Gwyn MacDonald

Witch Hazel Happiness

Posted by Judy Moon

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Posted by Gwyn MacDonald

In the midst of this “real”winter we are having here in Philadelphia, it would be understandable to think ”No, we’ll never see spring again”. We all know it’s not true, but all the gray can sure make it feel that way sometimes. (Mind you, as I write this it is in the 40’s, raining and some serious thunder just shook my kitchen walls! Mother Nature is a trickster!)

To beat these winter’s almost over blues, may I recommend an aromatherapy treatment? It costs nothing and will boost your spirits instantly!

It’s called…Witch Hazel!

This lovely shrub that we see here in Philly (usually hamamelis x intermedia, a group of hybrids between H. japonica x H. mollis), begins to bloom late January/early February to late March and depending on the variety has an INCREDIBLE scent. Slightly sweet, fresh, a touch of citrus and spice and maybe a pinch of gardenia. Most often seen with varying shades of yellow or orange flowers. I find this plant to be very uplifting. So bright and cheery it just washes those winter blues away from me.

In the few blocks around our office in Washington Square there are three favored spots that I frequent to find this little lovely. Kahn Park at 11th & Pine has 3 or 4 varieties. Locust street close to the 10th street side and the Jefferson campus. And the medicinal garden at Pennsylvania Hospital on 8th & Pine. (Yes, I do stalk the witch hazel!)

When you find them, step in close and inhale deeply… Oh yes, the birds are starting to sing their early spring song…oh look the sun is peeking out from behind the gloom… ahhhh.., smile!

At the moment we are fortunate enough to have several branches of witch hazel gracing our office with it’s fabulous fragrance (thanks Dad!). We have a garden shed/garden musings display in our foyer for the Philadelphia Flower Show window contest and the hazels are doing their thing! Stop by and check it out!

Happy Witch Hazel hunting!

Fun Fact:
The native witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana or common witch hazel blooms in the fall to early winter and can be found all over the Wissahickon park and surrounding areas. It ranges from Canada to Georgia and west to Nebraska and Arkansas. The witch hazel astringent we use as a skin care product is an extract distilled from the young roots and stems of this plant.

Creating Calm through Crafts

Posted by Judy Moon

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Posted by Gwyn MacDonald

I’m making a skirt for a friend of mine. She’s turning 2, (so it’s a small skirt, heehee) and the party is this weekend. I’m a bit behind in my sewing and was starting to feel a bit of stress that I wouldn’t get it finished in time.

Then I realized that it wasn’t so much about getting it done on time, it was the yearning to get my hands back on the beautiful, snuggly fabric and my foot back on the sewing machine pedal! I LOVE to sew! There are many reasons why, but one of the best is that my brain is purely focused on the task at hand. No noise and clutter in there when the iron is steaming away and the needles are flying! It’s the same reason I love to garden. Clear, quiet mind.

Then I remembered an article I read a few years ago in a Martha Stewart mag. The author was Lisa Borgnes-Giramonti, an embroidery artist and writer. Even though it was short and sweet, it had an impact. She talked about the connection between crafting and other pleasurable, very focused activities and well-being. To paraphrase a psychologist she interviewed; when we create (craft or garden or cook, etc.) our mid-brains become engaged by the activity and the temporal lobe can’t focus on the usual anxieties that plague most of our brains relentlessly. And viola! Calmness settles in.

There is much research and many interesting articles out there with much more science behind them then my little blog post, but I thought I’d try to inspire you all to get back to that project you put down last year. Or take a class that you’ve been putting off. Write that poem, crochet that blankie! Or just fix the button on your favorite coat. It’s all important. We’re hibernating here in this deep, dark winter, we might as well be creating calm!

Cheers!

P.S. Check out Stitchlinks.com, a U.K. organization that works on helping folks with depression and other health issues enhance their well being through knitting. VERY cool!

Patterns

Posted by Judy Moon

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Posted by Gwyn MacDonald

I’ve been thinking about patterns. The patterns that ice or frost make on the sage leaves in the winter garden or the bedroom window.  How the bark on a tree layers itself just so. The geese that flew away south in that perfect ever-evolving “V”.

And about our patterns, as humans. What we do each day or each week or for that one week each year. I want to take the time to be a bit more conscious of my own patterns and habits. What purpose do my patterns serve?  What is nourishing me and what is just an old pattern and hard to change?  How do I engage with people? Am I really listening or just barely there? Am I paying attention to the cycles in my own life?

Just some things to ponder and patterns to unravel as I wander through this winter. What patterns are you observing?

Happy Winter! Paperwhites

Posted by Judy Moon

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Winter is here and I for one am happy about it. I love the cold and especially snow but I should come clean and admit that more than anything I enjoy hibernating (as much as we humans can manage), large mugs of hot chocolate (with a splash of Frangelica!) and using a hot water bottle to warm my chilly toes!

All that said, I am also a gardener, so while I appreciate the break from my plot of land I still yearn to have a few plants to keep an eye on and wait and watch as they suddenly come in to bloom

Enter the fabulous Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus papyreceus)! Nothing new under the sun here folks, but they are so wonderful on a grey winter day or surrounded by candles in the evening. Crazy easy to grow (loads of info and how to’s on the web) and found in many flower shops and garden centers at this time of year, Paperwhites do a great job of reminding us that spring is around the corner…even if it’s a really long corner.

Plant many pots of them with a few weeks in between each planting and you could get through till late February and probably March. Unfortunately for us in Philadelphia, Paperwhites don’t rebloom if planted outdoors (unless you happen to live in zones 8-11), so once they are finished toss them in your compost pile.. or a kind friends’ or neighbors’ pile.

Judy keeps them in our office from late fall into late winter and they are much appreciated and loved.  I always have a few pots in the bedroom to greet me in the morning…something sweet and bright to start my day. Happy Winter!

The Magnificent Quince

Posted by Judy Moon

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Oh, how I love quince!

Are you familiar with these beauties? If not, get yourself to a farmers market or specialty food store soon and seek them out. The fruit shape looks like a combination of a pear and an apple. The color ranges from bright green when young to an electric and finally almost golden yellow when ripe. Quince must be cooked as they are extremely astringent raw (though some cultures do use them raw), but once softened in a bath of sweet syrup the flavor is like no other!  Slightly floral, a touch of the best apple and pear you’ve ever had, well balanced tartness, throw in some honey undertones and… wow! Set out a bowl of them for a few days and they will perfume your whole house.

A native to many regions in Central Asia, the quince has traveled far and wide and influenced the cuisines and lore of many cultures (Highly recommend looking up some quince history. Some fun info, way too much to write here). Served as a dessert, preserved in jams and spreads, cooked with meat and grains it lends itself to many dishes. Once cooked the flesh turns a luscious pink color.

I was first introduced to quince by my dear friend Lindsay, a native of New Zealand. She is a marvelous chef and we worked together for many years at her catering company. I believe the dish was poached fruit with vanilla custard. Simple, elegant and it blew me away! The quince was the most unique flavor I had ever tasted and obviously it made an impact. I’ve been waxing poetic about quince ever since. Thanks Linds!

My plan this year is to poach them in a light sugar or honey syrup with vanilla beans and then freeze several batches to devour during the nippy weather that is fast approaching. Last year I made a lovely quince chutney and an elixir for sore throats (and it was helpful!). The recipes and some fun quince facts came from a post called ‘quince essential’ from this lovely blog, A Raisin and A Porpoise.

The chutney is very yummy and would be a splendid addition to a Thanksgiving or other winter holiday meal, if you are so inclined. I hope I’ve inspired you to try this wonderful fruit and add it to your list of favorites. Happy Quincing!

Practicing Daily Quiet

Posted by Judy Moon

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Posted by Gwyn MacDonald

Did you know that the number of truly quiet places on the planet are rapidly disappearing? Yes, they still exist, undisturbed in the dense heart of the rainforest or the icy tundra for example, but most of us aren’t planning a visit to these wilds any time soon. Our own small plots of paradise; the state park where we hike, the city park we saunter through on the way to work, our own backyards are often overwhelmed with the sound of cars, weed-wackers, extra loud music, the cell phone ring and the loud conversation that follows. None of these sounds on their own are “bad”, they are what they are. But they are often everywhere, all at once and relentless. Add in a television in every restaurant, pub and doctors’ office and the never ceasing, attention sucking smartphone alerts and you have some serious noise pollution going on in your head!

I say take a stand and stop the noise! Our brains and bodies need time out with no stimulation; to rejuvenate, to imagine, to ponder, to heal. Give yourself a dose of quiet (or as close as you can get, if you live in the city like me) as often as you can. Even just for a few minutes a day. No music, no TV, no phone or email, no talking. Just quiet. Just listen. Most likely you don’t live in a place where all you hear is the wind rushing or the birds talking, lucky you if you do! So if not, do your best to create quiet in your own living space. Just a little bit, as often as you can.

Let us know how you get your “daily quiet”. Shhh….. it’s good for you!

Photo Credits // 1 Pinterest // 2 Pinterest // 3 Dust Jacket // 4 Conde Nast Traveler // 5 Pinterest

Health Benefits of Cucumbers

Posted by Judy Moon

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Posted by Gwyn MacDonald

Cucumber Seeds
I recently planted cucumber seeds and I am forever amazed that a vast, sprawling plant that will feed me is locked away in that tiny, white seed. I look forward to the lovely vine with those gorgeous tendrils and of course the bright yellow flowers that just glow in the sun.

Cuke’ Benefits
While I planted I thought of all the yummy cucumber dishes in my near future. Then I thought about all the other benefits of these fabulous fruits. The few things I knew already had to do with hydration (cukes are 95% water!) and inflammation reduction (think cold cream and cuke slices over the eyes – yes, it works!).

But I did a little research and was pleasantly surprised to learn the following:
• Cucumbers contains loads of vitamin C (especially in the skin)
• They are a good source of B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, fiber and silica (beneficial for joint health)
• A helpful remedy to cool sunburned skin
• One source says rubbing a slice or two on the bathroom mirror helps to prevent the ole fog up from the shower! Who knew? Haven’t tested that one yet, so if you do let me know if it really works.

Incorporate Cucumbers Into Your Diet
My favorite way to reap those health benefits is my old summer stand-by sandwich of cucumber, tomato and onion with mayo, salt and pepper. This recipe does the trick every time!

Also yummy is blending a cuke with some fresh tomato and garlic, a squeeze or two of lemon, some olive oil, pinch o’ salt and your favorite fresh herbs for a quick gazpacho-like cold soup.

Or keep it simple like we do at Judy Moon and Associates…add a few slices of cucumber and lemon to your water for a simple but refreshing boost!

Do you incorporate cucumbers into your daily routine? Lets share! Cheers!

Photo Credits // 1 Broadway Beauty // 2 The Healthy Foodie // 3 Future Executives  // 4 Lil Spa Room // 5 Babble // 6 Beauty Punk