basil syrup

basil syrup

basil is a summer time favorite.  pesto for pastas, tomato sauces, salad mixes, caprese salads, lovely additions to the flower or herb beds are just a few examples as to why we love basil.

but did you know that basil is a natural anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antiviral, and antispasmodic, medicinally speaking. 

basil has an amazingly long list of ways it can help heal the body including:  

• keeps digestion running smoothly
• keeps the immune system healthy
• kidney strengthener 
• anti-stress agent
• insect bites
• mouth infections
• asthma
• bronchitis
• the common cold & the flu
• headache relief
• children's complaints such as colds, coughs, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting
• reduces cholesterol
• calms your nerves
•  plus many, many more things

 and if i haven't sung basil's praises enough, it also includes has vitamins A, C, and K as well as folate, calcium, choline, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, and sodium.

so eat some basil already will ya?!?!  :)

here's the basil syrup recipe i made today that can be used drizzled over ice cream, fresh fruits, berries, or just give your kids a tablespoon when that sore throat hits or that cough won't go away.

gather these ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh basil or 1/4 cup dried basil
1 cup water
1 cup raw sugar

step 1:

put the basil and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let steep for 10 minutes (or longer if you want it a bit stronger)

step 2:

strain off the liquid (keep this) and discard (aka compost) the basil. 

step 3:

put the basil liquid (basil tea at this point :) ) back in the saucepan and add the sugar, stir together until the sugar melts.  bring back to a boil and boil for 5-7 minutes (be sure to stir often during this process).  turn off the heat and let the basil syrup cool.

step 4:

after the basil syrup has cooled, put it in the sealed container of your choice.  label it with the date as it will keep in the fridge for about 2 months.


easy peasy and soooo delicious!!  enjoy!!

 

monday moment of zen

"when you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others."

~ peace pilgrim

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monday moment of zen

“when you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds, your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new great and wonderful world. dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” 

~ patanjali

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monday moment of zen

"here is my secret.  it is very simple:  it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

~ antoine de saint exupery

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get juiced manual

for those of you who missed out on my "get juiced" workshop but still want to purchase the manual, here you go.  :)

the manual is 31 pages with 41 recipes for only $10.  click below to purchase the manual. 

in good health!!

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monday moment of zen

"between stimulus and response there is a space. in that space is our power to choose our response. in our response lies our growth and our freedom."

~ viktor frankl

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monday moment of zen

in the spirit of staying healthy...

"if you are interested, you'll do what's convenient.  if you are committed, you'll do whatever it takes."

~ john asaraf

if you are committed to your health, join me for the upcoming "get juiced" workshop sunday, july 15th 1-3pm.  not in morgantown or can't be there in person?  no problem!  we've got an option for you!

let's get healthy and stay healthy together!!  namaste!!

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"get juiced" workshop

juicing is one of the fastest and best ways to hydrate your body, help build a healthy immune system, reduce inflammation, and add a wider variety of veggies & fruits to your diet.

in this workshop you will:

• learn the benefits of juicing
• find the perfect ratio of veggies to fruits to keep your blood sugar from spiking sky high
• learn the difference between juicing versus blending
• get information on the best juicers on the market today for every budget
• understand how to keep your pH balanced
• what ingredients to add to make a "green" juice
• using extra ingredients to give your juice an extra zing
• taste test a difference between organic and non-organic
• figure out what to do with your left over pulp
• receive "get juiced" the manual with ton of juice recipes guaranteed to make your taste buds dance + all the above mentioned information

if you make it to the actual workshop you will get to watch juices being made & enjoy a taste test of different juices (almost all organic).

what:  "get juiced" workshop
when:  sunday, july 15th 1-3pm
where:  811 fenwick avenue, morgantown, wv 26505

there are two options for those of you in town:

$35 for you to attend the workshop  

OR 

$50  for you and a friend to attend the workshop

(organic produce will be purchased for this workshop)

there is an online option for those who are unable to attend the workshop due to being out of town or in another part of the world.  for $20 you will receive the pdf of the manual just before the workshop and join us via live-stream on the internet on the day of the workshop.

fuel your desire to live a healthier, happier life by joining me on the road to juicing.  hope to see you there!!

monday moment of zen

 

"do what makes you happy. be with who makes you smile. laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live." 

~ anon. 

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monday moment of zen

"your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. and most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. they somehow already know what you truly want to become. everything else is secondary."
~ steve jobs

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monday moment of zen

"the happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts; therefore guard accordingly."
~ marcus aurelius

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monday moment of zen

"ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."

~ russel baker

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yoga & creativity workshop

Join me on Sunday, July 1st 12-3:30pm for an exploration of creativity as an extension of your yoga practice. Spend time indulging in creative play by making a vision board, meditating, practicing yoga, discussing ways to live more creatively, and engaging in svadyaya (self-study) while communing with like-minded friends.

Creative visualization is a mental technique that uses the imagination to make dreams become realities. We start by flipping through magazines, pulling out any images that make you smile. Creating a vision board out of the images that make you smile and by returning to them again & again reinforces your dreams & goals in a positive way.

All you need to bring is your journal, your favorite tea mug, old magazines that you don’t mind cutting up and an open heart & mind.

Workshop is 3 ½ hours. Cost is $49 and includes a FREE goodie bag. Tea and light snacks will be provided. No yoga experience needed, this is open to all!

This event has sold out in the past and space is extremely limited so pre-registration is a must! You can pay in advance one of two ways: while you are at BlissBlissBliss taking a class or enjoying a session OR by mail a check made payable to: BlissBlissBliss 3101 About Town Place, Morgantown, WV 26508 (please be sure to indicate that it is for the Yoga & Creativity Workshop).


Registration by June 24 is a must.
 
Cancellation policy: No refunds will be issued unless your space can be filled with someone from the waiting list. If your space is not filled, a credit will be issued ONLY if the cancellation is received one full week prior to the event minus a $25 administrative fee. NO credits or refunds will be issued if cancellation is received within one week of the event. If we must cancel due to insufficient enrollment, your deposit and paid balance will be refunded fully. For any questions, please e-mailing Melita: melitamollohan@gmail.com.

"The yoga & creativity workshop was amazing! It started me journaling again and the vision boards we made are beside my bed each night for me to remember and review. I had never participated in something like this, but it was the spark that has led me to make changes in my life that allows me to be a priority. To find the time for ME that I need to be a better Mom, a better spouse and a better person. I plan to put the next Yoga & Creativity Workshop at the top of my TO DO list." — Angela C.

monday moment of zen

"the real prayers are not the words, but the attention that comes first."

~ mary oliver

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monday moment of zen

"the first drawback of anger is that it destroys your inner peace; the second is that it distorts your view of reality. if you think about this and come to understand that anger is really unhelpful, that it is only destructive, you can begin to distance yourself from anger."
~ dalai lama

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monday moment of zen

"become a possibilitarian. no matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities - always see them, for they are always there." 

~ norman vincent peale

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great blue inspiration

if you love great blue herons like i do and haven't seen this website yet, get yourself over there and enjoy the cuteness!!

herons are such majestic and graceful creatures.  according to north american native tradition, the blue heron brings the message of self-reliance and self-determination.  they represent a an ability to progress and evolve. the long thin legs of the heron reflect that an individual doesn't need great massive pillars to remain stable, but must be able to stand on one's own.

blue herons have the innate wisdom of being able to maneuver through life and co-create their own circumstances. blue herons reflect a need for those with this totem to follow their on unique wisdom and path of self-determination. these individuals know what is best for themselves and need to follow their hearts rather than the promptings of others. those with the medicine of the great blue heron may sit until the rest of us loose patience. and, when they follow the promptings of the heart, they are one of the most magnificent when they choose to soar.

if you know anything about me, this makes perfect sense why i love them soooo much!! ;)

~ info by blueheronenv.com & image credit

monday moment of zen

 

"for things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them."
~ thich nhat hanh

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monday moment of zen

“if you have learnt something really well, then the way you express it will not be the same way you learned it.” 

~ krishnamacharya

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monday moment of zen

"keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great. when you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. similarly be that kind of a friend to your friends."
~ mark twain

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