Elderberry Syrup Tutorial

I'm finally getting around to doing the Elderberry Syrup Tutorial.   I love Elderberry Syrup, it's a great immune booster, plus it's great on pancakes!!   It is suggested to take 1 tsp daily from October to April and if sick take 3 tsp. a day.   If you suspect you have H1N1 then you may want to stop the Elderberry because some research suggests that it could cause a cytokine storm.  Just stop the use of Elderberry and start again when you are well.
Ok now to the Tutorial.
You will need:  2 oz of elderberries(1/2 cup), 1 cup of water, 1 cup of honey, a pot and a fine strainer, spoon and jar.

 Put the water and the elderberries in a pot.   Bring to a boil.

 Then let it simmer for about 20 mins.  You want to reduce the water by half.

 Sit the strainer over another container and pour the mixture in the strainer.

 With a spoon mash the elderberries down to get all the juice out.

 Next pour in the honey and mix well.

 Pour into a jar and keep in the fridge for about a month.

Enjoy!
Heather

Meditation Monday 11-08

Each Monday I will post an inspirational quote, a mantra or short guided meditation for you to start your week out positive.

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There is a calmness to a life lived in Gratitude, a quiet joy.
-- Ralph H. Blum

What to do with leftover Scalloped Potatoes.

I really wish I thought to take a picture of what I did with my leftover Scalloped potatoes but I didn't so you'll need to use your imagination.

I made way to many scalloped potatoes for Sunday dinner.    I had planned on making a potato soup this week so I got this bright idea to try using my leftover from Sunday to make my soup.   It worked!!   It was actually the bests Potato Soup I have had.     This is what I did:

Warmed the leftover scalloped potatoes in a pot.
Add milk until desired thickness.
Shred carrots into pot.
Add some peas.
Bring to a boil.
Turn down and simmer for as long as you want.
Before serving crumble in some bacon and add some sour cream.

I served with homemade dinner rolls.   It was very very yummy and my scalloped potatoes didn't go to waste.   I'll be making to many more often now.

Meditation Monday 11-01

Each Monday I will post an inspirational quote, a mantra or short guided meditation for you to start your week out positive.

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I've been posting meditations for a couple months now, I hope you enjoy them.  I was thinking today though how some people do not know how to meditate or they do not think they are doing it right.   I fell into the latter for some time.   Now I know I was always doing it right.   This Monday instead of posting a mediation I'm going to post a link that shows you how to meditate.
Click here to learn how to meditate.

Meditation Monday 10-25

Each Monday I will post an inspirational quote, a mantra or short guided meditation for you to start your week out positive.

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"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ... "
1 John 4:18

Chocolate chip pumpkin muffins

These are so yummy!  You'll love them.  We like using fresh pumpkin but you can use canned also.  If you want to use fresh pumpkin but do not know how I'll tell you.   Take a small sugar pumpkin.  Cut off the top.  Take out the seeds and pulp.   Wrap in foil. Bake at 375 for 1 hour.   Scrape the inside out.   

Now for the good stuff.  You will need:

• 4 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 16 oz pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1c vegetable oil , I use olive oil
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
•  1/4 teaspoon clove
•  1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.  I like fresh ground
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 bag semi dark chocolate chips 

I mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.   Then in my stand mixer I blend the eggs, oil and sugar for a couple minutes.   Then I add the pumpkin, then the vanilla.  Continue to beat until well mixed.

Slowly add in the dry ingredients.     Fold in chocolate chips.

Then put in your lined muffin pans and bake for 20 mins at 375.

Enjoy,

♥Heather

Meditation Monday 10-18

Each Monday I will post an inspirational quote, a mantra or short guided meditation for you to start your week out positive.

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“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.”

-Oprah Winfrey

Don't let the bed bugs bite

Bed Bugs are nasty little creatures.    Once upon a time they were nearly eradicated in developed nations with the use of DDT.   DDT is extremely toxic and has been banned.  With the banning of DDT (which is good), Bed Bugs have come back with vengeance (which is bad).

There are a few different natural ways you can natural get rid of Bed Bugs if you do not want to use chemicals.   Essential oils, herbs, heat, and food grade Diatomaceous Earth.      I don't want to get to involved with that but you can google or go to the library to learn more.

I really wanted to discuss how to AVOID getting Bed Bugs so you don't have to worry about getting rid of them.    It's really pretty simple.   Wash your bedding weekly and before you put new, clean sheets on the bed spray the mattress with a Lavender spray.   To make the spray add 30 drops of Lavendula angustifolia to 16 ozs of water.   It needs to be Lavendula angustifolia.

Don't let the Bed Bugs bite!
Heather♥

Meditation Monday 10-11

Each Monday I will post an inspirational quote, a mantra or short guided meditation for you to start your week out positive.

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"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."

-M. Kathleen Casey

A Ninja and a smoothie

I have wanted a Vitamix for the longest time to make smoothies.   I thought making my own healthy smoothie every morning would be a great way to get fit, get in my greens and save some $$.   A Vitamix was just not in our budget though.   One night while watching "In the Kitchen with David" on QVC (I love watching QVC while I knit) I saw a demo for the Ninja Pro.   It was a TSV and affordable.    I figured it would be a good alternative.   I LOVE it.   I did have a problem with the motor but they replaced it for free and haven't had an issue since.      Here's one of my favorite smoothies.   I don't measure anything really so I can't give exacts.
Bananas,frozen blueberries, frozen strawberries, spinach, yogurt, matcha and ground flax.    It is SUPER yummy!   I put it in my reusable smoothie/iced coffee cup which I'll blog about in the future.

Meditation Monday 10-4

Each Monday I will post an inspirational quote, a mantra or short guided meditation for you to start your week out positive.

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 Click this for a simple meditation by Deepak Chopra.

Spooooooooooooooooky

Universal Mama looks awesome this month.  We had a little remodeling done and this Monday at 10pm EST we are stocking some spooky and not so spooky items!   

We made a couple blends that may help you when you are facing some not so fun symptoms of fear.

Check us out!

Meditation Monday 9-27

Each Monday I will post an inspirational quote, a mantra or short guided meditation for you to start your week out positive.

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Try not to become a man of success but a man of value. Albert Einstein

I ♥ pitcher.

We drink a lot of water in this house.  I don't buy juice or soda.  Occasionally I make herbal tea and serve it hot or cold.    Water can get a bit boring however.  One Sunday while watching "In the kitchen with David" I saw the perfect solution.   It was a pitcher very similar to this one.  The difference is the infuser has slits all the way up, it doesn't look like the one in the link does.  
Here's a picture of mine getting ready to be filled with lemons. It's best to take the rinds of so it doesn't get bitter.  You can leave the fruit in the infuser for 2 weeks!!!

We have had lemon water, lemon/lime water, watermelon water, berry water and that's in so far.  I'm looking forward to trying cucumber/lemongrass next.     I recommend this pitcher to anyone, it's a great way to peep up your water.

Meditation Monday

Each Monday I will post an inspirational quote, a mantra or short guided meditation for you to start your week out positive.

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 Enjoy this beautiful mediation.  Even if you don't want to do the full meditation just the chants are nice to read and repeat.

An Earth Meditation

Cool weather planting has begun!

I'm planting a cool weather garden for the first time this year.  I'm excited to see how it grows....if it grows.  If all grows well we will have garden fresh lettuce(two varites), Endive, Spinach, three different color Cauliflower, Brocolli, Cabbage, Sweet Peas and Brussel Sprouts.   I'm most excited about the Brussel Sprouts.   

My daughter also joined it the fun and planted a rock.  She said she hopes it grows peppers. 

I'll be sharing pictures so we can all see what happens!

Peace be with you,

Heather

Meditation Monday

Each Monday I will post an inspirational quote, a mantra or short guided meditation for you to start your week out positive.

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Conflict cannot survive without your participation.  -Dr. Wayne Dyer

I'm back!!!

 

I'm back!  This summer was a busy one for us so I spent most of it preparing tinctures and formulating a skin care line that I can't wait to share with all of you.     I have been beyond frustrated with the skin care, they claim to be all natural only to find ingredients that are far from it.   My first product that will be available is an organic spray deodorant.   I've been very picky with what I put on my pits.  Natural deodorants are either sticky, don't work and/or not completely natural.     I love this formulation I came up with.

Peace and Love,

Heather

Been awhile, enjoy some garden pictures

Things have been beyond busy since school ended.   I think we are finally getting into a groove.   I plan to get back to at least a weekly blogging next week sometime.   Until then here are the latest garden pictures.

5 peas in a pod

How appropriate that the first pod I picked had 5 peas in it!!!   I'm so excited to have our first yield.   It's so rewarding!

Garden 2 weeks later

Garden update

These were taken 2 weeks ago, I'll need to update again because everything has really taken off.

And the winner is......

Michele Munoz-Miller!!!!     I'll be sending you a 4 oz bottle of Orange Blossom hydrosol!!!

Notice something different?

So, how do you like my fancy new blog?   I love it!!   I mean I LOVE it.  Lori from Beneath the Rowan Tree did a fantastic job.     Let me know what you think in the comments.   On Tuesday at 10 am EST I'll pick a random winner from the comments to win a little something, something.  Make sure I have a way to contact you or check back on Tues. to see if you are the winner!

Mama bird

A month or so ago I blogged about my Maple tree.    When it's not torturing me with it's pollen it really is my favorite tree.   Our yard would not be the same without it.   The other day when I was sitting under it I looked up and found a Mama bird laying on it's eggs.  Every morning I go out a check on them and she's still there.   We had a very windy day a couple days ago, I was so worried about her and the babies.  All is well though, I can't wait to watch her feed the babies.

Balls of Glory

 Balls of Glory, that's what I call one of my many favorite flowers.   It's real name is Allium aflatunense, or more commonly called Purple Sensation.    The bulbs can be found at almost any garden center.    They are grown for ornamental use but still have some medicinal properties similar to it's family member, garlic.    The flowers can be used in salads.

Plant these beauties to repel moles and insects.

These Alliums are growing in my front yard. They are such an eye catcher.    I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do.

Garden update

I wanted to take a break from my busy Friday to share some garden pictures.

He said, She said

Every year DH and I have the same conversation about Dandelions.   He loathes them,  I love them.   He thinks they are ugly, I think they a beautiful.  He thinks they destroy his lawn, I think they make our yard a natural pharmacy.    His goal in life is to have the perfect organic yard so he begs me every year to let him destroy the Dandelions.   This year I gave in and let him through down some organic corn gluten.  Here is a picture of our dandelions, shall they rest in peace.

Why I love Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale)?  They add a lovely splash of color to the lawn, they give enjoyment to children who love to blow off the pappus of the matured Dandelion.  In the addition to that they are good for you!   Throw them in a juicer, put them in your salad, make a tea and enjoy the benefits it has for your liver and kidneys.  It's a tonic and diuretic.     Enjoy those lovely little weeds!

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Kristina is the winner!!

Giveaway time!!!  To celebrate our first stocking with Universal Mama we are going to give away a .5oz of our Baby Bottom Creme.  You could also use this on dry skin, cracked hands, eczema, etc.    Just leave a comment and make sure I have a way to contact you.   We will randomly select a winner from all the comments.

Come check us out tonight at Universal Mama starting at 10pm EST.

It's that time of year

The evil beautiful Maple trees are blooming.  They are beautiful and are one of my favorite trees but WOW do they do a number on me.   I also happen to have one huge monster beautiful Maple in my backyard.  Literally right in the middle of my yard.   It's huge.  It makes my life miserable while it comes to life.   It is worth it though because when it's done wrecking havoc on my body it provides natural shade to my backyard and a lovely earthy canopy for my children to play under.

People ask what I do for my allergies. Well, this is where I'm a bad Holistic practioner, I use over the counter allopathic medicine.  If I don't  I can't function, I do combine it with holistic care though.   Here are some great remedies.    Eat a low histamine diet.   Use a netipot.  Up your Vit. C.  The essential oil Ammi visnaga in a diffuser and herbs such as feverfew.

Red Clover

I found this poem last night and I couldn't wait to get up and share it with the people who read my blog.

 The flowers were sad and very still

The Night Christ died upon the hill,

Only the clover turned about

And wove green fingers in and out

About the cross. Christ did not see

The clover's little sympathy,

But God looked down, and on each leaf

He marked a tiny sign of grief..

A little poignant drop of red

In memory of my son, God said.

~Anonymous

That gave me a new love for the Red Clover.   Now a little info on Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)  It's rich in phytoestrogens so using it to help PMS, fibroids and other hormonal issues could be a great idea.   It's a great liver and blood cleanser, an immune booster and cough suppressant.   It's also beneficial to the prostate.  So, this little Mama is a great herb to have around, luckily you can find it right in your yard if your lucky.  If not keep your eye out the next time you're in a field, you just might stumble on one.  Don't confuse it with the White clover though.

Beautiful Easter Weekend

We had a beautiful Easter weekend.   We spent part of it in my hometown and the other half here.  

I love this time of year when everything starts to come to life, very fitting considering Easter is about Life.

My Mother had a beautiful basket filled with spring flowers.    I took photos of  a few. 

Here is a Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii). Very beautiful, they were my wedding flower, however they really are not known for any medicinal properties.   The common Daisy does however.  The Bellis perennis contains astringent properties and was used often in ancient  Rome.

This is a pink Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis).  Another pretty flower that is associated with Easter.  This type of Hyacinth doesn't have any medicinal properties.  The scent is used often in perfumes but don't be duped, it's most likely synthetic.

Although these two flowers do not contain medicinal properties I believe they still are healing, just not physically.   The beauty of these plants and the pleasant aroma can calm the mind and soothe the soul.   Sometimes medicine can't get better than that.

Palm braiding

My church had a palm braiding class last week.   I thought that sounded fun and it was something I never did.  It was a blast.   I'm really looking forward to doing another one next year. 

Working...Working...Working

Today was such a nice day.  I took advantage of it and  took photos of some of my products.

A creamy diaper rash lotion made with organic ingredients. A lovely blend of oils, butters, herbs, hydrosols and essential oils.

A photo of the different size essential oils.  Our essential oils are pure and therapeutic quality.  They are from first distillations. Most of them are organic with the exception of a few that are wild crafted.  They are ingestable under the supervision of a trained professional.

A blend that was made with the postpartum mama in mind but most certainly would be perfect for anyone feeling a little anxious or blue.  It contains on of my favorite essential oils, Spikenard.