Monday, February 22, 2016

Out in the garden...

It was warm this weekend........after a week of 15 degrees.  I loved it.  The first flower appeared in the garden.  Luna is enjoying the weather as well.

LunaCat and a lovely crocus

I have been tidying up and sorting.  Suddenly I had a bunch of things that needed a place to hang.  I decided to "decorate this little funny maple before it leafs out.


I have not seen any yet, may favorite, nettle.  But I did find this little poem in a book i have.

I have wood nettles and true nettle.  Both are rich in minerals.  Tons!!!  An infusion of stinging nettle, either kind, is a great way to get vitamins and trace minerals, rather then a "pill."


I anxiously await Spring.  There are always some surprise "gifts" showing themselves, something new, it never fails.  There are always "treasures" just below the surface.  Even in a box of chocolates.  I  was first surprised to receive a box in the mail from a California friend.  Great treats.  I decided to take the bottom liner out to hang on my window for a "festive" change.  Below was this.  I love it!!!

Box O Chocolates

It pays to take a moment to look "deep inside."  I have been doing a lot of that this winter.  No point getting excited.  Things happen in their own time.....like the launch of BlueBliss Serum.  Thought it would be last February......it was just last week!!   Good things are worth waiting for........I hope!!!



It's back to the garden for now.  Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid



Monday, February 15, 2016

Bliss

It has been super cold.....and snowy for a week it seems.  A white winter bliss.......
 


And then today.....oddly warm and windy.  It always makes me restless, the wind.
I found this lovely book that has been keeping me company on cold snowy evenings.
It is a "companion" of sorts to the children's classic - The Velveteen Rabbit.  A story full of love, compassion, tears of fear and of joy, the Rabbit learns to be "real" when he is loved.  The broader story for we adults is to love ourselves.  This author has taken the stories and developed Principles.  Brilliant!!!  I have enjoyed it a lot.



Right on schedule - near Groundhogs day - the "eggs" suddenly appear.  They were not there Monday Febuary 1st - but they sure were February 2, early afternoon.  Despite the cold, I can see the little tadpoles growing larger each day.   An amazing example of the resilience and rhythm of the cycles of life.  


At MoonMaid - we are celebrating the long awaited "birth" of BlueBliss Anti-Oxidant Serum.  This moisturizing roll-on serum is loaded with anti-oxidants blueberries, MSM and Vitamins E, A, and C.  It delights the senses with our special blend of essential oils and flower essences.  Designed especially for "women of a certain age" and our changing skin.  On sale 50% off.



25% off by putting Pinterest or Instagram in the coupon box @ checkout.  And free shipping until midnight Febuary 15th.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

We have had a bit of winter.  It is beautiful.....and settling in some way.  When I can't just run right out the door, I pause, I have gotten a lot of sorting done, I have caught up on writing.

Snowy garden
MoonMaid Botanicals' Sanctuary
Preserving Protecting and Propagating endangered native medicinals
I have also been spending a lot of time thinking about women't health.  I have two friends, one has breast cancer and has experienced a lumpectomy and lymph node removal.  I have been her advocate, as much as I can and was with her before surgery.  The other friend choose to have a hysterectomy.  For bleeding and fibroids.  I was a little shocked and a lot sad.  Why didn't she call me?  At the very least investigate alternatives.

Any of you who know me well, know that I have spent my career attempting to help women understand the importance of their uterus'.  That when "problems" arise, as they often do in menopause, one cannot simply "remove" the problem.  Nor can one "take a pill" or "apply a cream" and hope for magical results.  This is not to say that "these things," whatever they are, are not helpful. It is MoonMaid's business to provide women herbal alternatives for various issues related to the transition of menopause.  A gentle talk must come to, what is your lifestyle, or the conversation is not complete.  A uterus that is "angry" bleeding, fibrotic, adnomyotic or full of cysts, is exhibiting a "reaction" to something going on in the body.  In my world, this is toxic estrogens - in our air, food and water.   Removing the uterus and/or ovaries, without this topic addressed, will just lead to these "toxins" settling somewhere else in the body.

Like the breasts.  Would a woman who has lumpy fibrous breasts, as many "women of a certain age" do....chop them off, for this "non-life threatening" situation?  I believe she would inquire what might be helpful - like herbs, oils for breast massage, dietary changes etc., that may help alleviate the situation.    As should be the case, in my humble, opinion, for women with a similar "reaction" going on in the pelvis.

Breast cancer is quite often "estrogen positive."  As was the case for my friend.  All these toxic estrogens floating around in the environment.  And despite the fact that she is a vegetarian, she still has suffered these consequences - with no family history.  Did you know Breast Cancer is on the rise in men.  Well it is.   And I have 3 customers in varying stages of the journey.

Many other "hormone disruptor" conditions being experienced by our childern as well, ie childhood obesity (that very much resembles middle age weight gain), early onset puberty and reports of low fertility in young men.  This, I believe, is only the tip of the iceberg.  All of these things come across the radar in my tiny little herbal world.

Bringing me to this - we must talk about lifestyle.  How can we, best as possible, remove toxins from our diet?  From our environment. How can we support our bodies with whole foods, instead of vitamin pills.  How can we get "nourishment" from herbal infusions, teas, and tinctures?    How do we support our planet by removing plastics from our daily use.  It is all possible.  With small but hugely impactful changes.
Fresh Clover harvested for our Women's Mineral Blend
Summer 2015

I do offer herbal consultations to help you should you be on the journey of menopause.  Here for more info.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals