Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Archive for the ‘health’ Category

A Simpler Thyme in the Kitchen

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ~Hippocrates

Kitchens are where families spend quality time, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company. This is the place where memories of favorite foods transport us back to a simpler day.

Julia Brown’s idea for an herbal cookbook has been brewing for several years. Often at her workshops, she would serve a special herbal snack and people would say, “We need the recipe for that.” Many recipes were not even written down as grandmothers especially just put things together.

Another workshop talked about herbs from the Bible and their use then and now.

She recalls many recipes that her family used over the years to bring joy to their kitchen table. She did find a binder of her mother’s recipes a few years ago so that was a starting point. However, even following the recipe, the food didn’t taste exactly like mom’s. This required some experimenting, tasting, and revising to get things at their best and most of all adding that secret ingredient – love.

That was the beginning of collecting recipes from her mother, grandmothers, and other family members to use in a special cookbook – some she has spiced up just a little. This year she published her first cookbook, “A Simpler Thyme in the Kitchen.”

Amy Casey, Julia Brown, and Olivia Stock combined their talents for the book and have had several book signings.

Julia, the author, had a couple of friends help her with the setup of this book so it is not only filled with wonderful recipes but also has great photographs and illustrations. Olivia Stock, designer and photographer, took pictures of many of the recipes while Amy Casey, watercolor artist, drew illustrations throughout the book. When you combine the talents of these three ladies, you have a delightful book that is a showpiece.

The herb education cabin is a great place for workshops or for an overnight stay.

Julia has been interested in herbs for many years and has become a Certified Master Herbalist. Her family supports her love of herbs and their use on the table as well as for medicinal purposes. She has a small herbal education cabin, which you can also rent for an overnight stay. It’s located at 51953 County Rd. 186, Fresno.

The atmosphere inside the cabin is a great place for learning or relaxation.

In the cabin or in her garden, she shows the connection of farm-to-table and table-to-soul lifestyle during her workshops, which she holds a couple of times each month. Some workshops are make ‘n take, where participants might make a room spray, herbal essence, or her special Fire Cider. Other times she might focus on a particular herb and tell its medicinal and culinary uses. Visit her on Facebook under “A Simpler Thyme” for dates and more information on her programs.

Julia guides participants in the steps to make Fire Cider, a great remedy for a sore throat.

In today’s world, Julia said, “We have a society of convenience. People want things that are easy to heat. However, there is satisfaction from something homemade as it comes from the heart.”

After yoga class, the group enjoyed visiting one of her many herb gardens.

She also feels, “More people are planting little gardens now or even planting tomatoes in pots with the cost of food rising,” It seems we are going back to a time when growing our own food is becoming more popular. Many are even planting fruit trees and berries as an added source of good nutrition.

Talking to her, you can tell how excited she is about growing and preparing food that is nutritious and delicious. Her fervor for the use of herbs for culinary and medicinal uses has led her to write her first book.

Some of Amy’s illustrations can be found in almost every section of the book.

The first section of “A Simpler Thyme in the Kitchen” describes the beneficial properties of some popular herbs such as thyme of course, basil, garlic, and rosemary. Thyme is a herb that helps support the immune system and also has an anti-fungal and disinfectant property. During WWI and WWII, ladies would embroider thyme and its flowers on handkerchiefs to give to their beloved soldiers as a reminder of their courage and bravery.

The book is divided into sections for each season of the year. Spring Thyme, Summer Thyme…you get the idea. All of the recipes include some of those favorite herbs.

For example, Spring Thyme’s recipes for Zucchini Frittata with Mint & Basil or Marinated “Dandy” Greens are sure to please your family. Her edible salad bowl will certainly surprise your guests!

Summer Thyme includes a Shepherds Pie with an Herbal Flare and a Stuffed Pepper Soup. Between the recipes, you will find many interesting facts about Garden Folk Lore and Food for Thought.

Olivia’s photographs bring color and appeal throughout the herbal recipe book.

Autumn recipes include Pumpkin Soup, Jalapeno Cornbread, and Dinner in a Pumpkin. Find out interesting facts about those carved pumpkins at Halloween. Do you know why they call it a “Jack”-o-lantern?

Winter Thyme lists recipes for Hot Muller Wassail, Christmas Honey & Thyme Cookies, or Grandma Edna’s Spiced Christmas Beets. Learn more about Christmas legends regarding hanging Christmas stockings, putting a wreath on your front door, and why we kiss under the mistletoe.

If you would like to purchase a book, contact Julia Brown by messaging her on their Facebook page, or you can email her at brownjulia00@yahoo.com. She is also having several book signings, which are unique as they include speaking, signing, and sharing herbal snacks.

As you can tell, this book is more than a recipe book with beautiful photographs and illustrations. It is filled with delightful ancestral knowledge, wisdom, and recipes thanks to three ladies who used their God-given skills, talents, and strengths to make this cookbook a reality.

It’s thyme to make some memories in the kitchen!

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Art, Gardens, health, Nature, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Did Ya Ever?

In today’s busy world, how often do you sit and watch the world go by? It’s not often, I’m sure, but perhaps you’ll want to try it someday.

Look up and watch the clouds drift slowly across the sky as they twist and curl. First, they look like a mountain, then quickly change to a boat gliding through the heavens. The colors in the sky vary from countless shades of blue and white to occasionally a dark cloud rolling by.

Drop down to the trees and notice how the leaves move in the gentle breeze. They bend and sway as if in a dance. In the spring, the trees are full of blossoms and when the wind blows, the blossoms appear as falling snow swirling through the air. In the summertime, you’ll find every shade of green imaginable hanging from tree branches.


Birds flutter from branch to branch and then try to find a morsel of something to eat when they drop to the ground. The colors of the birds are bright and cheery. Robins, bluejays, and cardinals are plentiful with an occasional woodpecker sounding his “Rat-a-tat-tat.”

On the ground is where you’ll find the most activity. Watch as a groundhog gives himself a treat by eating the flowers of the dandelion. See rabbits hopping along and a squirrel scampering up a tree. Don’t forget to smell the flowers.

Sit by a lake and watch the ducks, geese, or swans as they drift effortlessly across the water or duck their bills into the lake for a fresh fish dinner. Fish can easily be seen in the clear water as they glide from side to side.

Don’t forget to watch for the people that are in the scene as well. A little boy proudly walks with his dad as they each carry their fishing poles and bait buckets. You can tell this is not a new experience as the little boy puts the bait on the hook like an expert. Then they sit side by side as they wait for a bite.

Many walkers enjoy the beautiful day as they walk the paths around the lake. Not only is this good exercise but also gives them fresh air and sunshine. They get to watch the world through their eyes, also.

Did ya ever sit and watch the world go by? Try it someday soon.

Category:

Family Fun, health, Just for Fun, Nature

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Plus Side of Nursing Home Care

Patience is a Virtue

Beckett House is one of the local nursing home facilities.

Nursing home care becomes a necessity for many over the course of their life. Accidents, surgeries, and illness often require extra attention and rehabilitation that can not be handled at home.

Many caring people are involved in the process of visits which may take weeks, months, or years. Their dedication to helping patients feel better during this time becomes of utmost importance.

Lucy and a teammate prepare for a softball game at John Glenn High School in New Concord.

One caring young lady’s story shows why she chose to help in the nursing home area. Lucy Davis, still a teen today, was active at John Glenn High School playing basketball and softball. Then one day she felt dizzy with a terrible migraine and called her mom to take her to the hospital. She was sent to Children’s Hospital where they got control of her headache, saw a large mass on her thyroid in a scan, and sent her for a thyroid biopsy.

She was a typical teen full of life and energy when it was discovered on her 17th birthday that the mass on her thyroid was cancer. During a short time, she had thyroid cancer and lymph node cancer enter her life. She became an inspiration to many and posted this thought after her ordeal.

Lucy brings a smile to everyone’s face from children to the elderly.

According to Lucy, “Yes, Cancer sucks but it made me realize that life is too short so spend time with your loved ones, love hard, forgive easy, don’t hold grudges, make mistakes & most importantly do what makes YOU happy.”

She recovered well and is now cancer free, but it was a long slow process. It’s still an issue due to the number of doctor visits and scans she must continue to have. Lucy told me, “I decided during my many visits to the hospital that I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives because of how good the nurses treated me.”

Lucy Davis brightens the night for many who are sick or injured.

Since she loves elderly people, the choice was easy. She trained to become a State Tested Nursing Assistant and quickly found work at Beckett House in New Concord. At this point in her life, she doesn’t have any future plans. Lucy just wants to keep making a difference in people’s lives day to day.

At work, she makes each person feel special and comforted by taking time to actually listen to them and share her sense of good humor. Even in the middle of the night, Lucy has a smile and cheerful voice. She spreads sunshine from room to room during her evening shift.

Going to a Cincinnati Reds game with a friend is always a special treat.

When Lucy’s not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing with her dog Dixie, and going to Cincinnati Reds baseball games. These are the thing that make her happy.

Her dog Dixie is a comfort and pleasure.

Many caring people make life so much better for those who are ill in the nursing home. Meals provide a balanced diet and can be very tasty if you’re not too sick. Activities are planned that encourage patients to get out of their rooms and have some fun. Every week there is some kind of musical entertainment which has a dining room full of listeners.

Another important part of the nursing home experience is both Occupational and Physical Therapy. They work with patients to regain strength whether they are wanting to go home or having a long stay. Occupational Therapy works with the top half of your body, according to the therapists, so reaching with your arms, moving your hands in exercises, and even making a cup of tea might be part of the process.

Adam and Kendra provide Physical and Occupational Therapy.

Physical Therapy works more with the bottom half of the body. Strengthening the legs and feet are important to get patients moving again. Long walks down the hall using a walker are just the beginning of this journey if someone is able. Here they help you find the easiest way to climb stairs again or get down off a curb.

Adam Dudley and Kendra Abbott not only have years of experience in helping with therapy but make it a pleasant experience for everyone. While they encourage the patient to go just a little beyond their present ability, they do it in a relaxed and fun manner. They even have interesting conversations during your hour visit with them.

A sunroom at the end of the hall provides a spot like home.

A special feature at the Beckett House is a sunroom at the end of the hall which looks out over a lake where patients can watch people enjoying a walk or fishing. It is a great relaxation spot to give patients a feeling of the normal world while being treated for a problem at the nursing home. It’s also a great place to spend time with visitors.

While the nursing home is not the place we would wish to be, the next time you have to go to a nursing home go with a positive attitude. With a good attitude and friendly treatment of the staff, you can have a good experience.

When visiting someone at the nursing home, listen to their concerns, tell them about happy things that are happening in your life or in the community, and point out the plus side of care in a nursing home.

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health, Ohio, Uncategorized

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