What are nettles, and why are they so awesome?

Who would have thought that plant that stung you as you brushed by it would be a superfood?  Stinging nettle (which loose their sting when dried or cooked) pack a powerful punch of nutrients.  Making an infusion is an excellent way of getting the most nutrients out of nettles.  Nettle tea is great, but the nutrients you get are minimal compared to a nettle infusion.

Nettles are especially high in Vitamins A and C as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.  They are also high in protein and contain various amino acids as well as chlorophyll. 

Nettles are very helpful for people with seasonal allergies.  Bonus: for nursing Mamas, nettles help increase your milk supply. 

I consider nettle infusion my multivitamin.  I drink at least a cup a day (usually added to my water bottle) since I'm trying to boost some of my nutrient levels.  I put it in a sippy for my 1 year old and encourage my 4 year old to drink some daily too.

Making a nettle infusion is even easier than it sounds:

1. Add a handful of dried nettle leaves to a glass container like a mason jar.  (Personally I like to make mine in my French Press because it means I don't need to strain it at the end, but that's just a personal preference.)
2. Pour warm (not boiling) water over the leaves.
3. Leave it to sit overnight.
4. Strain, and enjoy.

I'm not going to lie.  It tastes "green" or "healthy".  For some people that takes some getting used to, but I didn't mind the taste from the beginning.  One trick I've used to help with the taste for my pickier 4 year old is to add peppermint to it.  I didn't have loose peppermint tea on hand, so I tore apart an organic tea bag and added it to the nettle leaves.  I've also made peppermint tea and added that to the nettle infusion after it was made.

Learn more about nettles here, here, and here.

Where to purchase nettles:
Amazon
iHerb
Mountain Rose Herbs

Make your own multivitamins

I wanted to make my own multivitamins for several reasons:

1) I know and can control all of the ingredients and ensure no cross contamination with allergens.
2) There's nothing synthetic (unlike store bought ones which are mostly synthetic) therefore the body can use them properly.
3) No unwanted (sometimes harmful) additives.
4) Cost.  I can ensure good quality without the high cost that goes along with the few good quality multivitamins out there.

Superfood ingredients:

• Nettle
• Yes, stinging nettles, but it doesn't sting you once it's been dried. 
  
  
• Nettles are high in Vitamins A and C as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.  They also contain various amino acids, protein, and chlorophyll.  Nettles are also helpful for people with seasonal allergies.  Bonus: for nursing Mamas, nettles help increase your milk supply.  Learn more about nettles here. 
• Making a nettle infusion is a great way to get the most nutrition out of the nettles. I explain how to make it here.
• Gelatin
• Gelatin is high in protein and amino acids, is great for your joints, and is very beneficial for gut healing.  It's not only great for the body, but it makes a wonderful snack food.  It needs to be good quality, though, and preferably from grassfed cows like this one from Great Lakes.  It's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.  I would not recommend using the well known store bought brands as they are not made from healthy animals and are not a superfood.
•  Elderberry
• Elderberries are wonderful for helping the body fight viruses such as colds and flus as well as coughs and respiratory infections.  You can use and elderberry syrup, or you can make your own from dried elderberries.
• Honey
• I used the honey mostly for taste, but it also has health benefits.  Consuming raw, local honey daily is a great help for seasonal allergy sufferers.

Putting it all together:

In a saucepan on low heat mix 4 TBSP of gelatin with 1 cup of nettle infusion (directions to make a nettle infusion here).  Add as much elderberry syrup and honey as you'd like.  (I add a bit of L-Gultamine powder to mine because I'm focused on gut healing, but it's not necessary.)  Stir until gelatin is melted.  Pour into whatever container or fun shaped mold you've chosen.  It will take about an hour in the fridge for it to set.

My other favorite place to order these products is iHerb which has more accessible shipping to Canada and worldwide.
Great Lakes Gelatin
Nettles
Elderberry Syrup
Dried Elderberries
L-Glutamine