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Happy Ascension Thursday! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell unpack the glorious mystery of Christ’s ascent to the right hand of the Father 40 days after his resurrection. Guests include Rita Heikenfeld from abouteating.com, pastoral counselor Kevin Prendergast, and Dr. John Bergsma with more insights into salvation history. Plus news, weather, sports and a whole lot more…

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Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas for Students

Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen.

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GARDENING IDEAS FROM RITA HEIKENFELD

Tea Garden

Hydrating and healing. A tablespoon of fresh or a teaspoon of dried, steeped in 8 oz boiling water for several minutes, then strained, will produce a cup of love.

Suggestions:

Mint. Peppermint is good for digestion.
Chamomile and Lavender: Trouble sleeping? Both make lovely, calming teas.
Fennel. Licorice flavored, warms and soothes.
Thyme and sage. Together these are good for upper respiratory health.
Stevia. Natural sugar substitute. Non caloric and diabetic safe.

Spa/Bath Garden

Place herbs in cheesecloth pouch, tied. Let hot water stream over herbs as the tub is filling.

Suggestions:

Eucalyptus. Opens up sinuses. Combine it with thyme and sage for a powerful healing trio.
Lemon balm. Clean, lemon aroma with hint of mint.
Lavender. A popular aromatherapy plant. Calming, especially when combined with chamomile.
Rose petals. Fragrant and lovely.

Essential Kitchen Herbs Garden

Suggestions:

Basil. You can’t go wrong with Sweet basil for pestos and everyday cooking. For smaller containers, Globe or Minet grow in a 12” rounded shape. Make a basil paste with basil and olive oil, then freeze to make winter pesto.
Parsley. Pretty and useful. Italian or curly — you choose.
Chives. Both onion and garlic chives are cut & come again herbs.
Rosemary. The piney flavor is excellent in soups, stews and root vegetables. Choose from upright and smaller, trailing varieties.
Oregano. Greek is chef’s choice. Italian oregano has a more mild flavor.
Sage. Variegated sages stay fairly small and are striking. Bergarten sage is a slower bolting sage with large leaves.
Mint. Peppermint is strong flavored. Spearmint is sweeter. Mints are invasive. Even stems are known to root if they reach soil. Lots of varieties.
Thyme. French is the gold standard. Earthy and peppery. Cooks love the aromatic and tender leaved lemon thyme.

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Catherine Pakaluk, author of Hannah’s Children

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