CREATIVITY: Elizabeth Gilbert

If you or someone you know is creative in any way please watch this video. As a full time artist I found the information and ideas to be invaluable, opening up the pathways to create. ENJOY.


Elizabeth Gilbert on Creativity

UNION OF HEARTS

"not I love you because I need you but I need you because I love you." Unknown

Things that make you live longer... living in small spaces with the ones you love, a daily glass of wine, and seeing nature every day. This piece, A Union of Hearts, was painted as a pattern for wallpaper during the Arts and Crafts Movement at the turn of the last century. This movement led by William Morris and influenced by the critic Ruskin, was a response to the Industrial Revolution. It brought the much needed nature of British flora and fauna indoors to the walls of the masses. Both the organic imagery of this movement and the presence of public parks, greatly increased life expectancy.

So touch a leaf, draw a heart, drink a glass of wine and go sit in someone's lap. Who knows, if you do it daily, chances are you'll live a long, long life.

Union of Hearts, a water colour design for textile by C.F.A. Voysey, 1899. The design was used by Alexander Morton& Co. as awoven fabric and as a wallpaer by Essex and Co.

plate 58a, Parry, William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement, Portland House, 1989

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_Movement

GHEE: CLAIRFIED BUTTER

all photos  Julie B Montgomery

Ghee or Clarified Butter:

Ghee or clarified butter has a rich, silky, nutty flavor and is used by chefs worldwide. It's a wonderful oil to use for cooking, especially at high temperatures. It's also considered by Ayurveda to be the most important lubricant you can ingest. It increases enzyme production in your body, keeps the body working at a higher efficiency, strengthens the nervous system, improves sexual vitality and helps build muscle. You can use ghee instead of oil for cooking, add to vegetables, and spread on toast. Ghee is a good alternative for those who are lactose intolerant because the milk solids have been cooked out (consult your doctor) and is excellent for putting a drop in to your baby's warm baby food to aid digestion.

You can buy ghee at you local health food store or you can make it yourself.

Cooking ghee takes special attention as it is easy to burn at the end. The cooking part usually take 15-20 minutes so be near the stove for the full duration. Especially the last 10 minutes!

One pound unsalted organic butter

Cheesecloth

Rubber band

Heatproof jar

1. Using a medium stainless steel or glass heatproof saucepan, heat butter on medium to medium-low heat.

2. Allow butter to melt and bring to a boil, stirring. You will notice that the oil will separate itself. The top will begin to froth; remove froth with a wooden spoon.

3. Allow the oil to become clear and watch for the milk solids on the bottom of the pan to turn amber(this happens in seconds). Once, clear liquid and amber solids are present, remove from heat immediately, place on cool surface, and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

note: Making ghee sucessfully without burning takes practice and patience. The difficulty is when the milk solids on the bottom of the pan start to amber, they can then burn easily. The challenge remains in cooling the ghee before burning. Seems simple enough, yet not always easy. Some people prefer to pour the ghee immediately into a heat proof bowl or pyrex container. Remember if you do this, the oil is boiling! So be careful. You can put the cheesecloth in a sieve and pour oil thru to pyrex at this point. Personally I prefer to watch the foam and set pan on cool surface at the first sign of the browning solids. Then when cooled to warm, transfer to pyrex and then strain into mason jar or heat proof container.

4. After cooling, strain ghee through a very fine strainer into container or jar, or through 3-5 layers of cheesecloth attached with a rubber band on the rim. A paper towel with tiny holes punched into it, works in a pinch as well.

5. Put lid on container and store on shelf. Ghee will last for two months at room temperature or indefinitely if refrigerated. Be careful to always use dry utensils when scooping from the jar as water can contaminate it.

Alternative method:

1. Using a medium stainless steel or glass proof saucepan, heat butter on medium to medium-low heat.

2. Allow butter to melt and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Begin to check the color of the milk solids on the bottom of the pan, by using a wooden spoon to pull back the foam. When the solids on the bottom of the pan turn amber or honey color.(see picture:this is what the top foam looks like when the solids on the bottom begin to turn, with little tiny flecks of amber.), turn off heat and immediately transfer to cool surface and let cool. A strong aroma of popcorn accompanies the solids turning from pale yellow to amber. If you smell this, remove immediately pan from heat and check.

3. After cooling, strain ghee through a very fine strainer into container or jar, or through 3-5 layers of cheesecloth.

4. Put lid on container and store on shelf. Ghee will last for two months at room temperature or indefinitely if refrigerated. Be careful to always use dry utensils when scooping from the jar as water can contaminate it.

5. ENJOY!

note: Because I prefer to cool my ghee before straining, I then can involve my four year old son in the process. His favorite thing is to pour the warm amber ghee thru the cheesecloth. In fact those are his chubby little hands in the photograph. When we finish making ghee he always want to have at least one tablespoon of this nurturing warm oil to eat.

ps. When completely cooled down the ghee becomes opaque. I chose to photograph it slightly warm because of the beautiful glow it has when held up to the light. I feel the nurturative, healing, and medicinal qualities were captured best in this element of it's beauty.

You can also watch a demsonstation on YouTube.

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjOshVO-Alo&feature=PlayList&p=3B312EB0CA613FE7&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=54

Pg. 32 Effortless Beauty, Brunig, Thomas

Pg.117 Ayurveda, Brunig, Thomas,

http://mideastfood.about.com/od/dipsandsauces/r/ghee.htm

ENTREE D'ARTISTE

Santa Barbara Magazine did a shoot with me and my son, in our home and studio space, for the Feb 2010 Design and Style Issue. I was honored to work with editor, Gina Tolleson, and photographer, Nancy Neil... two very talented women artists. Here's to filling small spaces with creativity and abundance. Enjoy.

Click on the image for a larger version.

WINTER WARMTH

photo Julie B Montgomery

The days are beginning to get longer and yet we still have February and March to get thru. A lovely way to start any breakfast, especially a dark winter one, is to light a candle. Warming the atmosphere, our hearts, taking a pause in the morning rush and starting the day right. Remember to blow it out when your done.

THIEVES OIL: NATURALLY ANTIBACTERIAL

photo Julie B Montgomery

THIEVES OIL:

A British friend of mine introduced me to this wonderfully effective, and deliciously aromatic oil blend. You can buy it ready made or make it yourself to use as a disinfectant for your body, home and environment. Thieves is known to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic and anti-catarrhyal properties while stimulating the immune system, circulation and the respiratory system.

Thieves Oil Recipe no.1:

200 drops clove bud essential oil

175 drops lemon essential oil

100 drops cinnamon essential oil

75 drops eucalyptus essential oil

50 drops rosemary essential oil

Thieves Oil Recipe no. 2:

Combine equal parts (50 drops ea) of essential oils of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary.

How to Use:

1. Apply to the bottom of the feet.

2. Dilute with a base oil for a stimulating massage under the arms and on the chest and at the base of the neck. Diluted recipe: Place Thieves mixture above into a 2 ounce bottle. Fill the rest with jojoba, almond, or sesame oil. Note: If you have fair skin use more base oil and use caution.

3. Using an oil diffuser, diffuse in your home or work environment for no longer than 30 minutes.

The History of Thieves

Europeans began producing essential oils in the 12th century. During the Plague of the 15th century, certain thieves were able to rob the dead without fear of becoming infected by the terrible disease. After being captured and charged with robbing the dead and dying victims of the plague, the thieves were offered a deal. The magistrate offered them leniency if they would reveal how they managed to avoid contracting the dreaded infection, in spite of their close proximity with the infected corpses. They disclosed that they were perfumers and spice traders, and that they had rubbed themselves with a concoction of aromatic herbs (cinnamon, and clove).

http://www.beauty-and-body.com/youngliving/2007_Articles/The_History_Of_Thieves_Essential_Oil.htm

http://www.quantumbalancing.com/news/thieves_oil.htm

DREAMY SKIN OIL RECIPES

photo Julie B Montgomery

Here are some lovely Ayurvedic Skin Oil recipes. Use this as a general guide, and please experiment with scents you really love. I believe what you are drawn towards, is what your body needs. I also like to add a teaspoon or so of Vitamin E Oil. These oils are great for doing a nurturing skin oil massage, or just a splash in the bath makes for a bit of heaven. I rub my and my son’s feet before bedtime for a deep sleep.

SKIN OIL RECIPES:

Dry Skin:

8 T cold pressed sesame or almond oil (1/2 cup)

16 drops geranium essential oil

16 drops neroli essential oil (expensive but so worth it)

8 drops lemon essential oil

Medium Skin:

8 T cold pressed almond or coconut oil (1/2 cup)

20 drops rose essential oil(expensive but so worth it)

20 drops sandalwood essential oil

Oily Skin:

8 T cold pressed safflower oil

12 drops lavender essential oil

12 drops bergamot essential oil

12 drops clary sage oil

Very Oily or Blemished Skin:

8 T jojoba oil

20 drops lavender essential oil

20 drops tea tree essential oil

or

8 T jojoba oil

20 drops bergamot essential oil

20 drops lemon oil

Mature Skin:

5 T jojoba oil

4 T calendula oil

1 T wheat germ oil

12 drops lavender essential oil

12 drops frankinsence essential oil

12 drops neroli essential oil

Pg. 125 Effortless Beauty, Brunig, Thomas