Soph's TLC Pays Off

Looky at Soph's rainbow plant she got from preschool 2 weeks ago.  (Well, actually she got this cup filled with potting soil and her rainbow seed.)  

She has been waiting patiently for her rainbow plant to sprout, tending to it everyday with lots of TLC several times a day, placing it strategically throughout the house to ensure it gets enough sunlight.  And this is what it looks like today (2nd picture). 

From the looks of things, I think she has a green thumb.  Hopefully, we'll be able to plant it right next to the other plant she got last year from preschool.  

Talking about plants, this summer I intend to get a large pot to plant a small vegetable garden, maybe herbs....haven't decided yet.  I'm sure Sophie is going to like this project A LOT !!  It'll give her an opportunity to play in the muck with my permission.

Ever since I've learned that herbs are loaded with antioxidants and balances one's body pH to be more alkaline, I have tried to incorporate herbs in every dish I make.  Vince isn't into herbs, but I always put a little in his food for the sake of it.  (So, now he knows.)

Herbs, whether fresh, dried, turned into essential oils are all so good for you.  My preferred essential oil is "Thieves," a 100% therapeutic-grade essential oil supplement; it's a blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary.  

Cloves are known to have the highest-scoring single ingredient for its antioxidant capacity on the ORAC scale.  It measures at having over 10 million in ORAC value.  To compare, cinnamon has an ORAC value of over 260,000, a cup of blueberries has slightly over 9,000 and a gala apple (my favorite apple) is just shy of 4,000.  So you see why herbs, IMHO, are essential in incorporating in one's diet on a daily basis.

The story behind Thieves is quite interesting.  It is based on the historical account of four thieves (who were chemists/pharmacists) in France.  While they were robbing victims from the Black Plague, they protected themselves from this killer disease by covering themselves with cloves, rosemary and other aromatics.  When captured, they were offered a reduced sentence in exchange for their secret concoction.  

Note:  My new assistant