We had a fantastic Community Day at Gold Gold Permaculture last Sunday
It was a great joy to introduce or reacquaint people with two veges harvested from our farm – jerusalem artichokes and yacón.
Thanks again Gold Coast Permaculture
We have the joy of inviting groups to our ‘farm-acy’
We recently had the pleasure of a visit by Carers Queensland, Spanish speaking support group
The group arrived by bus and settled to a warming cup of Golden Milk, made with our own turmeric (longa) which we had just freshly harvested
Despite rainy Springbrook weather, the sun appeared for enough time to enjoy a relaxing and therapeutic walk through the vegetable and herb gardens
The herb robert has flourished in the last month during the wet weather. It has a beautiful show with it’s tiny pink flowers and lush, lacy greenery. Most were surprised to learn that this plant could be used as both a food and as a medicine
There is land cress and lebanese cress in abundance at the moment. Both of these are easy to grow and supply lots of greens for wraps, soups, juices and salads
The top bar bee hive is always a favorite moment
Once the group had seen the beauty and abundance of the garden, many were inspired to want to grow their own produce
It is always a great opportunity to explain the important nutritional properties of fresh leafy greens and herbs
Soon the rain began to close in again so we all headed inside for a morning tea of hearty home made vegetable and barley soup, followed by the family’s favourite fruit cake and fresh brews of peppermint and meadowsweet, and nettle and lemon myrtle teas
I had brought in a few other herbs to show the group during morning tea
I talked about the healing properties of aloe vera and how it can be used both externally and internally
We also discussed the wonderful properties of the simple thyme plant. It not only supplies you with a tasty culinary herb but it is also a powerful antispasmodic and bronchial relaxant making it useful for coughs and chest infections
Many questions later, a quick walk to Purlingbrook Falls and with cuttings and herb pots in hand a very tired and happy group boarded the Gold Coast Volunteering bus for home.
Our visitors often tell us they feel stronger in the knowledge that it is easy to practice self help with the addition of a few plants in your garden, and the knowledge of how to use them everyday
Let’s enjoy a morning together gathering herbs and weeds from my garden to make herbal vinegars that can be used as both a food and a medicine.
- 9:00 am arrival
- 9:30 am how to make herb infused vinegars, how to use herb infused vingar, herbs you can choose for your infusions
- 10:30 am out into the garden to choose and harvest your herbs for making your infused vinegar
- 11:30 am morning tea and discussion about your chosen herbs
- 12:30 am finish
Your investment
To keep the costs down for you in this workshop please bring with you two small, clean jars with secure lids and enough apple cider vinegar for your empty jars. I use recycled jars and Australian organic apple cider vinegar.
- if you bring your own jars and apple cider vinegar it is $30.
- if you would like me to supply apple cider vinegar and jars it is $40
Notes are be provided
There is a maximum of ten people for this workshop
We have the joy of inviting groups to our ‘farm-acy’
We recently had the pleasure of a visit by Slow Food Tamborine Mountain/Gold Coast group
Slow Food is an international group. Slow is an acronym for sustainable, local, organic, whole foods
We welcomed our visitors with a warming shot of golden milk made with our freshly harvested turmeric (longa)
We spoke to the group about Springbrook and it’s history. For many of our guests, this was their first visit to Springbrook
We then offered our guests a ‘taste test’ of our two fresh turmeric varieties, longa and aromatica
I then talked about the importance of eating enough nutrients in our diet. In my experience many people are well fed but seldom are they well nourished
This is because our food has been denatured by mass production, poor growing soil, transportation, and cold storage. People also tend to eat the same foods instead of a wide variety of fresh foods in order to obtain a wide variety of nutrients
It is this basic nutrient deficiency that leads to many of the complaints people often suffer such as skin ailments, digestive disorders, hormonal disruptions, tiredness, foggy thinking, and many of the complaints we medicate for with over the counter pharmaceutical drugs
To get off this merry go round of sickness, we just need to increase our nutrient uptake. One of the easiest ways to do this is with herbs and weeds that you can grow for free in your own garden. We have become too reliant on others supplying our food to our own detriment
Our discussions in the in the herb garden centered around three weeds/herbs that are often overlooked and discarded
These three powerhouses of nutrition are nettle, chickweed and plantain. These three weeds/herbs can be used as a food and a medicine
When we have the correct nutrients in our body, our body is able to perform at it’s optimum level
In this way the food becomes your medicine by supplying the required nutrients. If illness does occur your body is better able to deal with it and there are other more medicinal herbs and preparations you can use to help your body fight the illness. Many chronic degenerative diseases have their roots in an under supply of nutrients from your diet
The next destination was the vegetable garden to see our freshly planted turmeric. We have also recently planted out this season’s horseradish and yacon. Both were just starting to poke their new greenery from the soil
Our visitors were very knowledgeable gardeners. Rich conversations were shared about how best to care for our lovely soils, and many people generously shared their experiences with different soil treatment and management practises
The Springbrook rainy weather kept us on our toes as we tried to avoid the showers
It certainly didn’t detract from the fabulous experience of being able to share my passion for herbs and their valuable contribution to our healthy lives
Let’s enjoy a morning together gathering herbs and weeds from my garden to make your herbal tinctures. Also learn how easy it is to make herbal syrups and lozenges for your home medicine chest
- 9:00 am arrival
- 9:30 am the different methods of making tinctures, how to make a simple syrup and lozenge, how to use the tinctures, and syrups and lozenges
- 10:30 am out into the garden to choose and harvest your herbs/ weeds for making your tincture
- 11:30 am morning tea and discussion about your chosen herbs
- 12:30 am finish
Your investment
$35
There is a maximum of ten people for this workshop
Welcome to our selfhelp Seminars, a collaboration from FitLife Health and selfhelp retreat
The seminar series is presented by professionals in their respective fields, Gina Winter and Marc Webster
The goal of these seminars is to empower people to once again take responsibility for their health and wellbeing. The first three seminars will show you how to use Western and Eastern herbs to stock your home medicine cabinet to be able to treat trauma to the skin and underlying tissues
Skin Trauma
One of the first principles of self help is having the right ingredients at home, ready to use when you need them. In this first session, Gina will focus on which herbs to have on hand so that you can treat yourself with home remedies that you can make yourself. Examples will include Yarrow, Calendula, Mallow and Plantain
Gina will also demonstrate how to make herbal oils, salves and tinctures with these herbs specifically for the home treatment of skin trauma
Marc will teach you how to make Purple Cloud Cream from two Chinese herbs and a few simple ingredients
This herbal cream is a versatile product to use on the skin. Originally formulated to help trauma to the skin, it helps regenerate flesh, increase blood circulation to the local area, and minimises scar tissue. It can also be used to treat cold hands and feet, insect bites, dermatitis and eczema, burns, and post surgical healing
- Workshop notes will be emailed to you prior to each session.
- At each seminar you will have the opportunity to purchase these herbal medicines at discounted seminar prices. There will be the opportunity to place orders for some of the herbs in their raw states for you to manufacture and stock your very own medicines.
Cost
The cost of individual seminars is $79
You can get a 37% for all 3 seminars up front. That’s $150.00.
Book your place now at sifu.marcwebster@gmail.com or workshops@selfhelpretreat.com.au
Let’s enjoy a morning together gathering herbs and weeds from my garden to make your herb infused oils and then learning how you can turn them into salves for your medicine chest
- 9:00 am arrival
- 9:30 am the different methods of infusing oil with herbs, how to use herb infused oils and salves, the herbs you can choose for your oil infusion
- 10:30 am out into the garden to choose and harvest your herbs/ weeds for making your infused oil
- 11:30 am morning tea and discussion about your chosen herbs
- 12:30 am finish
Your investment
To keep the costs down for you in this workshop, please bring two small, clean jars with secure lids and enough olive oil to fill the empty jars. I use recycled jars and Australian olive oil.
- if you bring your own jars and oil it is $30.
- if you would like me to supply oil and jars it is $40
Notes are be provided
There is a maximum of ten people for this workshop
Welcome to our selfhelp Seminars, a collaboration from FitLife Health and selfhelp retreat
The seminar series is presented by professionals in their respective fields, Gina Winter and Marc Webster
The goal of these seminars is to empower people to once again take responsibility for their health and wellbeing. The first three seminars will show you how to use Western and Eastern herbs to stock your home medicine cabinet to be able to treat trauma to the skin and underlying tissues
Inflammation and Swelling
In this second session, Gina will demonstrate
- how to use green clay for the treatment of acute pain from sprains and strains, burns and minor fractures, and how it can also be used to clean infected wounds
- turmeric and it’s application, with a detailed demonstration on how to make turmeric paste to make golden milk for the internal treatment of inflammation
- herbal infusions that can be taken daily to nourish your body so that it has the requirements to heal itself. A well-nourished body can perform wonders
You will also learn from Marc the Chinese equivalent to using ice on a recent, acute trauma like a sprained ankle. This herbal formula is renowned for reducing inflammation and dispersing congealed blood and fluids without any ice. This formula is considered the single most useful formula for the first aid treatment of sprains, strains, pulled muscles, and severe bruising. It has even been used to treat simple fractures.
- Workshop notes will be emailed to you prior to each session.
- At each seminar you will have the opportunity to purchase these herbal medicines at discounted seminar prices. There will be the opportunity to place orders for some of the herbs in their raw states for you to manufacture and stock your very own medicines.
Cost
The cost of individual seminars is $79
You can get a 37% for all 3 seminars up front. That’s $150.00.
Book your place now at sifu.marcwebster@gmail.com or workshops@selfhelpretreat.com.au
Welcome to our selfhelp Seminars, a collaboration from FitLife Health and selfhelp retreat
The seminar series is presented by professionals in their respective fields, Gina Winter and Marc Webster
The goal of these seminars is to empower people to once again take responsibility for their health and wellbeing. The first three seminars will show you how to use Western and Eastern herbs to stock your home medicine cabinet to be able to treat trauma to the skin and underlying tissues
In the final session, Gina will demonstrate how to make herbal liniments, poultices and infused oils to treat common muscular conditions.
Particular focus will be using and transforming Arnica, Hypericum (St Johns Wort) and Comfrey as practical home remedies for use in skeletal and muscular issues
Marc will teach you how to make China’s famous Dit Da Jow (Hit Fall Wine). Dozens of recipes have been formulated over many centuries, borne out of combat and warfare, traumatology and martial arts. You will see several recipes put together, as well as already existing formula steeping in their alcohol bases
- Workshop notes will be emailed to you prior to each session.
- At each seminar you will have the opportunity to purchase these herbal medicines at discounted seminar prices. There will be the opportunity to place orders for some of the herbs in their raw states for you to manufacture and stock your very own medicines.
Cost
The cost of individual seminars is $79
You can get a 37% for all 3 seminars up front. That’s $150.00.
Book your place now at sifu.marcwebster@gmail.com or workshops@selfhelpretreat.com.au
Welcome to another selfhelp workshop
This workshop is presented by Gina Winter
The goal of this workshop is to empower people to once again take responsibility for their health and wellbeing
The workshop is a practical session focussed on making infused vinegars, oils and honey
Workshop objective is to ensure people are confident making their own infused concoctions in their home
The group will be invited to make their own concoctions from seasonal herbs found on the farm including:
- Cronewort/mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Ginger root (Zingiber officinalis)
- Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
- Lavender (Lavendula off.)
- Lemon Balm (Melissa off.)
- Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla)
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Peppermint (Mentha pipperata)
- Rose hips (Rosa)
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus off.)
- Sage (Salvia off.)
- Thyme (Thymus species)
- Yarrow blossoms (Achillea millefolium)
This workshop is now full
We love turmeric and sharing knowledge about this lovely plant
In this presentation, we’ll talk about
- how to grow turmeric
- why “not all turmerics are equal” and why there is so so much confusion
- using your food as medicine
- the clinical and research evidence for using turmeric in your everyday life
- understanding and sharing your experiences using turmeric
Excited to be showcasing our lovely produce at Robina’s newest farmers markets
Come say g’day
Enjoy
- learning about turmeric and taste testing
- trying our nutritional and medicinal preparations
- discussing your wellness with Gina, a qualified herbalist and ‘sage femme’
We love turmeric and sharing knowledge about this lovely plant
In this presentation, we’ll talk about
- how to grow turmeric
- why “not all turmerics are equal” and why there is so so much confusion
- using your food as medicine
- the clinical and research evidence for using turmeric in your everyday life
- understanding and sharing your experiences using turmeric
We love turmeric and sharing knowledge about this lovely plant
In this presentation, we’ll talk about
- how to grow turmeric
- why “not all turmerics are equal” and why there is so so much confusion
- using your food as medicine
- the clinical and research evidence for using turmeric in your everyday life
- understanding and sharing your experiences using turmeric
Excited to be showcasing our lovely produce at Canungra Music and Food Festival!
Come say g’day
Enjoy
- learning about turmeric and taste testing
- trying our nutritional and medicinal preparations
- discussing your wellness with Gina, a qualified herbalist and ‘sage femme’
We love turmeric and sharing knowledge about this lovely plant
In this presentation, we’ll talk about
- how to grow turmeric
- why “not all turmerics are equal” and why there is so so much confusion
- using your food as medicine
- the clinical and research evidence for using turmeric in your everyday life
- understanding and sharing your experiences using turmeric
We love sharing knowledge and stories about growing food
Join us on farm, surrounded by world heritage listed rainforest
Join the Logan Food Gardeners Group in this farm tour
- enjoy the 2018 turmeric planting
- share a Golden Milk and turmeric cake
- join Gina in a discovery of over 70 medicinal herbs
- stroll to Purlingbrook Falls, a short 5 minute walk from the farm
Come into my garden when the golden rod is ready to harvest
- Golden Rod is a wonderful herb useful in supporting immune function so important before the winter months return
- Golden Rod is also a tried and true medicine for problems associated with your kidneys, including prostate problems
- As a food, it is a valuable mineral supplement and also has anti allergenic properties
I grow two types of Gold Rod (Solidago) in my garden.
Both will be ready to harvest
You will make your own home remedies from this plant ally
You will learn how to
- harvest and dry the herb for your tea
- infuse it in olive oil to make a salve
- tincture the plant two ways
At the end of the workshop you will have had the pleasure of meeting Golden Rod growing in my garden, harvesting her bounty and transforming her into your own remedies that you will use at home
The morning includes
- herbal morning tea, with nourishing herbal infusions, coffee or golden milk (our turmeric) and herbal delights to eat.
- take home notes
- Golden Rod herb to dry for tea
- a jar of your goldenrod infused olive oil
- two tinctures for future use
This morning is limited to 6 people only
Reserve your place here using Paypal, Credit, or Debit Card
or
Email me to reserve your place by direct deposit
Michelle and Doug have done a beaut job planning this farm visit for Sunday 25 March
They say
” We took 1 hour and 10 minutes from our home at Birnam (between Tamborine Village and Beaudesert ) to Springbrook, so allow enough time to get there
Please arrive at 9.30 am
- the urn will be on when you arrive to have a cup of tea or coffee
- there will be a golden milk tasting and a turmeric cake to enjoy during this time
We love Turmeric talk will start at approximately 10 am
Bernie Winter and Dr Doug English will talk for approximately 1 hour
Read about your presenters here
People always have lots of questions as we go so this time could be extended a little
Although it will not be turmeric harvest season, turmeric plants and produce will be on sale after the talk
Cost for morning tea will be $5 per person
Best of All Lookout Walk
After the talk, we are suggesting a short drive down the road a further 10 kms to the top of Springbrook Mountain
The sealed walk is only 350 m to a most spectacular view
The walk is undulating through a temperate rain forest with relic Antarctic Beech trees on display
At the end of the walk, the cliff face is the Queensland/New South Wales border
On a clear day you can see Byron Bay, Mt. Warning, Murwillumbah, Kingscliff and the start Tweed Heads
http://explorespringbrook.com/walks/
Lunch
- after the walk, we go to the Springbrook Men’s Shed for a sausage sizzle with coleslaw, a drink and a cup of tea/coffee included
- cost for lunch is $7 per person and will go to support this local Men’s Shed
- the Men’s Shed is setting up a Community Garden alongside the shed and members are very interested in our suggestions and ideas to establish it“
Springbrook Notes
- Please be aware that following TC Debbie in April 2017, Gold Coast-Springbrook road (Exit 79 from M1) is closed for the foreseeable future due to landslides and need for major road repair. You can access Springbrook Mountain easily via Pine Creek Rd which is off Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd (Exit 69 from M1). You will find Pine Creek Rd via Google Maps https://goo.gl/maps/BpGU8c9PGD12
- There is no petrol available on the Mountain. Please ensure you have sufficient petrol before travelling up the Mountain
- To browse other local attractions and a map of the area www.explorespringbrook.com
We love turmeric and sharing knowledge about this lovely plant
In this presentation, we’ll talk about
- how to grow turmeric
- why “not all turmerics are equal” and why there is so so much confusion
- using your food as medicine
- the clinical and research evidence for using turmeric in your everyday life
- understanding and sharing your experiences using turmeric
Usnea is a special plant that is often hard to get
Usnea is a slow growing lichen. It is not recommended to take it from the tree but to wait for it to drop to the ground, usually after a storm.
I have recently collected quite a bit here on Springbrook Mountain after Cyclone Debbie in April 2017
I have enough to offer for this workshop to demonstrate how this beautiful plant can provide valuable healing for bacterial infections and much more.
In this session you will identify Usnea as it grows, learn about its healing properties and then we will make a tincture and a healing powder to add to your home remedies.
You will make your own home remedies from this plant ally
You will learn how to
- harvest and dry the plant
- powder the plant
- tincture the plant
Come into my garden and harvest the herbal allies of sweet violet and chickweed
- learn what herbal healing these plants have to offer to you
- make your own herbal home remedies with both these herbs
- make an infused oil as well as a vinegar tincture for you to bring home and to add to your home remedies
You will make your own home remedies from these plant allies
You will learn how to
- harvest and dry the herbs
- infuse these herbs in olive oil to make a salve
- infuse these herbs in vinegar
At the end of the workshop you will have had the pleasure of meeting sweet violet and chickweed growing in my garden, harvesting their bounty and transforming them into your own remedies that you will use at home
The morning includes
- herbal morning tea, with nourishing herbal infusions, coffee or golden milk (our turmeric) and herbal delights to eat.
- take home notes
- sweet violet and chickweed to dry for tea
- jars of your sweet violet and chickweed infused in olive oil and vinegar
This morning is limited to 6 people only
Reserve your place here using Paypal, Credit or Debit Card
or
Email me to reserve your place by direct deposit
Botanical Bazaar is where naturally wild, urban gardeners and nature lovers connect
The festival is set to educate and inspire nature enthusiasts of all ages. See more then 90 green exhibitors, botanical art and kids nature activities plus live demonstrations and educational talks by celebrity gardeners
Learn how to grow your own food, urban and small space gardening practices, sustainable living concepts and different methods of using medicinal herbs
Gina and Bernie will both be presenting in the Medicinal Herb and Health Hut
http://botanicalbazaar.com.au/educational-talks/
Delighted to invite the Logan Food Gardeners group back to lovely Springbrook Mountain
Gina will take us for a wandering walk through her culinary and medicinal herb garden.
She will identify the herbs they grow, and share information about these herbs and how they can be used in daily life.
Gina – Your Presenter
Please bring along:
– things to share: excess produce, seeds, seedlings, plant material
– a plate of food to share for morning tea
– a hat if it’s fine
– a small folding chair
– a mug and plate
There will be a contribution box at the event and your contribution of between $3 and $5 per person will help Logan Food Gardeners’ Inc. to cover its costs.
‘The Wise Woman Tradition of healing is the worlds oldest tradition of healing’ Susun Weed, herbalist
Join together and learn about the Wise Woman tradition of healing and of classifying herbs so that you can best understand how to use herbs in your daily life as both food and medicine
Learn how to make nourishing herbal infusions so you can get off the supplement bandwagon.
‘A well nourished body can more easily heal itself’ Gina Winter herbalist
You will learn how to
- classify common herbs (often called ‘weeds’)
- gather and dry herbs effectively
- infuse nourishing herbs for daily use
The morning includes
- herbal morning tea, with nourishing herbal infusions, coffee or golden milk (our turmeric) and herbal delights to eat.
- take home notes
- two 90gm bags of your choice of different dried, nourishing herbs so that you can begin to make your nourishing infusions at home
Reserve your place here using Paypal, Credit or Debit Card
or
Email me to reserve your place by direct deposit
Delighted to be invited back to talk turmeric at one of Kat’s fabulous events
This event is at Country Paradise Parklands at Nerang
We love turmeric and sharing knowledge about this lovely plant
In this talk, we’ll cover
- how to grow turmeric
- why “not all turmerics are equal” and why there is so so much confusion
- using your food as medicine
We love turmeric and sharing knowledge about this lovely plant
In this presentation, we’ll talk about
- how to grow turmeric
- why “not all turmerics are equal” and why there is so so much confusion
- using your food as medicine
- the clinical and research evidence for using turmeric in your everyday life
- understanding and sharing your experiences using turmeric
Sunday Morning 24 February 2018
The Goldenrod will be in bloom, ready to offer you it’s blessings
Come into my garden and let me introduce you to Goldenrod (Solidago)
Learn how to transform this beautiful herb into nourishment and medicine
This morning offers the very unique experience of using fresh, seasonal herbs
You will make your own home remedies from this plant ally
You will
- see the Goldenrod growing
- learn how it can help you in your daily life
- harvest the herb to make your own Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) tincture
- take some fresh herb home to dry for tea making
Herbal morning tea is included
A little about me, Gina
Reserve your place here using Paypal, Credit, or Debit Card
or
Email me to reserve your place by direct deposit
Welcome again to selfhelp farm and beautiful Springbrook Mountain for the next group meeting on Sunday March 17