Fertility Recipe FONIO ACHA Fried Rice

Fonio called ACHA in Nigeria, Po in Mali, Mora/Findinba in Senegal. Fonio Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua) is probably the oldest African grain. For thousands of years West Africans have cultivated it across the dry savannas. Indeed, it was once their major food. Even though few other people have ever heard of it, this crop still remains important in areas scattered from Cape Verde to Lake Chad. In certain regions of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Nigeria, for instance, it is either the staple or a major part of the diet. 


FONIO is high in fiber, great for cholesterol and it's also gluten free!
    
      Fonio has low glycemic index. It is absorbed in body slowly and thus effect on blood sugar is gradual. Fonio is also believed to have insulin secreting properties and aids in controlling blood sugar levels in body.  Fonio is highly rich in essential amino acids, folic acid and iron. Thus it plays important role in iron metabolism. It is good in preventing anemia. This nutritious food is traditionally recommended for pregnant and lactating women in Africa.
 Like other millets, fonio offers body with phytonutrients which may reduce levels of thyroid hormones in body and lead to hypothyroidism. While this property can be helpful for people with hyperthyroidism, but people suffering from hypothyroidism should avoid fonio.

RECIPE:

Ingredients

1 Cup of Fonio

1 Cup of broccoli or any vegetable of your choice

1/2 cup shrimp and oysters

1/2 cup of Onion, dried ground shrimp, smoked fish

1 chicken seasoning cube

One teaspoon of Curry Powder or turmeric

Pinch of thyme, ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon of black and white pepper

A teaspoon of smoked paprika

1 bay leaf 

1 tablespoon of butter

1 tablespoon of palm oil or any oil of your choice

Method

Wash your fonio and set aside.

In a pan, pour in your butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil and stir fry your vegetables. Add in the chopped vegetables . Seasonings, onions, tomatoes, smoked fish, dried crayfish powder,  and spices. Stir well. Then add your fonio 

Stir well and add 1/2 cup of water. Cover and cook. Then add your shrimp and oysters. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Stir well  Taste for seasoning, adjust seasoning  and serve your stir fried acha hot.

Health Benefits of Argula and a great fertility herb food

    I've always heard about argula and how it is so good for you. I really have no excuse why I disliked it in the past so I guess this is argula season. I picked up some from Trader Joe's and I have been addicted to it ever since. Arugula is rich in vitamins A, C, E and K, and various B vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, and pantothenic acid. The leaves contain plenty of minerals, especially copper and iron. It also has trace amounts of some other essential minerals and electrolytes such as calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc.

    Arugula is  known by other names such as salad rocket, garden rocket, roquette, rucola, rugula or colewort.  The scientific name of arugula is Eruca sativa.
   Argula is said to have cancer power properties like broccoli and cauliflower. It is high in fibre and antioxidants studies show may reduce the risk of developing lung, prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancer.
   Argula is rich in chlorophyll, so to get the most chlorophyll in arugula, it is best to eat it raw. The large amounts of chlorophyll, also known as “liquid sunshine” helps cleanses the blood, detoxifies cells, heals disease in the body and boosts oxygen. It contains indole-3-carbinol and isothiocyanates which have been shown to suppress the production inflammation in the body.
    Arugula is high in most B vitamins but contains especially high amounts of folate. Awesome for those early pregnancy months and good for those trying to conceive. Fresh arugula is an excellent source of folate and when consumed by a woman during the time of conception and throughout pregnancy, may help prevent neural tube defects in the newborn child. Please Note:
Arugula is relatively lower in oxalate content than that in spinach, purslane, mustard greens, celery, etc. The greens can be safely used during pregnancy and lactation. As always consult your physician*

   Studies show those who eat arugula on a regular basis are found to have more sexual drive and energy. Arugula also contains high levels of iron and copper, making it a strong substitute or addition to spinach in your diet.

Dealing with Unforgiveness, Depression and Infertility

I know it's been a while I wrote but I felt the need to address the issue of forgiveness and why not forgiving can create a hindrance within ourselves. Choosing to forgive daily does come with a price tag - of getting over hurt, grief, pain and imbalance.  We as humans tend to over up our emotions and push it to the side, while in reality it breaks out spirit within.

Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart improves the body and a depressed spirit dries the bones.."

Unforgiveness can cause depression and break your spirit. When emotions are blocked they will vibrate to a corresponding organ system. it is important to remember that it is normal to experience the full range of emotions. It is only when a particular emotion is experienced over a prolonged period or with particular intensity that it becomes a source of imbalance. Depression can stem from anger, rage, bitterness, sadness, not feeling loved/wanted. In a more long-term view, suppressed anger or frustration often causes liver qi to become stagnant; this might result in depression or menstrual disorders. Too much thinking or obsessing about a topic can also deplete the spleen, causing a stagnation of its qi. Sadness or grief affects the lungs, producing fatigue, shortness of breath, crying, or depression. A person with this condition may exhibit such symptoms as poor appetite, forgetting to eat, and bloating after eating. A person who worries too much "carries the weight of the world on his/her shoulders,"

When the Qi/Emotions and blood are blocked and not flowing smoothly symptoms such as endometriosis, blocked tubes, blood clots, premenstrual cramping and pain, and irregular menses can occur. The Liver is important in reproduction largely because of its role in menstruation. During the premenstrual period the Liver shifts the Blood flow from other body parts to the Uterus. Right before menstruation, when the Liver is busy directing the body to menstruate, it has a tendency to neglect its other functions of keeping the Qi and emotions flowing smoothly. As a result, the emotions are no longer able to flow freely, and depression, anger, sadness, weepiness, or any combination is experienced. There may be headaches, breast pain, cramps, and a wide variety of other physical and emotional symptoms. Blockage in the Liver system is a most eloquent description of why pre-menstrual tension and its associated symptoms occur. At this time any Liver obstruction will cause Qi and blood to "back up" or stagnate. If the channels remain blocked, the flow of energy to the Uterus will be impeded, and then the menses are associated with pain and cramping. When diagnosing patterns that are preventing conception, it is absolutely essential to assess where there are blockages in the Liver and Gallbladder.
         When the Liver system is not functioning smoothly, the hormonal system is not either. The Uterus itself can become a toxic environment, hostile to implantation. Excess estrogen is not metabolized effectively and can build up, because it is the liver that metabolizes hormones. (It doesn't help that there is a preponderance of synthetic estrogen in our diet, and even in the products we apply to our skin.) Estrogen dominance is implicated in conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and cancer. Most women with these diseases are diagnosed with an element of Liver  stagnation.

      During my 4 year wait  of wanting to get pregnant, God began to bring to the surface about forgiveness and letting go. I was sad depressed and cried out to him, then he began to remind me of my unforgiveness. I had been through so much hurt, sadness and pain from the past that I just covered up those feelings without really letting go. I literally broke down in tears and truly forgave the parties. As I began to forgive, I free and finally got a positive pregnancy test but then miscarried. However, since Ihad spent months on forgiving, I refused to allow the loss make me bitter/stop the flow.  Forgiveness is not an easy task and it will never be. You might say hey how do I forgive,where do I start; I have been through rape, abuse, messy divorce, hurtful things said, humiliation and betrayal. Most times we think it would go away but it never really does, you can pretend all is well but it never really is. In many cases of abuse, we can see that depression is merely a cover-up for suppressed anger and guilt. When we are depressed, we dwell on negative thoughts about ourselves or our perpetrators. In turn, those negative thoughts cause further depression. It becomes a downward spiral which we often feel is uncontrollable.
               People who have been emotionally abused usually suffer from depression and anxiety long after they end unhealthy relationships. Many researchers believe that depression and anxiety surface as a result of suppressed anger toward our abusers. From a clinical perspective, depression often occurs when the brain cannot hold onto serotonin, the feel-good chemical that our bodies naturally produce. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are drugs that were designed to block this 'leaking' of serotonin from our brains. From an internal perspective, depression is a turning away from the outside world and closing down to everything other than self. I've suffered from depression, and I know how it feels to be so emotionally isolated that nothing seems worth doing anymore. There have been times when I didn't want to eat, sleep, play, or even breathe anymore. I saw myself as a worthless creature, taking up space on a planet where I had become obsolete.
   First step is to start now - Are they any unresolved emotions that you haven't dealt with and placed on the back burner? Is there something from your past that still fuels that anger or depression? Most times we get thoughts/flashbacks and then a sudden rush of emotions. If you do feel anger, resentment, sadness or depressed then you really haven't gotten over it.

1. Deal with unresolved anger, sadness or whatever issues from the past by writing down what it could be. And then ask yourself why you are still feeling such way.
2. Find someone who you trust to talk about the situation - this is crucial because talking about it actually now opens the door to forgiveness meaning if you can talk about it then you can certainly let go of it.
3. Tell God you forgive, ask him to forgive you of harboring such & help you be whole. If you are a believer ask God to show you any unresolved issues, give you the grace to forgive and heal the hurt/pain/grief.
4. If you can talk with who caused such grief & let them know it did cause you pain but you choose to forgive them and move on. This was a very hard step for me but I chose to do it anyways because this would also cause them to reflect on their action & hopefully choose  to act better.
5. Never allow your mind dwell on the hurt anymore, thoughts or flashbacks will happen but the key is refusing to dwell on that emotion and think positive. Act positive, live positive and force yourself to be positive. "I have forgiven them, God has forgiven me and I have moved on."  Say that to yourself anytime your ind tries to play tricks on you.
6. At least twice a week, find ways to destress -  getting a massage, taking a bath, meditating on positive words & scriptures, praying, listening to worship music, talking walks.
7. Live a healthy life - avoiding sugary foods/drinks, refined carbohydrates, refined or junk foods, practice a habit of juicing  especially carrots, beets and apple(carrots are great for detoxifying the liver), Eating small, easily digestible meals - sitting down, chewing thorough, Avoid too much cold foods, drink water - not with meals, Eat frequent, small meals. This keeps the blood sugar levels more stable and inhibits adrenaline release. Use spices that move the flow , like peppermint, rosemary, spearmint, turmeric, and thyme. Most times avoiding drinking milk also helps not necessarily though. Do not overeat. Try to avoid heavy, hard to digest foods like nuts, peanut butter, butter, animal fats, too much meat, and too much bread. Avoid foods with preservatives or chemicals.
8. Avoid harboring anger and resentment. Feelings of frustration and internal emotional tension need to be resolved as soon as possible, as any stagnated emotion can inhibit the Qi mechanism.
9. Laugh often. Watch comedies or funny movies to release any stuck internal feelings.
10. Avoid food with GMOs especially soy foods, I realized I was had too much estrogen & made sure to avoid estrogen foods. And also avoid chemicals like bleach or cleaning products with fumes. 
11. Do light massages with your fingers below the navel- Only for women* this will help improve blood flow and help with any stagnation/blockage. This is also important for anyone that has had surgery as those adhesion's can cause stagnation. 

    And the truth of  the matter is you will always have someone who will try to hurt you emotionally or do things to make you sad. It's part of life and living above anger/sadness/depression/hurt/grief shows maturity.It's most times those that are close to us that say hurtful things but CHOOSE to FORGIVE.

*Note I'm not a medical expert but this is based on my experience, do consult with a doctor if need be before making any dietary changes.

PSORIASIS, ITCHY SKIN AND ECZEMA RELIEF - Relief with butters like Hemp Shea and Avocado

Having completed my Aromatherapy courses, I have had several email requests and client requests for custom blend for itchy, psoriasis and eczema prone skin. There are several reasons why one could have such - it could be hormonal, environment, reaction, bad eating habits, dry skin and much more.

What to Avoid:
Sulfates - This can be found in commercial shampoos.
Alcohol - Avoid using skin care products with alcohol
Commercial Fragrances
Avoid hot water, which can irritate skin. Use lukewarm water instead.
Experts agree that quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to care for your psoriasis.
In general, there is no solid evidence for any food making psoriasis better or worse. At the same time, many people with psoriasis have claimed improvement after cutting down on certain foods, including sugar, white flour, gluten, and caffeine.
Do not use ointments, creams and lotions containing Vaseline or Paraffin Oil. These suppress Psoriasis/Eczema symptoms and patients think they are well again but the Psoriasis/Eczema is still active in the body. Only use Vegetable Oils on your skin! 
Avoid all refined sugars (highly inflammatory) , no white or cane sugar, agave, no high fructose corn syrup. alternatives in moderation: stevia is the best, and xylitol. needless to say all artificial sweeteners are never allowed (sucralose, aspartame, saccharine, sorbitol and many more. chewing gums and diet products contain all these poisons). if it says diet don’t buy it.


What to do:

Eat healthy foods if you can,  there is too much junk (pesticides, hormones and unlisted ingredients) in processed foods which is hard on our over taxed immune system.
Do a food allergy test to eliminate trigger foods specific to your body.
Try to identify the source of your stress and how this affects your mental and emotional health and find a way to manage it that works for you (e.g. relaxation, counselling, body therapy, meditation, 'time out', etc.)
Do a juices cleanse at least every 3 months and eat an alkaline diet (raw fruits and vegetables should be at least 50% of your diet.
 Take a soak. Showering, swimming, soaking in a tub, and applying wet compresses all can rehydrate very dry skin and help soften and remove thick psoriasis scales without damaging the skin. Keep the water tepid rather than hot (hot water can increase itching). While soaking helps remove plaque scales, however, be aware that frequent wetting and drying also removes the skin's oils, its natural protection against moisture loss. Therefore, to get the benefits of soaking without overdrying the skin, be sure to moisturize with a heavy emollient immediately (within three minutes) after soaking, washing, or wetting your skin.
Choose soaps and skin care products carefully. Harsh soaps can dry and irritate the skin and increase itching, so opt for a mild soap instead. Many mild, "superfatted" soaps that contain moisturizers. You can get good quality handmade soap and organic skin care products here 
 For scalp psoriasis/eczema/itch use shampoos or hair cream with jojoba and olive oil.

HOMEMADE RECIPES
Baking soda. To take the itch out of your scaly patches, mix 1 1/2 cups baking soda into 3 gallons water. Apply to your itchy patches with a washcloth soaked in the solution.
 Olive oil. An old favorite for easing psoriasis outbreaks is mixing 2 teaspoons olive oil with a large glass of milk and adding the concoction to your bathwater. Or if you are dealing with psoriasis on your scalp, massage some warm olive oil on your scaly patches. It will help soften the dead skin and make it easier to remove.

Best Carrier Oils/butters to Use
 Shea butter, Tamanu, borage seed, Mango butter, cocoa butter,  rosehip, neem, epo, avocado, jojoba, wheatgerm, infused calendula, olive oil, Hemp Butter,  Hemp Oil, pumpkin seed oil

Best Essential Oils
Tea tree, lavender, chamomile, helicrysum, garlic,  patchouli, geranium, bergamot, sandalwood,
juniper, frankincense, rose, myrrh, pine, cajuput, carrot seed, german chamomile.

Please note to meet with an aromatherapist or one who is knowledgeable about mixing essential oils because not using the right percentage can be highly toxic and dangerous. Feel free to check out my shop and do a custom request or purchase a ready made cream - here