"..... Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed, and made some chamomile tea and she gave a dose of it to Peter."
- from The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Chamomile is one of the most soothing and safest of all medicinal herbs; it is used for a whole variety of disorders. Throughout history, chamomile has been used by all of the worlds’ ancient cultures. German chamomile (matricaria recutita) has traditionally been the most commonly used for medicinal purposes although the Roman variety is also beneficial. Chamomile can be traced back to the Egyptians who associated the herb with their Sun-God Ra and sacrificed the flowery herb in their rituals. The original of the word comes from the Greek word 'kamai melon' which means 'ground apple', as the rich golden blossoms of the plant smell like freshly cut apples. The herb was also known as “the Plant’s Physician” because when planted next to an ailing plant, the other plant would recover quickly and grow normally.
As a tea, it can be taken daily for nervous stress and as an aide for restful sleep. Chamomile is a gentle yet powerful medicinal plant due to its effects on the nervous and digestive systems and its anti-inflammatory action. Chamomile soothes a nervous stomach, relieves indigestion and flatulence. It is also a calmative for menstrual pain and frayed nerves. Externally chamomile speeds the healing process for wounds. It rejuvenates hair and skin texture. It is especially good as a rinse for blonde hair.
Just breathing the flowery aroma of chamomile tea has a pacifying affect. Its mild and relaxing properties make it a wonderful tea to drink daily; early morning on an empty stomach, or before bedtime are perfect ways to benefit from chamomile.
German Chamomile seeds can be planted in either fall or spring. When planted in fall, seeds are exposed to freezing and thawing which increases the chance of propagation. Be sure to leave some flower heads unpicked so the plant will reseed itself. Chamomile likes sun, but also needs lots of watering during periods of strong sun.
Carefully harvest the flower tops for drying when the petals turn back on the disk. One easy way to dry petals is put them in a brown paper bag and leave in your car. Depending on the season, the heads and petals are soon ready to transfer into a glass jar for storage. Chamomile’s bittersweet flavor stimulates the gastric juices so the longer the flowers are infused, the more its bitter properties are released. Thus, steep blossoms 20 minutes or longer for liver and digestive issues; 5 to 10 minutes for a relaxing bedtime tea.
So take the time to make yourself a soothing cup of chamomile tea at this time of changing seasons.

In the 70s, Janis Ian came out with “Seventeen”. Remember how she was never picked for basketball? Being both “athletically challenged” and terminally short, precluded me from being picked for any team related activity above “bench warmer”. In high school, my Converse sneakers, held together by the strength of bread ties and safety pins, would fly off every time I had to serve the ball in tennis class. In the 80s, Punk Rock was my saving grace from the deep dark oobliettes of teen angst and alienation, while mosh pits and punk shows where our physical fitness regimens on the weekends for my little brother and me.

The trouble with today's “designer fitness” programs, cute little yoga outfits, and exorbitant gym memberships, is the feeling of elitism that exudes from it. Participants are held up like Star Bellied Sneetches with “stars upon thars” while creating a bigger void between the haves and the have nots. But there's hope!

Jump Rope! Well, more specifically “Punk Rope” is the inspiration of Time Haft, who in 2004, at the age of 44, a personal trainer and track and field coach found himself with a knee that required surgery and two herniated discs in his lumbar spine. Tim wanted to find a fitness program that would meet his needs and safely get him back into shape. His goal was to find a class that was interactive, effective, and as fun as elementary recess. When he came up empty for such a class, he created his own utilizing rope jumping, high intensity cooperative workouts and drills, games, and relay races, and of course Punk Rock.

Punk Rope has grown by leaps and bounds to engage todays youth and yesteryear's “Youth Brigade” youth to bring whole communities together. Punk Rope has attracted government and non-profit programs like WIC, Healthy Schools Healthy Families, Big Brother Big Sisters, The American Heart Association and a host of others, including elementary schools in the New York City area. Because it is a community minded program, Punk Rope operates its classes in public settings like the YMCA, JCCs, park and rec centers, health clubs, colleges, skating rinks, bowling alleys, and city parks.

Each class runs with a different theme, from “Punk Rope goes Back to School” to “Punk Rope Goes to the Movies” and “Punk Rope time travels to the 1950s” The focus is on good health and building communities while having fun. Music can range from Punk to Ska, and Samba to Scottish bagpipes! If it can be dreamed, it can be created!

Adaire was so inspired by Punk Rope, she's fiercely training with her daughter's “Under the Sea” jump rope!