulation

     • Helps to maintain a healthy digestion

     • reduce inflammation and help prevent heart disease

     • Prevents bladder infections

     • Ease headaches and dizziness

     • Anti-aging as it heals tissues and cells. It also tones organs and regenerates cells

     • Calming effect, prevents stress and also acts as an anti-depressant

To reap the benefits of these magical little fruits you can make rose hip tea, simply by brewing a heaping teaspoon of dried rose hips in a cup of hot water, ooorrr you can make and enjoy this delicious rose hip jam! (Also, it is the easiest jam you will ever make. Guaranteed) (And its raw) (And its sugar-free) (Can you tell that I'm excited?) Ok, on to the "recipe" now:

Rose Hip Jam

(raw, vegan, sugar-free)

1. Fill a jar half full of dried rose hips
2. Fill the rest of the jar to the top with unsweetened apple juice
3. Put on the lid
4. Let set in refrigerator overnight or 7-8 hours
5. Take off the lid, spread on some toast, and enjoy! (Or eat it by the spoonful like I did.) 

If you'd like a little smoother of a texture, puree the jam in a blender or magic bullet. 

You can also mix up the flavor by adding spices or extra sweeteners. (Cinnamon + Honey)

Project: De-nastify

Going In - Armed and Dangerous

Dirt? Grime? 

Psh! Ain't know match for my broom and dustpan!

Mold? Lime?

Psh! Not after a few sprays with my Lysol can!

...Another (Wo)man's treasure....

Dad deemed her a 50-footer. From 50 feet, she looks great; however, the closer you get to the Golden Falcon, the more her age shows. Rusty wheels, bent sheet metal, missing lights, a careless paint job. The previous owner even mentioned his consideration of scrapping her. Yes, she's endured some abuse in her 42 years and when you step inside this only becomes more obvious. I suppose that whenever we went to look at her for the first time, my imagination blinded me to all of these flaws. Despite Dad's more realistic observations and comments, I only saw the wonderful windows (on which I can't wait to add some shutters!), the large bathroom, the original detailed switch plates and hardware, the daisy curtain rods, the nice double sink, what color I would paint the walls and where I would place a bookshelf. Now that she's home, the flaws have become undeniable and they must be faced, but that's ok, because still all I see is the home she will one day be. 

As I'm writing this, I can't help but to steep in the truth of the Gospel - the redemption and renewal we have received through the Resurrection of Christ. From a distance I might not seem so shabby, but the closer you get, the more undeniable my sin becomes. And like the hearts and minds of  those pharisees that Jesus rightly compared to as "white-washed tombs," my heart and my mind are equally condemnable (Matt. 23:27-28). Yet, miraculously, they are not condemned, but cleansed because Jesus, holy and righteous, chose to suffer and die on our behalf. But not only did he die for us, carrying away our sin, He rose, rolling away the stone of the tomb - conquering death, giving us life, hope, and a future of rejoicing in Him forevermore. It is because of this irrevocable love that the Father does not see us as stained sinners, but instead He forgives our sins and sees us as His children (Galatians 3:26) - holy, pure, and righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). The work is done, the debt is paid, the case is over - He calls us His own, and we are His, forever (Romans 8:38-39). 

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come."

2 Corinthians 5:17

Research

Tehehe

The possibilities are endless!

The Beginnings

   Traveling only made me realize that there is so much to see, and I didn't want to stop. 

Somewhere in southern Iowa, driving home from a trip to Montana with my grandparents, after drinking my share of coffee, Grandpa listening to Rush in the passenger seat, Grandma taking a nap in the back seat - that's when the idea was born, as a truck pulling a fifth wheel flew past us in the opposite direction. 

Thought: "I wonder if you could live in one of those."

So I asked Grandpa: "well, you could" he said, "but not too easily."

The wheels started turning "Why couldn't you? Really? If it were self-contained. Certainly cheaper than buying an immobile home. It's all I would REALLY need. An investment perhaps?...etc..."

After tossing around the idea in my head for the next 5 hours on the way home and after showing pictures and telling stories to my parents upon our arrival,  I presented the idea to them. 

The more I talked about how awesome it would be, the more excited I became. 

It just made since. And so the dream began and the journals were started...

Homecoming

After much time spent searching and monitoring Craigslist, I found the one - a 1971 Golden Falcon Travel trailer. It has a lot of problems but also a lot of potential. My (unbelievably supportive) parents and I drove 2 hours to go get the trailer yesterday afternoon and 7 hours later (due to some electrical issues and taking the scenic route) we made it home...safe and sound. So there it sits on the driveway as a blank canvas waiting to be made into something (hopefully) beautiful. I have high hopes, but am afraid that in reality its only naivety. That's for time to tell, but as for now I'm dreaming, visioning, budgeting, researching and digging in! And so the journey begins...

Today's Tea: Hibiscus Mint

                              

Hibiscus Mint is one of my all time favorite herbal teas. The sweet mint pairs perfectly with the tang of the hibiscus flower making it both soothing and refreshing, a perfect tea for anytime of the day, hot or cold, rain or shine. Every sip is not only delicious but also loaded with health benefits. 

Hibiscus is one powerful little flower. Rich in Vitamin C, minerals and antioxidants, it is believed to help:

• lower cholesterol
• lower blood pressure
• combat cold symptoms
• improve digestion
• decrease depression
• aid in weight loss
• prevent formation of pre-cancerous cell growth

 Known for its antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, peppermint tea is    commonly used to relieve:

• headaches
• nausea and stomach upsets
• sinus congestion
• menstrual cramps

Give your taste buds and your body a treat and drink up!

Order your hibiscus mint tea here at His Healing Herbs and Teas.

Learn more about the healing properties of hibiscus and peppermint:
http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/the_health_benefits_of_peppermint_tea
http://nutritionfacts.org/2012/01/08/hibiscus-tea-flower-power/