Alchemille's Secret Garden

Dernieres Nouvelles / Latest News...

2012-12-28T12:54:00.002-08:00

J'ai besoin de reviser mon livre et de faire quelques corrections avant de pouvoir elargir la distribution a des sites comme amazon.com. Si vous avez l'intention d'en commander un exemplaire, je vous demanderais de bien vouloir patienter un peu, vous ne serez pas decus!

I need to revise and proof read my book before distribution to such booksellers as amazon.com. If you intend to buy a copy (french version only for now), I will have to ask a little patience from you, you won't be disappointed!

Red Riding Hood Cape Pattern ♥ Fleece Fun

2012-12-27T11:44:00.001-08:00

Red Riding Hood Cape Pattern ♥ Fleece Fun

Tout arrive (+ un extrait de mon premier livre) / Things happen (my first book)...

2012-12-23T20:33:00.001-08:00

I finally published my first book in French! I've been working on it for the past 2 years with all the torments and frustrations a writer can know. I put my heart and soul into this project. And when my dream became reality and I saw the cover of my book online, I had tears in my eyes. I hope you will enjoy reading it as my as I enjoyed writing it. I plan to offer an ebook version of it and then for you my English-speaking readers, an English translation of my books (within the next few months I hope). All I can tell you for now about it that it's a collection of 18 fantasy and folklore inspired tales (short stories to be precise). Thank you for your patience ;).

Le moment tant attendu est arrivé: je viens de publier mon livre. J'ai travaillé dessus pendant 2 ans avec tout ce que çà a comporté de joies, les peines, les doutes et soucis. J'y ai mis mon coeur et mon âme. Mon rêve est devenu realité et j'ai eu les larmes aux yeux lorsque j'ai pu voir la couverture de mon livre sur internet. J'espère que vous aurez envie de le lire car moi j'ai aimé l'ecrire (et j'ai deja un 2e projet de livre en tête ;) ).

C'est un recueil de 18 nouvelles plus ou moins longues inspirées de la littérature fanstastique et du folklore. Vous pouvez avoir un aperçu du mon livre ICI (sommaire et premieres pages), sur le site de lulu.com (mon editeur). Normalement il devrait être disponible très bientot sur d'autres sites internet du type Amazon.com et Barnes & Nobles. Et je vais probablement proposer quelques exemplaires sur ma boutique Etsy. J'envisage également de créer une version ebook pour ceux qui n'aiment pas le papier...

Et pour ceux qui hésitent encore à se le procurer après avoir jeté un oeil dedans, voici un petit extrait de "La Corberelle" (vous saurez ce que c'est en lisant mon livre):
"...Et pour qui crois-tu qu’elle soit venue cette corberelle qui ne te lâche pas du regard ? Comme les Anciens disaient chez nous : ‘Si tu entends le chant de la Corberelle, prends garde à toi. Car si tu la vois la Corberelle, c’est que pour toi sonne le glas.’

Sur ces paroles Gaston se délesta de son attirail de chasse et s’approcha de l’oiseau toujours perché sur le prunellier. Puis les yeux pleins de larme, il lui dit avec une certaine émotion :

-Lydia, est-ce que c’est toi ?

Soudain un épais brouillard se leva ; il était si dense que Tantine ne pouvais plus voir Gaston. Ce brouillard avait quelquechose de surnaturel qui l’angoissa. Il n’y avait plus un bruit dans la Lande; même les oiseaux s’étaient arrêtés de chanter..."

Besoin d'un cadeau de dernière minute pour un ami lecteur? N'hésitez pas...

KYMATICA - Bruce Lipton PhD. FULL Interview - YouTube

2012-11-07T13:07:00.001-08:00

Change your perception, change your mind, change your world...
KYMATICA - Bruce Lipton PhD. FULL Interview - YouTube

Listen to the Cards: November 6th 2012 Reading

2012-11-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

Before I get to the actual reading, I'd like to say that I am no channeler, no tarot reader and even less of an astrologer (even though I know Mercury went retrograde yesterday and that today is the Last Quarter of the Moon). But I am a sensitive in ways of my own...

So what do the cards hold for us on this Election Day?
First I picked the "Warrior Three / Alignment" card from the Tarot of the Sidhe (I rarely work with tarots, I usually prefer oracle decks which I find more precise, but this specific tarot has proven to be reliable many times).

This card is a powerful one, it holds so much potential that I believe reflects the expectations of many people right one. After the passage of hurricane Sandy, I felt that something had been birthed/released energetically and we can all sense energies even if we can't always describe what we feel or sense with words.

The Warrior cards of the deck are connected with the element Fire. They manifest dreams into reality via the power of will and action.

"The alignment's dawn, a magical time,
As sun and moon and stars entwine,
The gate is open in the east,
A three-fold sum of power increased..."

I believe that the Universe is watching as well. This election may be a step stone for things to come.
Notice the reference to the East? It could very well be that the eastern states will play a big role in this election, after all they have been (and still are) through a lot but who is there to listen and help in the middle of the desolation? Only they know what is truly going on and only they can tell (one way being by casting their vote)...Also remember (prophets of doom sent aside) that we are going through changes, through a planetary and galactic evolution. We are moving from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius. People are awakening and the picture they see isn't very pretty...

The 2nd card I picked (as supplemental information) is the "Three of Stones / Creativity" from The Wildwood Tarot.

"The practical manifestation of the creative energy requires a clear and open channel to the inspirational forces and impulses of the universe...Just as releasing your dreams and desires into the universal consciousness always brings a response, so the releasing of creative energy invites into the artist the healing and enriching fuel from which further insight and visionary stimulus flows..."

Be the artist, you are creator of your life. Manifest your hopes and dreams into this reality by painting what you really want for yourself and others onto the big canvas of Life. Don't let yourself be influenced by others, don't let yourself be blown & pushed by the winds, don't give in to worry, fear of sadness...Listen to your inner voice, stand your ground, project what your heart desires into the universal energetic pool. There is always a choice!.

Have a blessed day ;).

Thinking Out of the Blue...

2012-08-06T20:05:00.002-07:00

Life sometimes throw things such as dislikes, fears, anguishes and phobias on your path. Sometimes there is a logical explanation for it, such as an allergy but in other cases such fears can be debilitating like my phobia of water. I had a drowning experience as a child and that fear of water has stuck with me ever since. I don't like water, period. I don't mind swimming in clear, calm water where I can see the bottom and where I lay my feet. But the dark waters, the opaque waters, the raging waters...
Water is life, water is death. It has an energy, it is healing, it carries emotions & feelings yet no human can live under water. It is the realm of water creatures and all sorts of aquatic beings (some very ancient) that you don't want to mess with. I read about a theory that the reason why the vikings were such master sailors is because they revered the spirits of the sea and had an understanding with them (that would make sense to me). More recently I read that blog post regarding water spirits in folklore. Once again they are not to be taken lightly. Some of these water Elementals are also in control of the weather and can bring rain or drought whether they are acknowledged and respected or neglected and just part of the forgotten folklore. But the crazy weather might just be a projection of our "modern" way of life...
Anyway all these readings have been lingering in my subconscious and brought me to the conclusion that this fear of water, this aqueous dead end is probably an area where somebody somehow doesn't want me to wander. I'm not saying that I will ever get rid off that fear but I might be able to play around it, learn a few things and maybe get some blessings/help from water spirits along the way. I'm even starting to like the color blue but this is another story...

My new handmade weaving loom / Mon nouveau métier à tisser fait maison

2012-07-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

I got some art supplies during the weekend and found this beautiful frame with a blueish patina on, and with sculpted oak leaves and acorns in each corner. I thought it would make a nice weaving loom (the price was pretty decent too). I started hammering small nails every centimeter when my husband complained that the nails were neither aligned, straight nor at the same height ("You're such an artist!" he said). So he had to fix my doing and ended up hammering the rest of the nails himself. So here's my pretty new loom...

Je me suis procurée du materiel d'arts plastiques durant le weekend et j'ai trouvé ce joli cadre avec une patine bleuâtre ainsi que des feuilles de chêne et des glands sculptés aux quatre coins. J'ai pensé que ce cadre ferait un joli métier à tisser (d'autant plus que le prix était raisonnable). Je me suis donc mise à marteler des clous tous les centimètres cependant mon mari s'est plaint que mes clous n'étaient ni alignés, ni droits et encore moins à la même hauteur ("T'es vraiment une artiste!" qu'il m'a dit). Alors il a dû réparer les "dégâts" et a décidé de terminer lui-même le travail. Voici donc mon nouveau métier à tisser...

My Textile Life...

2012-07-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

There are 2 things I have always loved: books and textiles. They both tickle my senses and my imagination. There are many ways to tell stories that don't just involve the written or spoken word.
My relationship with both books and textiles isn't just about stories, it's more primal than that: it goes down to the elemental fibre, the thread.
I am currently learning to spin and weave (at least get some basics covered so that I can do my own thing after), these are ancient techniques that transcend time. I like the idea that somewhere in the lineage, my ancestors were doing the same thing and that I am repeating the same timeless movements. I like the idea that the ancestors are still active beyond the grave and influencing us, teaching us, whispering (ideas) to us and of course they are involved in our (day)dreams and creative processes.
Anyway textiles, threads, yarns, ribbons are not just for making clothes, accessories and home decoration. They can be put/woven together to tell a story (and if you consider the people who harvested the fibers and made the yarn/fabric, you get stories within stories) or at least something that talks to somebody on an emotional, visual and/or sensory level...
I think paper, ink, thread and wool are just magical (I know I may sound like a little girl in a candy store here but that's what I think). Just put them together with an idea/theme/story in mind and you weave a magical spell that will touch or affect somebody else ;).

The Wild Life of Our Bodies: Predators, Parasites, and Partners That Shape Who We Are Today

2012-07-17T18:26:00.001-07:00

This book will probably find its way to my personal library pretty soon...
Amazon.com: The Wild Life of Our Bodies: Predators, Parasites, and Partners That Shape Who We Are Today (9780061806483): Rob Dunn: Books

My health library / Ma bibliothèque santé

2012-06-25T14:31:00.002-07:00

Before I start sharing some of my library's jewels with you, I'd like to say that I am no health expert and have no degree nor curriculum in that field. However I believe in the body's ability to heal itself (something I have experienced) through various means (proper nutrition being on of them), and old time-tested remedies still work (at least for me) and should not be forgotten. Health is not something granted but something that needs to be worked on daily...It's all about balance.
Avant de partager avec vous les trésors de ma bibliothèque, je tiens à dire et rappeler que je ne suis pas medicin et je n'ai aucun diplôme dans le domaine de la santé. Mais je sais que le corps est capable de guérir (j'en ai fait l'expérience) par des moyens variés (la nutrition étant mon cheval de bataille) ainsi que des méthodes anciennes (qui marchent pour moi) et que je considère toujours d'actualité. La santé n'est pas un dû mais une chose sur laquelle il faut travailler quotidiennement...C'est une question d'équilibre.

*WATER & SALT / EAU & SEL*

"La santé par le sel cristallin de l'Himalaya" de Nora Kircher
"Seasalt's hidden powers - The biological action of all ocean minerals on body and mind" by Jacques de Langre
"Water & salt - The essence of life" by Barbara Hendel & Peter Ferreira
"The complete book of water healing" by Dian Dincin Buchman
"Your body's many cries for water" by F. Batmanghelidj
"Healing springs - The ultimate guide to taking the waters" by Nathaniel Altman

*MAGNESIUM, COLLOIDAL MINERALS & CLAY / MAGNESIUM, OLIGO-ELEMENTS & ARGILE*

"Living clay - Nature's own miracle cure" by Perry A~
"L'argile, médecine ancestrale - De la tradition aux preuves scientifiques" de Philippe Andrianne
"The magnesium miracle" by Carolyn Dean
"Transdermal magnesium" by Mark Sircus
"Le grand livre du chlorure de magnésium" de Jackie Seguin
"Colloidal minerals and trace elements - How to restore the body's natural vitality" by Marie-France Muller
"Rare earths - Forbidden cures" by Joel D. Wallach & Ma Lan

*SCHUESSLER/CELL SALTS / SELS DE SCHUESSLER*

"Natural healing with cell salts" by Skye Weintraub
"Homeopathic cell salt remedies" by Nigel Lennon & Lionel Rolfe
"The healing echo - Discovering homeopathic cell salt remedies" by Vinton McCabe (my favorite)
"Facial diagnosis of cell salt deficiencies - A user's guide" by David R. Card

*COCONUT / NOIX DE COCO*

"Coconut cures - Preventing and treating common health problems with coconut" by Bruce Fife
"Coconut water for health and healing" by Bruce Fife
"The coconut oil miracle" by Bruce Fife

*APPLE CIDER VINEGAR & BEE PRODUCTS / VINAIGRE DE CIDRE & PRODUITS DE LA RUCHE*

"Apple cider vinegar" by Victoria Rose
"Natural healing with cider vinegar" by Margot Hellmiss
"Vinaigres - Cuisine, santé, bien-être" de Nathalie Nagy-Kochmann
"Healing from the hive" by Carlson Wade
"Bee propolis - Natural healing from the hive" by James Fearnley

*NUTRITION & FERMENTATION*

"Nourishing traditions: the book that challenges politically correct nutrition and diet dictocrats" by Sally Fallon & Mary Enig
"Wild fermentation: the flavor, nutrition, and craft of live-culture foods" by Sandor Ellix Katz
"The art of fermentation" by Sandor Ellix Katz
"Truly cultured: rejuvenating taste, health and community with naturally fermented foods" by Nancy Lee Bentley
"A la découverte des aliments fermentés" de Chantal & Lionel Clergeaud
"Des aliments aux mille vertus: cuisiner les aliments fermentés" de Claude Aubert & Jean-James Garreau
"Trick and treat - How "healthy eating" is making us ill" by Barry Groves
"Deep nutrition - Why your genes need traditional food" by Catherine & Luke Shanahan
"Pottenger's prophecy - How food resets genes for wellness or illness" by Gray Graham, Deborah Kesten & Larry Scherwitz
"Healing with whole foods - Asian traditions and modern nutrition" by Paul Pitchford

*ALSO WORTH MENTIONING / MENTIONS SPECIALES*

"Magnet therapy" by William H. Philpott, Dwight K. Kalita & Linwood Lothrop
"Brain allergies - The psychonutrient and magnetic connections" by William H. Philpott & Dwight K. Kalita
"Le sucre - Un ami qui vous veut du mal" de Roland Di Sabatino
"Suicide by sugar" by Nancy Appleton & G.N. Jacobs
"La santé commence par les intestins" de Scarlett Weinstein-Loison
"Seaweed: nature's secret to balancing your metabolism, fighting disease, and revitalizing body & soul" by Valerie Gennari Cooksley
"Healing wise" by Susun Weed
"Healing herbal teas - A complete guide to making delicious, healthful beverages" by Brigitte Mars

I will not delve into the topics of Herbalism and Sprouting because there are many good books available, however I can suggest some in private messages. Je ne vais pas discuter d'Herboristerie ou de Graines Germées car il y a pas mal de litterature sur ces deux sujets, neanmoins je peux suggérer quelques livres par messages privés.

What I like to do...

2012-06-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

...When my husband is busy working on weekends: I SEW!
I've been having a lot of fun with Japanese sewing patterns but what I like the most is to transform something old into something else. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, a ribbon here, a few buttons there, an embroidery...Whatever I have handy.
I'm currently making some kind of country dress (also inspired by one of my Japanese craft books) with an old sailor style sweater (a cotton knit w/ navy and light beige stripes) + the double layered skirt part of a dress and and old crochet collar my mom gave me. I don't think the dress would find its way to the cover of a magazine but I'm having fun and it's another addition to my wardrobe ;).
I also made a hair piece out of some recycled off white & black lace (very nice stuff I scavenged from a dress): I roughly cut a ribbon from the lace, gave it the shape of a rose and then sewn on a piece of black felt + a hair clip glued on the other side.
I recently discovered the art of knotting: it's nice but not easy (especially for an illogical mind like mine). I managed to make a trinity knot that I painted and turned to a fun hair piece (I know: another one but I always have some accessories in my hair). This is a technique I'd like to learn and perfect for a new project that hopefully will find its way to my Etsy shop.
And in case you're wondering about my old book project, well I'm almost done writing the book. I'm currently working on my last story. Then I have to organize everything and do some kind of artwork for the cover. We're getting close...
I'll try to post some pictures of my creations soon.
Meanwhile, be well...

Forewarned is Forearmed: Home Garden Veggies in the Monsanto/Seminis Catalogue

2012-03-27T15:13:00.001-07:00

Forewarned is Forearmed: Home Garden Veggies in the Monsanto/Seminis Catalogue

Thoughts on Jewelry

2012-02-03T16:37:00.000-08:00

I don't think a woman needs to spend a lot of money for some good looking jewelry. I admit that shiny bling-bling and one-of-a-kind conversational/artsy pieces don't compete in the same category BUT I believe that clay, fabric, wool, paper and other natural materials are as noble as precious metals and gemstones. So I leave the latter to Mother Earth, where they belong ;).

Handmade, upcycled & revamped wardrobe

2012-01-30T19:33:00.000-08:00

To start this post, I'd like to say that I'm a big believer in giving a 2nd life to clothes, for sentimental reasons or not (let's face it, it's sometimes hard to say goodbye to a favorite t-shirt or grandma's knit sweater). And even if the piece of clothing may seem beyond repair, there's always something to salvage (an embroidery, a crocheted neckline, buttons...etc). But I must admit that I just like transforming things into something new & different.

Here's a felted heart that I bought during the holiday season. It was sold as a Christmas ornament, I just thought it would make a great (oversized) brooch. So I just added a kilt pin on the back:

I also found this fun "Mambo" yarn from Martha Stewart. It comes in various colors but always with a contrasting thread. I chose the black & white one and decided to make a simple 3 layer textile necklace which looks a bit African inspired to me ;).

And to finish, here's "la piece de resistance": my old worn out pair of pants turned into a skirt and with some "butterfly & paisley" appliques cut from some fabric I have. I first iron fixed the pieces in place (and covered a few holes but nobody needs to know, right?) then I stitched the edges of the appliques. It has a slight rugged look but it's fine with me. One thing's for sure: I like my new skirt better than my old pants ;)!

Front

Back

Detail

I'd like to apologize for the mediocre quality of the pictures that were taken with my cell phone and on my coffee table (the beige background being my carpet)...But you got the idea(s).

Must have books for the spiritual seeker...

2011-12-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

There are many very good books out there (unfortunately I can't afford to own them all). Here are a few books that I think are worth reading or at least consulting whatever spiritual path you are following:

"Human race get off your knees ~ The lion sleeps no more" by David Icke
"Forbidden gates ~ The dawn of techno-dimensional spiritual warfare" by Tom & Nina Horn
"Lost star of myth and time" by Walter Cruttenden
"The ancient secret of the flower of life" (vol 1 & 2) by Drunvalo Melchizedek
"Living in the heart" by Drunvalo Melchizedek
"The opening of the way" (translated from the french "L'ouverture du chemin") by Isha Schwaller de Lubicz
"The nine eyes of light ~ Ascension keys from Egypt" by Padma Aon Prakasha
"The alchemist's journey ~ An old system for a New Age" by Glennie Kindred
"The key ~ A true encounter" by Whitley Strieber
"The return of the serpents of wisdom" by Mark Amaru Pinkham
"Shamanic secrets for physical mastery" by Robert Shapiro
"Shamanic secrets for material mastery" by Robert Shapiro
"Shamanic secrets for spiritual mastery" by Robert Shapiro
"Navigating the collapse of time ~ A peaceful path through the end of illusions" by David Ian Cowan
"Alchemy of the nine dimensions" by Barbara Hand Clow & Gerry Clow

My Favorite Cookbooks

2011-11-03T18:16:00.000-07:00

Like many people who are interested in health, gut healing and proper nutrition, I have several cookbooks (including SCD, GAPS and Paleo ones). But there are only a few I use regularly or simply like to open for some inspiration, here are my favorites:

"Red Velvet Chocolate Heartache" by Harry Eastwood (that I had to order from England)
"Roast Figs Sugar Snow ~ Winter food to warm the soul" by Diana Henry
"Winter Harvest Cookbook" by Lane Morgan
"Grain-Free Baked Goods & Desserts" by Kelly V. Brozyna (The Spunky Coconut)
"Tagines & Couscous" by Ghillie Basan

And you, which are your favorite cookbooks?

Latest News and A Story

2011-08-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

I have recently participated in a French literary contest. The theme was "le jour où j'ai perdu la tête" which means either "the day I lost my mind" or "the day I lost my head" depending on the context. I chose the head and came up with a tale of a ghost haunting the Tower of London (where I have never been) with a historical context and 3 stories weaving in one.
I don't know if I will be chosen amongst the winners but I have good hope to be noticed...I am satisfied with the story I wrote.
You can my tale online (in French) HERE .
If you don't speak French, Google Translate might do a fairly decent job translating my text.
I am still working on my book (alas this tale won't be part of it) and I hope to have it printed within the next 2 months ;).

Remembering lino...

2011-06-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

I moved to my new nest a couple weeks ago yet most of my stuff is still packed in boxes. I often try to remember where I have seen this or that so that it almost becomes a game (better be playful than frustrated about the whole situation).
I can't wait to start doing creative things again. I will have my own little "workshop" room where most of my books already are...I just need a BIG table. I also can't wait to get back to my writing.
I've been wanting for months to do some kind of illustrations for the book but I haven't been able to find a suitable technique/medium for that...That is until a couple days ago when I had one of those "Ahhhha!" moments that happened after seeing a book on printing.
There are many printing techniques ranging from ultra-simple to complex ones (usually involving specific & often costly tools). That is when I remembered lino cuts.
I discovered lino when I started studying Applied Arts in high school. I didn't find it too fun at first since I kept on pocking and cutting my fingers with the tools (so did my class mates) but then I got more comfortable with it. It is a versatile technique that is old school yet can be very modern visually speaking. I think that is what I will go with for my book...

Ch-ch-changes

2011-05-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

I like changes. I see them as an opportunity for growth: something new & good (I don't like routine).

I'm about to move to a new place, my book project (short stories) is starting to look like something (I already have 3/4 of the stories written in French and I think I figured out the illustration part) and I believe it will be ready by September (fingers crossed).

Then I will have to work at the English translation ;).
I also have a different book project, this one has to do with Alchemille's Garden and I'm sure that my fans will appreciate...I think it's time I reveal my tea blending & natural beauty secrets. What do you think? ;)

About Food Allergies

2011-04-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

About 3 months ago, I felt like I was falling apart: serious digestive issues (bloating, leaky gut symptoms, a feeling of having butterflies in my stomach...) as well as nervous issues (constantly tense muscles, impossible to relax, tachycardia episodes lasting longer than usual...). Not to mention cracking joints & joint pains. At some point my elbows were swollen and sore with black & blues for a couple days...I was a total wreck, I knew I had to do something!

So the first thing I did was to remove all grains, all nuts and high oxalate foods because I suspected that the little calcium I had was flushed away by the oxalates (I had a few servings of spinach before it all started) and I knew I was probably low in magnesium as well (I hadn't been taking magnesium supplements for years even though I have spasmophilia, I just assumed that all the nuts I was eating - especially almonds - would cover my magnesium needs). Since I knew my gut was damaged, I started taking more fermented foods, some clay (to flush the toxins out of my body) and bone broths (which did some magic for my stomach where peppermint tea failed).

So at this point I was grain, nut, sugar, corn, soy, egg & nightshades free. I'd been having raw dairy daily (since a good 2-3 years) too which seemed to be fine for me (or so I thought) since I didn't experience the stomach aches I had as a child with pasteurized milk, not to mention that the extra beneficial bacteria was more than welcome. I was doing better but it was not perfect. I started reacting to simple foods I had no problem with until now (carrots, beets...). So I figured that there was still something bothering me & my intestines.

I thought it was time for me to get tested for food allergies once and for all and stop the guessing game. So I ordered an allergy test kit that required just a few drops of blood (something I could do at home), send via the mail and wait for the results. Meanwhile I had heard that allergy tests were not 100% accurate and an acquaintance of mine suggested the Coca Pulse Test, in which your pulse can give you an indication if a type of food isn't to your body's liking. It can be a bit time consuming (especially if you have several foods to test) but it is fairly accurate...I mean how can your own pulse/body trick you?

A couple days ago (about 2 weeks after I sent my allergy testing card), I got my results in the mail. Here's what they found out:

-I'm allergic to cane sugar (class VI, the highest), asparagus (class IV), almonds (class V), cottage cheese (class IV), cow's milk (class IV), whey (class IV) & yogurt (class IV)

These are foods I need to take out of my diet. I'm a bit surprised by the dairy since I only used raw cow's milk and thought I was doing fine but dairy was the only food I hadn't removed from my elimination diet and might be the culprit as to why my intestines are not healing as well as I was hoping. Almonds doesn't surprise me, as I have eaten a lot of them (like many grain free folks out there) and one often craves the food he/she is allergic too though last time I reintroduced a bit of almond butter I noticed that it didn't taste nearly as good as it used too. Asparagus is something I suspected. Now the cane sugar is something that blew me away: I've had hypoglycemia since my childhood and naturally I've eaten tons of sugary things for my low blood sugar...Which means I have poisoned myself for more than 20 years! (And I now know how toxic sugar is...Even more for me!). I removed sugar from my diet a few years ago after reading that sugar feeds the whole hypoglycemia cycle and it helped.

-I'm moderately sensitive to chicken eggs (yolks & whites, class III), baker's yeast (class III), casein (class III), cheddar (class III), mozzarella (class III)

These are foods I can have on a rotation diet (about once or twice a week). I removed the eggs years ago as I suspected a sensitivity (digestive disorders, slight red patches on the skin coming & going). Recently I did the pulse test with chicken eggs and my pulse didn't react. I will try eating one and add 1-2 to baked goods but I'd like to get duck eggs instead since I've read that they are a good option for people allergic to chicken eggs (and more nutritious too).

What surprised me is no reaction to grain (gluten or not), pulses, nightshades, nuts or seeds. My pulse seems to react to tree nuts such as walnuts & hazelnuts (at least for now, could be a temporary sensitivity, as usual I'll retest again in a few weeks). I know I reacted to chickpea flour and then lentils (which I never had trouble with) but lately the lentils were ok with the pulse test. As for grains, I know they feed my hypoglycemia. Each time I reintroduce them, the old ghost is back within 3 days (I suspect more of a starch issue than a true gluten issue. And since starch is sugar...). My only hope is sprouted grains/flours, they don't seem to trigger and hypoglycemia and my stomach handles them fine but my intestines are still fragile and get irritated so I'll have to try again in 1-2 months. As for nightshades, I pulse tested a tomato, which was fine but even though I only chewed on a tiny tomato, I had a horrible headache afterward that lasted a while, so I'm most likely sensitive to the toxins inside the nightshades (I recommend the book "Nightshade free, Pain free"). Once I remove the cow's dairy (according to the test goat milk isn't a problem, except that finding raw goat milk is nearly impossible because it's very perishable. But raw goat milk cheeses can be found easily), I expect my gut to heal a bit faster, especially since I'm on my own customized paleo-scd-gaps diet ;).

Also I was surprised that onions & garlic didn't show (they seem to trigger post-nasal drip), neither did carrots, beets or mushrooms (which I got a pulse reaction from) so it could be a temporary sensitivity.

I don't regret doing the test, I think if I combine the results with my pulse tests and my body's reactions (such as headache, post-nasal drip and such), it will make things much more manageable for me. I am hopeful that I will be able to reintroduce more and more foods over the next few months. I just want to be healthy, happy, enjoy life and enjoy my food!

Pour mes amis en France: les ESSENTIELS pour vivre en semi-autarcie et en bonne santé...

2011-03-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

Voici une liste de livres sur les thèmes du jardinage, de l'herboristerie, des cosmétiques naturelles, des préparations culinaires maison et autres que j'ai dans ma bibliotheque magique.
Oubliez tout ce que vous pensiez savoir et ce que vous tenez pour vrai de la bouche de medecins, diététiciens et autres charlatans des temps modernes...Ceux qui detenaient le vrai savoir, la vraie bouffe et les vrais remèdes n'étaient autres que nos aieux il n'y a pas si longtemps que cela!
Je n'ai pas voulu m'étaler de trop sur la diététique et la nutrition (même si je suis devenue un peu malgré moi une "experte" dans le domaine de par mes lectures et mes expériences personnelles), chacun ayant des besoins et des tolérances différentes, il reste cependant important de bien connaître son corps...

~Herboristerie - Tisanes - Soins Naturels - Santé ~

"Les vertus des Tisanes" de Anne Levédrine
"Cataplasmes, compresses, bains de pieds et de mains" de Germaine Cousin
"Mes tisanes bien-être" de Pierrette Nardo
"Mes bonne plantes & mes bonne herbes (jardin, bien-être, cuisine) de Pierrette Nardo
"C'est la Nature qui a raison (secrets de santé et de beauté) de Maurice Mességué (mon premier livre d'herboristerie ;) )
"Les infusions du jardin" de Peter Bauwens
"22 épices pour préserver la santé" de Guy Avril (basé sur l'Ayurvéda)
"Nos grand-mères savaient - la vérité sur les plantes et la vie naturelle" de Jean Palaiseul (j'ai la version anglaise)
"Nos grands-mères savaient : Petit dictionnaire des plantes qui guérissent" de Jean Palaiseul
"Créez vos cosmétiques bio" de Sylvie Hampikian
"Beauté et bien-être à l'Orientale" de Vanessa Sitbon (La Sultane de Saba)
"Recettes de beauté des femmes du Maroc" de Abdelhai Sijelmassi
"Vinaigres: cuisine, santé, bien-être" de Nathalie Nagy-Kochmann
"La santé commence par les intestins" de Scarlett Weinstein-Loison

~Cuisine - Nutrition - Fermentation - Jardinage~

"L'atelier bio (ingrédients, recettes et savoir-faire) de Collectif
"Créez vos boissons santé" de Sylvie Hampikian
"Vieux légumes, le grand retour" de Keda Black
"Légumes oubliés d'hier et d'aujourd'hui" de Kathleen & Yves Paccalet
"Légumes bio - mode d'emploi" d'Emmanuel et Valérie Cupillard
"Sauces végétariennes" de Valérie Cupillard
"Mes pâtes à tartiner sucrées et salées" de Cléa
"Spaghettis de légumes (tagliatelles & cie)" d'Orathay & Vania
"Bouillons maison" de Marie Leteuré
"Cuisine bio pour fruits de saison (130 recettes salées et sucrées) de Serge de Thaey
"Secrets d'endurance - barres, boissons et recettes maison" de Kecily & Kristof Berg
"Protéines vertes (tofu, lentilles, pois chiches, azukis) de Christophe Berg
"La cuisine des petits chemins" d'Annie Pavlowitch (pour ceux qui s'y connaissent en plantes sauvages comestibles)
"Je cuisine les fanes" d'Amandine Geers
"Purées" de Sylvie Girard-Lagorce et Delphine Brunet
"A la découverte des aliments fermentés (pour dynamiser votre assiette) de Chantal et Lionel Clergeaud
"Les ferments: yaourt, faisselle, kéfir, soja, boissons fermentées..." de Dounia Silem
"Kéfir de fruits et de lait" de Peter Bauwens
"Glaces et sorbets du jardin" de Peter Bauwens
"Laits et yaourts végétaux faits maison" d'Anne Brunner
"Fromages végétaux" de Virginie Péan
"Tout fait maison" de Nathalie Cahet et Isabelle Brouant
"Friandises bio - petites douceurs authentiques" de Karen Chevallier
"Crèmes glacées et sorbets bio" de Karen Chevallier
" Les incroyables vertus des jus de légumes santé" d'Evelyne Baubeau
"Les incroyables vertus des smoothies verts" de Collette Herve-Pairin & Nadege Pairin
"Des aliments aux mille vertus: Cuisiner les aliments fermentés" de Claude Aubert & Jean-James Garreau
"Smoothies - A votre santé!" de Cécile & Christophe Berg
"Sauces salades" de Christophe Berg
"Sarrasin" de Cécile & Christophe Berg
"Chanvre" d'Anne Brunner
"Jeunes pousses" de Fionna Hill (j'ai la version anglaise...Plus facile, pratique et tout aussi nutritif que les graines germées. Permet en plus d'avoir un petit jardin d'hiver vitaminé même dans le plus petit des appartements)

~Collection : Petits bonheurs maison de Marie-Françoise Delarozière et Chantal James~

"Epices, aromates et condiments"
"Tisanes et sirop délices"
"Vins apéritifs maison"
"Liqueurs du placard"
"Plaisirs sans alcool"
"Desserts et gourmandises aux fruits"
"Confitures, compotes et fruits au sirop"
"L'armoire aux conserves"
"Cuisine des fleurs, feuilles et petites salades"
"Légumes des 4 saisons"

Je recommande également l'excellent blog C Fait Maison!
Après vous saurez tout faire!
Maintenant y'a plus qu'à se remettre à la couture et au tricot...;).

Something exciting...

2011-01-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I have been contacted by a fairly well known author of French gluten free cookbooks to possibly translate her next cookbook into English.
Though no contract has been signed yet, but I think we are heading to the right direction...
This could be fun ;).

Cacao: Not As Good As You've Been Lead To Believe

2010-12-19T17:47:00.000-08:00

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/cacao.html

Also read "Raw Toxic Chocolate":
http://www.living-foods.com/articles/toxiccacao.html

This blog isn't dead yet...

2010-12-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

Hello dear readers,
I know it's been a while since the last time I posted something on this blog.
A lot of things have happened this year: some good, some bad, some painful & sad...But life continues.

I'm still working on my book and am very inspired to finish it (soon hopefully). I still would like to add illustrations but haven't decided yet which medium to use: paper cutting, watercolor, collages or pictures of papier mache sculptures...Maybe a little bit of each ;).

I also already have another book project, very artsy, that should include my tea & bodycare recipes...This could be a fun & useful book. But let's finish the current one first!

I just participated in a short story contest organized by a french magazine. I like the story I wrote (original concept, surprise elements, semi-open end and room for imagination) in which, according to a good friend of mine, one can recognize my style of writing (though the jury doesn't know me). It would be nice to win and see my tale published nation-wide in that magazine...But even if I don't, there might be some doors opening with new connections and possibilities. Who knows, right?

That's enough babbling for today, I wish you all happy holidays!

Alchemille's September Newsletter

2010-09-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I know it's been a long time since you last received a newsletter from me.

A lot has happened these past few months (including a broken ankle) and I needed time for myself to think & heal ;).

I'm still working on my book of tales and I have decided to write a bilingual book (french-english). I also would like to add some illustrations to complement my writings...I think it's gonna take a few more months to finish but I hope to be done by December.

*Now regarding Alchemille's Garden, I have updated my shop with my autumnal selection of teas, you'll find such blends as:

The d'Automne, Journey to Middle-Earth and Amber Spice Tea just to name a few.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Alchemille?section_id=5096792

*My Luna/Moon teas are also there by cycle (new moon, full moon, first quarter, last quarter) and as a lunar month pack (Moon Goddess Lunar Pampering Pack).

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Alchemille?section_id=5096792

*You'll also find more healing/medicinal/spiritual tea blends like the WeMoon Herbal Tonic (a personal favorite and deeply nourishing blend) or Good Vibrations (great for healing work).

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Alchemille?section_id=5054725

*For the Tea Afficionado, I offer my "ONE SEASON OF TEA - FALL TEA SUBSCRIPTION" which allows you to enjoy each month a different tea, a different taste and a different experience.(These tea subscriptions also make a nice gift.)

I will mail 1 jar each month, according to the following selection (see listing for details):
>October “Thé du Matin”/ Morning tea (green tea, rosemary, orange peel, rosehips, cinnamon and cloves)
>November L'Orangerie (black tea, rooibos, orange peel, cacao nibs and cinnamon)
>December "Thé à l'églantine" / Rosehip tea (black tea, rosehips, rose petals and cloves)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Alchemille?section_id=7130711

Please note that I never add any aromas, natural flavors, extracts nor essential oils to my teas.

*Always in the spirit of seasonality, I have reintroduced my Fairy Facial Elixirs (for the Fall: Woodland Fairy and Autumn Fairy) which come in a 1/2 oz dropper bottle as well as my Four Season Skin Elixir which can be used both on face and body and comes in a 2oz dropper bottle.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Alchemille?section_id=5089549

*I'm also adding new rope incenses...I know these are not the traditional incenses people are used to but they are worth giving a try. For these I use the same quality ingredients as I use for my teas. And as far as I know, I'm the only one making these. The scent comes only from herbs, spices and resins...Nothing else is added: no artificial fragrances, scents nor essential oils.

I create my rope incenses by braiding organic cotton twine (the braiding process induces a somewhat meditational state). The ropes are then soaked for a few weeks in homemade scented tinctures (using herbs, spices and/or resin) and left to dry. My scented tinctures may take at least 1 month to prepare and sometimes require multiple infusions. This type of incense is slow burning, allowing you to control how long and how much incense you wish to burn. You can also choose to cut the rope into pieces. You can use rope incense for meditation, rituals, personal enjoyment or for cleansing/purifying the air or a heavy atmosphere.

I'm currently working on an autumnal incense blend (something woodsy and spicy) that would complement my teas & fairy elixirs nicely ;).

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Alchemille?section_id=6902135

*I still have a few Spice Road EcoBeads (handmade botanical beads with herbs, spices and resins), they smell divine!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Alchemille?section_id=5101995

*Looking for a gift for someone special? Check my Gift Certificates! He/she will be able to pick the perfect gift for him/herself!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Alchemille?section_id=5104775

~Be Well~

Alchemille