Summer’s here, and I’m spending lots of time outdoors – you probably are, too. And for me, that invariably means coming in contact with poison ivy. I do my best to avoid it, but once or twice a year I do manage to break out in a rash. That’s why I always keep this amazing plantain and jewelweed home remedy for poison ivy rash on hand. The remedy is often found growing in the same area as the poison ivy plant. Continue Reading
I have to admit, I’m a sucker for a beautiful book. And The Homesteader’s Herbal Companion does not disappoint. While beauty will certainly get me to pick up a book, the contents must be just as attractive and interesting. Author Amy K. Fewell has done a great job of delivering the whole package.
Have you ever wondered how people cared for their skin before the days of modern lotions and creams? Using ingredients that were quite common on the farm, they were able to make their own natural skin care products – like tallow moisturizer.
I know what you’re thinking. Our ancestors used things like tallow because they were poor and didn’t have a choice. But it probably didn’t work as well as the products you can now purchase ready made.
Well, you’d be mistaken. Yes, we’ve gotten away from using items like tallow for our natural skin care, but it’s not because tallow isn’t effective. We’ve just become accustomed to the convenience of store-bought products.Continue Reading
It seems to me that there are only two reasons why someone would make their own homemade powdered laundry detergent. The most important, to me, is to reduce the use of chemicals and synthetic fragrances in my home. The second is to save money. And this recipe does both while doing a great job of cleaning as well.
I’ve used other recipes for homemade laundry detergent, like the one in my post DIY Tallow Soap for Laundry. Here’s the thing. While that recipe does a nice job of cleaning clothes, I found that any recipe with soap as an ingredient tends to leave a build-up on our clothes over time. I’m not saying that I’m done with that recipe, just that I’m taking a break from it.Continue Reading
Walking in an evergreen forest has a way of taking me to a place of calm. Does it do that for you? The thick layer of needles under foot makes everything quiet, and breathing in the amazing aroma makes me slow down, and just enjoy the here and now.
There are days when I’m frazzled and hurried and anything but calm. I may not be able to get myself out into the woods, but I can bathe with pine bath salts, and they help to lift my mood, and dispel my fatigue.Continue Reading
I love this beautiful soap with a candy-cane swirl. Scented with peppermint essential oil, it is perfect for Christmas gift-giving. The instructions for making this natural, homemade candy cane soap come from Kelly Cable’s new book, The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners (and is used with the author’s permission).
I’ve been making soap for many years, but I’ve rarely gone beyond the basics. Kelly’s new book inspires me to be more experimental and artistic in my soap making. This candy cane soap was the first I’ve tried using color in my soap, and I love it!Continue Reading