Blueberry Citrus Fruitcake

     Fruitcake. It's the Christmas tradition that nobody wants.  However, this tradition stems from abundance. Historically, fruitcakes were made after a very successful harvest, and stored until Christmas (or even the next harvest), when they were eaten in celebration and for good luck in the next year's harvest. The secret to keeping this cake so long is in it's care. Each week the cake needs to be brushed with alcohol or flavored syrup. This helps to preserve it as well as to keep it moist. The modern dislike of fruitcake probably comes from the lack of care and attention given to them, making them hard bricks of weird fruit and nut bread.

     That being said, this year I decided to put my own spin on this traditional baked good, hopefully reviving the old tradition with a bit of a Bat Lady flair.

     As with all my recipes, there are a number of awesome variations that you can use. I really don't like apricots, so I used pineapple in this recipe, but feel free to use the traditional apricots. Really, you can use any fruit you'd like in place of any of the other fruits (a small amount of elderberries might make for an interesting cake), same goes for the nuts. I prefer cashews and almonds to a few of the more traditional nuts, but you can use whatever nuts you'd like. Have fun with it and make it your own!   
   
     This awesome recipe features Juniper berries and Gin, two of my favorite things! Also, it makes about 12 cups of batter, so you can use a 10-inch bundt pan, a 9X13 inch baking pan, 2 9 inch round cake pans, or it can make 18-24 cupcakes.

Blueberry Citrus Fruitcake

The Fruit Mixture:

1 ½ cups dried Blueberries

½ cup Golden Raisins

½ cup dried Pineapple

¼ cup candied Ginger

½ cup Gin (my favorite gin to use is Magellan, but any gin will work) or St. Germain (an Elderflower liqueur)...or go crazy and use half of each!

The Cake:

5 tbsp ground Chia Seeds

10 tbsp Water

2 cups Gluten Free Flour Mix of your choice (my favorite is by Namaste)

¾ cup milled/ground Flaxseed and/or Chia seed (buy it already ground or grind your own using a coffee grinder)

1 tbsp Baking Powder (gluten free of course)

½ tsp Sea Salt

2 Oranges, remove the peel (not the pith) with a vegetable peeler and reserve it, squeeze the oranges after peeling and reserve the juice

1 Lemon remove the peel (not the pith) with a vegetable peeler and reserve it, squeeze the lemon after peeling and reserve the juice (½ for the cake and ½ for the glaze)

1 Lime remove the peel (not the pith) with a vegetable peeler and reserve it, squeeze the lime after peeling and reserve the juice (½ for the cake and ½ for the glaze)

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 tsp ground Juniper Berries (I grind mine using a coffee grinder)

4 cups Honey (or Agave)

1 cup of Coconut Oil (or Ghee)

¼ cup Cashews, chopped

¼ cup slivered Almonds

The Syrup:

½ cup Honey

½ cup Gin

½ the reserved Lemon Juice

½ the reserved Lime Juice

Instructions:
Combine the dried fruits and booze in a non-reactive (I use glass) bowl. Toss well, cover, and allow to soak overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat your pan/pans with olive oil (or ghee) and dust with flour. Combine 5 tbsp ground Chia Seeds and 10 tbsp water, mix well, and chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Combine flour, Flax/Chia Seed mixture, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Combine ½ of the lemon juice, ½ of the lime juice, and ¾ of a cup of orange juice with vanilla extract and set aside. 

Toss soaked dried fruit with 2 tablespoons of flour mixture, set aside.

In a food processor, process your citrus peels and ground Juniper until the peels are finely ground. Add in honey, chilled chia mixture, and coconut oil. Process until smooth. Pour into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Using a rubber spatula, fold in half of the flour mixture, add juice mixture to combine. Fold in the rest of the flour mixture, dried fruits, and nuts until just combined.

Scrape batter into the prepared pan(s) and baked until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes.

In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine honey and citrus juices. Bring to a boil, while stirring to combine. Remove from heat and add in gin. Stir until well combined.

When the fruitcake is done, remove from the oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack, about 10 minutes.

Using a skewer or toothpick, poke small holes in the top of the cake. Slowly spoon a small amount on top of the cake and allow it to soak in. Let the cake set and absorb the syrup for a few minutes, then repeat the process as many times as it takes to use up all of your prepared syrup.

*Optional. Dusting the cake with powdered sugar helps make it look a little more Christmas-y and the powdered sugar helps preserve the cake as well.

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 2 hours before removing from the pan. Can be served immediately, but this cake tastes better if allowed to sit for at least 24-48 hours before serving. If you want to store it long-term, wrap it up in cheese cloth and foil before placing it in an air-tight container. Each week, using a basting brush, cover the fruitcake with more syrup (one application of syrup at a time). For more detailed instructions on long-term care of fruitcake check out this page.


   
     I know this is a little more complicated than most of my recipes, but I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) this fruitcake!  If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!

Color Therapy

     We are all drawn to certain colors. Some of us are even repulsed by certain colors. Some of these attractions are influenced by culture and some are just what we like. Whether or not we have an explanation for it, these colors do effect us and many cultures throughout the world have tapped into this and found correlations. Quite a few alternative therapies, such as Ayurveda, have used our relationship with these colors to help heal the mind and body. These therapies use the vibrations given off (or bounced off) by each color to improve healing, this is often achieved through the use of colorful cloths, baths, or stones. To some people, this may sound a bit wacky, which is understandable. However psychology and advertising have used these same principles to help sway people's emotions and moods for decades. You can also use these principles to help improve your life and mood by surrounding yourself with helpful colors.

1. Red
     Red is associated with aggression, passion, energy, confidence, stimulation, movement, and intensity. Red raises blood temperature, stimulates appetite, stimulates circulation, and even raises blood pressure. Ayurvedic techniques use the color red to treat symptoms of anemia, fatigue, paralysis, and exhaustion. You can use many shades of red to enhance your environment. Red often makes a space warm and cozy, but if not carefully chosen, different shades of red can make a space feel claustrophobic and/or oppressive. Red is a great choice in areas of activity, to increase your energy levels. Try using red yoga mats, or wearing red when you are doing aerobic exercises. Try adding small pops of lighter shades of red, or pink, in the bedroom to stimulate romance. If you're having a family dinner, try adding a few bits of red to help stimulate everyone's appetite. Some studies also show that using red plates may stimulate appetite, but actually reduces the amount of food people can eat. Wearing a combination of red and black can also increase self confidence, try this at job interviews or when you need to speak in front of a crowd. However, it may be a good idea to avoid red when you are experiencing a largely emotional time, as red tends to bring out the more extreme emotions.

2. Orange
     Orange is often associated with energy, ambition, activity, socialization, change, happiness, warmth, stimulation, prosperity, and wealth. Orange gives the body vitality and has beneficial benefits on the digestive, and reproductive systems as well as on the lungs and kidneys. Often, orange is used to help stimulate creativity and improve mental clarity. It is also used, in Ayurveda, to help with thyroid problems and menstrual cramps. It has a freeing action on the body, often helping to relieve repressions and discouraging stagnation. Orange helps relieve depression and promote happiness and warmth. This makes it a great color for parties! The next time you want to stand out in a crowd, try wearing orange. You'll feel like the life of the party, and project those same feelings onto others around you. Or if you're hosting a party, try decorating with orange. It'll help your guests feel energized and excited, helping promote happy socialization. Overall, orange is a great choice for areas of creativity, helping stimulate your muse, especially when paired with shades of purple. However, it's not a good choice for the bedroom as it can be overstimulating and can lead to trouble sleeping. Excessive exposure to orange can actually lead to depression and aggravate sexual problems.

3. Yellow
     Yellow is one of those colors that have very different associations in certain colors. In Asia, it is the color of heaven, which is why Chinese emperors were the only people allowed to wear it in certain points of history. In certain Western cultures, yellow is associated with cowardice. But overall, this color is cheerful, being largely associated with happiness, curiosity, optimism, laughter, hunger, intensity, caution frustration, vitality, and sunshine. Ayurvedic practices use yellow to help aid digestion and liver function, cleanse the body (as a decongestant and antibacterial), relieve rheumatism and arthritis, promote clarity, and improve communication. Painting a room certain shades of yellow can make it feel warm and open. Or try adding pops of bright yellow throughout your decorating. This can help to bring cheer and happiness into an otherwise gloomy space. Yellow is great for entrance halls, activity rooms, and places where you intend to do some studying as it helps keep you alert and promotes feelings of confidence. Yellow is associated with hunger, so can be used to stimulate appetite in those who need help with that. However, people tend to eat more when exposed to yellow, so if you're trying to limit your portions or eat healthier choices, maybe avoid yellow in the dining room and/or kitchen. Yellow is also not a good choice for areas of possible stress or the bedroom. It keeps our minds aware and awake, which can agitate symptoms of anxiety and reduce the amount and quality of sleep.

4. Green
     Green is associated with nature, growth, fertility, envy, peace, renewal, and tranquility. Green creates a balance in the body. Ayurvedic practices use this color for heart and blood problems, as well as to reduce fever, stabilize weight, and calm the mind. Green encourages tolerance and understanding. This color is also very centering and grounding. The simplest way to utilize the color green in your own life is to take a walk outside. Surround yourself with trees and plant life. Pastel green is one of the most common colors for health offices, largely because of it's calming effect. When you need to center yourself and relax, try adding in some green. Take green clothes with you on your vacation to help you get the most out of your time of relaxation. Wear some green jewelry when you need to pray or meditate. Because of it's harmonizing nature,  you can use it in just about every room and situation, either by bringing in some house plants or by adding a pop of green into your decor. Green is great for the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and really everywhere. Use it to balance out the other colors on this list, helping to dampen the stronger feelings associated with those bold colors. However, if used exclusively, green lead to inactivity and indecision. So don't use green as the basis for a monochromatic color scheme. Mix it up!

5. Blue
     Blue is the color of calm, serenity, focus, intelligence, wisdom, coldness, loyalty, uncaring, contemplation, and inner peace. Blue encourages independent thinking. In Ayurveda, blue is used to calm down inflammatory conditions, reduce blood pressure and heart rate, regulate sleep, and reduce fever. It also helps in the cases of bruising, eczema, rashes, sores, and several problems with the immune system. As well as relieving insomnia, migraines, and anxiety. Blue is appropriate for every room except those used purely for physical activity. Blue is especially effective in areas where study is going to occur, as it helps one to focus and helps reduce stress, anxiety, and migraines. Blue also encourages creative and independent thinking, so adding pops of blue when you need a creative boost is a good idea. It also conveys intelligence, so the next job interview you have, try wearing a bit of blue to emphasize your education and skills. Blue is another color that is popular for offices, particularly for health offices, due to it's calming effect. But don't use blue to excess, it can lead to a loss of compassion and to cold and empty feelings.

6. Purple 
     Purple is best known, here in the West, as the color of royalty. It's also associated with creativity, spirituality, mystery, wealth, respect, wisdom, intuition, luxury, and compassion. Ayurveda associates this color with the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Using it to help improve the sinuses, reduce congestion, and calm the nervous system. It's also used to ease joint stiffness and reduce angina. Purple is a great color for prayer and meditation. Try adding a bit of purple to your contemplative and spiritual spaces. Add pops of purple to your wardrobe and rooms increase confidence and creativity. Use pale violet or lavender in your bedroom to improve relaxation and sleep. Overuse of purple, however, can lead to suppressed emotions and spiritual stagnation.

7. Black
     Black is associated with power, authority, death, evil, strength, intelligence, and secrecy. Black is the total absorption of all the colors in the spectrum, this gives it strength, stability, and a sense of command. The strength embodied by this color is used for protection. In Ayurveda, black is used to stimulate a resistance to negative emotions. Black can be used to promote confidence and authority, which is why it's so effective when worn for business. When used with another color, black can enhance that color. It also helps to give space for reflection. Black works especially well when used with it's polar opposite, white. Together they help bring balance. When used singly, however, black can be overpowering and increase feelings of anxiety and/or depression.

8. White
     White symbolizes purity, goodness, perfection, light, innocence, sterility, ghosts, coldness, and emptiness. It is made up of all the colors, and is total reflection. In Asian cultures, white is the color of funerals and mourning, a symbol of endings and new beginnings. Ayurvedic practices use white to help reduce fevers, relieve pain, and calm the heart and emotions. White promotes clarity and illuminates our thoughts. It can be used with any color, though it makes certain shades of warm colors seem almost garish. White can also be intimidating when used singly, try breaking it up with pops of other colors.

     I hope this introduction can help you understand the role of color in your life. Please leave any questions or comments below.





Resources:

20 Ways to Use the Power of Color to Improve Your Life: Annmarie Skin Care: https://www.annmariegianni.com/20-ways-to-use-color-therapy/

Ayurvedic Color Therapy: The Ayurveda Experience: https://www.theayurvedaexperience.com/ayurvedic-color-therapy/

Color: Energy and Vibration: http://www.energyandvibration.com/color.htm

Color Meanings and Symbolism: Art Therapy: http://www.arttherapyblog.com/online/color-meanings-symbolism/#.W1Ns0tJKi00

Color Therapy: Innovative Medicine: https://innovativemedicine.com/solutions/color-therapy/

Color Therapy- Chromotherapy: Deep Trance Now: http://www.deeptrancenow.com/colortherapy.htm

Color Therapy and Healing: Art Therapy: http://www.arttherapyblog.com/online/color-therapy-healing-an-introduction/#.W1NsGtJKi00

Color Psychology-The Emotional Effects of Color: Art Therapy: http://www.arttherapyblog.com/online/color-psychology-psychologica-effects-of-colors/#.W1Ns09JKi00

Colour in the Home: Colour Therapy Healing: http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com/colour/colour-home

Healing Colors & Your Bright Life: Feng Shui Diana: http://www.fengshuidana.com/2015/07/08/healing-colors-your-bright-life/

The Power of Color: The Chopra Center: https://chopra.com/articles/the-power-of-color

What Is Colour Therapy?: Colour Therapy Healing: http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com/colour-therapy/what-colour-therapy

Herbal Bitters: A Brief Introduction

It's the Holiday Season! That means it's time to get together with friends and family. Time to share gifts, drinks, and stories. Time to get fat and lazy after eating amazing meals. All of this can be very exciting and wonderful. However, this can do a serious number on your digestion. I figured that I could let you in on a tip to help keep your digestion going strong even after a day of gorging yourself on food you don't normally eat.

Over the years, “Bitter” has gained a bad reputation. The word is most commonly associated with harsh feelings like anger, resentment, and pain. However, “Bitter” can be a wonderful and healthy tool to use. Bitter herbs help digestion, and a number of them are already in our diets. Coffee, most culinary herbs, and leafy greens are just a few examples. Even though we do continue to enjoy our bitter herbs, we don't have enough of them to really use their true potential. If you aren't tasting the bitter flavor, you aren't getting the benefit. But before I dig to deeply into that, here's a basic introduction to the world of Bitters.

Bitter Herbs and Foods:

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are 5 flavors of food. Sweet, Salty, Pungent (sometimes referred to as Spicy or Acrid), Sour, and Bitter. Each of these flavors is associated with certain actions on your digestive system, as well as your body as a whole.

Bitter herbs and foods help to stimulate digestion by triggering the production and/or release of digestive enzymes, hormones, and various digestive secretions (saliva, bile, etc). This action benefits the gallbladder, stomach, liver, pancreas, and just about your whole body. Bitters help us to properly digest proteins, fats, and starches. They help increase nutrient absorption, improve the integrity of the tissues lining the digestive tract, and help to create a protective barrier against pathogens. Most bitters are also cooling in nature, helping to reduce inflammation and rid the body of excess heat. They also help aid the elimination process.

With such a wide range of bitter options available to us, why do so many health professionals think that the modern American diet is all but devoid of bitter flavors? Because sweetening the bitter flavors destroys most, if not all, of the health benefits. So eating those dark leafy greens in your salad is a great choice, but using a salad dressing packed full of sugar negates most of the healthy benefits. This is one of the reasons that herbal bitters are such a great tool for your health.

Herbal Bitters:

The herbal bitters we usually refer to are mixtures of various herbal extracts designed to help aid digestion. There are an unlimited amount of combinations of bitter herbs out there that can be put into these herbal bitters, and many recipes date back thousands of years. Some of the oldest recipes come from the Mediterranean region and date back over 2,000 years ago. Some of the more famous recipes are still in use today, though mostly as cocktail ingredients. The most famous of these is Angostura Bitters which is used in the traditional Old Fashioned. And for those of you who are fans of Gin and Tonic, tonic water started off as a bitter folk remedy as well.

Who Should Take Bitters?:

EVERYONE!

Bitters are great for everyone to use. Pregnant and nursing women should use caution with certain herbs, but an Herbal Bitter formulated with fennel and other gentle herbs can be a great asset, especially since fennel helps increase breast milk production. Those of you who have had problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, liver, or kidneys can benefit tremendously from taking bitters. People who suffer from anemia, or iron deficiency, should think seriously about adding bitters to their diet. Our bodies need bitters in order to properly absorb and use iron.

How Do You Use Bitters?:

I typically recommend using bitters 15 min before you plan on dining. Bitters most often come in liquid extracts with droppers, but occasionally you will find them in spray bottles. In the case of the droppers, take 1-2 dropperfuls, under your tongue. For the spray, spray into your mouth 2-3 times. When in doubt, follow the instructions on the bottle.

Whatever your digestive concern, there is an Herbal Bitters formula out there for you (or you can make your own). I urge you all to talk to a nutritionist, herbalist, or other health professional about adding bitters to your daily routine.

I hope I have gotten you excited about herbal bitters, and I hope that they help you throughout this holiday season. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below.

Where to Buy Great Bitters:

Urban Moonshine

Mountain Rose Herbs

Leaves and Roots

Check out your local Farmer's Markets

There are also several people who sell their herbal products on Etsy

I have also been known to make bitters occasionally. For more information, please contact me directly at BatLadyHerbals@gmail.com

Resources:

5 Reasons Why You Should Eat Bitter Foods and Herbs: Natures Sunshine: http://blog.naturessunshine.com/en/5-reasons-why-you-should-eat-bitter-foods-and-herbs/

10 Reasons to Use Bitters: Hint it All Starts with Digestive Health : Radiant Life: https://blog.radiantlifecatalog.com/bid/70036/10-Reasons-to-Use-Bitters-hint-it-all-starts-with-digestive-health

Benefits of Bitters: Organic Spa Magazine: https://www.organicspamagazine.com/the-benefits-of-bitters/

Digestive Bitters: Better than Probiotics: Gwen's Nest: http://gwens-nest.com/digestive-bitters/

Herbal Bitters: Invaluable Aid to Fat Digestion: The Healthy Home Economist: https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/bitters-invaluable-aid-to-fat-digestion/

Herbal Medicine: Tonics, Bitters, and Digestion: Healthy.net: http://www.healthy.net/Health/Article/Tonics_Bitters_and_Digestion/862

Natural Healing: Befriending the Bitter Herbs: Mother Earth Living: https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/natural-healing-bitter-is-better-befriending-the-bitter-herbs

Properties of Food from a TCM Perspective: Shen Nong: http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/lifestyles/food_property_food_tcm.html

Taste and Action of Chinese Herbs: ITM Online: http://www.itmonline.org/articles/taste_action/taste_action_herbs.htm