“Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. “
Colossians 3:2

LEARN

I love the forest. Wondering through a fairyland of ferns and moss is my idea of a perfect day. It’s a known fact in our home that for any holiday, I will always be thrilled with receiving pinecones. Or really any cone from the many variety of conifer trees we have in North America. I am also smitten with acorns as well as seashells due to my love of Oak trees and the ocean. But it’s those majestic conifers that definitely have my heart. Maybe because of growing up near the giant Sequoias, Hemlock and Spruces in Central California they remind me of home or the Pines I remember being surrounded by when I first gave my life over to the Lord. It could possibly be the coastal Redwood trees I lived nearby when I fell in love with and married my husband.

For whatever the reason may be I have a deep appreciation for those beautiful ancient trees that remove my eyes away from all that is happening around me and transfer my gaze right up into the heavens. In those moments I can’t help but be reminded of Colossians 3:2, set your mind on things above. It may just be me being sentimental but when I walk amongst those towering trees I feel like they were made for that very purpose. To draw my eyes in wonder away from this earth and up to the heavens to remind me of my creator, whom my heart and mind should always be set upon. And the only one who can bring the peace that is so needed within this broken world. What a wonderful gift our Lord gave us in his creation. That it can draw us closer in worship to him. And what a wonderful gift that many of the conifer trees that fill me with awe and that we all love to fill our homes with during the Holiday season are actually also both edible and medicinal!

KNOW

The use of conifer trees for medicinal purposes can be traced as far back as the Middle Ages and it is well known that the Indigenous people of North America used the needles, bark and sap of conifer trees in a variety of ways and passed this knowledge on to the early settlers. I have enjoyed foraging then creating salves, cleaning products & even cookies from the forest and woods.

A cup of tea made from the freshly gathered tips of Redwood or Pine can be calming as well as healing. High in Vitamin C and useful for coughs where phlegm is present, chest congestion or for soothing a dry scratchy throat, a honey based syrup made with Pine (or even Fir, Hemlock or Spruce) is a wonderful natural remedy to have on hand during the winter. And for those who may wish to use Pine in a more fun and festive way can instead make a simple syrup with Pine needles and sugar to add to cocktails or to create a delicious homemade soda…a very fun treat! It should be noted that either of these variations would make a wonderful homemade holiday or hostess gift!

DO

Forest Syrup Two Ways

Pine & Honey:

1 c pine needles

1/2 c honey

1 c water

Pine & Sugar:

1 c pine needles

1 c sugar

1 c water

Directions:

For both variations in a medium pot add water and bring to a boil. Add pine needles, turn off pot, cover and let sit until the water has completely cooled or as long as over night. Depending on how strong you want the flavor. Once it has cooled completely strain the water to remove the pine needles. Add the water back into the pot with the sweetener of your choice and heat until the sweetener has dissolved. Keep refrigerated, for 2-4weeks.

Uses:

Both varieties are delicious and make wonderful additions to holiday cocktails & mocktails.

For homemade soda- Add 2-3 Tbsp. of either variety to a 12oz glass and fill the rest with sparkling water

As a honey cough syrup:

- 1Tbsp every 2 hours for a cough soar throat or chest congestion (ages 2 & up)

*Keeping in mind that although foraging is both fun and at the moment very popular it’s necessary to use precaution and be very informed before you go. Something to note is that any tree in the Yew family is highly toxic and should be avoided and also that women who are pregnant should not consume Pine. So making sure you can properly identify trees in your area is very important. And please do not use any needles from a tree you purchased at a Christmas tree lot!

LEARN

As seashell collecting and sunburned shoulders transition to pumpkin filled doorways and cozy knitted scarves I will get out the banner that I needle felted the word Gratitude on many years ago, and hang it above a large window in our living room. It serves as a yearly reminder of my desire during this season to refocus my heart and my mind to be filled with gratitude for all that Christ has done and continues to do within and around me. Just as the season brings to mind memories of apple orchards and evenings by the fire my hope in this season is to intentionally draw nearer to Christ with thanksgiving in my heart. Seeing this banner throughout the day is such a practical reminder to me that God is always so good. And he is always worthy of our praise.

Yet, the constant information, strife and confusion we are bombarded with in our world can leave our minds and our bodies in a heightened state of stress and anxiety. When we experience long term levels of stress our bodies over time become taxed and depleted leaving us physically and mentally exhausted. In this state we can easily develop a weakened immune system, which can lead down the road to serious illness. It can be so easy in our fast paced world for us to ignore our body’s signs of distress and to continue pushing forward. As followers of Christ we are called to take care of our bodies well and to actively use our mind and body in service to him. But, if we do not take the time to care appropriately for ourselves we can become unable to mentally and spiritually focus on and honor Christ, even becoming unable to serve him in the ways in which he has called us to.

KNOW

Spending daily time in the word, meditating on the scriptures and intentionally focusing my heart on being filled with gratitude quiets my mind and lessons any anxiety and stress. As a part of a holistic wellness lifestyle I know the necessity of also maintaining a diet of nourishing nutrient dense foods and herbal remedies that will care for and strengthen my body. As an Herbalist there are many ways in which I use the plants that God has provided for us as methods of maintaining and strengthening the health of my family and myself. By far my favorite of all the herbal remedies I make is definitely Chai Tea! Rooted in India, Chai or Masala Chai is a warming, nourishing, soothing and immune boosting drink traditionally made with spice infused black tea, milk and sweetener. This spicy drink is helpful in preventing colds and flu, to relieve inflammation and to promote healthy digestion. Not to forget it is also delicious!

Usually year round but especially in these months leading up to winter I brew a large batch weekly and keep it handy in my refrigerator to make a daily cup of tea. Using the traditional spices and sweetened with honey I prefer mine with homemade almond milk and because I live in Southern California over ice until at least November. Along with the usual ingredients during this time of year I will add Astragalus, used in traditional Chinese Medicine it adds additional immune support, improves energy, strengthens the adrenals and has been known to improve heart function, kidneys and the liver. For those who wish to avoid caffeine the black tea can either be substituted with Red Rooibos or completely omitted. The recipe below is for a small batch, around three to four cups. I triple the recipe to have a weeks supply for our family. Hoping this season you will be filled with gratitude for the love and work of Christ, find time to slow down and enjoy a nourishing cup of tea!

IMMUNE BOOSTING CHAI TEA RECIPE

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. Cardamom Pods
1 Tbsp. Whole Allspice 1 Tbsp.
Dried Astragalus Root
2 Tsp. Anise Seeds
2 Tsp. Whole Cloves
2 Tsp. Fennel Seeds
2 Tsp. Whole Black Peppercorn
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1-2 Inches Fresh Ginger Root
4 Tsp. loose leaf or 4 Black or Rooibos Tea Bags
4 Tbsp.
Honey 2 c.
Water 1.

Directions:
1. In a medium pot place cinnamon sticks and ginger root.
2. Grind all remaining spices with a mortar and pestle and add to the pot.
3. Add water and bring to a boil.
4. Turn stove down to a simmer, cover the pot and leave for 10 minutes.
5. Add the tea, return to a boil, turn off stove and let it sit another 10 minutes.
6. Strain (making sure your strainer is thin enough to catch the spices)
7. Add honey and once cool keep in the fridge.
**To make a cup of tea heat on the stove 1/3-1/2c. Concentrate to 1c. Milk or place both ingredients in a cup over ice…however you want to enjoy your tea!