The Skinny on Vaping

After years of decline, teenage use of tobacco products has spiked  from 3.6 million in 2017 to 4.9 million in 2018.

The surgeon general announced that teen vaping has become an epidemic. In 2018, vaping was up 80% among high schoolers and 50% among middle schoolers from 2017.

An e-cigarette is a device consisting of a battery, a heat source and a pod of liquid nicotine that heats nicotine into an aerosol form, which is inhaled. Each pod is equivalent to a pack of cigarettes. Some teens use two pods per day.

Nicotine is a neurotoxin which hijacks learning mechanisms in a teenage brain. Nicotine increases anxiety, irritability, mood swings and learning difficulties. Teen brains are vulnerable to addiction because the brain develops til age 25.

Teens are attracted to e-cigs because they look like cool school supplies, and they are curious to try the flavors.

 For more information go to flavorshookkids.org

How to Avoid the Freshman 15...Even If You're Not a Freshman

It's that time of year when the kids are back in school, you're back to work and you've sent your eldest off to college.  Suddenly you remember how you needed to hit mom and dad up for a quick shopping trip when you came home for Thanksgiving break because you couldn't fit into half of what was in your closet.  What happened?  Why the sudden weight gain?

A major contributor to the Freshman 15 is consuming "cheap eats" -- convenient, prepackaged junk, chock-full of HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), food additives and empty calories.  Combine that with drinking alcohol, unhealthy sweetened coffee drinks, energy drinks and sodas, and anyone is bound to pack on a few.  

Our stress levels also increase when we start anything new.  Deadlines, social life, grades, money are an every day reality in the life of a college student.  Stress puts on weight.  How?

You know when your driving down the freeway and the guy in front of you slams on their breaks, and you immediately have a very sudden, strong reaction and slam on yours?  That rush of adrenaline is known as a "fight or flight" response.  The stress hormone, cortisol, is released from your brain into your blood stream.  Cortisol triggers your body to fill its energy reserves by taking in additional calories by making you feel hungry.  Your brain may tell you to have "comfort" or "feel-good" food, like chocolate cake or fries and a coke to calm you down.  It's easier to give in to cravings when we're away from home because we don't have close friends and family around.  Don't cave!

Exercise, or dropping exercise all together, is a major factor in how your body will respond to changes in food consumption and stress.  If you were big into sports and them drop them freshman year, your body will makes some changes -- with or without consuming convenient junk.

So, how can you avoid the Freshman 15?

• Avoid convenient, low quality pre-packaged "cheap eats".

• Cut all HFCS, food additives and refined sugar.

• Drink plenty of fresh, pure water -- 1/2 your body's weight in ounces per day.   And more if you exercise/sweat.  You'll stay hydrated and feel full.  

• Get into an exercise routine.  Alone or with some friends, dance, get a work out in at the gym or take a walk around campus.  Your body was designed to MOVE!

• Laugh.  Yes, laughter is a great stress-reliever, so make it a habit to spend time laughing every day.

• Go gluten-free.  Grains, even "whole wheat", are depleting and can plump you up.  There are plenty non-wheat options available in your local market.

• Do not buy pre-packaged foods!  You know... those thinly veiled "healthy snacks" that are full of ingredients you can't pronounce?  Leave 'em on the shelf and head to the organic produce aisle.

• Shop the perimeter of the grocery store -- even if you're in Whole Foods or similar market!

• Consume organic produce.  Frozen organic produce is less expensive than fresh.  

• A less expensive, healthy, filling meal option -- Organic eggs, organic beans and organic vegetables.   If you don't have access to a stove, you can boil eggs, warm beans and steam vegetables on a hot plate in your dorm room.

• Sit down to eat! Make it a point to take a break, relax and enjoy your food.  Chew slowly and thoroughly.  It's easy to over-eat pre-packaged junk on the run.  So STOP! This is a great time to pull some friends together and laugh!

• Take time to relax.  For some, it's beyond "slow down"....it's a full-on "STOP"!  Note to Type A's (and you know who you are): Just do it!

• Take time for yourself.  Sure, it's fun to hang with new friends, but don't lose yourself in the process. Take the time you need to take care of yourself and you won't have added stress and pressure on your shoulders.

• Sleep!  I know you don't want to miss out on anything, but you want (and need) to be fully cognizant to enjoy your college experience, and make it successful.  Your body and mind needs 8 hours of good sleep every night.  Again, Type A's:  Just do it!

Use your freedom to do "whatever you want" by making responsible choices to best serve your mind, body and spirit.   The habits you form now are the springboard to your future.

OC

Five Ways to Avoid Incontinence

Most people don't think about bladder control — until the unintended loss of urine interrupts the ability to carry on day to day social and work activities.

Here are five steps you can take to lower the chances of developing this life-altering health issue.

1. Keep your weight in check. Excess weight and incontinence can go hand in hand, particularly for women. Extra abdominal fat can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and lead to stress incontinence - leaking urine when coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc. In some cases, simply losing weight can improve incontinence.
2. Quit smoking. Smoking threatens your health in many ways. It also doubles the likelihood that a woman will develop stress incontinence. Nicotine has also been linked to urge incontinence.
3. Exercise. In the Nurses’ Health Study, middle-aged women who were most physically active were least likely to develop incontinence.
4. Minimize bladder irritants. Caffeine and alcohol have been linked to urge incontinence, the feeling you need to urinate even when the bladder isn't full. Carbonated drinks, the artificial sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet), spicy foods, and citrus fruits and juices cause urge incontinence in some people.
5. Don’t strain with bowel movements. This can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. If your stools are frequently hard or take considerable effort to pass, it's time to look into your diet. In a study involving people ages 65 and older, treating constipation improved a variety of urinary symptoms, including frequency, urgency, and burning. Increasing the fiber and vegetables in your diet, and drinking enough water can help prevent constipation.

OC

Flu Survival Tips "They" Don't Tell You

February -- the thick of cold and flu season.  A typical cold may last 8-9 days or longer, while a flu may last 4-7 days.  How quickly you recover depends on your lifestyle.

A strong immune system is your best defense against colds and flu!

We all know that getting plenty of rest, regular exercise, drinking plenty of pure water, monitoring stress levels and regular hand-washings are important factors to assist in cold and flu prevention.  But there are more keys to disease prevention you need to know to truly optimize your health.

• Avoid sugar and processed foods.   Natural sugar (fructose) occurs in many foods -- fruit is usually the first that comes to mind.  Your body knows how to convert this kind of sugar and use it for energy.  But there are other sources of sugar that can contribute to disease.  High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is a food additive which lurks in fruit drinks and many processed packaged foods.  Most Americans consume 75 grams of HFCS per day, a level that can deplete your immune system by creating a gut flora imbalance.  This is crucial because 80% of your immune system lies in your gastrointestinal tract.  Avoid all HFCS products.  Keep your total fructose consumption below 25 grams per day when in good health, and lower it to 15 grams per day if you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or are insulin resistant.  In addition to HFCS juices, avoid foods which process as sugar, such as pastas and breads (grains).

• Vitamin D deficiencies.  One reason why colds and flu rise in winter months is due to lack of sun exposure.  Twenty minutes of unprotected, natural sun exposure per day boosts Vitamin D3 levels.  If this is not possible, a Vitamin D3 supplement is better than not doing anything for yourself.

• Avoid over-the-counter pain relief medications.  Taking aspirin or acetaminophen may actually suppress your body's ability to produce antibodies to destroy the cold virus. When taken in excess, aspirin has also been linked to an abnormal fluid build up in the lungs.  Only use these medications when absolutely necessary, such as if you have a temperature greater than 105 degrees F (40.5 degrees C), severe muscle aches or weakness.

• The over-prescribing of antibiotics.   Antibiotics weren't created for viruses, and DO NOT WORK against them.  Unless you have a bacterial pneumonia/bronchitis, an antibiotic will likely to more harm than good because you'll be increasing your susceptibility to developing infections with resistance to that antibiotic -- and you'll become the carrier of this bug and can spread it to others.

Foods that Strengthen Your Immune System

• raw milk

• raw, crushed garlic

• turmeric

• cloves

• oregano

• cinnamon

• coconuts and coconut oil

• Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake mushrooms

• fermented foods, such as raw kefir, kimchee, miso

• organic vegetables

• organic eggs from free range chickens (no antibiotics)

Kick-start your prevention/healing with supplements

• Olive leaf extract

• Oregano Oil -- excellent anti-viral

• Vitamin C

There's increasing scientific evidence to show that flu shots are NOT effective in flu prevention.  The Cochrane Database Review, the gold standard for assessing the effectiveness of common medical interventions, published five reviews between 2006 and 2010, completely decimating the claim that flu vaccinations are the best course of action to prevent the flu.

Basic good health practices are still the best prevention.  Homemade Chicken Soup is a favorite remedy.  Be sure to start with pure water and organic, raw, free range, antibiotic-free ingredients --- and skip the noodles!

Fat-Burning Foods That Bust Fat-Storing Grenades

Read ingredient labels carefully before purchase.

It's February!  Time to start planning for "bikini season".  Wanna lose a few pounds?  We'll make it easy for you to make good food choices.

Start by ditching the orange juice, artificial sweeteners (Equal, Splenda, etc.), artificial butter (I Can't Believe It's Not Butter-type products), whole wheat bread and pasta, and processed soy milk.  Many products are advertised to be "natural" or "good for you", but they aren't. Don't be fooled!

Your enemies:
• Foods that metabolize as sugar, such as whole wheat bread and pasta.
When your blood sugar levels are more than 100-120 for an extended period of time, insulin is released, forcing the body to store fat.  There are more benefits to eating an orange than drinking orange juice -- and you'll consume a lot less sugar!
• Fats that make you store fat versus fats that make you burn fat.
Hydrogenated oils, canola and vegetable oil, margarine and artificial butter products all make the body store fat.  Read the ingredients label. You won't see real food names, but you'll see chemical names -- and your body will store them as fat.
• Artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and processed soy products.
Most processed foods contain bad fats, a lot of sugar, and a lot of chemicals your body won't break down.  These compromise your liver.  You won't lose weight when the liver is working overtime in an effort to break down chemicals.
• Packaged 'healthy' snacks, 'health' bars, 'healthy' cereals, etc.
These are generally fat storage grenades, as they contain artificial sweeteners and chemical food additives.

Your friends:
• Millet, quinoa and sprouted grains.
• Fruits and vegetables (no limits) - fat burners
• The right kind of fats, such as avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, raw nuts and (real) butter increase the metabolic process to burn off unwanted fat.
• Foods that contain ONE ingredient, like steak, fish, chicken, eggs, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, coconut oil, butter, rice, sweet potato, etc.

Remember, losing weight is NOT about calories.  It's about the quality of your food choices and the metabolic effect they have on your body.  You can eat a lot of the right foods and still lose weight.

LNH always suggests consuming organic, Non-GMO Verified foods.

California Prop 37: Whose Side Are YOU On?

Consumers vs The Big 10

Not ONE human being has said "No" to GMO labeling. All $36 Million "No" campaign funding has come from the Big 10 offenders -you know, those who have told you that their products are safe, without testing or providing such information to the consumer.

"Yes" supporters are people you and me...moms, dads, kids, singles, marrieds, gays, straights, medical doctors, farmers, students, teachers, naturopaths, dental professionals, health practitioners, environmentalists...and non-profits and consumer
groups. 

"Yes" supporters provided $3 Million in funding. It doesn't really cost much to get the facts out. It costs a lot more to create a hefty ad campaign that resembles a hockey game...deflect, deflect, deflect. The Big 10 must feel they have a lot to lose. We ALL lose, unless Prop 37 is passed.

The Uber-problem for the Big 10 seems to be liability. They must be highly concerned  about potential lawsuits from the upshot of their controversial biotechnology and negligence in testing -- especially with the substantial increase in, and creation of, neurological and childhood diseases. Leaky gut syndrome in 10 year olds? Wow. But it stands to reason that if these frankenfoods were created to make the stomachs of insects explode, they'll have a similar effect on humans -- especially children. 

GMOs were created 20 years ago, so there's a good chance that GMOs have been a big part - or the only part - of the diet of someone under the age of 20...and without their knowledge! You can't blame parents because they weren't informed, either.  This information does not appear on the required food nutrition and ingredient label.

Why no full disclosure, Big 10?  You spent boat loads of money on the technology -- 
If GMOs are so great, why not just be proud and label it?

If I sat down with the powers at Monsanto, I'd ask one question: If there's nothing wrong with GMO and GE products, why spend $36 Million on a "No" campaign to defend their position, when simply labeling the products, as they already do for nutrition facts and ingredients, will cost them nothing?

In a recent ad, the No supporters erroneously claim that farmers will suffer -- that's simply not true. There is no additional cost to farmers. There are GMO farmers who support Prop 37!

So, what can we, the people, do?

It's easy.

Vote YES on Prop 37 on November 6, 2012.

Your YES vote on California Prop 37 simply mandates labeling of GMO and GE foods. It allows the Big 10 to put the label wherever they want on their package. 

Fifty countries around the world have already implemented a ban on GMOs.  Why were we not FIRST?  We've been kept in the dark long enough!  We want to know what's in our food, so we can make informed choices when making purchases. We also have every right to know what's in our food.

Vote YES on Prop 37. Know your food source.

California Gets the Carcinogens out of Pepsi and Coca Cola

Carcinogen-laden Coke and Pepsi

Did you know that Coke and Pepsi is in the process of reformulating their products? The report, from consumer watchdog the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), says that both contain unacceptably high levels of 4-methylilidazole (4-MI), a chemical that has been linked to cancer in mice and rats, and some soft drinks contain five times the amount of the chemical deemed safe in California. 

California called on the food and beverage industry to label 'caramel coloring', which was found to be potentially be a cancer-causing carcinogen. Rather than go through the labeling and liability that it may carry, Coke and Pepsi reformulated their products in California, and is doing so across the country.

The alleged carcinogen is formed when ammonia or ammonia and sulphates are used to manufacture the caramel colouring that gives Coke and Pepsi their trademark brown color.

The change has already been made in California, and will be implemented in other states in the near future.

http://www.ingredientsnetwork.com/news-content/full/pepsi-and-coca-cola-to- remove-carcinogen-from-their-drinks

Bottom line....it's all about avoiding liability. It would appear there's a huge lack of integrity at Pepsi and Coca-Cola. It's unfortunate that a consumer group had to blow the whistle on these world-wide giants, or they would have greedily continued, business as usual. 

As a consumer, I don't trust a brand which lacks integrity...on any level. There are just too many choices out there.

OC

Note: This information was prepared for all consumers.  Laguna Natural Health has never suggested or condoned the consumption of soda pop.  

YES on California Prop 37: Why Labeling GMOs is Important

You have a right to know what's in your food.

What is Proposition 37?  Proposition 37 is a common-sense November ballot measure that will help consumers make informed choices about the food they eat. Written with broad input from food groups, industry, science, legal and health experts Prop. 37 (The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act) requires clear labels letting consumers know if foods are genetically modified. 

Example: Genetically Modified corn has been engineered in a laboratory to produce pesticides in its own tissue. GMO corn is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency as an Insecticide, but is sold unlabeled. [EPA Pesticides]. Walmart is now sellingMonsanto's sweet corn that has been genetically engineered to contain an insecticide, but consumers don't know because it's not labeled.
  

What Are Genetically Engineered Foods (GMOs)?  A genetically engineered food is a plant or meat product that has had its DNA artificially altered in a laboratory by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria in order to produce foreign compounds in that food. This type of genetic alteration is not found in nature and is experimental.   Many of the foods we currently eat and feed our families (including certain baby formulas and a high percentage of corn, soy, cotton and sugar beets commonly used in processed foods sold in the U.S.),  but we don’t know which ones without labeling.

Are Genetically Engineered Foods Safe?  GMOs have not been proven safe, and long-term health studies have not been conducted. A growing body of peer-reviewed studies has linked these foods to allergies, organ toxicity, and other health problems. These studies must be followed up. However, unlike the strict safety evaluations required for the approval of new drugs, the US Food and Drug Administration does not require safety studies for genetically engineered foods. The United Nations/World Health Organization food standards group and the American Medical Association have called for mandatory safety testing of genetically engineered foods -- a standard the U.S. fails to meet. 

GMOs Linked to Environmental Problems:  Various environmental problems associated with genetic engineering have been well documented, including biodiversity loss, an overall increase in pesticide use, the emergence of super weeds that are threatening millions of acres of farmland, and the unintentional contamination of non-GMO and organic crops.

We Have a Right to Know What's in Our Food:  Fifty countries around the world—representing more than 40% of the world’s population---already require GMO labeling, including all of Europe, Japan, India and China. Polls show that more than 90% of Americans want to know if their food is genetically engineered. We are free to choose what we want to eat and feed our children. The free market is supposed to provide consumers with accurate information about products so we can make informed choices.

Who is in Favor of Proposition 37?  Prop 37 was initiated by a grassroots organizing effort with the help of thousands of volunteers across the state, the Right to Know campaign gathered nearly one million signatures from California voters within a 10 week period.  More than 2,000 organizations – including media outlets, food manufacturers and retailers, leading consumer, environmental, farming, health, faith-based, political and labor groups – have since endorsed Yes on 37: www.carighttoknow.org/endorsements.

Who is Opposed to Proposition 37?  Not one human being has made a contribution to the campaign against Prop. 37.  Instead, the campaign is funded entirely by giant pesticide and junk food companies with a track record of making false claims about the safety of their products.  The “No” campaign’s two largest donors-- Monsanto and DuPont—are the same companies that told us Agent Orange and DDT were safe.  Further undermining the "No" campaign’s credibility is the fact that its biggest funder—Monsanto—produced a series of ads supporting labeling of GMOs in Europe in the 1990s. 

A Simple Proposition for California in 2012:  The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act is simple: The initiative would simply require food sold in retail outlets to be labeled if it is produced through genetic engineering, and would not allow these products to be labeled as “natural.” Prop 37 gives companies 18 months to change their labels, and allows for the GMO disclosure to appear wherever they choose on packaging.

No Cost to Consumers or Food Producers:  Companies change their labeling all the time, and research shows that Prop. 37 will have no cost impact on consumers or food producers.  In a recent study on the economic impact of Proposition 37, Joanna Shepherd Bailey, Ph.D., Professor at Emory University School of Law, concluded that there would be “no increases in prices as a result of the relabeling required.”  In Europe, introduction of GMO labeling produced no increase in food costs. David Byrne, former European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament, stated that when Europe introduced GMO labeling in 1997, "it did not result in increased costs, despite the horrifying (double-digit) prediction of some interests.”

Prop. 37 Doesn’t Ban the Sale of Any Foods:  Despite opposition claims that Prop 37 would "ban the sale of thousands of groceries," it would not ban any foods at all. It merely requires that GMO-containing foods be labeled with the phrase “partially produced with genetic engineering” anywhere on the front or back of packages.

Greater Legal Certainty For Businesses: According to an independent legal analysis by James Cooper, JD, PhD, of George Mason University School of Law, Proposition 37 has been narrowly crafted in a way that provides “greater legal certainty” for businesses than other California consumer disclosure laws.  It won’t invite frivolous lawsuits.  What it will do is help California consumers make more informed choices about the food they eat.

The passing of Proposition 37 will be a huge step toward the transparency we deserve. This is about our right to know what's in our food and the right to choose for ourselves what we eat and feed our families. These are fundamental American values. Join us in helping us win back our right to know about the genetic engineering of our food system.  Vote Yes on 37 November 6th.  

"Know your food source."  -- OC

Autumn Equinox: Finding Balance

Autumn in Central Park

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn is a mosaic of them all." 

 - Stanley Horowitz

Happy Fall 2012!  From New York to Boston to Los Angeles and everywhere in between, fall is my favorite season. There is always a sense of excitement and change in the air.  I love California's warm, sunny days and cool nights - perfect "sleeping weather", and the Northeast's spectacular Indian Summers.  Break out the cashmere and boots!  

And, there are the "back-to's" -- back to school, back to work, back to routine, and back to shopping for a collection of new "stuff" -- a full compliment of school supplies, backpacks, clothing, shoes and bags. Busy-busy, more-more-more.

We've become a society immersed in creating something new in our lives at a time when nature is winding down. 

No matter where you live in North America, you'll notice lots of changes outdoors.  It's harvest time.  Leaves turn a variety of vivid colors and fall to the ground in the east and midwest.  Southern California braces for the hot, dry winds of the Santa Ana's. The Pacific Northwest gears up for rainy season.  There's generally less humidity in the air and the temperatures cool, as Mother Nature winds down and finds her balance....again.  

Finding balance is essential to a happy and vibrantly healthy life.  Emotional, mental and physical balance are all connected, and are the cornerstone of balanced living.  Not only is good health essential to happiness and well-being, it's also a boost to productivity and success.  A well-balanced person has a far greater ability to focus their attention and energy on attaining their goals, taking productive actions and moving forward in meaningful ways.

So, what does "balance" mean?  And how can we achieve it?

There are steps you can take to make changes in your day-to-day schedule to regain control and balance in life.  It's best to make adjustments over time to see what works best.  Once you start, you'll be better able to sort it out and maintain life balance.

You can -

• Be honest with yourself about your current health -- We usually don't do much about our health until we're faced with a health crisis.  Good or bad, our  health affects the quality of our work and play.  Take steps to make necessary improvements.  Those in general good health, but know there's room for development, may want to see a nutritionist to create a plan to refine food choices, and/or enlist a trainer to get on track in the gym.  Those with more pressing health issues should consult with a physician regarding blood work and a physical. We're happier when we've had solid sleep, a great workout and healthful nourishment. Be sure to drink plenty of pure water.

• Give your brain a rest  --  Make a date with yourself to disconnect from the work world.  This will vary given the level of your responsibilities, but try it for at least a few hours each night.  Turn off the phone, the computer, the TV -- everything that is a distraction.  Spend this time alone to pray or meditate, or to reconnect with family and friends.  Both quiet and laughter are great medicines. 

• Just say "NO!" -- Let's face it, we are all over-scheduled. It's almost impossible to manage the demands we've set for ourselves to meet.  Something's gotta give, and it can't be your sanity.  So, take a look at your day-to-day, make a list of essentials and drop everything that saps your energy or doesn't add value to your life.

• Let go of energy vampires -- Minimize your exposure to time wasters, chronic complainers and Debbie Downers.  Instead, surround yourself with positive, supportive people.  We become the five people we hang out with the most.

• Be the Magellan of your world -- Discovery and travel are beautiful things.  If travel isn't possible right now, live in a state of "discovery" by looking at your world through fresh eyes.  Take a new route to work. Be a tourist in your own city. Even when you think you know your city, there's always some place new to explore. Or visit a nearby city and enjoy new activities. Road trip!

• Become aware --  Activities abound!  We are only limited by our own imaginations.  Take a class, learn a new language, dance, take photos in the park, listen to new music, read a book, go to a concert, and/or catch that film you've been wanting to see.  Do what makes you feel light and makes your heart sing.

• Be good to yourself --  Who doesn't like a day of beauty?  Facial, mani-pedi, massage...and there's no need to leave the house.  Arrange some flowers, pour a glass of wine, play some music, light some candles and fill the tub with salts and your favorite essential oils.  Mmmmmm....

• Get close -- Relationships are essential to happy living. Turn off the TV.  Invite a friend over for a favorite meal and some overdue face time. Play a game with the kids. Really connect with those around you. Get to know them, and let them know you.

• Laugh! -- Use your sense of humor to play, joke and laugh. Have fun!

Wheel of Life Balance

Start slowly.  Make one change at a time. Adjust your schedule to accommodate you and your priorities.  Slow down.  Breathe!  A little relaxation goes a long way.

My change?  I spend time in the hammock.  During the day.  In the sun. 

A votre sante!

OC

How to Make Stored Tomatoes in Olive Oil and Fresh Basil

Stored Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil and Basil

Dehydrated tomatoes have a rich bold flavor that when combined with olive oil and basil seems positively decadent.  The tomatoes and basil infuse the olive oil which is lovely on salads, for dipping bread or drizzled over grilled peppers and eggplant.  

There is some concern when using oil to store vegetables. It is recommended that all tomato in oil and herb in oil products be stored at refrigerator temperatures.

Store Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil with Basil

4 cups dried tomatoes (from about 12-16 cups fresh tomatoes)
1/4 - 1/2 cup olive oil 
1 pint canning jar with air tight lid
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

• Sterilize a pint jar by washing with soapy water and then pouring boiling water over the inside and outside of the jar.  Boil the screw band and lid in hot water.  

• Once the jar is dry begin placing the dried tomatoes into the bottom.  Use a clean skewer or spoon to pack the tomatoes together.  Then add a couple sprigs of basil.  Continue layering tomatoes and basil until the jar is full.  Then pour olive oil slowly over the top.

• Insert the skewer or the handle of the spoon down along the sides of the jar five to six times to force any air pockets out.  Make sure the oil completely cover the tomatoes.  Seal with the sterilized lid and band and refrigerate up to one month.

The bonus with packing in olive oil is you get both tomatoes and olive oil flavored with the dried tomatoes. The oil is great for salad dressing, dipping bread or making pasta.
Enjoy!
OC