On Friday, August 16th I had a yard accident.
It was just two days before I was heading up to Silver Lake Youth Camp to lead worship and session for the week. Lance and I had already crafted the drama and recruited our acting team to spark conversation and session content. Plans were in place. I just wanted to leave our home in good order before I left.
I was out in the yard trimming the bushes on our property. A tall branch had sprung up higher than the round bush I was focused on. It kept bending when I tried to cut it with the power trimmer. I decided to hold the branch steady and try to trim it with one hand on the trimmer controls. The blade bounced off the branch and hit my index and middle finger on my left hand. The cut was jagged and deep. I knew I was in trouble.
I squeezed my hand shut tightly to put pressure on the wound and took the trimmer with me into the house. I ran my fingers under the water to try to wash away the blood to see the wound, but it was impossible to get a look at the cut. I reached for geranium oil, which I keep by the stove for accidents. I knew it could help get the bleeding under control. I started applying the roller to the wound while rinsing away the blood. Within a minute, the bleeding was under control and I could clearly see the cut. It was going to need stitches.
Now that the bleeding had stopped, I applied a regular bandage to both fingers. I felt the adrenaline coursing through my body as I tried to figure out what help I needed. I communicated what happened to my guys and they responded quickly with clarifying questions and sympathy. They fueled my courage to keep taking the next step. I drove to the urgent care clinic but forgot to bring food and water for the long wait.
Because the bleeding was under control, I waited five hours for stitches. An x-ray confirmed that there was no damage to the bone. During the wait, I started to feel cold, thirsty and hungry. Shock was slow to hit because blood loss was minimal. Lance arrived and found a nurse to provide a warm blanket and water. I started feeling better with some attention to basics. The doctor gave me three stitches in one finger and two in the next to help the cut to heal quickly.
I used a roller with Helichrysum, Lavender and Frankincense with Coconut oil on the wound each time I changed the bandage. Rose ointment created a great barrier to keep the cut clean and promoted faster healing. By day three, I had the bandage off whenever I wasn't actively playing piano or using my hand. The roller and ointment moved the healing along quickly. I had the first stitch removed by the camp nurse on day eight and the rest out on day nine before heading home to Hamilton.
I am convinced that geranium essential oil should be a staple in everyone's kitchen and first aid kit.
My hand is almost fully healed. The skin is thick with scar tissue where it knit back together but there was no nerve or muscle damage. The body's ability to heal is amazing - and I love having the right tools 'on hand' to support it.
Finding ways to adapt favourite recipes to avoid inflammatory foods or sensitivities can be tricky. But here is a family-approved version that we all enjoy together without making two different pancake batters.
2 Flax Eggs - (2 tbsp flax meal with 6 tbsp of water - let it sit while mixing up other ingredients)
2.5 cups Buttermilk (use any non-dairy milk and add 2 tsps of Lemon Juice to make it into Buttermilk
2 tbsp Melted Butter or Coconut Oil
1 tbsp molasses or honey
1.5 cups Buckwheat Flour
1/2 cup Millet Flour
3/4 tsp Baking Soda (corn-free)
3/4 tsp Sea Salt
Butter or Coconut oil for cooking
1. In a large bowl, whisk together flax eggs, buttermilk, melted butter/ oil, and molasses.
2. in a separate bowl stir together buckwheat flour, millet flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Sprinkle over the buttermilk mixture and stir just enough to moisten.
4. In a skillet, melt just enough butter/ oil over medium heat to coat the surface of the pan. Cook batter - 1/4 cup for each pancake for 1.5-2 minutes or until bubbles on top break but do not fill in. Turn pancakes and cook for 30-60 seconds or until they are golden brown.
Makes 16-20 Pancakes.
For crepes, thin out the pancake batter to desired consistency with water.
Try adding frozen or fresh blueberries, diced strawberries or chocolate chips to the batter for different flavour options.
Enjoy with real maple syrup or top with fruit.
Here are some family favourite recipes that avoid these sensitivities:
