Making A Spellbook

The time, energy and effort that goes into making this Spellbook is amazing.

Yorkshire Pudding 1737

Yorkshire Pudding, one of our favorites of all English puddings, 'fires' in the heat and photo above, a lamb roast.

Nowadays, everybody bakes this dish in the oven and serves it as an accompaniment to roast beef. 

In the eighteenth century it was always toasted under the fire and was usually served with mutton. Before the batter was put under the roast, it was cooked over the fire in a pan. 

The secret of getting the pudding to rise and become light, was to turn it over once or twice and gently toss it in the pan. 

It is much richer than a modern Yorkshire pudding because it absorbs the gravy as the meat cooks.

The earliest known recipe (see below) is called Dripping Pudding and dates from 1737. 

It is found in a cookery compilation called The Whole Duty of a Woman. 

This monumental work was one of the sources used by Hannah Glasse, whose The Art of Cookery made Plain and Easy (London: 1747) is the first book to call it Yorkshire Pudding. 

Some other Georgian authors tell us to put a little ginger in the mix. 

As roasting in front of the range became rarer, the Yorkshire Pudding ended up being 'baked' in the oven with the joint, a case of the baby being thrown out with the bathwater. 

As has already been explained, slices of plum pudding were also 'fired' or toasted under beef roast and there were other puddings that were cooked in this way. 

In Georgian Scotland for instance, a pudding prepared from mashed potato, chopped onion, spices and eggs was baked in a dish under the spit. 

The radiant heat created by a good roasting fire is remarkably powerful at this low angle and can cook a pudding almost as efficiently as an oven. 

Dripping Pudding

Make a good Batter as for Pancakes, put it in a hot Toss-pan over the Fire with a Bit of Butter to fry the bottom a little, then put the Pan and Batter under a Shoulder of Mutton instead of a Dripping-pan, frequently shaking it by the Handle and it will be light and savoury, - and fit to take up when your Mutton is enough; then turn it in a Dish, and serve it hot. 

From Anon, The Whole Duty of a Woman (London: 1737)

Colloidal Silver

All we can tell you is that Colloidal Silver works for us.

It’s helped us through the flu and cold season and it's been effective with allergy issues.
We also take it daily to help with our immune system.

Before the advent of modern germicides and antibiotics, it was known that disease-causing pathogens could not survive in the presence of silver. Consequently, silver was used in dishware (silverware), drinking vessels and eating utensils.

But, let’s get the disclaimer out of the way.

We aren’t doctors, nor are we encouraging anyone to use colloidal silver.

But as far as our own experience, we see the difference, we feel better and we believe our immune systems are stronger, helping our bodies heal themselves.

There are those who tell us of wound healing, improve skin disorders, and treat diseases like flu, pneumonia, herpes, eye infections and shingles.

Many of these claims have been supported by test studies in which colloidal silver has been shown to exert powerful antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects.

So, there is our personal experience with Colloidal Silver. 

Something to consider, do your research and then you can decide what’s best for you.

Okay, here’s the disclaimer: We aren’t veterinarians and any treatments we discuss are from our personal experience. 

We provide this information to you because it’s offered positive results for us, but as always you must decide what’s best for your dogs and cats.

From DogsNaturally:

Even the healthiest of dogs gets a little bloody here and again. In fact, we would argue, the healthier the dog, the more trouble he might be getting into when roaming free in the yard.

He runs out, chases a rabbit behind the shed… and here he comes with a nice little gash along his muzzle. Ouch.

Dogs are troopers – it’s us who freak out. 

So, before you go running to your medicine cabinet for an antibiotic ointment or calling your vet for an oral antibiotic – which are immune system suppressors by nature and can lead to antibiotic resistance – consider this powerful alternative…

Colloidal silver is a liquid antibiotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal that has been touted as treating and preventing an assortment of conditions in both humans and animals. 

Colloidal silver, as opposed to just plain silver, means that submicroscopic silver particles are suspended in a liquid base. 

Because the silver particles are so tiny, they are thought to penetrate cells and kill pathogens.

There are so many ways colloidal silver can be used for the immune system, we’ve narrowed it down to five to help get you started:

Infection

Since colloidal silver is an all-around pathogen fighter, it’s a great one to keep in your medicine cabinet for any disease – whether it’s bacterial, fungal (yeast!) or viral in nature (it can even be used to help treat parvovirus). 

Plus, it can be used as a preventative when exposure to sick people or animals is unavoidable, and as a regular household cleaner to disinfect surfaces and areas.

Skin

Colloidal silver can also be used topically for skin infections like ringworm, wounds and burns. It is soothing and repairs tissue damage.

Ears

For those unfortunate dogs suffering from ear infections, colloidal silver might offer some relief. The liquid can be dropped directly into the ears to help fight off bacteria and yeast.

Eyes

Colloidal silver can also help treat eye problems like infections, allergies, inflammation and tear staining, according to Wolf Creek Ranch’s website. Because it doesn’t sting, it can be dropped directly into the eyes.

Lungs

Colloidal silver has to be one of the most versatile natural immune system boosters – not only can it be used in an incredibly sensitive area such as the eyes, but it can be turned into mist with a nebulizer and used to treat respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, according to Wolf Creek Ranch.

How to Use

Now that you know some of the major conditions colloidal silver can help, it’s time to learn how exactly this multitasking liquid can be used:

Oral: A general guideline for oral dosing is five to 10 drops, two to three times per day. Many conditions are helped by both oral and direct application (for instance, use as ear drops AND orally). Because it basically tastes like water, oral dosing shouldn’t be a problem.

Topical: As a wound cleaner, use to clean out affected area with a cotton swab. For skin conditions, spray onto area or use as a compress several times a day.

Ears: Apply a few drops daily into affected ear or ears for up to 10 days.

Eyes: Apply a drop three times a day into the affected eye or eyes.

Inhalant: Use nebulizer with colloidal silver at least three times daily for at least 15 minutes each time (according to Wolf Creek Ranch).

Note: Colloidal silver works just like an antibiotic, except without real negative effects. But there is one – it will reduce the natural beneficial flora in the gut as regular antibiotics do. So it’s important to follow up with probiotics and prebiotics to help build up the good bacteria back to normal levels in your dog. Also, since colloidal silver is sold at varying degrees of quality, do your research and/or work with an expert when selecting a brand.

Not only dogs, but cats as well.

Below are a few health benefits for cats:

Eye infections

Stomach ailments (helps with hyperthyroidism)

Cuts, abscesses and wounds

Ear infections

Hot spots and yeast

UTI and kidney infections

Dental issues- Stomatitis

How to administer CS to the cats:

It can be given to them in a small bowl alongside their water, in their water, or even instead of water.

If they don’t prefer drinking water you can give it to them in a dropper or oral syringe and have them lick it in small quantity as you administer it.

You can also put the colloidal silver on their food

For external use, it can be sprayed directly onto their furry body.

Dosage for cats:

For maintaining the general health of the cat dose given can be 5ml/day. 

In case of any health issues 5–10 ml can be given 3–4 times day but this depends size of the cat.

Of course it is always advisable to check with the veterinarian before proceeding with any new treatment.

Vikings and Kittens

In Viking tradition, when a warrior and a maiden decided to marry, it was common practice for members of the Viking community to give the new bride a kitten or kittens. 

Kittens were often given to new brides as an essential part of setting up a new household. 

It is especially appropriate that brides should receive cats, since cats were associated with the Goddess Freyja.