The Kitchen Witch: Witches’ Digit Cookies

 

Good Morning!

The Kitchen Witch: Witches' Digit Cookies

(excerpt from Andrew's newest ebook: "The Kitchen Witch - A Large Portion of Eatable Spells Direct from the Hearth!") 

This e book has been created from the culmination of knowledge and historic wisdom gathered throughout time for the purpose of working with the NATURAL world. 

It covers the magic and spells that originated in the kitchen and a little about the history of how spells made it out of the kitchen and into the workings of witches everywhere.

This e book is designed around the wisdom and knowledge of our ancestors and how they have shared so much through their kitchen witchery. We should always speak of them with honor. Especially when many people feel that their ancestors or personal guardian angel or spirit guides are watching over them at all times.

This e book will help you to achieve more self-awareness, self-reliance and self-motivation. It is designed to help you envision the world in a better way.  It is used to assist with the interaction of the world and the elements within it. It is a course to help with the awareness of nature and the wholeness of the world, in general. 

The recipes and spells in this e book are also from other sources, many very old and traditional and some with a very modern twist. I have been collecting many of these recipes for YEARS and was asked to turn it into this 45 page book for others to enjoy.  

The Kitchen Witch: Witches' Digits

Disturbing but Delicious Halloween Cookies 

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar

1 egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons almond extract

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Red decorating gel

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet and set aside.

Directions:

Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar. beat in the egg and extracts. Gradually add flour, baking powder and salt to the creamed mixture, mixing well. Divide dough into fourths; cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes, or until easy to handle. (If dough is too warm and soft, it will be difficult to shape properly.)

Remove one piece of dough from refrigerator at a time, roll quickly into 1-inch balls (15 balls per quarter portion of dough), and then shape balls quickly into 3-inch by 1/2-inch fingers, tapering the finger tips very slightly. 

Using the flat tip of a table knife, make an indentation on the finger tip for a fingernail. With the unsharp edge of a knife, make two sets of three slashes on each finger for knuckle areas (consult your own finger for accuracy!). Using knife held vertically, score bottom end of finger, to create ragged "torn off" look.

Place fingers 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. They will not spread out.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 5-10 minutes, and then squeeze a small amount of red gel on nail bed, outlining edge of nail bed. 

Press a sliced almond over gel for nail, allowing gel to ooze around nail. (Choose well-shaped almonds and turn them so the whitest side is facing up.) 

For maximum gross-out effect, squeeze a bit more red gel to decorate the bloody stump end of the finger. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 60 cookies.

Make ahead: Plain cookies may be made several weeks ahead, wrapped tightly and frozen without gel and fingernail. Thaw, then decorate with gel and fingernail almonds to serve.

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October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Subtle Signs of Cancer

 

Good Morning!

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Subtle Signs of Cancer

A British group of researchers have recently put together a list of the top warning signs of cancer that maybe overlooked or ignored.

1. Blood in the urine is a possible sign of bladder cancer.

2. Difficulty swallowing is an early sign of cancer of the esophagus.

3. Lumps on the breast among women and men could be breast cancer.

4. Blood in the stool is a top symptom of colon cancer.

5. Menstrual bleeding after menopause could suggest uterine cancer.

6. Coughing up blood is an indication of lung cancer. This is especially true in smokers.

7. Fatigue, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss or persistently achy bones all could be signs of cancer nearly anywhere in the body.

But by no means do these signs mean cancer all the time.

Again, there are many clinical situations where patients can develop one of these signs or symptoms for a non-cancer related reason.

Additional research has also shown that our mind can send even stronger warning signs of cancer than the body. Don't disregard your own intuition, as an internal sign. There just maybe times when you can sense that something is not right within your body. 

Fantastic Fall: Coping with Dryness

 

Good Morning!

Fantastic Fall: Coping with Dryness

Dryness is a common problem in Autumn. Dryness can manifest as constipation, dry throat, dry skin, dry eyes, dry brittle hair, thirst, and lack of sweat. Most people do not drink enough fluids regularly, let alone in the Autumn. Spicy food can cause or worsen dryness. Be careful not to get stuck in the vicious cycle of craving the same food that makes your symptoms worse!

Below are some of the most popular and common herbal remedies for aliments of the lungs:

Coltsfoot Root, (Tussilago farfara) The mucilaginous property of the root makes it useful with lung problems, coughs, and intestinal upset. Coltsfoot is available in tincture, syrup, capsules and tea. The active ingredients are extracted from the dried leaves, root and flowers.

Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo Biloba) has been a staple with practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat asthma, allergies, and coughs. Studies have shown that ginkgo can inhibit allergic response and scientists have isolated an active ingredient in ginkgo that has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Horehound, (Marrubium vulgare) can be considered whenever heavy, dry, mucus must be discharged from lungs and respiratory passages. Horehound is the botanical herb of choice due to its long history as a safe, reliable, and effective herbal cough remedy.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) contains elements helpful for the adrenals and glands, inducing the adrenal cortex to produce more cortisone and aldosterone. It is thought to exhibit a mucosal protectant effect by beneficially interfering with gastric prostanoid synthesis and increasing both mucous production and regional blood flow. Very helpful in treating flu, colds, and lung congestion. It is also found in popular cough remedies. Due to the adverse reaction of licorice, many studies have been performed using the deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) extract, which is free of glycyrrhizin and has had no significant reported adverse effects.

Lobelia, (Lobelia inflata) is used smoking cessation and to treat asthma and depression. The piperidine alkaloids (lobeline) are believed to be responsible for the mechanism of action. In vitro studies show that lobeline crosses the blood-brain barrier and has similar activity to nicotine, and stimulates the release of dopamine and norepinephrine. At low doses, lobelia has stimulant effects. There are several contraindications with this herb. Lobelia is known to cross into breast milk and should not be consumed by pregnant or nursing mothers. Adverse reactions included nausea, vomiting, sweating, cough, dizziness, bradycardia, hypertension, seizures, respiratory stimulation (low doses) or depression (high doses). Toxicity includes sinus arrhythmia, bundle branch block, diaphoresis, cardiovascular collapse, seizures, coma. Herb-Drug Interactions include nicotine. Lobelia may have additive effects when combined with nicotine-containing products, resulting in toxicity.

Mullein, (Verbascum thapsus)is an antispasmodic, which is rich in mucilage, a substance that soothes the throat. It is a good expectorant and, in the process of clearing out congestion. It also soothes irritation in the throat and bronchial passages. As an antispasmodic, mullein can relieve stomach cramps and help control diarrhea. Mullein is an age old remedy, which is specific for bronchitis with hard cough and soreness. It is also a herb for cold and congestion. The leaves and flowers are used to reduce mucous and stimulate coughing up of phlegm.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)had been known to reduce allergic reactions. Rich in iron, potassium and silicon, nettles combined with comfrey, mullein, or horehound can be used for asthma. 

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