Hungarian Cauliflower soup with cheese gnocchi

Divine Cauliflower soup with sour cream and cheese gnocchi, the Hungarian way.

Hungarians love soups and eat them every day. These soups always use the seasonal vegetables and fruits. Thick, heavy, hearty soups for winter and light, cooling, refreshing soups for summer and everything else, between in autumn and at spring? Using the best of the fresh vegetables and fruits! 

Cauliflower is one of the cruciferous vegetables that are extremely good you and we all should be eating plenty of it!

Here is an old favourite recipe, how my Mum used to make it with a delicious addition! The cheese gnocchi that makes this soup even more delicious and a true favourite that will return on the family menu frequently!


Ingredients:
250g cauliflower
1 onion
1-2 carrots
1 parsnip
2 tablespoonful of olive oil
1 tablespoonful of flour of your choice
1 teaspoonful of Hungarian Paprika
2 tablespoonful of sour cream
1 litre of water
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
chicken or vegetable stock cube

Ingredients of the gnocchi:
1 egg
3g smoked cheese
salt to taste
2 tablespoonful of flour of your choice

To serve:
Finely chopped parsley or coriander

Cooking method:
Peel and slice the onion finely and sautee on the olive oil.
Break the cauliflower into small pieces, peel the carrots and parsnip and cut them into small slices. Add the washed and slices vegetables to the sauteed onion, add salt and pepper to taste and cook the mix for a few minutes.
Add water, add chicken or vegetables cube and cook until the vegetables just softened.
In the meantime, prepare the gnocchi. Whisk the egg with a pinch of salt, add the finely grated smoked cheese and the flour. If the mix is too soft, add flour. If too hard, add a little water.
Put another pan on the stove and in a heated olive oil brown a spoonful of flour, until golden brown. Take the pan off the stove to add the teaspoonful Hungarian Paprika so it does not burn and get bitter and burnt. Mix it with a wooden spoon and add 100ml water and mix it well. Add this paste to the gently simmering soup while gently, constantly stirring the soup.
Gently bring it to boiling point then with a small coffee/tea spoon cut and shape and add the gnocchi mix to the simmering soup and cook it for a few minutes, until the cheese gnocchi is cooked.
Serve this delicious soup with freshly chopped parsley or coriander and enjoy!

Kefir, the living food

Kefir is a living relationship, a symbiosis, of a number of bacteria and yeast which form grains or cauliflower-like structures.

These living organisms ferment milk into the living food, Kefir. The Kefir drink is lactic acid - alcoholic fermented milk.

Kefir grains are a biological production centre. Living foods like Kefir help to detoxify, support and balance digestion, and help in building up the immune system. to counteract negative influences.

During the fermentation process the Kefir grains change normal milk into Kefir beverage. Lactic acid, ethanol, acetic acid, carbon dioxide and other compounds are produced as well as vitamins.

The delicious microbiological living food Kefir can be very helpful in regenerating the bowel flora and works in this way, in many cases like a wonder.


How to make Kefir

What you will need:

• Kefir grains
• Milk - organic or normal (goat milk, coconut or almond milk can also be used with milk grains)
• Plastic (non-metallic) sieve/strainer
• 2 or 3 glass jars with lids (each jar should be about 500ml in size)

Instructions:

With 1 tablespoon of kefir grains add 250ml of milk to the kefir grans (or 1 teaspoon of kefir grans to 125ml of milk). The milk should be at room temperature (kefir grains prefer room temperature 20-27C).

Place the lid on your jar, keep it a little loose so that the kefir doesn't carbonate as much. Jars should be kept at least 2 cups (500ml in size) so that you have enough room for expansion of the kefir grains. 

Leave your kefir stand for 24hours or until the kefir thickens to your liking. The longer  you keep the kefir in the jar for the first ferment, the more sour your kefir will be. The jar should be kept at room temperature but not in direct sunlight. 

Once your kefir has shown signs of separation (you may see pockets of whey) or thickening, your kefir is ready.

Strain your kefir through a plastic sieve/strainer into a bowl, you may gently use a wooden or plastic spoon to help all the liquid go through the sieve, but be careful not to squash your grains while doing this. 

Place the grains into a clean jar and commence the process again. 

You can drink the kefir straight away or keep it in the fridge.

Please note at this stage you can add things to flavour your kefir like, vanilla, honey, cocoa, berries, apple, dates, lemon, orange peel, peppermint, garlic, ginger, or whatever you like! This is when the fun starts! Low sugar fruits are better as they will cause less carbonation from the lower sugar levels. 

Second fermentation:

If you wish to perform a second fermentation, you can leave your kefir on the counter for another 24 hours (without the grains). A second fermentation will give you a kefir lighter and creamier in texture. The second fermentation process also creates more B vitamins and probiotics. 

You also can second ferment adding flavours as mentioned above. Adding orange peel, ginger or anything you like will enhance flavours. You can leave the kefir with the additional fruit for a 4-12-hour period then store it in the fridge. 

To avoid damaging your grains, never add to freshly cleaned hot jar. To avoid this, always add the milk first to the jar before adding the kefir grains. Remember, room temperature milk is always kinder to the grains. 

If you don't wish to continue fermentation regularly, you will need to keep your grains in the milk in the fridge to keep them alive. You will need to change this milk every few days. Sometimes after the grains have bene kept in the fridge, it will take a few ferments for your kefir to be strong as it takes a little while for your kefir grains to wake up and adapt to the new environment. 

Once your kefir grains grow, keep adding more milk as they will ferment quicker. As a general rule, one tablespoon of grains for one cup of milk, (or 1 teaspoon for 1/2 cup of milk.) You always can give the extra grains to family and friend.

Finally, I hope you enjoy your kefir and all the health benefits that it brings to you and your family. 

Being grounded

I am reading a new book by Dr Norman Doidge, The Brain that Changes Itself.

In the opening chapter of this book we read the story of a woman called Cheryl, who, due to side effect of a medication, totally lost her vestibular function and perpetually falling, even after falling and landing on the ground. Fortunately, due to new inventions, Cheryl's story ends well and as a result of retraining the brain with a new device taking over the function of her vestibular, it becomes one of the first proof that neuroplasticity exists.

"In the 1930-s the psychiatrist Paul Schilder studied how healthy sense of being and a "stable" body image are related to the vestibular sense. When we walk of "feeling settled" or "unsettled", "balanced" or "unbalanced", "rooted" or "rootless", "grounded" or ungrounded", we are speaking a vestibular language, the truth of which is fully apparent only in people like Cheryl (who lost her vestibular function and perpetually falling). Not surprisingly, people with her disorder often fall to pieces psychologically, and many have committed suicide. 

We have senses we don't know we have - until we lose them, balance is one that normally works well, so seamlessly, that it is not listed among the five that Aristotle described and was overlooked for centuries afterward. "

In Biofield Tuning we know that the more grounded a person is, the less chance for illnesses. Therefore, Biofield Tuners make sure that they do a lot of work on the feet, especially on the bottom of the feet and on the so called Earth Star Chakra. Also, the Root Chakra that is located at the base of the spine and grounds us. It represents our security and stability in life. It is our survival centre. Our fight or flight response is initiated from this chakra. It is our primal, animal nature centre. The Root Chakra connects us to our ancestors. War, famine, natural disasters, and any events that threaten our basic survival, are all recorded within energies of the first chakra. This is one of the many reasons why Biofield Tuning is so crucial and successful. It helps to clear these energies and take out the charge of past events. 

Marjoram essential oil - The Oil of Conviction

Marjoram aids those who are unable to trust others or form meaningful relationships. This inability to trust stems from harsh life experiences. The individual develops a fear of close connection in human relationships. They may tend toward reclusive behaviours, protecting themselves even further abstaining from social interactions. They may also protect themselves by unconsciously sabotaging long-term relationships. Marjoram shows the barriers they have formed to protect themselves from others. It reveals patterns of aloofness, distancing one's self from other people, or being cold. Those in need of Marjoram oil most likely use these protective coping strategies unintentionally. Deep down they desire the intimate connection they subconsciously sabotage.

Marjoram teaches that trust is the basis for all human relationships. It assists an individual in increasing their warmth and trust in social situations. Marjoram softens the heart and heals past wounds. It kindles the fires of trust in relationships so that one may fully blossom. When an individual feels safe and loved, they express their authenticity more freely.

Marjoram restores trust and openness so that true bonds of love may be formed in friendships and relationships.

Negative Emotions: 
Distrust, aloof, protected, distant, emotional isolation, reclusive, emotionally cold, fear of rejection

Positive Emotions: 
Open, connected, close relationships, warm, softhearted, loving bonds, ability to trust, safe

Interestingly, the best Marjoram grows and sourced from Hungary. A small country in the heart of Europe, connected and surrounded by many countries and central to Europe. Could not be more appropriate to its emotional qualities. Maybe that makes it exactly suitable to improve relationships and connect people.

Marjoram, as a herb, is extremely popular and commonly used in cooking in Hungary. Here are two of my favourite recipes, Chicken Paprikash with Marjoram and Braised Paprika Chicken that are easy to make! You will get even more flavoursome dish if you use your doTerra Marjoram Essential Oil. Many times I follow the recipe as it is and enhance the food with a drop or two of the oil! Cooking with essential oils is fantastic because they are there all the time, even when I have no fresh herb at home, like marjoram! Just make sure that you always use top quality 100% pure oils that can be taken internally and used for cooking.

Marjoram Essential Oil Description
Also known as “wintersweet” or “joy of the mountains, ” Marjoram was known to the Greeks and Romans as a symbol of happiness. Marjoram has been used in culinary dishes, imparting a unique flavour to soups, stews, dressings, and sauces: in Germany, this herb is known as the “Goose Herb” for its traditional use in roasting geese. In modern applications, Marjoram is valued for its calming properties and its positive effect on the nervous system. It also supports both healthy cardiovascular and immune systems.

Historical uses:

Marjoram was used to combat fluid retention, muscle spasms, rheumatism, sprains, stiff joints, bruises, obstructions of the liver and spleen, and respiratory congestions. According to Roberta Wilson: "Those curious about their futures anointed themselves with marjoram at bedtime so that they might dream of their future mates."

French Medicinal uses:

Aches, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, constipation, cramps, insomnia, intestinal peristalsis, migraine, headaches, muscles, neuralgia, pains, parasympathetic nervous system (tones), blood pressure (regulates), rheumatism, sprains. 

Aromatic influence:

It promotes peace and sleep

Primary Benefits
Valued for its calming properties and positive effect on the nervous system, supports a healthy immune system and may promote a healthy cardiovascular system.

Uses
Apply to the back of the neck to lessen feelings of stress.
Apply to a fussy child’s feet prior to a nap.
Replace Marjoram essential oil in your next recipe that calls for dried Marjoram. Usually 1 drop of essential oil is equivalent to 2 tsp. of dried herbs.
Apply to muscles before and after exercising.

Wholesale price: AU$40.50 PV:26.50 visit: www.doterra.com and quote ID:3424449

Blends with Bergamot, Cypress, Lavender, Orange, Rosemary, and Ylang Ylang.

Always use oils with caution and following instructions. 

Arborvitae - the Tree of Life and its emotional benefits

ARBORVITAE - known as the Tree of Life

The Oil of Divine Grace

Arborvitae assists individuals who believe or act like all progress must be made through struggle and solitary effort. Instead of trusting in the Divine, these individuals unconsciously block Divine aid, choosing instead to live by their own efforts. Arborvitae addresses the need to control one’s outcomes in life. It invites individuals to live with peace and joy by trusting in the abundant flow of Divine grace.

Arborvitae is also a grounding oil that teaches Divinity is all around. God/s grace can be felt and experienced here on earth; it is not distant or separate. God can help find balance in life and teach what to hold and what to release. 

Arborvitae’s Latin name means “sacrifice”. This oil invites individuals to sacrifice their personal will and ambitions  for a far more fulfilling way of living. By surrendering to God, the mind relaxes and the soul experiences harmony and peace. Arborvitae teaches that true strength can come through emptiness or a willingness to receive God’s strength. It asks individuals to relax, take a deep breath, and trust in the flow of life. Arborvitae assists thew soul to live effortlessly by Divine grace. 

Negative emotions: Willful, struggle, excessive effort, distrust, rigid, fearful, need to control

Positive Properties: Peaceful, surrender, grounded, allowing, relaxed, grace-filled, effortless living, trust in Divine grace

From the book Emotions and Essential Oils

Known as the “tree of life, ” Arborvitae is majestic in size and abundant in unique benefits. 

Arborvitae essential oil is concentrated in tropolones, such as hinokitiol, which are a group of chemical compounds that protect against environmental and seasonal threats and have powerful purifying properties. These compounds also contribute to Arborvitae’s natural insect repellent properties. Thujic acid, another tropolone found in Arborvitae, has been studied for its ability to protect against common threats in the environment. Native to Canada, all parts of the Arborvitae tree were used extensively by Native Americans for health benefits and for building vessels, totem poles, baskets, and clothing. Because of its natural preserving properties, Arborvitae prevents wood from rotting, which makes it popular in woodcraft and for preserving natural wood surfaces. 

Primary Benefits: 

- Protects against environmental and seasonal threats

- Powerful cleansing and purifying agent

- Natural insect repellent and wood preservative

Uses

- Add a few drops to a spray bottle with water and spray on surfaces or hands to protect against environmental threats.

- Apply to wrists and ankles while hiking.

- Diffuse to purify the air and to repel insects inside the home.

- Mix 4 drops of Arborvitae essential oil and 2 drops of Lemon essential oil for a natural wood preservative and polish.

- Use during meditation for a sense of peace and calm.

Size: 5 ml Wholesale: $22.00 Retail: $29.33 PV: 22 
Te get your oils please visit: www.doterra.com and quote ID: 3424449

An essential oil for your heart -Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang is a flower of a tropical tree. The name means flower of flowers. 

Did you know that this oil is one of the key ingredients of the famous Chanel No5? 

This oil with its romantic scent is a wonderful remedy for the endocrine, cardiovascular, reproductive and digestive systems. 

Benefits of Ylang Ylang:

Heals cardiac problems

Fights parasites

Regulates heartbeat

Reduces inflammation

Mood enhancer

Promotes healthy intestinal functions

Increases blood flow

This unique oil is an Aphrodisiac, mood enhancer, a natural hair care product, a natural energiser and a fantastic skin preserver! 

What is even more impressive is Ylang’s emotional healing properties as you see on the main picture. Apply a drop above your heart for heart ache, abandonment, shame, rejection and sadness. 

Make sure that you always have a bottle of Ylang Ylang in your medicine cabinet. 

Get your oils from my www.doterra.com and quote ID:3424449 and enjoy the emotional healing and wellbeing they can bring about!

Managing performance anxiety with essential oils

The whole world is stressed. Stress is the new black. If you are not complaining about being stressed, you live a sedentary or boring life. Unfortunately, stress is becoming the biggest killer and the reason and the origin of most diseases. Managing stress is crucial. It is in our best interest. 

There is positive and negative stress. It might be a positive stress, the kind performers and athletes put themselves under the perform at their best or negative stress that comes from working in an open-plan office with a dozen telephones ringing all the time. 

The kind of stress and degrees of it are manifold, therefore the way we deal with it and the oils we use for it must reflect the diversity. 

POSITIVE STRESS

Let's distinguish between the type of stress we have like positive, normal and state of distress. 

Positive stress could be described as a "high", the excited state you get when performing in a job you like and passionate about. It is, indeed, this kind of high that makes people love and enjoy working and achieve well. This kind of high helps you perform well. Positive stress makes us aim a little higher, jump over hurdles and gives us the force to take on challenges. 

This is the type of energy that increases stimulation, helps our energy level, makes our creativity flow, contributes to us feeling good and gives us wings. This is the type of stress that does not need to be treated. People who live in this kind of positive stress choose to do it and learn to handle it most often. They are the real performer type, the ones who were born to be on stage or in the limelight. They get a kick out of it!

NORMAL STRESS

Normal stress is a state in which the body performs its functions for survival in response to circumstances. For example, when you have a car accident the body is flooded with adrenalin which causes all kinds of phenomenon. Everything goes into slow motion, people hardly notice their own injuries while saving and helping someone else or reduced pain sensation due to shock. This is all for a good reason, to increase people's efficiency and capacity to act and survive. Your heart maybe pounding, your body shaking, your wound bleeding but you manage to carry your child to the next house to call an ambulance. You can collapse later, when the emergency is over. These normal stress mechanisms are good and absolutely necessary in the best interest of our survival. We don't need to treat them either. 

DISTRESS

This is when the healthy stress becomes chronic. This is the type of stress when we have no energy, no drive to achieve well and to perform our best, no will, just frustration, sheer fear facing the increasing pressure of the upcoming event. Of course different types can exacerbate each other, so that the environmental stress you suffer at work can cause normal stress which when taken home, can lead to emotional stress. 

ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS

caused by, for example, by fluorescent light, electromagnetic radiation, constant noise pollution or simply, too cramped office space.

Essential Oils for environmental stress:

Cedarwood, Coriander, Geranium, Cypress, Roman Chamomile, Basil, Bergamot

CHEMICAL STRESS

We live in constant chemical stress exposed to chemicals in our cleaning products, cosmetic products, pesticides in our food, chem trails, cigarette smoke caused by smokers, reaching for drugs and antibiotics too easily, air pollution, inhaling substances at the factory or office, sleeping in latex, memory foam and inhaling their chemical smell, too many cups of coffee, too many lunch time or dinner drinks and too much junk food.

Essential Oils for chemical stress:

Lavender,  Clary-sage, Patchouli, Pettigrain, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Rosemary

PHYSICAL STRESS

Pushing your body to the limits all the time, working too many hours and not getting enough rest, being obsessed about working out in the gym or driving long distances continually. 

Essential oils for physical stress: 

Rosemary, Roman Chamomile, Marjoram, Lavender, Bergamot, Thyme, Geranium, Fennel

MENTAL STRESS

Mental stress is constant for most people trying to achieve, to perform, to prove, to please. It is caused by just getting on with our daily life like bringing up children worrying about them all the time; taking exams, especially when we are not prepared to the standard we would like to demonstrate and the mark to get; anguish over uncompleted jobs; unemployment and financial worries.

Essential oils for mental stress:

Geranium, Lavender, Sandalwood, Basil, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Cardamom, Patchouli

EMOTIONAL STRESS

Emotional stress is caused by relationship problems, parental guilt, the inability to give and receive love and grief. 

Essential oils for emotional stress:

Geranium, Sandalwood, Palma rosa, Bergamot, Vetiver, Rose, Cardamom

The different types of stress can be individual or present in combination. Take these levels of stress into consideration when selecting the oils from the formulas. Treat the first level before it moves to the second and so on. Mental health is as precious as physical health. Emotional problems if not identified, treated and dealt with will move into manifesting physically. There is no sharp distinction between physical and mental or emotional and mental stress. The human body works as a complex and integrated unit and taking care of one is taking care of all. 

Level 1: starts as a tiredness and develops into irritability, headaches and insomnia

There are a few beautiful blends by doTerra that will help you to destress, get calm and rest well but in a natural way, without drugs and feeling strange next day. Depending on what causing the emotional stress, grief, relationship or parental guilt or something else, select the suitable blend to help you find peace and rest. 

Essential oil blends to relax, for rest and better sleep:

Console, Lavender Peace, Past Tense, Peace, Forgive,  Peace, Serenity

Level 2: depression, anxiety, muscular pain, chronic aches, persistent infections, guilt, apathy and helplessness.  

Essential oils for depression and to lift your spirit:

 Lemon, Frankincense,  Motivate blend, Cheer uplifting blend, In Tune focus blend, Console comforting blend, Elevation joyful blend, Balance grounding blend, Peace reassuring blend, Citrus blend invigorating blend, Serenity calming blend, Ylang Ylang (for heartaches, abandoned, rejected, sadness and shame)

A few tips:

When you get to this stage, take a good look in the mirror. Examine your life and what coping mechanism you have to deal with stress. It's obviously not working. Look into seeking professional help, restructuring your life, changing job or reducing your workload, study load, sharing load with your partner, family and friends. You need more "me" time because if you keep doing what you are doing now, level 2 will lead to 3 then 4 and your life is over as you know it. 

Most people don't take seriously the warning signs. I know that essential oils are not a cure for all. However, essential oils can lift your spirit and is a quick fix to elevate your mood and make you feel good. That can turn things around very quickly! 

A little extra sleep, good food, less coffee, a relaxing bath or foot bath with essential oils, fortnightly massage, yoga or swimming, a few days away can make you feel better and return your equilibrium. Don't wait until you are so stressed that you can't recognise yourself and all your loved ones deserted you!

Level 3: persecution complex, phobias, despair, increasing guilt and depression, susceptibility to viral infections and bacterial invasion

Essential oils for despair: 

Eucalyptus, In Tune focus blend,  Motivate blend, Lemon, Lime and Lemongrass oils

Essential oils for guilt:

Zendocrine detoxification blend, Melaleuca, Peppermint, HD skin clearing blend and Purify blend

Essential oils for infections:

Cinnamon, Clary Sage, On Guard protective blend, Myrrh with Oregano, Douglas Fir (skin)

Please, always seek medical advice! This blog is not to diagnose, cure or give or replace medical advice in any way!

Level 4: now the body is really crying for HELP! Unexplained pain, heart problems, strokes, and high blood pressure may be experienced along with all the other diseases that are thought to have their roots in stress, like ulcers, and even, according to some opinions, arthritis. The immune system is further depressed, leading to all kinds of physical problems. 

A few recipes of oil blends:

Make up these recipes and use them after work in a bath or foot bath by adding a few drops to the water or apply topically as a massage oil by adding carrier oil. 

Stress level 1 and 3 General use:

Marjoram  15 drops

Roman Chamomile 5 drops

Lemon 10 drops

Tiredness blend: 

Lemon 10 drops

Clary Sage 5 drops

Lavender 15 drops

Anxiety blend:

Lavender 10 drops

Geranium 10 drops

Palma Rosa 10 drops

I find that carrying my favourite doTerra blends in my handbag helps me deal with the demands of the day. I apply my oils, depending on how I feel and what my body crave, on my wrists after breakfast and repeat it as many times as I need and feel like during the day. I diffuse oils at home, again, depending on how I feel and what I like that day. I apply oils on my spine before bed and inhale my favourite oils before going to sleep. 

What I use changes constantly according to my mood, my feelings, the demands of the day or specific needs to improve my health. I find the proprietary blends more and moire useful. Presently, my most favourite is Past Tense.

If you are interested to start using these life changing oils, please visit www.doterra.com and quote ID: 3424449

 I highly recommend to sign up and become a doTerra Wellness Advocate to get maximum discount, free products and many other perks this fabulous company has to offer. Never know what grows out of using the oils. doTerra has a generous Marketing Plan with great commission system that with time can grow into an extra source of income to cover bills, holidays, mortgages and maybe your retirement plans! Who knows?