Crushed cranberry lemonade decoction

I was delivered a package of fresh cranberries around thanksgiving, and was finally able to use them... All of them!

First, I washed the cranberries in cold water, then put them in the blender for about 15 seconds just to crush them. Then I added 3 parts water, a whole lemon, brown rice syrup and sugar to the cranberries, and boiled them for about 10 minutes. Then I strained the juice to get the cranberry skin bits out, although my partner loves the pulp! This process basically makes a concentrate to which I added sparkling mineral water to make it fizzy and.. mineral-y (haha). So yummy! I'll be glad when I find highbush cranberry (awesome for cramps and headaches) and will make the same thing!

Willow tree Headache wipe-away!

So I had a throbbing headache for about 36 hours a couple of days ago, and it was horrible.

I had to leave work early because of it, but now I'm feeling fine and heading to work headache-free! I met up with my friend Emma and we scoured downtown Toronto for a willow tree of the Salix genus, as this contains salicin which metabolizes in the human body as salicylic acid, a natural form of aspirin. It was clearly a success!

First, I have to say that I tried real Advil for my headache, and it did nothing. Then Tuesday night I made a willow bark and bergamot tea, and here's how I did it! The following is for one or two people.

1. COLLECT 5-10 willow leaves, 3-6 pieces of willow bark (inner bark is best) and 5-10 bergamot leaves. Leaves can be fresh or dried.

2. WASH the willow leaves and bark, and bergamot leaves in cold water.

3. BREW 1.5-3 cups of water with the plants (let boil for 5-7 minutes) , let stand and steep for about 10 minutes.

4. FLAVOUR and COOL with sugar and soy/ almond milk.

Willow bark- noted as one ingredient of which I must have a constant collection. Not only did this tea vanquish my headache, the bergamot calmed me down to have a good night's sleep. LOVE IT.