Link Roundup: I feel like a hobbit...

Autumnal Equinox 2009 at Loughcrew Cairn by Clare Tuffy

Today is the autumnal equinox, and the offical beginning of fall.  So far I've spent the day fussing around the house - I made french toast and a strawberry ginger syrup, washed some dishes, and next will be bottling some wines and meads.  Days like this one, when the clouds are thick and the sun is hiding, the air is cool and windows open, make me feel like a hobbit.

Speaking of which, have you seen the Shire Cookbook?  It is being put together by one of the authors of A Feast of Ice and Fire, the Official Game of Thrones Cookbook (yes, they have lemoncakes).  Just for fun, you can see a few sample recipes from Bag End to try out!

Do you want to jump into cooking from Middle Earth? There's another slew of recipes here, complied by a few folks. 

I'm going to go apple-picking soon, and I can't wait! I love making applesauce and apple butter, as well as using my apple peels to make infused rum.

I'm going to try something new with applesauce this year - Roasted Applesauce, from the blog Beets & Blue Cheese.  

The first time I tried to can a batch of apple pie filling, it didn't work out so well.  Some apple bits were mush, the others firm, and the syrup was watery! It still got used as baked apple goodness, but I want to do better next time.  Do you have a good recipe for canned apple pie filling?

Blog Love - Yankee Kitchen Ninja

Click here to visit an awesome blogger! 

Do you have the CSA blues?

Are you sick to death of zucchini, squash, and tomatoes?  Swimming in basil?

Yankee Kitchen Ninja has a great series called CSA Share Ninja Rescue, where they provide recipes for the in-season veggies that you might be getting sick of.  This is the Ninj's last post in this series for 2013, but they have wonderful archives so that you can find the perfect recipe for that huge box of tomatoes...

Blog Love is a new feature on Swamp Pixie Herbal, where I share some of the blogs that I follow!  Go visit, find new recipes or new skills, and enjoy. 

Ticks and Lyme Disease: Western Medicine

Chapter 1: The Bite
Chapter 2:  The Next Steps
Chapter 3: The Basics of Lyme
Chapter 4:  Antibiotics
Chapter 5: ALL DONE (Western Medicine)

So...it is far past the time for an update on my Lyme disease, I suppose.

At my last appointment with her, after my positive test, my general practitioner requested that I schedule a visit with Infectious Disease Specialists. She felt unable to assist me further, and hoped that the specialists would be able to offer more advice should I need continued treatment for Lyme.

So, mid-July, I completed my full 6 week round of antibiotics and then had about two weeks off of them before I finally had my appointment at the local infectious disease specialist office.

Now, as I've said before, I'm not completely confident in western medicine. I also admit that despite my lofty ideals of equality for all, I have a personal bias against older white male doctors and I go into appointments with them assuming the worst.  "The worst" that I refer to is based on a few experiences I've had where a doctor refused to let me finish a sentence, or even answer a question he asked, or merely allow me to communicate my problem without his eyes rolling or dramatic sighs.  And I do truly promise, I was not at any point trying to push my preferred non-western medical views on him, and was just trying to relate the symptoms and issues at hand.  More often than not, I left the premises with the exact same medicine prescribed as was on the pens, notepads, signage, and tissue boxes in the waiting room - whatever drug they were actively encouraged and paid to endorse.

With a bit of a case of nerves backed up by an energetic shield, I visited the doctors in the last week of July.  I had my paperwork in hand, and was ready to be friendly and open, but not expecting to be offered the chance to be so.

To my surprise, the doctor and nurses were easy to talk to, and seemed pretty open and inviting.  But as I spoke to the doctor, I realized that he was listening to me but not believing me.

Even with my positive test result, he said that it was impossible that I had contracted Lyme in North Carolina.  Even with my swollen joints and fatigue, my appetite and brain fog - it just wasn't possible in his world.  He asked if I would be tested again, and I agreed.  That test was negative, and I received the results in the mail with a handwritten note from the doctor that said "I don't think you ever had Lyme."

*sigh*

Well, one way or another, one test or another, I can say that I have felt fine since I finished the antibiotics.  Whether or not he believes my rash, symptoms, or test results - I have recovered now.  I only hope that future patients of his are not disregarded in their time of need.

Back to my plants, back to my kitchen, back to my life.  Wishing you health and well-being:

Amber

Raspberry Allergy?

ASAP is a great way to find
local produce and farmers!

Aww...after a few in-home experiments, I've got a strong suspicion that I have developed a mild allergy to raspberries!  I got some lovely fresh berries from Stepp Orchards via Mother Earth Produce, and had a handful right away last Friday.  A bit later, I realized that my tongue was a little tingly and burning, and that my stomach was rumbling and acidic.  Then a few small itchy spots appeared on my arms.

The next day, I had raspberries again, and later noticed a similar feeling.  I recalled everything I'd eaten in the past two days, and only raspberries were both consistent and something I hadn't had in a while.

Later that week, I happened to be at a lovely bar (The Thirsty Monk) and found that they had Framboise Lambic on draught.  Delicious!  I've often loved Lambic, and couldn't pass up the chance to have it from the tap.  It was after the first sip that I recalled that Framboise is French for raspberry - and just like that, my tongue was burning and the tart flavor gave way to a sharp metallic taste.  *pout*

Now, it has been one week since my first uncomfortable raspberry experience, and there were a few more in the fridge just now.  One final test.  A handful of yummy, sweet, tart raspberries later, and the results are the same.  Acidy, achey tummy - a burning tongue, and oops...there's a new itchy bump on my upper arm.

*sigh*

My next experiment is going to be with red raspberry leaf - a longtime herbal ally for menstruation, cramping, and grounding in states of emotional turbulence.  I hope that my new sensitivity does not reach to the dried leaves that I've so often used for teas and medicines!

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I've been off visiting family for my birthday, and saying goodbye to my grandmother's home - a place that has been around my whole life.  I hugged my favorite Catalpa tree and watered him with my tears, I walked barefoot in the sweet, thick grass, and took cuttings of my grandmother's rose to grow in Asheville.  I've been so busy with my own thoughts and emotions that I've not had time to write much.

The new site is still under construction, but we'll unveil it soon!  Until then, here's a few cool things:

Home-made Jerky from theKitchn - I've done jerky before, but I think I need to apply myself a bit more and perfect the recipe.  I'm not 100% happy with my efforts, but this seems like a really good guide.

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes from Sweet Domesticity - I just got a mess o'peppers from my uncle's garden, and aim to do this over the next few days.  I'm fresh out of chili powder, and low on red pepper flakes!  Time to spice things up.

XKCD is an amazing webcomic - oftentimes I don't understand their mathematical references, but there are so many thought-provoking ideas conveyed quite effectively through mere stick figures...for example, today's comic about the orchid Ophrys Apifera nearly made me cry.