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Friday, December 2, 2011

Gifts for health.


You can grow your own herbs and natural remedies right at your door, and with a bit of luck, and sunshine, or light from your bulbs this time of the year, you can grow the most beautiful present anyone could possibly receive. Rosemary and thyme can be found in little starts at the nurseries, but for annuals like basil and parsley, you need to start your own seeds. Keep the pot in a warm, sunny or well-lighted place all winter long, and in the spring, you can re-plant outdoors.

Herbal medicine has been around for millenia. I am not trying to sell you any products here, but remind you that what you put in your body sustains you in more ways than you know. Herbs, garlic, onions and ginger all help the digestion, as well as enhance the taste and the smell of food. When I think of my mother, I whip up a plate of spaghetti, redolent with basil and garlic and I'm instantly transported and reliving all my days at the kitchen counter.

In this season of commercialism, I'm planting various herbs, with garlic and chives for my friends. I will label the plant shoots,  and add a note with suggestions and recipes  for the culinary neophyte.

I guarantee that this is not a gift that will end up in a pile in the back closet.
Be sure you plant one for yourself!
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37 comments:

  1. JinksyDecember 2, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Me, and pots on a patio, are not happy bedfellows! With no outside tap, they either die of thirst in summer, or in winter, get drowned by copious rain! But I do love using herbs, even if they do have to come from a supermarket!

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  2. LindyLouMacDecember 2, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    What a great idea.

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  3. joehDecember 2, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Dude, or is it dudette, Like I am sooo in to growing my own herbs, you know like wowwie I love me some herbs grown in a pot or is it pot grown by Herb?

    Cranky Old Man

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  4. joehDecember 2, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    JK, good idea!


    Cranky

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  5. Brian MillerDecember 2, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    nice...we need to use more herbs, we have a few...haha joeh....

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  6. UnknownDecember 2, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    A very nice idea!

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  7. DianeDecember 2, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    I would be so happy with gifts like this. I managed to grow ginger in S.Africa but I can't get it away here in France. Try, try and try again I guess. Diane

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  8. JoaniDecember 2, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    That sounds like a great idea. Here in Arizona all these herbs like the fall/winter months. Mine are growing and growing. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Grandmother MaryDecember 2, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    One end of our balcony houses the herbs which get lovingly watered every day. They in turn lovong care for our bodies and spirits.

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  10. AnonymousDecember 2, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    What a great idea! I have a few herbs that I grew this summer and I simply brought them into the house with the cold weather, they get south facing sun and are doing great! This could be a gift that keeps on giving year round!

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  11. quilterlizDecember 2, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    G'day Rosaria.What a fabulous thought. Herbs grow really well here in my part of Australia.I was at a plant nursery yesterday and saw lots of them for sale. I will remember your great idea.Take care. Liz...

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  12. Maggie MayDecember 2, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    I grew quite a lot of herbs on the patio in pots...... and then forgot about them! My rabbits love fennel though.
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  13. Terra December 2, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    Herb plants are a wonderful gift to give or receive. Excellent idea. I always have a few in tiny pots on the window sill in the kitchen.

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  14. Roberta WarshawDecember 2, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    The only thing I can grow in winter are sprouts. I grow radish, lentils, and some microgreens. Yhey help sustain me throughout the winter.

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  15. Linda MyersDecember 2, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    What a great idea for the holidays!

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  16. turquoisemoonDecember 2, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    I plant my herbs in a huge birdbath (with no stand, so it's low to the ground) I drilled holes in it, so water would drain out. Then put a cement fairy house in the middle, and added all sorts of teeny, tiny fairy stuff in it. Make a path out of little stones and then add my herbs. It amuses me all year, and provides me with herbs...luv it!!!

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  17. Rubye JackDecember 2, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    I wonder if you can grow Hibiscus. I've been looking all over for Hibiscus tea but can't find any and online it is very expensive. Gee, I guess I'll have to look that up. :-)
    It's not an herb though is it?

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  18. Pearson ReportDecember 2, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Brilliant gift - your friends are lucky!

    I love chives, garlic, and a variety of herbs - this post will motivate me to make a gift for myself - I've long thought of having a herb garden.

    Jenny
    PEARSON REPORT

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  19. Hilary Melton-ButcherDecember 3, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Hi Rosaria .. love the information and ideas - a great present or two - but more important remember to treat ourselves with good natural foods as best we can. Cheers Hilary

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  20. LisaDecember 3, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Agree agree. I will work on some of my own.

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  21. NitWit1December 3, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    I am not into gardening, but all of those mentioned are available fresh at various times of the year, plus we have an unusual grocery market (not a chain) which specialize in health foods and nutrients some quite expenswive.

    I love chives, onions and garlic. I have some thyme I freeze dried as I did not use all of it when bought fresh.

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  22. Step-parent's CoveDecember 3, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    Great gift idea!

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  23. yayaDecember 3, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Super idea! I'm guessing in our cold climate we could grow herbs indoors in a "window garden"...We had a wonderful friend that had a bad heart condition but he took such good care of himself using garlic and many other natural remedies that gave him many more years than conventional medicine could have accomplished.

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  24. ♥ BrajaDecember 3, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Hello, Rosario love :) How are you doing?

    I'm a herbal girl; all organic and natural over here....my veggie garden and pots are my pride and joy....

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  25. CloudiaDecember 3, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    what a great idea!


    Aloha from Waikiki

    Comfort Spiral

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  26. HilaryDecember 3, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    That's a great gift idea.. especially personalized with the recipes. So thoughtful.

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  27. amaliaDecember 3, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    nel mio balcone italiano non mancano mai le erbe aromatiche ,in piu' vi consiglio la pianta di aloe utilissima per rimedi contro le bruciature
    un caro saluto

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  28. rjerdeeDecember 4, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Have done it...am particularly fond of fresh herbs in my cooking...whenever that happens :)

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  29. That gentleman's ladyDecember 4, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    Oh I love fresh herbs :) Mine all died earlier this year because there was no one to care for them. I haven't yet planted more. Perhaps in the spring....

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  30. CiCiDecember 4, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    I have pots of sweet basil and cilantro and parsley on my front window sill. I was planning on cutting some basil to take to my friend today. She has problems with her hands and would like herbs to add to some of her cooking. I can see that planting some small pots with my seeds and urging them to grow would make great Christmas gifts. Thank you for the great suggestion.

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  31. Rosaria WilliamsDecember 4, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    The people I know don't do much cooking, and adding fresh herbs to a simple soup will elevate that dish immensely. It might give them back a sense of joy and wonder and give them pep and vitality to prepare great meals again.

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  32. decomondoDecember 4, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    I was thinking about you right now and so I came to say hello.
    I hope you're well.

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  33. MargueriteDecember 4, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    What a great gift idea! I love herbs and would love to give them as gifts, perhaps with a recipe attached. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  34. Welshcakes LimoncelloDecember 5, 2011 at 3:15 AM

    What a fabulous idea for gifts. I grow herbs on my balcony and I truly believe in their healing properties.

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  35. PseudoDecember 5, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    y herb garden is by my front door ; -)

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  36. AnonymousDecember 6, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    What a cool idea! Now I know what to get my neighbors, who love to garden and live healthy. Its off to Home Depot for me.

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  37. xxxDecember 6, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    I like gifts that keep on giving well after the festive season has come to a close.
    They're also created with love.
    Well done x

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