A To Z April Blogging Challenge Theme Reveal

Today, is the great theme reveal for next month’s A to Z Blogging Challenge! If you are asking yourself what I am talking about, then it is time for me to direct you toward the wonderful organizers of this month-long blogging event, that happens every year for more information. But if you want the condensed form of what I am talking about, its if the following.

For the month of April – with the exception of Sunday’s – participants pledge to blog about something, corresponding with the day’s letter, starting at A, working ourselves through the entire alphabet. Participants sign up here, and either decide to blog about random things that come to mind, or choose a theme.

Which brings me to today. Those of us who are choosing a theme, post a little bit about our chosen subject today. So, I am going to get right to it:

 

Yup, I will write for the  entire month about Tea-leaf reading symbols, tea rituals, and related information. No worries to my regular readers, who might not be  interested in the subject, I plan on continuing my usual posting, in addition to the A to Z blogging challenge – even if that means I have to do double work.

Here is the schedule for each day of the A to Z Challenge, and it’s corresponding letter:

So are you planning on joining us for this adventure? If you are, are you choosing a theme this year? For those of you who are participating, leave your blog link in the comment section, so I can come visit you throughout the challenge!

See you soon!

Claudia

 

Living With Allergies: Making My Own Dog Food

(Disclaimer: This blog post contains afiliate links, experiences and opinions are always my own. Check with your holistic veterinerian before adjusting your pets diet )

As I have mentioned on this blog before, our allergies do not only extend to all of the people in the household but also include one of my three rescues, Athena. She is the sweetest Rhodesian Ridgeback you will ever meet, mellow inside of the house, and full of energy as soon as she goes outside.

Athena, when she was a puppy

She has an allergy to gluten not affecting her stomach and digestion,  but rather giving her the most uncomfortable rash and skin irritations that you can imagine. At one point during our search for finding her comfort, she had almost lost all of her fur and it was hard  to keep her from scratching herself raw.. On top of that she is allergic to fleas, some grasses, any type of household bug spray and some cleaners.

She is the reason we are living in a home without carpet, and in an area where her access to grass is limited and controlled.

Paleo Chef for Dogs: Homemade Gluten-Free Dog Food Recipes

One of the many things we have done to give her relief – which she has now all of her fur back and is back to her normal, beautiful energetic self – is that I make the dog food myself. Thankfully there are many websites, and books available now, which cover this subject, and even if it is time-consuming, it is worth it for me. Her comfort is above that little bit of extra effort.

I have collected a few links to recipes here,  so you can make some for your own dogs.

Homemade Kibble

5 “Best” Dog Recipes (includes chicken and fish based dog food)

Question:

 Do you have a special needs pet you are taking care off? What are your experiences?

P.S. Thankfully the other dog in our home does not have any allergies, but during her surgery to be fixed, they nicked her bladder, which means as soon as she gets excited, she leaks. Poor baby, we love her no matter what.

Blessings!

Claudia

Territorial – A Haiku

“Just A Drop” Copyright Claudia H. Blanton

invading my space
an action you will regret
anticipating

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

I don’t think I have ever been as territorial, as I have been since I lived in this condo. We share our outdoor grounds with the other residence, yet everyone has their own private little area outdoors, at least those who live downstairs like we do. But we own a corner condo, directly across from the pool, which means everyone passes by right in front of our eyes. Which in itself is not a problem, expect that they ALL cut through our patio. It seems as if the highly decorated area does not exist, the pretty stone bench becomes a mere obstacle, rather than our place to relax. At one point, I had a pretty little flower garden on the edge of what is supposed to be our space. After it had been trampled by other residents and the maintenance crew, I gave up. What was supposed to be our little sanctuary, was disregarded by others.

I am glad we are moving, even if it is in a place that is for now not our own. At least that way I am not given the illusion of ownership and territory. It does not belong to me, and that is fine.

Earth Day – A Haiku

Screaming frustration
a little too late to win
one day not enough

We dedicate one day — one stinking, single day — a year to take care of something that we should be taking care of every day. You might say, this is better than nothing, but in the big picture of it all, it is nothing. This day is simply an attempt to make ourselves feel better, to give ourselves a pad on the back for talking about our future and taking some action toward a better tomorrow for our planet.

But, I am frustrated because I know many, who will make up for that one day they actually did something for Mother Earth, by polluting it worse the next. Earth Day is fine in the classrooms, but in everyday life, every single day needs to become our Earth Day, and every day we need to do our best to lessen the damage we have done to the only place we ever will call home.

Nettle – An A to Z Challenge Post

N is for Nettle:

This herb is a powerhouse both culinary as well as medicinal, that is often overlooked by the general public. Nettles, or stinging nettles should be pre-cooked, unless you use them as a tea, and be handled with gloves at all times. The younger the leaves, the more tender the result, which will be similar to that of spinach.

Matches well with: cheese, cream, tomatoes, eggs and onions

Healing Properties: In Germany, this herb is valued highly for its healing powers, sold there as an herbal drug to aid in the relief of rheumatoid arthritis. Its power lies also in relieving symptoms of allergies, without all of the side effects that standard medication brings with it. External uses include skin problems, gout, neuralgia, and hair problems. I drink this tea personally to prevent symptoms of my chronic anemia.

Magical properties: strengthens willpower. If sprinkled around the home, it wards off negativity.

If you enjoyed this post on Nettle, why not check out my book

“Mixing Spices: A Flavorful Guide to Creating Awesome Herb and Spice Mixes”

on Amazon Kindle today! 

Ginger – An A to Z Challenge Blog Post

G is for Ginger:

Did you know that it takes 9 months for ginger to reach maturity? Not until the flowers appear, the tops have begun to die, is the ginger ready to be harvested.

Matches well with: chicken, chocolate, fruit, rice and tomatoes

Healing Properties: aids against nausea, colic, menstrual cramps, travel sickness and bloating. More recently it has been also used for joint problems, due to its anti-inflammatory properties

Magical uses: personal confidence, prosperity and success. A very powerful token, that can be used in amulets, mojo or medicine bags to strengthen and for protection

The following video shows how easy it is to make a Lemon-Ginger-Honey base for a healthy tea, that aids you with relieving cold symptoms.

If you enjoyed this post, check out my book

“Mixing Spices – A Flavorful Guide To Creating Awesome Herb And Spice Mixes”

Available Now!

Unspoken Words – A Haiku

I wish I could tell
you, the strength your love has brought
into my life, but….

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

Transient

Undead was such an uncaring word. Zombie was not much fun either. There are better labels I would choose for myself if anyone that mattered would listen. Who did not matter where my sisters, who thought I was way out there, and well I was pretty cool, after all I still had all of my fingers and most of my hair. Transient was more descriptive of our state, technically a state between states, which, thanks to my crazy family had spread through the world like wildfire.

Claudia H. Blanton 2015

The Birth Of A Dream

Image “Where Dreams Might Come True II” by SpaceCadet34 http://shrsl.com/?~7ikh

 

within the birth of a dream
innocence was lost,
but the power emerged
with such force,
that nothing ever kept me
from following my desires
again

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

(Disclaimer: The above image is by artist SpaceCadet34, and is called “Where Dreams Might Come True II”, and is available for purchase on RedBubble, of which I am an affiliate, supporting independent artist in reaching a wider audience”

Kindness Lost – A Haiku

the sharp, painful truth
brutal honesty unmasks your face
all kindness now lost

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2014

This post is inspired by the Daily Prompt: “Sweet Little Lies”, which reminded me of a sentiment, that it is better to be kind than to be right, and sometimes that means better to be kind than truthful. Being wise to me would mean, to know when the truth would do more harm, and to know when giving the truth is better, than a lie.

Have a great day!